PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Danny Raggazza (ranked 1420 p4p, 2907 weight class) and Steve Cusumano (ranked 208 p4p, 386 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Cusumano's choice of entrance music: Gamefire. Steve Cusumano has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Raggazza
vs
Cusumano

175 cm
23
165
4 - 3 - 1

175 cm
37
180
17 - 12 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Danny Raggazza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Steve Cusumano!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Radbod Blank and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Raggazza lands with a hook. Cusumano tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Raggazza misses with a takedown
letting Cusumano counter with a right hand.
Cusumano throws a right hand that misses
letting Raggazza counter with a right hand.
Raggazza swings away with a body shot that misses
and Cusumano connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Cusumano swinging wildly here.
Good shot there by Raggazza.
Cusumano lands with a nice combination. Raggazza backs away looking to recover.
Raggazza swings for the body but Cusumano moves out of range.
Cusumano misses with a hook.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Raggazza shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Cusumano as he jumps to the side.
Raggazza uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cusumano.
Raggazza misses with a hook.
Cusumano throws a right and a left that both miss.
Raggazza swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Cusumano moves away from the strike by Raggazza.
Cusumano throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cusumano misses with a hook. Raggazza ducked under it nicely.
Raggazza was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A big right from Raggazza misses.
Raggazza lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Cusumano throws a nice looking combination but Raggazza bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Raggazza ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cusumano moves away.
Raggazza slips under a jab from Cusumano.
Cusumano takes a jab right on the kisser.
Raggazza swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A big right from Raggazza misses.
Some wild striking there from Cusumano.
Raggazza has been working on his boxing with his coaches at MMA Dojo (Top Gym in Tokyo*) in the buildup to the fight.
Raggazza misses with a body shot.
Raggazza swings widly with a right hand
and Raggazza takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Cusumano throws a jab but it's blocked by Raggazza.
Cusumano throws a right hand that Raggazza ducks under and follows up with a left that Raggazza also avoids with ease.
Cusumano rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Raggazza moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Raggazza gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Cusumano's jab looks to have found its range, popping Raggazza under the eye.
Cusumano throws a series of punches but Raggazza moves out of range.
A punch combination from Raggazza misses.
Raggazza swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cusumano moves out of range of the strikes.
Cusumano scores with a hook to the body. Raggazza takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Raggazza misses with a straight right.
Raggazza moves into range and connects with a jab.
Cusumano might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

Oooooh!!! Cusumano has knocked Raggazza down with a huge combo! Cusumano steps away and waves a wobbly Raggazza back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Raggazza is rocked!
Cusumano tries to bum rush Raggazza with a series of wild strikes but Raggazza uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Raggazza is looking to counter punch.
Oh Raggazza is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Raggazza fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cusumano manages to avoid it.
Cusumano uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Raggazza.
No joy there for Cusumano, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Cusumano swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Raggazza misses the target.
Raggazza shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Cusumano defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Danny Raggazza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cusumano rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Raggazza moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Raggazza misses with a hook
enabling Cusumano to counter with a crisp jab.
Raggazza tries to bum rush Cusumano with a series of wild strikes but Cusumano uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raggazza fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cusumano misses with a wild combination.
Raggazza tries to bum rush Cusumano with a series of wild strikes but Cusumano uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
It seemed like Cusumano was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Cusumano throws a series of punches but Raggazza moves out of range.

Raggazza scores with a takedown into Cusumano's guard.
Raggazza loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Raggazza is looking to work some ground and pound but Cusumano has wrist control.
Raggazza seems to have got his legs back now.
Raggazza trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Raggazza postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cusumano is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Our spies down at at Rabid Dog inform us that Cusumano has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Cusumano preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Raggazza stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cusumano swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Raggazza cracks Cusumano with a solid left hand.
Raggazza wants to control from the top but Cusumano keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raggazza throwing strikes but missing.
Raggazza makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Raggazza looking to pass the guard.
Raggazza trying to control but Cusumano is working from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Raggazza postures up in Cusumano's guard and throws a big left but Cusumano blocks it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Raggazza working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Raggazza postures up and lands a big shot to Cusumano's brow.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Raggazza throws a series of strikes that have Cusumano backpedaling.
Cusumano ducks under a wild hook from Raggazza.
Raggazza misses the shot to the body.
Raggazza slips a jab and a cross from Cusumano.
Cusumano throws a right and a left that Raggazza avoids nicely.
Raggazza changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cusumano tries to avoid it but Raggazza manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cusumano to the ground. Cusumano escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Good shot there by Raggazza.
Raggazza swings for the body but Cusumano moves out of range.

Raggazza shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Raggazza thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cusumano is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Cusumano blocking the ground and pound attempt from Raggazza.
Cusumano is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Raggazza scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cusumano is refusing to be controlled, as Raggazza sits in half guard.
Danny Raggazza overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Cusumano won't allow Raggazza to pass to mount.

Raggazza is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Raggazza is working for a kimura but Cusumano is defending it quite comfortably.
Cusumano blocking the ground and pound attempt from Raggazza.
Raggazza thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Cusumano is looking for a sweep. Raggazza is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Raggazza is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Cusumano is staying active underneath Raggazza, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Raggazza takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Raggazza thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Raggazza is nestled in close to Cusumano, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Raggazza working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Raggazza thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cusumano's head.
Cusumano has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Raggazza is working away from the top position though.
Raggazza is looking to advance position but Cusumano won't allow it.
Cusumano keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Raggazza missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Raggazza throwing shots but Cusumano is blocking nicely.
Raggazza is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Cusumano reverses the position - he's now on top in Raggazza's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Raggazza has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cusumano can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Cusumano preventing the sweep.
Raggazza manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Cusumano manages to get himself to full guard.

Raggazza with a flurry of punches that miss.
Cusumano has momentary wrist control but Raggazza slips an elbow through the middle.
Raggazza with a nice head shot there.
Raggazza throws a big elbow that misses.
Cusumano working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Raggazza.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raggazza looking to sit in guard and control but Cusumano gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Raggazza wants to sweep here but Cusumano controlling him for the moment.
Raggazza bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cusumano's guard.

Raggazza postures up in Cusumano's guard and throws a big left but Cusumano blocks it.
Cusumano keeping moving, preventing Raggazza from controlling successfully.
Raggazza is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Raggazza throwing strikes from guard but Cusumano blocks nicely.
Raggazza trying to control but Cusumano is working from the bottom.

Raggazza drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Cusumano dives on top into guard.

And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Raggazza swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Raggazza lands a nice shot to the body.
Cusumano uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Raggazza.
Raggazza throws a left and a right that both miss
and Cusumano counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Cusumano throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Raggazza throws a body punch but Cusumano moves out of range.
Raggazza throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Cusumano counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The fighters circling - Raggazza throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Raggazza jabs at Cusumano's body.
Raggazza throws the left hand but Cusumano avoids the punch easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Cusumano! But no joy.
Raggazza misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cusumano misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Raggazza.
Cusumano tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Raggazza was well out of range. Poor timing from Cusumano.
Raggazza takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Raggazza misses with a two punch combination.
Cusumano takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cusumano avoids the body shot from Raggazza.
A swing and a miss from Raggazza.
Cusumano lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Raggazza at a distance.
Raggazza waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cusumano.
Raggazza shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cusumano pinned against the cage. Cusumano gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Cusumano will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Steve Cusumano is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cusumano misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Raggazza.
Raggazza shoots in for a double leg but Cusumano sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cusumano swinging wildly here.
Raggazza will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raggazza avoids the body shot from Cusumano.
Raggazza scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Raggazza lands with a straight right. Cusumano didn't see that one coming.
Raggazza throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Cusumano connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Cusumano takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Raggazza misses with a straight left.
Raggazza lands a body shot.
Cusumano fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cusumano pulls out of a head kick attempt.
It looked like Raggazza wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Cusumano takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Raggazza throws a series of punches but Cusumano moves out of range.
Raggazza lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cusumano circles away quickly and effectively.
Raggazza misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cusumano.
Raggazza throws a hook but Cusumano avoids it easily.
Cusumano throws a nice looking combination but Raggazza bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raggazza shoots in looking for a takedown. Cusumano tries to sprawl out of it but Raggazza keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cusumano manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Danny Raggazza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Raggazza lands a really nice looking cross but Cusumano seems unphased.
Cusumano avoids the body shot from Raggazza.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Cusumano! But no joy.
Raggazza scores with a body shot.
Raggazza misses with a wild body shot.
Cusumano lands with a nice body punch.
Raggazza takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Cusumano swinging wildly here.
Cusumano misses with a double jab.
Steve Cusumano seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Raggazza scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cusumano throws a predictable looking body shot
and Raggazza counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Raggazza swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Steve Cusumano is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Raggazza tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cusumano swivels and escapes.
Raggazza misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cusumano.
Raggazza shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cusumano sprawls well. Cusumano wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Raggazza gets slowly back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cusumano lands with a nice body punch.
Raggazza dives in for a single leg takedown but Cusumano sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Cusumano breaks from the clinch.
Cusumano takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Raggazza swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Cusumano counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Cusumano.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Steve Cusumano.
I think Cusumano 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 28:29
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Cusumano!
A victorious Steve Cusumano thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.