PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between DEAN RUSSO (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and paul wall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). DEAN RUSSO has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

RUSSO
vs
wall

190 cm
23
225 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

190 cm
21
225 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, DEAN RUSSO!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, paul wall!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, John Kavanagh and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

wall scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
RUSSO manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
RUSSO is looking to get back to full guard here but wall has managed to pass to side control instead.

wall looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

wall with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
RUSSO is trying desperately to improve position.
wall wants to get back to his feet but RUSSO is holding on tight.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
RUSSO tries to hold on but wall pushes him away.
RUSSO wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
RUSSO is keeping busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
wall softening up his opponent with strikes here.

RUSSO defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
RUSSO is really stuck here.
wall controlling from the back.
I really don't envy RUSSO right now.
RUSSO is breathing heavily.
RUSSO turns into wall and is now in his guard.

RUSSO has gone for a leg lock! wall slips out almost immediately though and dives into RUSSO's guard.
wall pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. RUSSO is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

RUSSO has his foot on wall's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. wall works his way back into a safe position though.
RUSSO looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
wall trying to control but RUSSO is working from the bottom.
wall showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

RUSSO working for a triangle but wall defends it easily.
wall prevents RUSSO from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
wall trying to control the position from guard on top but RUSSO is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

wall stands up from guard. Let's bang!

wall forces RUSSO back against the cage and clinches.
wall stalls.
wall tries for a takedown. No joy.
RUSSO wants a takedown but no success here.
RUSSO gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from wall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
wall is trying to drag RUSSO to the mat but RUSSO just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
DEAN RUSSO has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of paul wall.
wall looking to slow down the pace here.
wall is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.
wall tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

wall manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
RUSSO wants to pass the guard but wall is keeping the position.
wall trying to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

RUSSO tries for a takedown but wall circles away easily

and wall counters with a nice double leg into guard.
wall connects with a couple of short punches.

wall gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Excellent takedown into side control there by wall.
RUSSO tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but wall presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
RUSSO working to try and regain half guard.
wall controlling from mount.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
RUSSO is trying desperately to improve position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
wall takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
RUSSO keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
wall takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
RUSSO tries to lock up and control but wall gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
wall controlling the pace for now.
RUSSO can't escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
RUSSO slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
RUSSO is staying active underneath wall, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

RUSSO is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but wall pulls his head out easily.
RUSSO avoiding damage under a succession of punches from wall.

RUSSO actively working from the bottom here.
RUSSO wants to improve his position but wall is controlling well.
wall trying to control the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
wall is keen to just control but RUSSO is a slippery customer.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
RUSSO misses with a takedown attempt

and wall counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by wall.
wall is trying to break free.

RUSSO pulls wall into guard.

RUSSO throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! wall escapes and throws RUSSO's legs to the side, diving into side control!
wall trying to control the action but RUSSO is working from the bottom.
wall connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused RUSSO some visible discomfort.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
RUSSO tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but wall wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
wall is looking to take a break and control but RUSSO is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
RUSSO looking for a sweep but wall has passed into full mount! Oh no!
RUSSO is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

wall has control of RUSSO's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and RUSSO regains control of the situation pretty easily.
RUSSO manages to regain half guard. Good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

paul wall showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

wall swings for the body but RUSSO moves out of range.

RUSSO drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
wall can't do much from the bottom here.

RUSSO working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
RUSSO working away.
RUSSO wants to lay and pray for a moment but wall keeps working.
wall gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
wall tries to get to full guard but RUSSO has control of the leg.

wall pushes RUSSO off and gets back to his feet.

wall closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
wall has had enough of the clinch but RUSSO keeps him there for the moment.
RUSSO is trying to work for a single leg takedown but wall pulls him back up using the underhooks.

wall gets a trip takedown into half guard.

wall is looking for a kimura here.
RUSSO gets back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

RUSSO throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

RUSSO looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
wall wanted to stand there but RUSSO had control of the position.

RUSSO has his foot on wall's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. wall works his way back into a safe position though.
wall wants to control from the top but RUSSO keeps moving.
wall wants to pass the guard but RUSSO is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
RUSSO tries to land a sweep but no joy.

wall gets to his feet. RUSSO looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
DEAN RUSSO seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
wall avoids the head kick by RUSSO.
RUSSO is looking to clinch.
wall shoots in looking for a takedown. RUSSO tries to sprawl out of it but wall keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. RUSSO manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
RUSSO shoots and misses

and wall counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by wall.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by RUSSO as wall tries to tie him up.
wall tries to land a knee to the head but RUSSO blocks with his arms.
The referee calls for wall to work.

RUSSO ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. RUSSO no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
RUSSO is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

wall avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
RUSSO trying to control the position.

RUSSO working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. wall doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. wall manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
wall trying to control the position from guard on top but RUSSO is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
DEAN RUSSO has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
paul wall is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
wall might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control RUSSO kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

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 DEAN RUSSO.
I think wall 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 28:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... paul wall!