PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Roman Putin (ranked 4404 p4p, 4538 weight class) and Oscar Paz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Putin
vs
Paz

180 cm
25
165
0 - 0 - 0

181 cm
25
163
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Roman Putin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Oscar Paz!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Dirk Anderson and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Putin fails with a takedown attempt.
A punch lands to the side of Putin 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Paz looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Paz looks to land a combination but Putin avoids it well.
The fight stays on the outside here - Paz looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Paz doesn't manage to clinch there - Putin circles away.
Putin tests Paz's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Paz cracks Putin with an open hand slap.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Putin shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Paz sprawls well. Paz wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Putin gets slowly back to his feet.
Putin shoots in looking for a takedown but Paz manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Putin's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roman Putin. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paz dodges the punch combination from Putin.
Putin will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Paz gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Putin takes a shot to the head.
Paz stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Paz is trying to force a seperation but Putin has the dominant position.
Paz working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Putin is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Putin breaks from the clinch.
Paz lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Putin at a distance.
Paz tests Putin's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nice body punch from Paz.
Paz swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Paz gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Paz lands a right hand that snaps the head of Putin backwards.
A body shot lands from Paz.
Putin is looking to take this one to the mat.
Paz struggles to land a body shot inside as Putin controls his hands.
Paz lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Putin.
Putin is breathing heavily.
Putin is trying to pull guard but Paz turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Paz.

Putin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Paz lunges at Putin with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Putin's hand.
Paz works Putin's body with a nice hook.
Paz wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Paz connects with a body shot.
Paz scores with a shot to the body.

Paz forces Putin back against the cage and clinches.
Putin trying to stall but Paz improves his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Paz.
Paz pressing his opponent against the cage.
Paz lands a hook that snaps the head of Putin backwards.
Putin is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Paz is defending well.
Paz is looking to break free of the clinch but Putin has double underhooks.
Paz can't find room to land a body shot as Putin controls the action.
Paz is trying to break the clinch but Putin has him pressed against the cage.
A short uppercut from Paz.
A short right from Paz.

Putin breaks the clinch.
Paz tries to clinch there but Putin circles away.
A counter left hand to the body from Putin misses its target.
Paz doesn't manage to clinch there - Putin circles away.
Putin tries to clinch but Paz moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paz tries to clinch there but Putin circles away.
Paz circles away from the clinch attempt.
Putin keeps the fight on the outside.
Putin doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Putin fails with a takedown attempt.
Paz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Paz fails to land with a series of punches.
Putin throws a counter high kick but Paz was just alert enough to avoid it.
Putin takes a shot right to the bread basket.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Putin is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Paz digs a good body shot into Putin's ribs.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Paz, as that shot connected.
Putin tries to clinch but Paz is having none of it.
Putin has his takedown stuffed
and Paz counters with a one-two to the body.
Putin tries to clinch but Paz moves out of range.

Paz has closed the distance and engaged Putin in a clinch.
Putin holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Paz wants to take the fight to the mat but Putin manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Paz can't find room to land a body shot as Putin controls the action.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Putin has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Paz uses from the top position.
Putin trying to keep a closed guard but Paz is proving a slippery customer.
Paz throws an elbow that misses. Putin uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Paz's guard. Nice move by Putin!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Putin trying to control but Paz is working from the bottom.
Paz wants to get back to his feet but Putin is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Paz keeping full guard, as Putin tries to pass.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Putin throws a big right hand that misses.
Putin won't allow Paz to get back to his feet.
Putin has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Putin trying to control but Paz is working from the bottom.
Putin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Putin trying to control the position from guard on top but Paz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Paz is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

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.
Putin sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Paz's guard.

Paz pushes Putin off and gets back to his feet.
Roman Putin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Paz gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Paz is looking to stand up but Putin isn't so interested in that idea.
Putin trying to control the position from guard on top but Paz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Putin landing some decent shots from guard.
Paz really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Putin. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Paz pushes Putin off and scrambles back to his feet.
Putin walks into a left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Putin takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Putin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Paz is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Putin rather than just go for the knockout.
Putin takes one on the button.

Putin shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Paz manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Paz is breathing heavily.

Paz pushes Putin off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
A looping hook to the body misses from Paz. Putin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Paz misses with a looping left.
Putin looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Putin throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Paz's waist but Paz gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Putin off to one side.
Good work by Paz as he checks the leg kick.
Putin closes this distance looking for a takedown but Paz circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roman Putin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Putin circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Putin misses with a takedown attempt - Paz sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Despite the aggression on Paz's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Paz lands an overhand right.
Putin has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Paz finds it's way round the side to connect with Putin's head.
Putin fails to land the takedown.
Paz digs a good hook to Putin's body.
Paz connects with a good right hand that stumbles Putin. Putin circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Paz punishes Putin's body with a nice straight punch.
Putin tries to clinch but Paz is having none of it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Oscar Paz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Putin misses with a leg kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Paz! But no joy.
Paz scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Putin doesn't seem bothered though.
Paz fails to land with a series of punches.
Putin tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Paz paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Putin is defended easily by Paz.

Paz gets a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paz lands with a right to the head.

Putin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Paz misses with a double jab.
Putin moves in looking to clinch but Paz pushes him off.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Paz closes the distance and pushes Putin back into the cage.
Paz is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Paz is pressed up against the cage. Putin has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Paz down to the mat. Paz avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Putin scores with the left hand. Paz knows he should have avoided that one.
Horrible takedown attempt by Putin or perhaps it was just good defense by Paz, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roman Putin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Paz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Putin manages to avoid it.
Putin throws a sloppy head kick and Paz moves out of range easily.
Paz tries to clinch up.
Putin tries to counter with a takedown but Paz is quick to defend against it.
Oscar Paz seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Putin takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Paz fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Putin looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Putin looks to land a right hand but Paz moved out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paz connects with the punch.
A nice combination there by Paz.
Paz staying out of range there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Paz lands a nice hook to Putin's body. Putin takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

Putin has closed the distance and engaged Paz in a clinch.
Putin is trying to pull guard but Paz has him pressed against the cage.
Paz scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Putin throws a head punch that misses.

Putin gets control of Paz's arms and successfully pulls guard. Putin will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Paz won't allow Putin to sweep him here.

Putin uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Putin fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Paz sprawls well initially but Putin persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Paz makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Paz lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Paz gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Paz tries to throw a body punch but Putin avoids it by throwing Paz back against the cage.
Putin is trying to pull guard but Paz turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Putin has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Paz after a bit of a struggle.
Oscar Paz seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Paz works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Paz lands a shot to the body.
Paz scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Paz digs a right hand into Putin's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Putin's gas tank.
Paz lands with a short shot to the head.
Putin tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Paz lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Putin or not.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A right handed body shot lands from Paz.
Oscar Paz is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Putin manages to break the clinch.
Putin swats away the attempt to clinch by Paz.
Putin takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Paz closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Putin.

Putin manages to break the clinch.
Putin closes this distance looking for a takedown but Paz circles away.
Putin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Paz as he avoids it easily.

Paz has managed to clinch.
Roman Putin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Paz on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Oscar Paz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Paz winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Oscar Paz!
Oscar Paz bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.