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). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Rook
vs
Volpicelli

180 cm
33
190 lbs
21 - 18 - 0

187 cm
28
197 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition

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 21 - 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 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gianpaolo Volpicelli!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Volpicelli fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Rook on the side of the head.
Volpicelli feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Rooks jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
A jab from Volpicelli does it's job there.
Volpicelli missing with a left hand there. Rook was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Volpicelli misses with a wild body shot.
Rook just misses with a punch to the body.
Rook gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Volpicelli counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Volpicelli throws a low kick but it's checked well by Rook.
Rook swings for the body but Volpicelli moves out of range.
Volpicelli scores with a decent looking hook.
Rook steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Volpicelli.

Rook clinches up with Volpicelli and pushes him back against the cage.
Volpicelli has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Volpicelli is trying to force a seperation but Rook has the dominant position.
Rook keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Volpicelli's efforts to push away.
A frustrated look appears on Volpicelli's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Rook slowing the pace effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Volpicelli's face as he tries to break the clinch.
We've been informed that Volpicelli has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.

Volpicelli escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rook takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Rook swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Volpicelli looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Rook tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Volpicelli misses with a lunging right hand

and Rook counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Rook trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rook makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Volpicelli is trying to keep Rook in close.
Rook throws a big elbow that misses.
Rook throwing strikes from guard but Volpicelli blocks nicely.
Rook is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rook wants to control from the top but Volpicelli keeps moving.
Volpicelli preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Volpicelli is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Rook throwing strikes from guard but Volpicelli blocks nicely.
Volpicelli is looking to stand up but Rook isn't so interested in that idea.
Rook wants to control from the top but Volpicelli keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Volpicelli tries a head kick but it misses.
Good leg kick by Volpicelli there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rook is looking to clinch.
Gianpaolo Volpicelli is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Volpicelli misses with a straight left.
Volpicelli throws a leg kick but Rook sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Volpicelli throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Gianpaolo Volpicelli seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice shot by Rook.
Rook ducks right into an uppercut from Volpicelli.
Volpicelli throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rook on the side of the head.
Rook walks into a straight right hand from Volpicelli.
Volpicelli waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rook.
A swing and a miss from Volpicelli.
Volpicelli thows a leg kick but Rook checks it

and Rook counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rook.
Rook misses with a knee to the head.
Rook goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Knees to the body from Rook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Rook.
Rook lands an elbow that stopped Volpicelli in his tracks for a moment.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rook stalling in the clinch.
Rook misses with a punch on the inside.
Rook lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Rook trying to land knees to the body.
Volpicelli is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Volpicelli can't break the clinch.

Volpicelli breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Volpicelli keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Volpicelli avoids the body shot from Rook.
Rook tries to score with a low kick but Volpicelli moves his leg out of the way.
Rook throws a half hearted mid kick.
Volpicelli connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Rook lands a leg kick that knocks Volpicelli off balance momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Gianpaolo Volpicelli will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rook takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Volpicelli misses with a body shot.
Rook throws a quick inside leg kick.
Rook takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Volpicelli avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Volpicelli throws a leg kick but Rook checks it.
Rook feinted with a counter takedown.
Rook loads up on a big right hand but Volpicelli slips the punch.
Rook connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Rook tries to clinch there but Volpicelli circles away.

Rook closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Rook not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Volpicelli tries to get to full guard but Rook has control of the leg.
Rook missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Volpicelli looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rook prevents Volpicelli from improving his position.
Rook is trying to control the action in half guard but Volpicelli is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Rook scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Volpicelli is defending against the submission attempts here by Rook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Rook is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Volpicelli defends it well.
Rook prevents Volpicelli from standing back up.
Volpicelli gets back to full guard.
Rook loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Volpicelli holds on and takes a little breather.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Volpicelli looking to control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Gianpaolo Volpicelli seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Volpicelli connects with an inside leg kick.
Volpicelli throws a low kick but Rook moves out of range easily.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Volpicelli, right into the meat.
Rook is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Volpicelli.
Rook ducks under a wild hook from Volpicelli.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rook. Volpicelli does a little dance to reset his feet.
Volpicelli does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Rook throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Volpicelli was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Volpicelli throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rook half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Rook moves in looking to clinch but Volpicelli pushes him off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A left lands for Rook.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Volpicelli. Rook shrugs it off though.
Both fighters circling a little - Volpicelli finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Rook is looking to clinch.
Volpicelli misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rook.
Rook takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Rook avoids the head kick by Volpicelli.
Volpicelli getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rook moves out of range of the strikes.
Volpicelli connects with a right hand. Rook shakes it off.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The fighters circling - Rook throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rook blocks a jab.
Good work by Rook as he checks the leg kick.
Rook changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gianpaolo Volpicelli showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rook tries to clinch there but Volpicelli circles away.
Rook lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Rook lands a slapping body shot.
Rook shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Volpicelli connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rook is defended easily by Volpicelli.
Rook throws a right and a left that Volpicelli avoids nicely.
Volpicelli looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rook takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Rook moves out of range of the strikes.
A head kick misses from Rook.
Volpicelli keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Rook connects with an inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rook fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Volpicelli is out of range.
Rook throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Volpicelli misses with a looping left.
Rook tries to clinch but Volpicelli is having none of it.
Volpicelli tries a quick counter leg kick but Rook is wise to it.
Rook takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Rook defending well as Volpicelli loads up on a big left hand.
Rook attempts a counter takedown but Volpicelli avoids it well and moves away.
Rook tries to clinch up but Volpicelli circles away and keeps his distance.
Volpicelli was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Volpicelli connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Rook momentarily.
Volpicelli moves into range and connects with a jab.
Rook checks a leg kick.
Rook is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Volpicelli.
Volpicelli gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Rook lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volpicelli dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rook. That did some damage!
Volpicelli thumps Rook with a low kick.
Rook lands a right hook to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Volpicelli throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Rook looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Volpicelli keeps the fight on the outside.
Volpicelli keeps the fight on the outside.
Volpicelli looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Volpicelli connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Rook throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Volpicelli sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rook thows a left - swing and a miss!
Volpicelli is looking to chop away at Rook's legs.
Rook misses with a hook.
Volpicelli throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rook looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Volpicelli keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rook displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Volpicelli throws out the jab.
Rook misses with a body kick.
A big right from Volpicelli misses.
Volpicelli jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
No luck for Rook with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bowman Rook. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Volpicelli throws a low kick but it's checked well by Rook.
Rook attempts a counter takedown but Volpicelli avoids it well and moves away.
Volpicelli uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rook.
A little jabbing left from Volpicelli on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Rook works Volpicelli's body with a nice hook.
Volpicelli lands a jab.
Rook throws a chopping leg kick but Volpicelli manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Volpicelli avoids the body shot from Rook.
Rook looks to score with a jab to the body but Volpicelli is just out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lazy left from Volpicelli finds it's target.
Rook throws a sloppy head kick and Volpicelli moves out of range easily.
Volpicelli lands with a straight right. Rook didn't see that one coming.
Volpicelli circles away from the clinch attempt
enabling Volpicelli to counter with a crisp jab.
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!
A nice leg kick lands there from Volpicelli.
Volpicelli shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Volpicelli looks to score with a jab to the body but Rook is just out of range.
Rook tries to clinch there but Volpicelli circles away.
Rook throws a chopping leg kick but Volpicelli manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Rook tries to clinch up but Volpicelli circles away and keeps his distance.
Volpicelli throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Rook tries to counter by clinching up but Volpicelli breaks away and moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gianpaolo Volpicelli really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rook throws a low kick, looking for Volpicelli's leg but Volpicelli calmly moves out of range.
Volpicelli lands a high kick!
Volpicelli throws a big shot that misses.
Rook looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Rook will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Volpicelli with a hook.
Volpicelli dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rook. That did some damage!
Rook lands a body shot.
Rook tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Volpicelli was well out of range. Poor timing from Rook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rook throws a leg kick that misses.
A clash of legs there as Rook blocks the low kick.
Rook throwing a counter right hand but Volpicelli manages to avoid it.
Rook chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Volpicelli can pounce on him.
Volpicelli takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Rook is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volpicelli fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Volpicelli lands a jab.
Rook tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Volpicelli paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rook takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Rook closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Volpicelli did well to prevent Rook getting side control.
Volpicelli is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Rook's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Rook's back!
Rook tries to roll but Volpicelli sticks to his back.

Volpicelli is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Rook is defending well though. Volpicelli let's go of the attempt for now.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Volpicelli looking for the choke from the back.
Rook can't escape the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volpicelli trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Rook tries to escape but Volpicelli has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Good control from Volpicelli.
Rook trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Rook tries to escape the position.

Volpicelli is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Volpicelli working for a choke but Rook is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rook defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Volpicelli working for a choke but Rook is defending well.
Volpicelli not allowing Rook to control his hands.

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 escape but Volpicelli has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

Rook showing good submission defense here.
Volpicelli is hanging on to Rook's back as he tries to escape.
Bowman Rook overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rook is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gianpaolo Volpicelli dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Volpicelli misses with a lunging right hand
and Rook counters with an outside leg kick.
A lazy body kick from Rook
and Volpicelli counters with a straight right hand.
Rook misses the shot to the body.
Rook lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Rook avoids the head kick by Volpicelli.
Rook misses with a body kick.
Rook cracks the inside of Volpicelli's front leg.
Rook chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Volpicelli can pounce on him.
Volpicelli misses with a straight right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rook tries to clinch up.
Volpicelli shapes to counter with a head kick.
Nice shot lands for Volpicelli.
Volpicelli throws a leg kick but Rook sees it coming and moves out of range.
Rook staying out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rook misses with a hook
and Volpicelli counters with a stiff right hand.
Volpicelli moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Rook darts in and clinches Volpicelli up against the cage.

Volpicelli's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Volpicelli misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rook attempts a counter takedown but Volpicelli avoids it well and moves away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rook.
A cross from Volpicelli lands.
Rook takes a swing at Volpicelli's ribcage but misses.
Rook scores with a punch to the head.
Volpicelli fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volpicelli misses with a looping left.
A head kick by Volpicelli misses

and Rook decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Volpicelli's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Volpicelli is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rook working some strikes from top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Volpicelli is looking to stand up but Rook isn't so interested in that idea.

Rook drops back, looking for a kneebar! Volpicelli looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Volpicelli looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Volpicelli!

Rook manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rook looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Rook throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Volpicelli keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Rook is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Volpicelli trying to control here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Volpicelli tries to kick Rook off but Rook keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Rook looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Rook throwing shots but Volpicelli is blocking nicely.
Volpicelli looks like he's trying to stand up.

Volpicelli looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rook trying to control from half guard but Volpicelli is working away.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Bowman Rook.
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 Gianpaolo Volpicelli!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Gianpaolo Volpicelli!

Gianpaolo Volpicelli wins by unanimous decision!
Our winner, Gianpaolo Volpicelli, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.