PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Julen Corvalan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frank Poncherello (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Frank Poncherello told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Corvalan
vs
Poncherello

180 cm
22
180 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

169 cm
18
179 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Julen Corvalan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Frank Poncherello!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Daniel Franklin and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Poncherello shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Corvalan but Corvalan pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Poncherello staying out of range there.
Corvalan throws a right and a left that both miss.
Poncherello misses with a takedown attempt - Corvalan sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Corvalan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Corvalan throws a right and a left that both miss.
Corvalan fails in his attempt to clinch.

Poncherello gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Poncherello tries for a takedown. No joy.
Julen Corvalan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Poncherello.
Corvalan misses with a short punch on the inside.
Corvalan presses Poncherello against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Poncherello can't get the takedown.
A looping hook to the body misses from Corvalan. Poncherello does a little dance to reset his feet.

Poncherello gets a takedown into half guard.
Corvalan wants to control but Poncherello is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Poncherello wants to pass to mount but Corvalan is defending the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Poncherello is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Corvalan trying to control but Poncherello postures up.
Corvalan tries to roll over but Poncherello keeps him under control.

Poncherello seems to be looking for submissions.
Poncherello thows a huge punch but Corvalan dodges it nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Poncherello prevents Corvalan from standing back up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
The fighters circling - Corvalan throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Corvalan misses with a two punch combination.
Corvalan misses the shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Corvalan closes the distance but Poncherello moves to the side

and Poncherello counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Poncherello.

Poncherello lands a takedown into guard.
Corvalan on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Corvalan tries to get out of the position.
Poncherello postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Poncherello accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Poncherello tries to free his leg and advance position but Corvalan is retaining full guard.
Poncherello looks gassed!

Poncherello thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Corvalan is pulling down on Poncherello's head to control his posture.
Corvalan working a defensive guard here.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Corvalan wants to clinch

and Poncherello counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Poncherello postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Poncherello has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Corvalan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Poncherello is one step ahead there.
Corvalan trying to keep a closed guard but Poncherello is proving a slippery customer.
Corvalan seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Corvalan preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Poncherello won't allow Corvalan to sweep him here.
Poncherello working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Corvalan throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Poncherello sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Corvalan tries to clinch up

and Poncherello counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Corvalan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Poncherello thows a big elbow that misses.
Corvalan preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Corvalan wants to sweep but no luck.
Corvalan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Poncherello drops back looking for a leg! Corvalan is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Corvalan manages to kick Poncherello off! Poncherello jumps back into Corvalan's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Poncherello dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

The crowd cheers as Corvalan lands an impressive looking overhand right. Poncherello doesn't seem phased though.
Corvalan tries to clinch up

and Poncherello counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Poncherello avoiding damage as Corvalan throws knees to the body.
Corvalan misses with a hook to the ribs.

Poncherello pulls guard.

Poncherello looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Corvalan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Poncherello swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Corvalan knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Poncherello on the ground.

Poncherello working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Corvalan doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Corvalan manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Poncherello is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poncherello wants to sweep here but Corvalan controlling him for the moment.
Corvalan content to stall in guard here.

Poncherello is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Corvalan postures up and lands a big shot to Poncherello's brow.
Corvalan trying to control the position from guard on top but Poncherello is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Corvalan controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Corvalan throwing strikes from guard but Poncherello blocks nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Poncherello tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Corvalan wants to control from the top but Poncherello keeps moving.

Poncherello working for a triangle but Corvalan defends it easily.

Poncherello had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Corvalan is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Poncherello Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Corvalan's back instead.
Poncherello has the hooks in. Corvalan is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Corvalan needs to remain patient if he's going to get out of this sticky situation.
Poncherello is not going to allow Corvalan to sit and survive in this position.

Poncherello is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Corvalan is defending well though. Poncherello let's go of the attempt for now.
Poncherello thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.

Poncherello is working for the choke. He's slipped one arm under the chin. Corvalan has to defend the other arm for all he's worth... but Poncherello has managed to get that arm free too and he's tightening the choke! Corvalan taps out and looks absolutely disgusted with himself. Poncherello doesn't care though - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:48 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Frank Poncherello!