PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Al Coholic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mario Puzo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Puzo has chosen Speak Softly Love as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. 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.

Coholic
vs
Puzo

193 cm
23
191 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

185 cm
22
187 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Al Coholic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mario Puzo!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, John Kavanagh and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Puzo lands a jab to Coholic's midsection.
Puzo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Good standup being displayed there by Coholic as he connects with a hook.
We've been told by Coholic's head coaches at The Jungle Elite MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Puzo.
Coholic lands a nice shot to the body.
Puzo throws a low kick but Coholic moves out of range easily.

Coholic tries to keep at a distance but Puzo has taken the fight into the clinch.
Puzo scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Coholic wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Coholic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Puzo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Puzo moves to clinch but Coholic breaks away
and Coholic cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Coholic connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Puzo throws a nice inside leg kick.
Coholic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Puzo.
Coholic throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Coholic throws a series of punches but Puzo moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puzo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Puzo defending well as Coholic loads up on a big left hand.

Puzo pushes Coholic up against the cage in a clinch.
A short right from Coholic.
Puzo lands a right hand.
Coholic gets through Puzo's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Puzo keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Coholic's efforts to push away.
Coholic misses with a punch on the inside.

Coholic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Puzo throws a head kick that half lands.
Coholic lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
A telegraphed right hand from Coholic misses the target.
Puzo tries to clinch but Coholic moves out of range.
Coholic dips to his left and cracks Puzo with an uppercut!
Coholic is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Coholic misses with a few strikes there.
Puzo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Al Coholic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Coholic.
Puzo has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Puzo throws a body kick that misses.
Coholic was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Puzo throws a leg kick that misses.
Coholic on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Jab from Puzo.
Coholic misses with a straight right.
Puzo lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Coholic slips under a jab.
Coholic throwing a counter right hand but Puzo manages to avoid it.
Puzo takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Coholic tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Coholic circles away from the clinch attempt.
Coholic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Puzo.
Coholic misses with an uppercut.
Coholic misses with a straight right.
Puzo takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Puzo blocks a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Puzo takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Coholic scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Puzo scores with a leg kick.
The fighters circling - Coholic throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Puzo instigates a clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Coholic fails to land.
Coholic lands with a light punch inside.
Coholic digs a right hand into Puzo's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Puzo's gas tank.
Coholic working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Puzo lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Coholic.
Coholic is trying to push Puzo away but Puzo has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Puzo cracks Coholic with a nice body shot.
Good body shot from Puzo.
Puzo misses with a hook from the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Puzo.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Coholic wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stalling in the clinch from Puzo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Puzo is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Puzo receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Coholic goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Puzo tries to throw a body punch but Coholic avoids it by throwing Puzo back against the cage.
Puzo lands a hook to the side of the head.
Puzo swings wildly with an uppercut but Coholic uses good head movement to avoid it.
Puzo lands a body punch.
Coholic tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Puzo tries to work over Coholic's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Puzo prevents Coholic from breaking the clinch.
Coholic is looking to break free of the clinch but Puzo has double underhooks.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Puzo misses with a hook to the ribs.
Coholic can't find room to land a body shot as Puzo controls the action.
Coholic wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Puzo misses with a short punch on the inside.
Puzo works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Al Coholic dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Coholic fails to land with a series of punches.
Puzo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Coholic throws out the jab.
Puzo is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Coholic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Puzo.
Puzo tries to clinch up.
Puzo throws a body punch but Coholic moves out of range.
Some wild striking there from Coholic.
Coholic is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Puzo feints and then cracks Coholic's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Coholic down.
Puzo has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Coholic finds it's way round the side to connect with Puzo's head.
Jab, jab by Coholic - just one landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good shot there by Coholic.
Coholic keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Coholic is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Puzo can do to turn this around?

Coholic gets tackled into the cage by Puzo. Puzo maintains the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Puzo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Puzo scores with a hook to the body.
Puzo softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Coholic throws a head punch that misses.
Coholic stalling in the clinch but Puzo improves position.
Puzo taking a breather.
Coholic is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Puzo softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Coholic swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Coholic lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Puzo blocking some punches.
Puzo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Coholic lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Coholic prevents a body shot from Puzo.
Puzo lands a body punch in the clinch.
Coholic wants to get back to striking at distance but Puzo won't allow it.
Coholic has a couple of punches blocked by Puzo.
Puzo can't find room to land a body shot as Coholic controls the action.
A bit of stalling here from Puzo.
Puzo lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Coholic backwards.
Coholic can't break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Puzo lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Coholic.
Puzo doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Coholic throws a head punch that misses.
Puzo swings wildly with an uppercut but Coholic uses good head movement to avoid it.
Puzo lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Puzo lands with a short head shot on the inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Coholic goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Puzo has a couple of punches blocked by Coholic.
Coholic stalling in the clinch but Puzo improves position.
Coholic blocks a body shot from Puzo.
Coholic lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Puzo stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Puzo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Coholic is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Coholic lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Coholic misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Coholic swings wildly with an uppercut but Puzo uses good head movement to avoid it.
Coholic blocks a body shot from Puzo.
Puzo works on Coholic's body with a couple of short punches.
Coholic tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Puzo prevents Coholic from breaking the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Puzo.
Puzo lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Coholic is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Puzo.
Puzo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Coholic misses with the head strike.
Puzo doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Puzo fails to land.
Puzo blocks an uppercut.
Puzo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Puzo tries to work over Coholic's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A shot in the inside from Coholic.
Coholic tries to circle away but Puzo has him pinned against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Puzo keeps control of Coholic as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Coholic is looking to break free of the clinch but Puzo has double underhooks.
Coholic trying to stall but Puzo improves his position.
Puzo tries to work over Coholic's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Coholic.
Puzo lands a right hand that snaps the head of Coholic backwards.
A short right from Puzo on the inside.
Nice body punch from Puzo - that landed with a thud.
Puzo can't find room to land a body shot as Coholic controls the action.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Puzo misses with a punch on the inside.
Puzo is leaning against Coholic and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Coholic is looking to control Puzo's arms but Puzo gets an underhook and turns him. Now Coholic has his back to the cage.
Puzo blocking some punches.
Puzo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Coholic.
Puzo misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Puzo lands a shot to the body.
Puzo scores with a hook to the body.
Coholic misses with a body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Puzo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Coholic smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Puzo gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Coholic throws a right hand that Puzo ducks under and follows up with a left that Puzo also avoids with ease.
Puzo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Coholic.
Puzo fails with an attempt to clinch.
Puzo avoids the body shot from Coholic.
Coholic misses with a wild combination.
Puzo throws out a leg kick but Coholic moves out of range and Puzo only half commits.
Puzo connects with a leg kick. Coholic looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Puzo throws a leg kick but Coholic sees it coming and moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Puzo has taken the fight to the clinch.
Puzo lands with a right to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Puzo.
Puzo lands with a light punch inside.
A frustrated look appears on Coholic's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Coholic misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puzo makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Coholic tries to throw a body punch but Puzo avoids it by throwing Coholic back against the cage.
Coholic cracks Puzo with a nice body shot.
Puzo lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Coholic prevents a body shot from Puzo.
Puzo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Coholic scores with a shot to the side of Puzo's head.
Coholic goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Coholic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Coholic swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Puzo fails in his attempt to clinch.

Puzo gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Puzo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Coholic prevents a body shot from Puzo.
Coholic tries to throw a body punch but Puzo avoids it by throwing Coholic back against the cage.
Coholic misses with some punches.
Mario Puzo seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Puzo blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Puzo throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Puzo lands a shot to the body.
Coholic is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Coholic's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Puzo lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Puzo works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Coholic blocks a body shot from Puzo.
Puzo lands a shoulder strike.
Puzo stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Coholic is trying to break free.
Puzo is working Coholic over against the cage.
Nice body punch from Puzo - that landed with a thud.
Coholic wants to get back to striking at distance but Puzo won't allow it.
Coholic's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Puzo stalling against the cage.
Coholic letting Puzo take a breather here.
The crowd are getting on Puzo's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Puzo scores with a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Coholic tries to work over Puzo's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Puzo stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Puzo misses with a hook to the ribs.
Coholic is trying to force a seperation but Puzo has the dominant position.
Puzo lands a right hand that snaps the head of Coholic backwards.
Puzo digs a right hand into Coholic's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Coholic's gas tank.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Coholic.
Coholic wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Puzo has him pressed against the cage.
Puzo lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Coholic backwards.
Puzo holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Puzo tries a body shot but Coholic blocks it.
Puzo lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Coholic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Puzo on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Coholic blocks a jab.
Coholic misses with a right hand

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Puzo struggles to land a body shot inside as Coholic controls his hands.
Puzo stalling the fight.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Puzo.
A head punch on the inside from Coholic fails to land.
Puzo lands a nice uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Coholic is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Puzo is keeping busy.
Puzo throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Coholics head.
Coholic lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Puzo tries a body shot but Coholic blocks it.
A head punch on the inside from Coholic fails to land.
Puzo lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Puzo lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Puzo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Coholic.

Coholic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Puzo misses with a hook to the body
and Coholic counters with a straight right hand.
Puzo goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mario Puzo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Puzo 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 28:29
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mario Puzo!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Mario Puzo waved his t-shirt featuring Spartan Nutrition 's logo in front of the cameras.