PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Norman Pearson (ranked 773 p4p, 1399 weight class) and Semmy Cobb (ranked 30 p4p, 59 weight class). Cobb comes into a darkened arena with his song building. You dropped the Bomb on me kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Pearson
vs
Cobb

180 cm
35
272
22 - 16 - 0

212 cm
35
265
21 - 15 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

HELLBENT
Hardcore Alchemy

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Norman Pearson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Semmy Cobb!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Dean Styles and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cobb throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cobb connects with a body shot that sends Pearson's belly button to the back.
Cobb missing with a left hand there. Pearson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Cobb has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Pearson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cobb.
Cobb misses with a body shot.
Cobb throws a right and a left that Pearson avoids nicely.
Pearson went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Cobb misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A combination from Pearson does no damage.
Cobb is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Pearson with a body shot.
Cobb takes a swing at Pearson's ribcage but misses.
Pearson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Pearson on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cobb misses with an uppercut. Pearson saw that one coming.
Cobb misses the shot to the body.
Pearson seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Cobb fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pearson manages to avoid it.
Pearson lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Cobb dips to his left and cracks Pearson with an uppercut!
Cobb lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Cobb misses with a wild combination.
Pearson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cobb.
The fighters circle momentarily. Cobb darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cobb throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Pearson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Cobb swinging wildly here.
Cobb misses with a double jab
and Pearson counters with a low kick, right behind Cobb 's knee.
Pearson definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
A chopping leg kick lands by Pearson.
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!
Cobb swats away the attempt to clinch by Pearson.
Cobb throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Pearson counters with a left to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Semmy Cobb dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Cobb swings for the body but Pearson moves out of range.
Pearson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Cobb misses with a hook
and Pearson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Cobb throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Pearson counters with a two punch combo.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Pearson might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Cobb takes a swing at Pearson's ribcage but misses.
Pearson tries to clinch but Cobb moves out of range.
Cobb swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big left from Cobb misses.
Cobb lands a glancing blow to the side of Pearson's head.

Pearson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Cobb's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cobb keeping full guard, as Pearson tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pearson sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Cobb is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Pearson is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Pearson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Pearson seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Pearson passes Cobb's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Pearson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Cobb is trying to control but can't.
Cobb is not content to let Pearson control the position.
Pearson not doing much here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pearson looks to land a strike but Cobb avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Norman Pearson dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Cobb slips a jab from Pearson.
Cobb lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Pearson at a distance.
Pearson wants to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Pearson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pearson avoids the body shot from Cobb.
Cobb dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Pearson slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Cobb is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Pearson rather than just go for the knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pearson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Pearson slips a jab and a cross from Cobb.
It looked like Pearson was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Cobb lands a head shot.
Cobb cracks Pearson with an open hand slap.
Pearson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Pearson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cobb throws a predictable looking body shot
and Pearson counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Cobb just misses with a punch to the body.
Pearson throws a right hand that misses
and Cobb counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Cobb tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Pearson was well out of range. Poor timing from Cobb.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cobb pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
As Cobb looks to move away, Pearson throws a big counter combo but Cobb just gets out of the way.
Pearson cracks a nice hook into Cobb's ribs.
Cobb takes a swing at Pearson's ribcage but misses.
Norman Pearson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pearson wants to clinch up but Cobb keeps it at a distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cobb takes a jab right on the kisser.

It looks like Semmy Cobb has been cut.
Pearson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Cobb misses with a few strikes there.
Pearson went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Semmy Cobb seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cobb tries to bum rush Pearson with a series of wild strikes but Pearson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Pearson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Cobb throws out the jab.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Semmy Cobb really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Semmy Cobb's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Pearson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cobb.
Cobb misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cobb has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A punch lands to the side of Pearson 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Pearson scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Cobb smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Cobb misses with a wild body shot.
As Cobb backs away, Pearson returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Cobb checks a low kick from Pearson.
Cobb appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cobb misses the body punch
and Pearson counters with a straight right hand.
Cobb misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Cobb.
Cobb looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Pearson seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Cobb misses with a combination
and Pearson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Cobb throws a body punch but Pearson moves out of range.
Pearson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cobb's waist but Cobb gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Pearson off to one side.
Cobb throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Pearson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Pearson feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Cobbs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Cobb throws a jab but it's blocked by Pearson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cobb throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Cobb circles away from the clinch attempt.
Pearson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cobb.
Pearson went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Semmy Cobb is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice defenses there by Pearson.

Pearson pushes Cobb up against the cage in a clinch.
Pearson has had enough of the clinch but Cobb keeps him there for the moment.

Pearson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cobb swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Pearson counters with a one-two to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pearson lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Semmy Cobb will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Semmy Cobb's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Cobb will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Pearson swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
The fight stays on the outside here - Pearson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Cobb swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Cobb throws the left hand but Pearson avoids the punch easily.
Cobb throws a shot from downtown. Pearson moves away and avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pearson tries to clinch there but Cobb circles away.
Norman Pearson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cobb is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Cobb scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Pearson doesn't seem bothered though.
Cobb feints a jab promting Pearson to slip. Cobb then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Pearson slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pearson tries to clinch up.
Cobb looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Pearson moves away from the strike by Cobb.
Cobb misses with a double jab.
Cobb tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Pearson was well out of range. Poor timing from Cobb.
Pearson throws a big counter combination but Cobb scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Cobb looks to land a combination but Pearson avoids it well.
Cobb throws a body shot but no joy.
Pearson appears to be looking for a big counter.

Pearson drops Cobb with a right and a left! Pearson comes rushing in but Cobb regains his composure and manages to keep Pearson in guard.
Cobb keeping moving, preventing Pearson from controlling successfully.
Pearson postures up in Cobb's guard and throws a big left but Cobb blocks it.
Semmy Cobb is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cobb being controlled here, momentarily.
Cobb is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Cobb can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Pearson controls the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cobb trying to keep a closed guard but Pearson is proving a slippery customer.
Cobb is pulling down on Pearson's head to control his posture.
Pearson postures up in Cobb's guard and throws a big left but Cobb blocks it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Semmy Cobb.
I think Cobb 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 47:49
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 46:49
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Semmy Cobb!
Semmy Cobb is the new super heavyweight champion!
Semmy Cobb spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.
Norman Pearson was interviewed post fight and said 'I knew I was better in the clinch so I did my best to get in that area and smash him. Obviously that gameplan didn't work. I will get back to camp and re-evaluate where we went wrong. Thank you all for coming out! '.