PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Pinchi Puto (ranked 1496 p4p, 186 weight class) and Cullen Castrello (ranked 1612 p4p, 199 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.

Puto
vs
Castrello

171 cm
29
170 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

185 cm
38
148 lbs
36 - 23 - 3

Great wrestler
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Pinchi Puto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 36 - 23 - 3, fighting out of New York, Cullen Castrello!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Gwen Towbar and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Puto tries to clinch up but Castrello circles away and keeps his distance.
We've been informed that Castrello 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.
Puto throws out a loose jab but Castrello uses good head movement to avoid it.
Castrello 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.
Puto drops his hands momentarily and Castrello takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Castrello swats away the attempt to clinch by Puto.
Castrello moves away from the strike by Puto.
Castrello wants to counter with a clinch but Puto pushes him away.
Castrello ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Puto throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Castrello bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Castrello uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Castrello is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Puto defending well as Castrello loads up on a big left hand.
Castrello takes one to the chin there.
Castrello looks to throw the jab but Puto is out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A jab lands there for Puto.
Castrello keeps the fight on the outside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puto slips a straight right by Castrello.
Castrello takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Castrello scores with a punch to the head.
Puto misses with a hook.
Castrello on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Puto throws the left hand but Castrello avoids the punch easily.
Castrello just misses with a punch to the body.
Puto tries to counter by clinching up but Castrello breaks away and moves out of range.
Puto tries to clinch up but Castrello circles away and keeps his distance.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Castrello, as that shot connected.
Crunch! Castrello slams his shin into Puto's torso.
Castrello moves away from the strike by Puto.
Castrello throws out a counter right but Puto avoids it with no problem.
Castrello moves into range and connects with a jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Castrello. Puto does a little dance to reset his feet.
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!
Puto walks forward, straight into a front kick from Castrello.
Puto avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Castrello jabs at Puto's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Puto misses with a lunging right hand
and Castrello counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Castrello throws a good cross that connects.
Puto uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Castrello.
A good leg kick by Castrello.
Puto takes a swing at Castrello's ribcage but misses.
Castrello is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Castrello closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Puto slips a jab from Castrello.
Puto is looking to counter the offense by Castrello and move into the clinch.
Castrello throws a one two combo.
Puto throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Castrello throws a nice outside leg kick.
Castrello misses with a shot to the body
and Puto connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Castrello scores with a nice head shot.
Castrello scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Puto takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castrello uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Puto.
Castrello throws out a counter right but Puto avoids it with no problem.
Castrello misses with a hook. Puto ducked under it nicely.
A combination from Castrello does no damage.
Castrello misses with a body kick.
Puto jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Some bone on bone action there as Puto checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Castrello needs to keep his hands up - Puto had a free shot at his head there.
Puto takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A low kick from Castrello is predictable there
and Puto counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Castrello thinking.
Puto moves out of range of the leg kick from Castrello.
Castrello steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Puto.
Castrello keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Puto.
Puto thuds his right hand into Castrello's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Puto connects with a body shot that sends Castrello's belly button to the back.
Puto seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
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!
Puto misses with a series of wild punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Puto darts in and clinches Castrello up against the cage.
Puto misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Castrello.
Puto blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Castrello takes a shot to the head.
Castrello misses with a body punch.
Puto blocks an elbow strike from Castrello.
Castrello lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Puto.
Puto avoids the elbow strike from Castrello, against the cage.
Castrello misses with the head strike.
Puto with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Puto lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Castrello lands a body punch.
Puto lands an elbow inside that Castrello shrugs off.
Puto trying to land knees to the body.
Puto misses with an elbow over the top.
Castrello misses with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Cullen Castrello will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Puto misses with an uppercut.
Castrello misses with a low kick.
Puto is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Castrello.
A big left from Castrello misses.
Puto tries to counter by clinching up but Castrello breaks away and moves out of range.
Castrello thuds his shin into the meat of Puto's side.
Puto missing with a left hand there. Castrello was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Castrello showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Puto.
Castrello bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Castrello misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Castrello misses with a two punch combination.
Puto throwing a counter right hand but Castrello manages to avoid it.
Puto lunges at Castrello with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Castrello's hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Castrello with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Puto to score with a decent uppercut.
Castrello keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cullen Castrello seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Castrello throws a right hand that Puto ducks under and follows up with a left that Puto also avoids with ease.
Puto is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Castrello.
Puto displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Castrello throws out the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puto throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Castrello counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Castrello lands a nice looking body kick.
Castrello throws a head kick but Puto moves out of range.
Puto throws a right hand that misses
and Castrello counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Puto swings away with a body shot that misses
and Castrello counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Castrello scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Castrello throws a right and a left that both miss.

Puto forces Castrello back against the cage and clinches.
Castrello doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Castrello blocks an elbow strike from Puto.
Castrello swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A right hand to the body from Castrello.
Puto throws a knee to the head but misses.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Castrello. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Puto missing with knees to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Castrello tries a body shot but Puto blocks it.
Puto blocks an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Puto can't find room to land a body shot as Castrello controls the action.
Castrello creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Castrello landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Pinchi Puto has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A short right from Puto on the inside.
Puto tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Castrello avoids it.
Castrello content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Puto misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Castrello.
Puto lands a nice shot to the body.
Castrello throws a knee to the head but misses.
Puto throws a knee to the head but misses.
Castrello avoids the elbow strike from Puto, against the cage.
Castrello blocks a body shot from Puto.
Castrello landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Puto with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Castrello crunches a lovely knee into Puto's ribcage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Castrello.
Castrello lands an uppercut.
Castrello lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Castrello trying to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castrello tries to throw a body punch but Puto avoids it by throwing Castrello back against the cage.
Puto tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Puto with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Castrello lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Castrello gets through Puto's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Castrello scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Castrello avoiding damage as Puto throws knees to the body.
Castrello is working Puto over against the cage.
Castrello missing with knees to the body.
Puto misses with a punch on the inside.
Castrello tries to throw a body punch but Puto avoids it by throwing Castrello back against the cage.
Castrello scores with a nice hook to the head.
Castrello has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Puto creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Castrello lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Castrello misses with a short punch on the inside.
Castrello blocks an elbow strike.
Puto tries a knee to the head but Castrello blocks it.
Puto blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castrello lands a nice uppercut.
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!
Puto tries to land knees in the clinch but Castrello avoids the damage to the body.
A shot in the inside from Castrello.
Castrello lands a nice elbow.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Castrello.
Puto misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Puto can't find room to land a body shot as Castrello controls the action.
Puto managing to block the knees to the body from Castrello.
With the fighters up against the cage, Puto throws an elbow but misses.
Puto blocks the elbow strike.
Castrello scores with a hook to the body.
With the fighters up against the cage, Puto throws an elbow but misses.
Puto throws a punch but it's blocked by Castrello.
Still in the clinch, Castrello scores with a nice short uppercut.
Castrello lands a damaging elbow.
Castrello lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Castrello avoiding damage as Puto throws knees to the body.
Castrello throws an elbow that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cullen Castrello showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Castrello moves into range and clinches up with Puto.
Castrello comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Puto using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Castrello has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Puto lands with a right to the head.
Castrello lands a knee to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Castrello takes a knee right on the jaw!
Puto misses with a punch on the inside.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Castrello just misses with a elbow thrown towards Puto's brow.
Castrello has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Puto tries to land a knee to the head but Castrello blocks with his arms.
Puto tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Castrello throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Castrello avoids the elbow strike from Puto, against the cage.
Puto can't find room to land a body shot as Castrello controls the action.
Puto tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Castrello lands a nice elbow.
Puto blocks a body shot from Castrello.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Castrello lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Puto or not.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A nice right hand lands inside from Castrello.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puto throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Puto tries a knee to the head but Castrello blocks it.
A shot in the inside from Castrello.
Castrello softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Castrello.
Puto tries a knee to the head but Castrello blocks it.
Castrello working Puto over with knees to the body.
Puto avoids the elbow strike from Castrello, against the cage.

Castrello has the Thai plumb, controlling the head nicely. He loads up with a big knee to the head and Puto goes down! Castrello pounces into side control - this one could be over soon!

Puto is rocked!

It looks like Pinchi Puto has been cut.
Puto might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Castrello controlling the position from side mount.
Oh Puto is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Pinchi Puto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Puto seems to have got his legs back now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Puto is looking to reverse the position.
The referee asks Castrello politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Castrello prefers to stall for the moment though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Let's hope that Castrello has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Puto is trying to get back to half guard.
Castrello taking a breather here.
You can see the frustration on Puto's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castrello is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Puto will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Castrello connects with an inside leg kick.

Castrello instigates a clinch.
Castrello blocks the elbow strike.
Castrello misses with an elbow strike.
A right handed body shot lands from Castrello.
Castrello comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Puto with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castrello lands a left hand.
Puto misses with a hook to the ribs.
Puto lands with a short shot to the head.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Castrello.
Castrello unloads a knee to the mid-section. Puto lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Puto looking to throw knees to the head but Castrello is blocking nicely.
Castrello comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Castrello blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Castrello lands an elbow that stopped Puto in his tracks for a moment.
Castrello avoiding damage as Puto throws knees to the body.
Castrello utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Puto misses with an elbow strike.
Puto blocks an elbow strike from Castrello.
Castrello lands a hook that snaps the head of Puto backwards.
Castrello blocks an elbow strike.
Puto tries to throw a body punch but Castrello avoids it by throwing Puto back against the cage.
Castrello lands a nice elbow.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cullen Castrello comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Castrello has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cullen Castrello!
A relieved looking Cullen Castrello thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.