PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Herbert Mullin (ranked 2809 p4p, 3429 weight class) and Rico Cole (ranked 348 p4p, 395 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Cole's choice of entrance music: Gerardo's Rico Suave. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Mullin
vs
Cole

185 cm
37
165
19 - 17 - 1

182 cm
46
168
41 - 30 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Determined

IC&E Nutrition
Voodoo Nutrition

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 19 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Herbert Mullin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 41 - 30 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Rico Cole!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Saam Ante and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mullin closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Cole tries to pull guard but Mullin holds him up against the cage and eventually Cole drops back down to his feet.
Mullin misses with a punch to the body.
Cole tries to pull guard but Mullin holds him up against the cage and eventually Cole drops back down to his feet.
Cole is trying to pull guard but Mullin turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Herbert Mullin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rico Cole.
Mullin lands a body punch in the clinch.

Mullin tightens his grip and picks Cole up, before dumping him to the ground. Cole manages to land in guard.

Cole looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Mullin has picked Cole up and slammed him! Cole can't keep hold of the triangle and Mullin manages to pass to side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Mullin stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Mullin clinches up against the cage.
Cole is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Mullin to keep the fight standing.
Cole fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Cole jumps guard but Mullin turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Mullin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Mullin closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mullin looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Cole is avoiding damage well.
Cole is looking for a sweep.
Mullin misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Mullin in side control, just content to control the action for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mullin is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Cole has escaped the position, nice work there.

Mullin is trying to get an arm triangle but Cole is defending well.
Cole regains half guard.

Cole looking for submissions off his back.

Mullin is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Mullin passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Cole!
Mullin controlling from the full mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cole really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Mullin tries to control but Cole wriggling away.

Mullin stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Mullin blocks a jab.
Mullin moves out of range of the strikes.
Cole throws a poor cross that misses
and Mullin counters with a nice uppercut.
Cole throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mullin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mullin seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Mullin has Cole up against the cage in a clinch.
Cole fails to pull guard.
Cole tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Mullin smiles and moves away.
Cole throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Mullin gets a clinch.
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!
Mullin tries to throw a body punch but Cole avoids it by throwing Mullin back against the cage.

Mullin manages to break the clinch.
Mullin listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Mullin takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole throws a hook to the side of Mullin's head but Mullin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Cole has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

Mullin has taken the fight to the clinch.
Mullin digs a right hand into Cole's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Cole's gas tank.
Cole tries to pull guard but Mullin holds him up against the cage and eventually Cole drops back down to his feet.
Cole looks winded!
Cole is trying to pull guard but Mullin has him pressed against the cage.
Mullin lands a body shot in the clinch.
Mullin scores with a shoulder strike.
Mullin works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Mullin lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Mullin lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Mullin lands with a light punch inside.

Cole is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Mullin breaks the clinch.
Cole is still on wobbly legs! Can Mullin finish him?

Mullin clinches with his opponent.
Cole seems to have recovered his senses.
Mullin makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Cole tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Mullin scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Cole tries to pull guard but Mullin won't allow it.
Cole tries to pull guard but Mullin won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee is keeping an eye on Mullin - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Mullin gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Mullin decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Mullin forces Cole back against the cage and clinches.

Mullin works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Cole looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Mullin trying to control the position from guard on top but Cole is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Mullin is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Mullin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mullin trying to control but Cole is working from the bottom.
Mullin postures up.

Mullin drops back looking for a leg! Cole is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Cole manages to kick Mullin off! Mullin jumps back into Cole's guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Herbert Mullin dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Mullin clinches up with Cole and pushes him back against the cage.
Mullin lands a body shot in the clinch.

Mullin has picked Cole up - he's going for a ride! Mullin dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Cole wants to get back to full guard.
Mullin seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Mullin uses his free foot to push down on Cole's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Cole.

Mullin is working for a guillotine from mount but Cole frees his head quite easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mullin is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Cole digs a good hook to Mullin's body.

Mullin clinches.
Herbert Mullin has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A short uppercut from Mullin.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mullin lands a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mullin lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Cole tries to pull guard but Mullin won't allow it.
Mullin lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Mullin digs a right hand underneath Cole's ribcage. Cole let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Cole is breathing heavily.
Cole tries to pull guard but Mullin won't allow it.

Mullin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cole throws a body shot but no joy.
Mullin throws a big counter combination but Cole scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Mullin tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cole paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Mullin closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Cole to the mat! Cole manages to get full guard.

Cole escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Mullin gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Mullin sitting in guard here, content to control.
Mullin trying to control the position from guard on top but Cole is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mullin is really struggling to control Cole but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Mullin slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cole is working to avoid the ground and pound but Mullin connects with a decent elbow.

Mullin wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Cole, who protects the arm well.
Mullin is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Cole's shoulder. That is not cool.
Cole manages to work his way to half guard, despite Mullin's best efforts.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Mullin is working for a submission of some sort.
Cole moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Cole throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Mullin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cole can do to turn this around?
Mullin is pushing down on Cole's leg trying to pass to half guard. Cole is fighting to maintain full guard but Mullin has managed to sneak the leg through.
Mullin controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mullin is trying to work for a kimura but Cole is defending well.
Cole is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Cole manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Mullin sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Cole's guard.
Herbert Mullin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Cole is trying to get back to full guard.

Cole looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Mullin is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Mullin moves nicely into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mullin trying to control the action but Cole is working from the bottom.
A lull in the action here.

Mullin decides to stand back up. Mullin steps back and let's Cole get back to his feet.
Mullin fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Cole looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Mullin moves into range and clinches up with Cole.
Mullin scores with a hook to the body.

Mullin breaks the clinch.

Mullin closes the distance and pushes Cole back into the cage.
Mullin wants a takedown but no success here.
Cole jumps guard but Mullin stands there with Cole around his waist. Cole gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Herbert Mullin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rico Cole.
Mullin is stalling here.
Mullin lands a body punch in the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Herbert Mullin dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A good leg kick by Mullin.
Cole connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Herbert Mullin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Cole tries to keep at a distance but Mullin has taken the fight into the clinch.
Cole tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mullin just stands there and leans against the cage.

Mullin breaks from the clinch.

Mullin forces Cole back against the cage and clinches.
Mullin pushes Cole back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Mullin tightens his grip and picks Cole up, before dumping him to the ground. Cole manages to land in guard.
Mullin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cole is keeping the position for now.
Mullin is in close to Cole's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Mullin trying to control but Cole is working from the bottom.
Mullin tries to stand but Cole is controlling from the bottom.
Mullin passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cole is trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cole stops Mullin from passing to mount.

Mullin is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Cole has escaped the position, nice work there.
Cole sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Mullin is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Cole is just riding it out for now. Mullin eventually gives up the hold.
Mullin is trying to control the action in half guard but Cole is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Cole wants to improve his position but Mullin is controlling well.
Cole is still trying to improve position.
Mullin works his foot free and advances to mount.
Rico Cole has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cole takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mullin content just to control the position here.
Cole tries to hold on but Mullin pushes him away.
Mullin trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Cole keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Mullin has control of Cole's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Cole regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Cole tries to reverse the position but Mullin maintains control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Cole wants to get back to full guard.
Herbert Mullin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Cole looking for submissions off his back.

Mullin is looking for a kimura here.
Mullin sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Cole is striking from the bottom but he's now found himself mounted! Oh dear - not enough focus on defense there.
Cole is looking to improve his position but Mullin isn't that keen on the idea.
Mullin tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cole is wriggling around trying to escape.

Mullin stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Cole takes a swing at Mullin's ribcage but misses.
Mullin jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

Mullin 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.
Mullin is looking to stand up but Cole won't let him.

Mullin thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Mullin gets to his feet. Cole looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Cole lands a lovely overhand right.
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!

Mullin clinches up against the cage.

Mullin's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A shot to the liver by Mullin. Beautiful body shot.
Cole avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cole steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Mullin. That one must have hurt.

Mullin scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

And that's the end of the fight!
Herbert Mullin showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Mullin has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Herbert Mullin!
After winning the bout, Herbert Mullin thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.