PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Castillo (ranked 670 p4p, 33 weight class) and Paul OConnell (ranked 688 p4p, 34 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Castillo
vs
OConnell

200 cm
33
275 lbs
18 - 7 - 1

209 cm
41
285 lbs
27 - 17 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ricardo Castillo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Paul OConnell!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Anthony Taglia and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
OConnell tries to clinch but Castillo is having none of it.
OConnell needs to keep his hands up - Castillo had a free shot at his head there.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Castillo.
Castillo moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

It looks like Paul OConnell has been cut.
Castillo scores with a hook to the body. OConnell takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Castillo throws a body shot but no joy.
Despite the aggression on OConnell's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Castillo lands with an uppercut that bounces OConnell off the cage and back into range.
Castillo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
OConnell thinks about the counter body kick.
Castillo misses with a body kick.

OConnell closes the distance and clinches.
Castillo is trying to force a seperation but OConnell has the dominant position.
OConnell cracks Castillo with a nice body shot.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Castillo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
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!
OConnell prevents a body shot from Castillo.
Castillo lands a hook to the side of the head.
Castillo tries to circle away but OConnell has him pinned against the cage.
Castillo is trying to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Castillo breaks the clinch.

OConnell takes the fight into the clinch.
A short left from OConnell.

It looks like Ricardo Castillo has been cut.
Castillo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
OConnell lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
OConnell working aggressively here.
Castillo effectively controlling the action here.
Castillo lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for OConnell.

Castillo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

OConnell closes the distance and clinches.
Castillo presses OConnell against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Castillo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
OConnell misses with a short punch on the inside.
Castillo stalling the fight.
Castillo blocks a body shot from OConnell.
I was talking to Castillo's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.

Castillo breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lazy left from Castillo finds it's target.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Castillo throws a nice inside leg kick.
Castillo's jab looks to have found its range, popping OConnell under the eye.
OConnell fails to land with a series of punches.
Castillo cracks OConnell with a good jab.
Good exchange - Castillo coming out on top.
Castillo throws a looping overhand right but OConnell ducks down to avoid it.
Castillo buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Castillo fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Castillo is looking to slow OConnell down with leg kicks.
OConnell ducks under a wild hook from Castillo.
No joy there for OConnell, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Castillo lands a left and a right that send OConnell crashing to the mat, dazed. Castillo thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

OConnell is rocked!
Castillo drops a shoulder and throws a monster hook that connects perfectly to the side of OConnell's head, knocking him out cold! Castillo is extatic as he celebrates with his cornermen.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Ricardo Castillo!
Ricardo Castillo seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.