PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Denver Washington (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gianpaolo Volpicelli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Washington
vs
Volpicelli

189 cm
35
182 lbs
17 - 15 - 0

187 cm
35
197 lbs
15 - 15 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Hellbent

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 17 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Denver Washington!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gianpaolo Volpicelli!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, John Roberts and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Washington goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Washington tries to clinch there but Volpicelli circles away.
Washington showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Volpicelli.
Washington is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Volpicelli.
Volpicelli missing with a left hand there. Washington was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Washington avoids the head kick by Volpicelli.
Washington went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

Washington darts in and clinches Volpicelli up against the cage.

Washington breaks from the clinch.

Volpicelli drives through with a takedown into Washington's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Washington uses the cage to get back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Volpicelli throws a leg kick that misses.
Washington throws a lazy head kick
and Volpicelli counters with a left and a right that stings Washington.
Washington takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Washington is looking to clinch but Volpicelli is avoiding it.
Volpicelli misses with a leg kick
and Washington counters with a straight right hand.

Washington looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Washington wants to take a breather but Volpicelli is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Volpicelli looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Washington is looking to take a break and control but Volpicelli is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Volpicelli is looking for a sweep. Washington is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Volpicelli trying to control from the bottom.
Volpicelli tries to roll over but Washington keeps him under control.
Volpicelli is staying active underneath Washington, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Volpicelli has hold of Washington's hands but Washington slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Nice strikes from Washington there.
Washington throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Washington is trying to control. Volpicelli wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volpicelli on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Washington has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Washington not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Washington is looking to pass Volpicelli's guard but actually Volpicelli recovers to full guard.
Washington pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Volpicelli is keeping the position for now.
Volpicelli is trying to control the position but Washington postures up.
Washington wants to control from the top but Volpicelli keeps moving.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Volpicelli looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Washington throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volpicelli has control of Washington's left arm, preventing Washington from doing any damage.
Washington scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Volpicelli looking to hit a scissor sweep but Washington is one step ahead there.
Washington trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Volpicelli has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Washington can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Washington stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Volpicelli swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Volpicelli manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Washington manages to get himself to full guard.

Washington has control of Volpicelli's left arm, preventing Volpicelli from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volpicelli missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Washington keeping full guard, as Volpicelli tries to pass.
Volpicelli won't allow Washington to get back to his feet.
Washington is pulling down on Volpicelli's head to control his posture.
Washington not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Washington keeping moving, preventing Volpicelli from controlling successfully.
Washington looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Denver Washington 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.

Washington shoots in for a double leg but Volpicelli sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Denver Washington is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Volpicelli has a takedown stuffed.
Washington wants to clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Washington.

Washington gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
With the fighters up against the cage, Volpicelli throws an elbow but misses.

Washington breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Washington lands with a straight right. Volpicelli didn't see that one coming.
Volpicelli scores with a jab to the head.

It looks like Denver Washington has been cut.
Washington closes this distance looking for a takedown but Volpicelli circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Denver Washington. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Washington walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Volpicelli throws a push kick but Washington slaps the foot to one side.
Washington shoots in looking for a takedown. Volpicelli tries to sprawl out of it but Washington keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Volpicelli manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Volpicelli doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Washington closes this distance looking for a takedown but Volpicelli circles away.
Washington tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Washington with a poor takedown
and Volpicelli connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Washington fails with the takedown.
Volpicelli lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Washington circles away quickly and effectively.

Volpicelli gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Washington to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Washington trying to control the position from guard on top but Volpicelli is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Washington trying to stand up but can't free himself from Volpicelli's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Volpicelli keeping moving, preventing Washington from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Volpicelli managing to control the position.

Volpicelli escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Washington gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Volpicelli pushes a forearm under Washington's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Washington is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:39 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Gianpaolo Volpicelli!
During a confident post fight interview, Gianpaolo Volpicelli thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
Denver Washington spoke after the fight, saying 'Time to call it. I want to thank the fans for all the support '.