PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Vadim Golovkin (ranked 3 p4p, 16 weight class) and Manny Puno (ranked 1 p4p, 2 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Golovkin
vs
Puno

172 cm
30
146
23 - 4 - 0

180 cm
40
158
25 - 9 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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PWNAGE

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vadim Golovkin!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 9 - 2, fighting out of New York, Manny Puno!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, James Ackerman and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Puno takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Puno cracks Golovkin with an open hand slap.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Puno has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Puno throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Puno doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Golovkin counters with a left to the body.
No joy there for Puno, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Golovkin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The crowd cheers as Golovkin lands an impressive looking overhand right. Puno doesn't seem phased though.
Golovkin ducks under a wild hook from Puno.
The fighters circling - Puno throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Puno throws a jab when Golovkin was well out of range.
Golovkin throws a lazy right hand but Puno sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Golovkin lands the left hand.
A swing and a miss from Puno.
Golovkin connects with a body shot.
Puno avoids the body shot from Golovkin.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Puno shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Golovkin defends it nicely.
Golovkin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Puno.
Golovkin stuffs the takedown.
Vadim Golovkin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manny Puno.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Golovkin walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A lazy left from Golovkin finds it's target.
No luck for Puno with that takedown attempt.
Golovkin staying out of range there.
Puno misses with a hook.
A low kick lands for Golovkin.
Puno avoids the body shot from Golovkin.
Puno throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It looked like Golovkin wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Golovkin missing with a left hand there. Puno was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Golovkin is looking to wear down Puno with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Golovkin turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Puno tries to bum rush Golovkin with a series of wild strikes but Golovkin uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Golovkin went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Vadim Golovkin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Puno misses with a wild combination.

Puno decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Puno is keen to just control but Golovkin is a slippery customer.
Golovkin has hold of Puno's hands but Puno slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Golovkin trying to hold on to Puno's head to control him but Puno postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Golovkin is not content to let Puno control the position.
Puno thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Golovkin wants to control the action here but instead Puno manages to pass to full mount!
Golovkin wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Puno.
Puno pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Puno looking to control but Golovkin is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Puno raining down hammerfists from mount.
Golovkin tries to lock up and control but Puno gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Puno can't control as he wanted to and Golovkin manages to get the fight back to his half guard.
Puno missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Puno 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.
Puno sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Golovkin defending well though.
Puno landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Puno looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Puno sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Golovkin defending well though.
Golovkin is looking for a sweep. Puno is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Golovkin won't allow Puno to pass to mount.
Puno with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Puno is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Puno punching from mount but Golovkin doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Puno throws a strike there. Golovkin manages to avoid it well and slips a leg under to get to half guard.
Golovkin is looking to get back to full guard here but Puno has managed to pass to side control instead.
Puno grinds an elbow into Golovkin's temple.
Golovkin is not content to let Puno control the position.
Golovkin is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Phoenix Fight Team that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Manny Puno dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Golovkin ducks under a wild hook from Puno.
A shot to the liver by Golovkin. Beautiful body shot.
Puno tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Golovkin was well out of range. Poor timing from Puno.
Golovkin connects with a single shot there.
Puno scores with the left hand. Golovkin knows he should have avoided that one.
Golovkin lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Puno uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Golovkin.

Puno feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Puno is looking to work some ground and pound but Golovkin has wrist control.
Puno working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Golovkin utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Golovkin trying to keep a closed guard but Puno is proving a slippery customer.
Golovkin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Puno stopping the sweep attempt from Golovkin.
Puno passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Golovkin being controlled for a moment.
Puno in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Sloppy strikes there by Puno.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Golovkin gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Puno trying to control from Golovkin's half guard. Golovkin has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Golovkin is trying to control the position but Puno postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Puno throwing strikes but missing.
Puno controls from within his opponent's guard.
Puno wants to control from the top but Golovkin keeps moving.
Puno looking to sit in guard and control but Golovkin gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Puno has a closed guard, preventing Golovkin from standing up.
Puno controlling Golovkin's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Puno's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Golovkin stopping the sweep attempt from Puno.
Manny Puno has got the better of the ground game so far.
Golovkin being controlled here momentarily.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Golovkin ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Golovkin connects with a jab.
Manny Puno seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Golovkin buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Golovkin lands with a hook. Puno tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Puno fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Golovkin avoids it really well and circles away.
Puno has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Golovkin.
Golovkin just misses with a punch to the body.
Golovkin slips under a jab from Puno.
Golovkin lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Puno circles away quickly and effectively.
Puno throws a hook but Golovkin avoids it easily.
Puno lands a really nice looking cross but Golovkin seems unphased.
Golovkin ducks under a wild hook from Puno.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Golovkin takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Golovkin stuffs the takedown attempt from Puno. Puno gets slowly back to his feet.
Puno drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vadim Golovkin dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Golovkin moves forwards but Puno connects with a nice, crisp jab.
A lazy left from Puno finds it's target.
Vadim Golovkin is winning the standup battle so far.
Golovkin swings for the body but Puno moves out of range.
Golovkin throws a body shot but no joy.
Golovkin moves out of range as Puno strikes.
Golovkin lands a jab to the head.
A telegraphed right hand from Golovkin misses the target.
Golovkin takes a swing at Puno's ribcage but misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Golovkin. Puno does a little dance to reset his feet.
Puno shoots in and drives through. Golovkin sprawls well.
Puno showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Golovkin.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Puno scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Puno seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Golovkin does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Puno trying to control the pace.
Golovkin has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Puno is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puno trying to control from half guard but Golovkin is working away.
Puno is looking to advance position but Golovkin won't allow it.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Puno is trying to control the action in half guard but Golovkin is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Golovkin is trying to get back to full guard.
Puno looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Puno connects with a nice short shot to Golovkin's temple.
Puno trying to mount his opponent but Golovkin defends it.
Golovkin blocking the ground and pound attempt from Puno.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Golovkin staying out of range there.
Golovkin takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Left hook, right uppercut from Golovkin.
Golovkin looks to score with a jab to the body but Puno is just out of range.
Golovkin misses the shot to the body.
Golovkin wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Puno misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Golovkin to counter with a crisp jab.
Golovkin ducks under a wild hook from Puno.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Golovkin misses with a two punch combination.
Golovkin slips under a jab from Puno.
Puno will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Golovkin throws a lazy right hand but Puno sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Puno throws out a loose jab but Golovkin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Puno throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Golovkin.
Puno throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Golovkin avoids a punch combination nicely.
Golovkin looks to land a right hand but Puno moved out of range.
Puno pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Golovkin misses with an uppercut.
Puno listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Puno misses with a jab, cross combination.
Puno shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Golovkin pinned against the cage. Golovkin gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Golovkin changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Puno jabs Golovkin right on the nose. Golovkin blinks but takes it well.
Puno walks into a jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Puno throws a body punch but Golovkin moves out of range.
Golovkin misses with a straight left.
Golovkin scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Puno waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Golovkin.
Golovkin throws a wild body kick that Puno sees coming a mile off.
A big right from Golovkin misses.
Puno scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Golovkin takes a jab right on the kisser.
Golovkin stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Golovkin wants it to stay on the feet.
Vadim Golovkin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manny Puno.
Golovkin throws a big shot that misses.
Golovkin throws a body punch but Puno moves out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Vadim Golovkin did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Golovkin throws a nice outside leg kick.
Puno takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Puno 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.
Puno shoots and misses
and Golovkin makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Puno misses with a right hand
and Golovkin makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Puno lands with a right hand.
Puno dives in for a single leg takedown but Golovkin sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Puno shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Golovkin sprawls well. Golovkin wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Puno gets slowly back to his feet.
Vadim Golovkin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Manny Puno.
Golovkin stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Puno shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
It looked like Golovkin wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Golovkin throws a lazy uppercut

and Puno counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Golovkin!

Golovkin throws Puno to one side and escapes!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Puno slips a jab from Golovkin.
Puno missing with a left hand there. Golovkin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Golovkin fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Puno on the side of the head.
Puno throws an overhand right that lands on Golovkin's shoulder, as Golovkin tries to avoid the shot.
Golovkin takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Golovkin throws a shot from downtown. Puno moves away and avoids it.
Golovkin looks to land a right hand but Puno moved out of range.
Puno fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Golovkin manages to avoid it.
Nice jab there from Golovkin.
Golovkin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Puno.
Puno misses with a right hand
and Golovkin counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Puno thinking.
Golovkin throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Puno jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Puno stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Golovkin.
Golovkin cracks Puno with an open hand slap.
Golovkin lands a body shot.
Puno looks for a takedown but Golovkin sprawls well.
It looked like Golovkin was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Puno.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Puno is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Golovkin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Golovkin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Puno.
Puno gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Golovkin misses with a looping right.
Golovkin lands with a nice body punch.
A big left from Golovkin misses.
Golovkin lands with a nice body punch.
Golovkin misses with a hook. Puno ducked under it nicely.
Puno takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Golovkin throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Puno shoots in but no luck this time.
Puno moves out of range as Golovkin strikes.
A chopping leg kick lands by Golovkin.
Golovkin dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Puno. That did some damage!
Puno shoots in looking for a takedown but Golovkin manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Puno's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Puno pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Puno scores with a jab. Golovkin acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Puno avoids the body shot from Golovkin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Golovkin moves away from the strike by Puno.
Golovkin with a nice calf kick.
Puno swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Golovkin counters with a right hand to the body.
Puno defending well as Golovkin loads up on a big left hand.
Golovkin bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Puno's head.
Golovkin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Puno can do to turn this around?
Puno fails with a takedown attempt.
Puno dives in and grabs Golovkin's left leg, looking for a takedown. Golovkin pushes down on Puno's head and hops out.
Golovkin cracks Puno with a good jab.
Golovkin ducks right into an uppercut from Puno.
Puno's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Golovkin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Puno shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Golovkin fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Puno takes a swing at Golovkin's ribcage but misses.

Puno drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

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!
Puno throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Golovkin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Puno lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Puno trying to control but Golovkin is working from the bottom.
Puno stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Golovkin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Golovkin is pulling down on Puno's head. It's preventing any offense from Puno, at least for the moment.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vadim Golovkin had his way with Manny Puno in that round.
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. This is the final round!

Puno scores with a hook to the body. Golovkin takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Golovkin takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Golovkin bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nice uppercut there from Golovkin.
Puno avoids the body shot from Golovkin.
Golovkin moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Puno misses with a hook.
Golovkin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Puno changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Golovkin is looking to slow Puno down with leg kicks.
Golovkin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Puno avoids the body shot from Golovkin.
Puno lands a lovely overhand right.
Puno misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Golovkin misses with a hook. Puno ducked under it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Golovkin ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Golovkin connects with the punch.
Puno looks to land a right hand but Golovkin moved out of range.
Puno swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Golovkin looks to score with a jab to the body but Puno is just out of range.
Puno fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Golovkin manages to avoid it.
Puno feints a jab promting Golovkin to slip. Puno then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Golovkin slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Puno fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Puno has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Puno uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Golovkin.
Puno misses with a body shot
and Golovkin counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Puno misses with a straight right.
Puno avoids the body shot from Golovkin.
Puno slips under a jab from Golovkin.
Puno lands a right hook to the body.
A slow jab from Puno misses its intended target.
Puno throws the left hand but Golovkin avoids the punch easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Puno moves out of range as Golovkin strikes.
Puno throws a poor cross that misses
and Golovkin counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Puno thinking.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Golovkin takes a swing at Puno's ribcage but misses.
Golovkin misses with a hook.
Puno with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Golovkin to score with a decent uppercut.
Nice body punch from Golovkin.
A telegraphed right hand from Puno misses the target.
Golovkin loads up on a big right hand but Puno slips the punch.
Golovkin scores with a nice strike.
Golovkin throws a looping overhand right but Puno ducks down to avoid it.
A jab from Puno misses.
Puno fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Golovkin lands with an overhand left.
Golovkin throws a hook to the side of Puno's head but Puno sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Golovkin is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Puno.
A looping hook to the body misses from Golovkin. Puno does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Puno misses with a double jab.
Puno slips a jab from Golovkin.
Golovkin uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Puno.
A counter left hand to the body from Golovkin misses its target.
Puno slips a straight right by Golovkin.
Puno thows a left - swing and a miss!
A decent looking cross lands there for Puno.
Golovkin takes a swing at Puno's ribcage but misses.
Puno looks to throw the jab but Golovkin is out of range.
Golovkin ducks under a wild hook from Puno.
A nice leg kick lands there from Golovkin.
Golovkin scores with a shot to the body.
Puno connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Puno scores with a nice right hand.
Puno walks into a straight right hand from Golovkin.
Golovkin throws the left hand but Puno avoids the punch easily.
Puno is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Golovkin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Puno scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Golovkin throws a body punch but Puno moves out of range.
Puno throws a shot from downtown. Golovkin moves away and avoids it.
Golovkin displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Puno throws out the jab.
Puno looks to land a right hand but Golovkin moved out of range.
Puno scores with a crisp jab that stopped Golovkin in his tracks.
Puno throws a shot from downtown. Golovkin moves away and avoids it.
Golovkin throws a jab when Puno was well out of range.
Puno with the counter takedown but Golovkin avoids it easily.
Golovkin lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Puno misses the jab.
Golovkin scores with a leg kick.
Puno throws a shot from downtown. Golovkin moves away and avoids it.
Puno throws a poor cross that misses
and Golovkin connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Golovkin enables Puno to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Golovkin manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Golovkin keeping moving, preventing Puno from controlling successfully.
Manny Puno has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Golovkin not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

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 Vadim Golovkin.
I think Golovkin has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 49:47
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 48:48
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 47:48

The fight is ruled a draw!