PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bowman Rook (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gianpaolo Volpicelli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gianpaolo Volpicelli has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rook
vs
Volpicelli

180 cm
33
190 lbs
20 - 18 - 0

187 cm
28
197 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bowman Rook!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gianpaolo Volpicelli!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rook scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Volpicelli doesn't seem bothered though.
Volpicelli ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rook moves away.
Volpicelli throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Volpicelli misses with a low kick as Rook jumps back.
Rook staying out of range there.
Volpicelli moves out of range as Rook throws a body kick.
Volpicelli tests Rook's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rook closes this distance looking for a takedown but Volpicelli circles away.
Volpicelli scores with a hook to the body. Rook takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Good leg kick by Volpicelli there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
The fighters circling - Volpicelli throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rook attempts a counter takedown but Volpicelli avoids it well and moves away.

Rook feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Volpicelli wants to stand and escape but Rook is having none of it.
Volpicelli trying to keep a closed guard but Rook is proving a slippery customer.
Rook working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rook lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Volpicelli trying to control the position.
Rook wants to control from the top but Volpicelli keeps moving.
Rook scoring with some ground and pound.
Volpicelli keeping full guard, as Rook tries to pass.
Rook trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Volpicelli manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Rook keeping moving, preventing Volpicelli from controlling successfully.
Volpicelli forces his way into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rook wants to improve his position but Volpicelli is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Volpicelli is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Rook is looking for a sweep. Volpicelli is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Volpicelli is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Rook looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rook wants to control but Volpicelli is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Volpicelli is looking for a kimura here.
Rook is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Volpicelli wants to work for an arm triangle but Rook is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Rook tries to roll over but Volpicelli keeps him under control.
Volpicelli perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rook tries to get to full guard but Volpicelli has control of the leg.

Volpicelli wants to work for an arm triangle but Rook is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Volpicelli is just content to waste time from the top position. Rook takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Volpicelli wants to pass the guard but Rook is keeping the position.
Rook keeping moving, preventing Volpicelli from controlling successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Volpicelli drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Volpicelli jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Volpicelli throws a sloppy head kick and Rook moves out of range easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gianpaolo Volpicelli dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Volpicelli throws out a powerful jab.
Rook lands a nice looking body shot.
Volpicelli tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Volpicelli fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Rook checks it well.
Rook throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Volpicelli's waist but Volpicelli gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rook off to one side.
Rook lands a right hook to the body.
Rook throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rook scores with a punch to the head.
Rook blocks a low kick nicely.
A jab lands there for Volpicelli.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volpicelli throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Volpicelli buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Volpicelli scores with a jab. Rook acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Rook lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Rook waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Volpicelli.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volpicelli misses with a hook

and Rook counters by clinching up.
Volpicelli is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Volpicelli manages to break the clinch.
Gianpaolo Volpicelli is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Volpicelli throws a body punch but Rook moves out of range.
Volpicelli misses with an uppercut. Rook saw that one coming.
Rook misses the body punch
and Volpicelli counters with a nice uppercut.
Rook throws a shot from downtown. Volpicelli moves away and avoids it.
Rook wants to clinch up but Volpicelli keeps it at a distance.
Volpicelli fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rook.
Volpicelli connects with a right hand. Rook shakes it off.
Volpicelli throws a poor cross that misses

and Rook counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rook slips a nice elbow through Volpicelli's hands, connecting with Volpicelli's forehead.
The fighters are battling for position here. Volpicelli manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Bowman Rook overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rook prevents Volpicelli from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volpicelli trying to control the position here.
Rook chips away with some ground and pound.
Volpicelli keeping moving, preventing Rook from controlling successfully.
Volpicelli wants to get back to his feet but Rook is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Rook loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Volpicelli working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rook.
Volpicelli tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Rook slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Rook throws a leg kick which misses Volpicelli's front leg but catches the back leg as Volpicelli tries to avoid it.
Volpicelli tried to score with a low kick but Rook checks it.
Rook just misses with a punch to the body.
Rook throws the kick towards the body but Volpicelli avoids it.
Rook backing away here, and Volpicelli unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Rook dips to his left and cracks Volpicelli with an uppercut!
Volpicelli misses with a head kick.
Rook thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rook looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Volpicelli misses with a straight left.
Rook connects with a leg kick. Volpicelli looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Rook connects with a leg kick. Volpicelli looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Rook throws a low kick but it's checked well by Volpicelli.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volpicelli lands a leg kick that knocks Rook off balance momentarily.
A jab from Volpicelli misses.
Rook tries to counter with a takedown but Volpicelli is quick to defend against it.
Rook moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Volpicelli on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Volpicelli throws a head kick that Rook semi-blocks.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Volpicelli misses with a hook. Rook ducked under it nicely.
Rook feinted with a counter takedown.
Rook scores with a shot to the body.
Volpicelli takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A looping hook to the body misses from Volpicelli. Rook does a little dance to reset his feet.
Volpicelli misses with a right hand
and Rook connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rook moves to clinch but Volpicelli breaks away
and Volpicelli counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Rook clinches.
Volpicelli scores with a shot to the side of Rook's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Bowman Rook will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Volpicelli swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rook feinted with a counter takedown.
Volpicelli tries to work over Rook's front leg with a kick but Rook checks it.
Rook blocks a head kick by Volpicelli.
Volpicelli lands a head kick!
Rook moves forwards but Volpicelli connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Rook dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Volpicelli. That did some damage!
Volpicelli throws a right and a left that both miss.
Jab, jab by Volpicelli - just one landing.
Nice shot by Rook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rook throws a body punch but Volpicelli moves out of range.
Rook takes a swing at Volpicelli's ribcage but misses.
Rook feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Volpicelli's calf.
Nice body punch from Volpicelli.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Volpicelli shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rook has managed to clinch.
Rook pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Rook lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Volpicelli or not.
Volpicelli tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rook's elbow.
Rook working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Rook tries a body shot but Volpicelli blocks it.
Volpicelli letting Rook take a breather here.
Volpicelli looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Rook misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rook tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Volpicelli tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rook avoids it.
Volpicelli tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rook avoids it.
Rook looking to slow down the pace here.

Volpicelli breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rook misses with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volpicelli throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Rook counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Rook.
Rook postures up.
Rook postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Volpicelli lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

This has been an exciting period of action!
Volpicelli stands and throws Rook's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Rook wants to control but Volpicelli postures up.
Rook is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Volpicelli is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Rook is trying to get back to half guard.

Volpicelli thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rook is looking to regain half guard here but Volpicelli keeps moving and retains side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rook is working hard here to advance position.
Rook can't do much from the bottom here.
Volpicelli wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rook keeps working.

Volpicelli wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rook, who protects the arm well.

Volpicelli is trying to get an arm triangle but Rook is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Rook gets back to half guard.

Volpicelli is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Rook wants to get back to full guard.
Rook preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

Volpicelli is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Gianpaolo Volpicelli just about did enough to take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Volpicelli thows a leg kick but Rook checks it

so Rook counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Volpicelli is trying to control the position but Rook postures up.
Rook looking to sit in guard and control but Volpicelli gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Rook is trying to control the position but Volpicelli postures up.

Rook working for submissions but it's allowed Volpicelli to get to half guard.

Volpicelli seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Rook has recovered full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Volpicelli got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rook has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Volpicelli has managed to get both his arms back between Rook's legs - danger averted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rook looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Volpicelli slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Volpicelli trying to control the position from guard on top but Rook is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Volpicelli looking to pass the guard.
Rook pulls Volpicelli in close to his closed guard and prevents Volpicelli from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Volpicelli is pushing down on Rook's leg trying to pass to half guard. Rook is fighting to maintain full guard but Volpicelli has managed to sneak the leg through.
Rook wants to get back to full guard.
Rook tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Volpicelli has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Volpicelli prevents Rook from getting the reversal.

Volpicelli working for a guillotine from mount but Rook is in no mood to give up.
Rook really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volpicelli trying to control but Rook is having none of it.

Volpicelli jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Rook is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Rook and Volpicelli has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Rook prevents Volpicelli from moving into mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Volpicelli wants to control but Rook is keeping him busy.
Volpicelli taking a break here but Rook is having none of it and regains half guard.
Rook has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Volpicelli is working away from the top position though.
Volpicelli wants to pass the guard but Rook is defending well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rook is pressing down on Volpicelli's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Gianpaolo Volpicelli will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

A nice leg kick lands there from Volpicelli.
Volpicelli is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Volpicelli throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rook sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rook misses with a hook. Volpicelli ducked under it nicely.
Volpicelli cracks a nice hook into Rook's ribs.
A decent looking cross lands there for Rook.
Volpicelli misses with a wild body shot.
Rook fails with an attempt to clinch.
Volpicelli misses with a looping right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volpicelli misses the shot to the body.
Volpicelli digs a good hook to Rook's body.
Volpicelli buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Rook fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Volpicelli checks it well.
Rook displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Volpicelli throws out the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rook tries to clinch up.
Volpicelli fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Volpicelli throws a jab when Rook was well out of range.
Rook catches Volpicelli with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Rook checks the leg kick nicely there.
Rook misses with a hook.
Volpicelli misses with a two punch combination.
Gianpaolo Volpicelli seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Rook takes the fight into the clinch.
Volpicelli goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rook unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Volpicelli is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Rook lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Volpicelli or not.
Volpicelli wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rook wants to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rook taking a breather.
Volpicelli on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rook scores with a hook to the body.
Rook lands a knee to the head.
A body shot lands from Rook.
Rook struggles to land a body shot inside as Volpicelli controls his hands.
Volpicelli avoiding damage as Rook throws knees to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rook misses with a hook from the clinch.
Volpicelli lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rook.
Rook taking a breather.
Volpicelli missing with knees to the body.
A short body shot lands from Rook as the two fighters clinch.
Volpicelli lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Rook tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volpicelli landing knees to the head.
Rook lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rook tries a body shot but Volpicelli blocks it.

Volpicelli breaks the clinch.
Rook uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
The fighters circle momentarily. Rook darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Rook clinches up with Volpicelli and pushes him back against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rook.

Volpicelli breaks from the clinch.
Rook connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Volpicelli momentarily.
Volpicelli misses with an uppercut. Rook saw that one coming.
Volpicelli avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rook uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Volpicelli.
Rook blocks a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rook wants to clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Rook drives through with a takedown into guard.
Volpicelli controlling the position.
Rook is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Volpicelli wants to hit a switch here but Rook passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Volpicelli there!
Rook is in the full mount, landing strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bowman Rook showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Volpicelli has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Gianpaolo Volpicelli!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Bowman Rook!
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Bowman Rook!

Bowman Rook wins by split decision!
Bowman Rook managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Milwaukee's Best 160 (85% laundry), into his post fight interview.