PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tyler Cage (ranked 857 p4p, 114 weight class) and Mario Puzo (ranked 1160 p4p, 150 weight class). Puzo has chosen Speak Softly Love as his entrance music. 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.

Cage
vs
Puzo

185 cm
27
185 lbs
8 - 6 - 1

185 cm
34
187 lbs
23 - 16 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Bullet Proof System

Woodshins' Ship

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Tyler Cage!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 16 - 2, fighting out of New York, Mario Puzo!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Cecil Peabody and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cage misses with an uppercut
and Puzo counters with a nice leg kick.
Puzo throws a sloppy head kick and Cage moves out of range easily.
Puzo misses with a low kick as Cage jumps back.
Puzo checks a leg kick nicely.
A lazy left from Cage finds it's target.
Cage pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Cage missing with a left hand there. Puzo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
We've been informed that Puzo 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.
Cage swats away the attempt to clinch by Puzo.
It appears Cage was looking to counter with a kick there.
Cage takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
An attempted straight right counter from Cage misses the target.

Puzo gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Puzo misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Cage is trying to maintain a safe position but Puzo gets an underhook and turns Cage into the cage.
Puzo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Cage working hard to break the clinch.
Puzo works on Cage's body with a couple of short punches.
A nice left hand lands by Cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cage.
Cage lands an uppercut.
Puzo prevents Cage from breaking the clinch.
Puzo lands a hook to the side of the head.
Puzo working aggressively here.
Puzo has a couple of punches blocked by Cage.
Puzo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cage's elbow.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Cage.
Puzo doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nice body punch from Cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Puzo keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cage's efforts to push away.
Puzo lands with a left to the head.
Puzo trying to control the position but instead, Cage has worked for underhooks and has pushed Puzo into the cage.
Cage swings wildly with an uppercut but Puzo uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Puzo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Puzo throws a punch but it's blocked by Cage.
Puzo lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Puzo lands a body shot.
Puzo slows down the pace here.
Puzo blocks a body shot from Cage.
Puzo blocks an uppercut.
Come on Puzo - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Cage lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cage is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Puzo is keeping busy.
Cage has a couple of punches blocked by Puzo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Puzo misses with a punch to the body.
A short left from Cage.
Puzo misses with a punch to the body.
Puzo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Puzo taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Cage lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Cage doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Cage lands with a right to the head.
A body shot lands from Puzo.
Cage prevents a body shot from Puzo.
I was talking to Cage's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Cage misses with a hook to the ribs.
Cage looking to slow down the pace here.
Nice body punch from Puzo - that landed with a thud.
Cage misses with a hook to the ribs.
Puzo can't find room to land a body shot as Cage controls the action.
A short uppercut from Puzo.
Stalling in the clinch from Cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Puzo is leaning against Cage and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Cage cracks Puzo with a nice body shot.
Puzo has Cage pushed against the cage.
Puzo blocks a body shot from Cage.
Puzo misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Puzo looking to stall.
Puzo lands with a short punch from the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A short uppercut from Puzo.
Cage swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Puzo misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Puzo works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Puzo lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Puzo dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Puzo moves out of range of the leg kick from Cage.
A left lands for Puzo.
Cage jabs Puzo to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Cage misses with a leg kick
and Puzo makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Puzo on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Cage swings for the body but Puzo moves out of range.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Puzo in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Cage throws a predictable looking body shot
letting Puzo counter with a right hand.
Puzo throws a body shot but no joy.
Cage avoids the head kick by Puzo.

Puzo closes the distance and clinches.
Puzo tries to stall but Cage uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Cage will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Puzo up against the cage.
Puzo blocks an uppercut.
Cage goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cage blocks a body shot from Puzo.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Puzo.
Puzo lands a hook to the side of the head.
Puzo takes a shot to the head.
Cage blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Puzo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Cage blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Puzo.
Puzo misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Cage fails to land.
Cage tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Puzo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cage's elbow.
Puzo has a couple of punches blocked by Cage.
Puzo swings wildly with an uppercut but Cage uses good head movement to avoid it.
Puzo working aggressively here.
Cage tries to throw a body punch but Puzo avoids it by throwing Cage back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cage misses with a body punch.

Cage manages to break the clinch.
Puzo throws a body punch but Cage moves out of range.
Cage missing with a left hand there. Puzo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Puzo just misses with a punch to the body.
Puzo misses with a shot to the body
and Cage counters with a nice body kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A head kick misses from Puzo.
Puzo dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Cage. That did some damage!
A jab from Cage misses.
Puzo blocks a jab.
Puzo steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Cage.
Puzo throws a hook to the side of Cage's head but Cage sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Cage works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Cage bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Puzo's head.
Puzo takes one to the side of the head.
Puzo ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Puzo moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Cage throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Puzo tries to counter with a clinch but Cage shakes him off and moves away.
A lazy left from Puzo finds it's target.
Cage fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Puzo.
Cage scores with a shot to the body.
Tyler Cage seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cage throws a low kick but it's checked well by Puzo.
Tyler Cage is winning the standup battle so far.
Cage checks a leg kick.
Cage swats away the attempt to clinch by Puzo.
Puzo pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Cage back to the cage. Puzo follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Cage thumps Puzo with a low kick.
A head kick misses from Puzo.
Puzo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cage manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Puzo thumps Cage with a low kick.
Cage lands with an overhand left.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Puzo doesn't manage to clinch there - Cage circles away.
Cage blocks a head kick by Puzo.
Cage misses with a body shot.
Donk. Cage catches Puzo right on the button with a cross.
Cage throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Cage stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Puzo.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Cage lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Puzo has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Puzo and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A bone on bone clash there as Puzo blocks the leg kick.
Cage blocks the body kick.
Cage misses with a body shot.
A big right from Cage misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mario Puzo will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Puzo checks the leg kick nicely there.
Cage scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Nice shot by Cage.
Puzo throws the kick towards the body but Cage avoids it.
Puzo is looking to land body kicks.
Cage chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Cage cracks Puzo with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Cage throws a lazy right hand but Puzo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cage attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A little jabbing left from Puzo on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Puzo goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cage throws a looping overhand right but Puzo ducks down to avoid it.
Puzo is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Cage rather than just go for the knockout.
Puzo moves out of range as Cage strikes.
Puzo looks to throw the jab but Cage is out of range.
Cage throws a right hand that misses
and Puzo counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puzo ducks under a wild hook from Cage.
Puzo tries to counter with a clinch but Cage shakes him off and moves away.
Cage connects with a crisp jab.
Cage ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Cage lands a nice looking body shot.
A thudding body kick lands there by Cage!
Puzo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The fighters circling - Cage throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Puzo throws a head kick that Cage semi-blocks.
Puzo misses with a kick to the body.
Cage throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cage moves into range and connects with a jab.
Cage misses with a body punch
and Puzo counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Cage thinking.
Puzo tries to clinch there but Cage circles away.
Cage misses with a double jab.
Puzo swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Puzo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Puzo misses with a low kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Cage. That's going to slow Puzo down.
Cage stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Cage fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Puzo is out of range.
Cage throws a lazy right hand but Puzo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Puzo slips under a jab from Cage.
Puzo tries to counter with a clinch but Cage shakes him off and moves away.
Cage throws a lazy uppercut
and Puzo counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Cage uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Puzo.
Cage throws a wild body kick that Puzo sees coming a mile off.
A big right from Cage misses.
Puzo throws a wild body kick that Cage sees coming a mile off.
Cage walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Cage bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Puzo's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cage swings for the body but Puzo moves out of range.
Puzo takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Puzo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Puzo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A decent looking cross lands there for Cage.
Cage connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Cage misses with a combination
and Puzo counters with a nice uppercut.
Cage lands a glancing blow to the side of Puzo's head.
Puzo looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Cage ducks under a wild hook from Puzo.
A slow jab from Cage misses its intended target.
As Cage backs off Puzo throws a huge counter combo but Cage manages to avoid it all.
Puzo lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cage uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Puzo.
Cage checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Cage throws an off balance right hand
and Puzo counters with a nice uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cage avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Puzo gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Puzo content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Cage avoiding damage.
Cage blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Puzo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Cage being controlled against the cage.
Puzo lands with a left to the head.
Cage is stalling here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tyler Cage clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Puzo avoids the body shot from Cage.
Cage throws a body shot but no joy.
Puzo scores with a kick to the midsection.
Cage misses with a low kick.
Cage sets himself, and Puzo steps forward looking for the clinch! Cage avoids it this time.
Puzo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cage was well out of range. Poor timing from Puzo.
Puzo tried to score with a low kick but Cage checks it.
Puzo looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Cage was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Cage misses with a right hand
and Puzo counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
No joy there for Cage, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Cage takes a swing at Puzo's ribcage but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Puzo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Cage tries to bum rush Puzo with a series of wild strikes but Puzo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Cage showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Puzo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cage shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A jab lands there for Puzo.
Puzo tries a head kick but it misses.
Puzo chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Cage takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Puzo gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Puzo digs a right hand into Cage's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Cage's gas tank.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Puzo tries to throw a body punch but Cage avoids it by throwing Puzo back against the cage.
Cage wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Puzo has him pressed against the cage.
Cage working aggressively here.
Cage's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Cage prevents a body shot from Puzo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cage blocks a body shot from Puzo.
Cage content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Puzo throws a punch but it's blocked by Cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Puzo.
Puzo scores with a shoulder strike.
Cage misses with some punches.
Cage wants to get back to striking at distance but Puzo won't allow it.
Puzo struggles to land a body shot inside as Cage controls his hands.
Puzo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Puzo lands with a short shot to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Puzo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Cage scores with a nice hook to the head.
Puzo misses with a short punch on the inside.
Cage swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Cage effectively controlling the action here.
Puzo holding his opponent close, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cage is working Puzo over against the cage.
Puzo misses with a body punch.
Puzo lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Puzo is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Cage goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Cage can't break the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Cage as Puzo tries to tie him up.
Puzo misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Cage fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Puzo pushes Cage back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Puzo misses with a body punch.
Puzo has a couple of punches blocked by Cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Puzo tries a body shot but Cage blocks it.
Cage lands with a short shot to the head.
Puzo lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Puzo misses with a body punch.
A frustrated look appears on Cage's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Puzo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Puzo prevents a body shot from Cage.
A shot in the inside from Cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Cage misses with a punch to the body.
A short right from Puzo on the inside.
Cage prevents a body shot from Puzo.
Cage tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Puzo's elbow.
Puzo misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Puzo dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Puzo throws a body shot but no joy.
Puzo looks to throw the jab but Cage is out of range.
Cage with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A nice leg kick lands there from Cage.
Cage scores with a punch to the head.
Puzo tries to clinch but Cage is having none of it.
Puzo lands with a kick to the temple. Cage shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Cage throws an off balance right hand
and Puzo counters with an inside leg kick.
Cage throws a good cross that connects.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A clash of legs there as Puzo blocks the low kick.
Cage throws a solid leg kick but Puzo takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Cage.
Puzo throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Puzo's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Puzo throws a front kick aimed at Cage's knee but Cage avoids it well.
Cage chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Puzo can pounce on him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cage swats away the attempt to clinch by Puzo.
Cage on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Cage misses with a low kick.
Cage throws a leg kick but Puzo sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Puzo ducks under a wild hook from Cage.
Puzo tries to counter with a clinch but Cage shakes him off and moves away.
Nice defenses there by Puzo.
Puzo misses with a leg kick.
Puzo throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Cage counter with a right hand.
Cage ducks under a wild hook from Puzo.
Cage connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Mario Puzo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cage wants to land a leg kick but Puzo is out of range.
A head kick misses from Puzo.
Puzo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Cage avoids the head kick by Puzo.
Cage misses with a straight left.
Tyler Cage has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cage is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Puzo.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Puzo.
Cage loads up on a big right hand but Puzo slips the punch.
Cage tries to land a front kick but Puzo steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Cage misses with an uppercut. Puzo saw that one coming.
Cage looks to score with a jab to the body but Puzo is just out of range.
Cage takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Puzo wants to clinch up but Cage keeps it at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Puzo throws a hook but Cage avoids it easily.
Puzo avoids the body shot from Cage.
Cage rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Puzo counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Puzo tests Cage's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Cage throws an overhand right that lands on Puzo's shoulder, as Puzo tries to avoid the shot.
Cage checks a leg kick.
Puzo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cage throws out a leg kick but Puzo moves out of range and Cage only half commits.
Cage throws a body punch but Puzo moves out of range.
Puzo lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Cage with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Cage takes a kick to the side of the head.
Puzo misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cage is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Puzo.
Puzo shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Puzo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
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!
Puzo tries to bum rush Cage with a series of wild strikes but Cage uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Cage blocks a head kick by Puzo.
Puzo avoids the head kick by Cage.
Cage throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Puzo holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Puzo prevents a body shot from Cage.
Cage throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Puzos head.
Cage misses with some punches.
Cage has had enough of the clinch but Puzo keeps him there for the moment.
Puzo blocks a punch to the side of the head.

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 Tyler Cage.
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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 47:48
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 46:49
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mario Puzo!
Mario Puzo is the new middleweight champion!
A less than humble Mario Puzo misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.