PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Zoran Paunovic (ranked 1395 p4p, 175 weight class) and Darrel Petersen (ranked 630 p4p, 87 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Paunovic
vs
Petersen

186 cm
35
193 lbs
17 - 15 - 0

182 cm
33
190 lbs
24 - 15 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Condemned

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 Amsterdam, Zoran Paunovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Darrel Petersen!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Chris Edwards and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Petersen moves out of range of the body kick from Paunovic.
Petersen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Paunovic moves into the clinch.
Paunovic prevents a body shot from Petersen.
Paunovic stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Paunovic struggles to land a body shot inside as Petersen controls his hands.
Petersen has a couple of punches blocked by Paunovic.
Paunovic tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Petersen's elbow.
A short uppercut from Paunovic.
Petersen misses with the head strike.
Petersen misses with the head strike.
Petersen misses with the head strike.
A left hand lands to the body for Petersen.
Paunovic lands an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Petersen misses with a short punch on the inside.
Paunovic lands an uppercut.
Petersen working aggressively here.
Petersen lands a body shot in the clinch.
Paunovic blocking some punches.
Petersen misses with the head strike.
Paunovic blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Paunovic.
Paunovic struggles to land a body shot inside as Petersen controls his hands.
Petersen misses with the head strike.
Paunovic doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Petersen working aggressively here.
Petersen blocks a body shot from Paunovic.
Petersen throws a punch but it's blocked by Paunovic.
Petersen can't find room to land a body shot as Paunovic controls the action.
Paunovic lands with a left to the head.
A short left from Petersen.
Paunovic presses Petersen against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
I was talking to Paunovic's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Paunovic.
A short uppercut from Petersen.
Paunovic throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Still in the clinch, Petersen scores with a nice short uppercut.
Paunovic tries to work over Petersen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Petersen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Paunovic blocks a body shot from Petersen.
Paunovic blocks an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A body shot lands from Paunovic.
A right hand to the body from Paunovic.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Paunovic goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Paunovic blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Paunovic doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Paunovic misses with a punch to the body.
Petersen blocks a body shot from Paunovic.
Petersen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Petersen scores with a shot to the side of Paunovic's head.
Petersen lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Paunovic backwards.
Petersen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Paunovic goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Paunovic misses with a body punch.
Petersen misses with the head strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Petersen.
Petersen throws a punch but it's blocked by Paunovic.
Petersen lands a body punch in the clinch.
Petersen prevents a body shot from Paunovic.
Paunovic doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Paunovic doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petersen misses with a punch to the body.
Still in the clinch, Paunovic scores with a nice short uppercut.
Paunovic lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Nice body punch from Petersen - that landed with a thud.
Paunovic lands with a short shot to the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Paunovic.
A right handed body shot lands from Paunovic.
Petersen misses with some punches.
Petersen working aggressively here.
Nice body punch from Petersen.
Paunovic misses with some punches.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Petersen.
Petersen lands a hook to the side of the head.
Petersen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Petersen blocks a body shot from Paunovic.
Paunovic struggles to land a body shot inside as Petersen controls his hands.
Paunovic tries to throw a body punch but Petersen avoids it by throwing Paunovic back against the cage.
Paunovic misses with a hook to the ribs.
Petersen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Paunovic's elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Petersen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Paunovic tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Petersen's elbow.
Paunovic can't find room to land a body shot as Petersen controls the action.
Paunovic doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Paunovic tries a body shot but Petersen blocks it.
Paunovic tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Petersen's elbow.
Paunovic prevents the takedown attempt.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Paunovic tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Petersen has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Paunovic is trying to keep an underhook but Petersen manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Petersen is trying to work for a kimura but Paunovic is defending well.
Petersen tries to pass to full mount but Paunovic defends it.
Paunovic wants to get back to his feet.
Paunovic works his way to full guard. Good work.
Petersen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Paunovic works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Paunovic wants to sweep here but Petersen controlling him for the moment.
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 Zoran Paunovic will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Paunovic lands a front kick.
Petersen paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Paunovic pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A countering left hand to the body from Petersen misses.
Paunovic throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Paunovic fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Paunovic takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Petersen moves into the clinch.
Paunovic tries to throw a body punch but Petersen avoids it by throwing Paunovic back against the cage.
Zoran Paunovic has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Petersen swings wildly with an uppercut but Paunovic uses good head movement to avoid it.
Paunovic tries to throw a body punch but Petersen avoids it by throwing Paunovic back against the cage.
Paunovic digs a right hand into Petersen's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Petersen's gas tank.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paunovic blocks a body shot from Petersen.
Paunovic tries to work over Petersen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Petersen working aggressively here.
Paunovic swings wildly with an uppercut but Petersen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Paunovic misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paunovic lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Paunovic struggles to land a body shot inside as Petersen controls his hands.
Petersen changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Paunovic fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Paunovic explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

Paunovic moves into the clinch.
Petersen tries a body shot but Paunovic blocks it.
Petersen takes a shot to the head.
Paunovic misses with a body punch.
Paunovic scores with a nice hook to the head.
Petersen prevents a body shot from Paunovic.
Paunovic tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Petersen's elbow.
Petersen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Petersen makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Paunovic is working Petersen over against the cage.
Paunovic can't find room to land a body shot as Petersen controls the action.
A right hook to the body lands for Petersen.
Paunovic lands a hook that snaps the head of Petersen backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Paunovic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Paunovic takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Paunovic rushes Petersen and presses him up against the cage.
Paunovic blocking some punches.
Paunovic softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Petersen swings wildly with an uppercut but Paunovic uses good head movement to avoid it.
Petersen prevents a body shot from Paunovic.
Paunovic goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Petersen lands an uppercut.
Petersen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Paunovic's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Petersen can't find room to land a body shot as Paunovic controls the action.
Paunovic throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Paunovic goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Paunovic lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Paunovic tries to throw a body punch but Petersen avoids it by throwing Paunovic back against the cage.
Petersen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paunovic tries to throw a body punch but Petersen avoids it by throwing Paunovic back against the cage.
Petersen is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A shot in the inside from Paunovic.
Petersen working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A short body shot lands from Paunovic as the two fighters clinch.
Paunovic doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right from Petersen.
Paunovic tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Petersen's elbow.
Petersen is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Paunovic pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Zoran Paunovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darrel Petersen.
Paunovic goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Petersen struggles to land a body shot inside as Paunovic controls his hands.
Petersen struggles to land a body shot inside as Paunovic controls his hands.
Paunovic tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Petersen's elbow.
Paunovic lands a body punch.
Paunovic gets through Petersen's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Petersen softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Paunovic doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Paunovic cracks Petersen with a nice body shot.
Petersen prevents a body shot from Paunovic.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Paunovic on the inside.
Paunovic blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Petersen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Paunovic lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Petersen backwards.
Paunovic can't find room to land a body shot as Petersen controls the action.
Paunovic works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Petersen.
Paunovic can't find room to land a body shot as Petersen controls the action.
Paunovic struggles to land a body shot inside as Petersen controls his hands.
Paunovic lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Paunovic blocking some punches.
Petersen lands a right hand.
Paunovic lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Paunovic.
Petersen is breathing heavily.
Petersen misses with some punches.
Paunovic tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Petersen's elbow.
Paunovic blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Paunovic tries to work over Petersen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zoran Paunovic dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Paunovic tries to land a front kick but Petersen steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Paunovic's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Petersen connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Paunovic scrambles back to his feet.

Paunovic moves into range and clinches up with Petersen.
Paunovic tries a body shot but Petersen blocks it.
Paunovic prevents a body shot from Petersen.
Paunovic misses with a punch to the body.
Paunovic misses with some punches.
Paunovic blocks a body shot from Petersen.
Paunovic working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Petersen tries for a takedown but Paunovic manages to get underhooks.
Petersen prevents a body shot from Paunovic.
Petersen lands a body punch.
Paunovic is working Petersen over against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paunovic misses with a punch to the body.
Paunovic tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Petersen's elbow.
Paunovic blocks an uppercut.
Nice elbow from Paunovic.
Petersen tries to throw a body punch but Paunovic avoids it by throwing Petersen back against the cage.
Paunovic misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petersen misses with a short punch on the inside.
Paunovic tries a body shot but Petersen blocks it.
Still in the clinch, Petersen scores with a nice short uppercut.
A short right from Paunovic.
Paunovic tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Paunovic can't find room to land a body shot as Petersen controls the action.
Petersen misses with a short punch on the inside.
Paunovic tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Petersen's elbow.
Nice body punch from Paunovic - that landed with a thud.
Paunovic struggles to land a body shot inside as Petersen controls his hands.
Paunovic struggles to land a body shot inside as Petersen controls his hands.
A right hand to the body from Petersen.
Paunovic goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Paunovic blocking some punches.
Paunovic lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Paunovic tries a body shot but Petersen blocks it.
Paunovic lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Paunovic lands a left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petersen throws a punch but it's blocked by Paunovic.
Paunovic works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Paunovic lands a nice uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Petersen blocks a body shot from Paunovic.
Paunovic goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Petersen is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Paunovic pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Petersen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Petersen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Petersen.
Paunovic lands a shot to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Petersen.
Petersen tries to score a body lock takedown but Paunovic shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Zoran Paunovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darrel Petersen.
Petersen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A short left from Paunovic.
Paunovic is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Petersen can do to turn this around?
Paunovic goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Paunovic lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Petersen creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Paunovic lands a nice uppercut.
A short uppercut from Paunovic.
Zoran Paunovic is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petersen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Paunovic lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Paunovic lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Petersen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Petersen is working for takedown but Paunovic is calmly controlling the position for now.
Petersen struggles to land a body shot inside as Paunovic controls his hands.
Petersen prevents a body shot from Paunovic.
Petersen throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Petersen lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Petersen misses with some punches.
Petersen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Paunovic blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Petersen misses with a punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paunovic presses Petersen against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Paunovic scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Petersen wants a takedown.
Petersen works on Paunovic's body with a couple of short punches.
Petersen prevents a body shot from Paunovic.
Petersen can't find room to land a body shot as Paunovic controls the action.
Petersen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Paunovic's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Petersen struggles to land a body shot inside as Paunovic controls his hands.
Darrel Petersen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Petersen throws a punch but it's blocked by Paunovic.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Paunovic pushes Petersen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Petersen misses with a short punch on the inside.
Petersen has a couple of punches blocked by Paunovic.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zoran Paunovic showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Paunovic, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:28
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zoran Paunovic!
Zoran Paunovic was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.