PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Pierce Russell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tony Corner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Russell
vs
Corner

176 cm
19
167 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

181 cm
18
160 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Pierce Russell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Tony Corner!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Steve Smith and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Russell blocks a jab.
A jab from Corner misses.
Russell goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Corner stalks Russell and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Russell's face. Russell staggers backwards, shaken.
Corner lands a jab.
Russell swings for the body but Corner moves out of range.
Russell looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A punch lands to the side of Russell 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Russell misses with a series of wild punches.
Corner scores with a sloppy right hand. Russell should have avoided that one.

Corner shoots in and gets a takedown into Russell's guard.
Russell keeping full guard, as Corner tries to pass.
Russell looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Corner tries to free his leg and advance position but Russell is retaining full guard.

Corner stands up and waves to Russell to follow him.
Russell swings for the body but Corner moves out of range.
Corner misses with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russell feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Corners jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Russell uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Corner.
Russell lands a right hook to the body.
Corner misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Russell fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Russell looks to throw the jab but Corner is out of range.
Russell misses the shot to the body.
Corner fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Russell staying out of range there.
Russell takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A nice combination there by Corner.
Corner lands a nice looking body shot.
Corner pivots, looking for a leg kick but Russell is out of range and Corner settles back down.
Corner bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Russell's head backwards.
Russell staying out of range there.
Pierce Russell is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Russell is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Russell keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Corner shoots for a double leg takedown but Russell sprawls well. He's pushed Corner's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Corner lands with an overhand left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Corner jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Corner looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nice defenses there by Russell.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Russell, as that shot connected.
Corner swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Corner misses with a double jab.
Russell looks to land a right hand but Corner moved out of range.
Corner connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Tony Corner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Russell tries to clinch there but Corner circles away.
Corner throws a jab when Russell was well out of range.
Russell tries to clinch up.
Russell drops his hands momentarily and Corner takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Corner is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Russell had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
A swing and a miss from Russell.
Corner uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Russell.
Corner misses with a hook.
Corner uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Russell swings for the body but Corner moves out of range.
Corner throws a series of punches but Russell avoids them all with ease.
Nice uppercut lands for Corner. That snapped Russell's head back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russell throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Russell throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Corner fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Russell looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Corner is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Corner throws a right and a left that both miss.
Corner on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Russell avoids a punch combination nicely.
Russell misses with a two punch combination.
Russell displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Corner throws out the jab.
Corner tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Russell was well out of range. Poor timing from Corner.
Russell fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Corner manages to avoid it.
Russell uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Corner.
Corner looks to land a left hand but Russell moved out of range nicely.
Corner bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Russell's head.
Russell ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Russell misses with a few strikes there.
A jab from Corner misses.
Russell misses with an uppercut.
Russell tries to clinch but Corner moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russell takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Corner fails with a takedown attempt.
Pierce Russell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tony Corner.
Corner shoots in but no luck this time.
Russell lands with a straight right. Corner didn't see that one coming.
Corner misses with a wild combination.
A big left from Corner misses.
Corner scores with a crisp jab that stopped Russell in his tracks.
Russell uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Corner.
The fighters circling - Russell throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Russell misses with a double jab.
Russell throws a series of strikes that have Corner backpedaling.
Corner fails to land the takedown.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Corner takes a swing at Russell's ribcage but misses.
Corner throws a good cross that connects.
Russell works Corner's body with a nice hook.
Russell defending well as Corner loads up on a big left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Russell fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Corner tries to score a power double leg takedown but Russell sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Corner somewhat.
Russell slips a straight right by Corner.
Russell steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Corner.
Russell lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Corner moves out of range as Russell strikes.
Tony Corner seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The fighters circling - Russell throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Russell throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Corner on the side of the head.
Russell throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Corner.
Corner lands a slapping body shot.
Russell fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Russell ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Corner fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Corner connects with a looping right hand.
Russell misses with a series of wild punches.
Russell lands with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russell throws a left and a right that both miss
and Corner cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Russell throws a right hand that Corner ducks under and follows up with a left that Corner also avoids with ease.
Russell throws a shot from downtown. Corner moves away and avoids it.
Russell moves away from the strike by Corner.
Corner misses with an uppercut.
Corner lands with a straight right. Russell didn't see that one coming.
Russell slips a straight right by Corner.
Russell misses with a jab, cross combination.
Russell bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Corner jabs Russell to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Russell throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Corner throws a hook to the side of Russell's head but Russell sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Corner pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Corner misses with an uppercut. Russell saw that one coming.
Russell throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Russell throws a left and a right that both miss
and Corner makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Russell thows a left - swing and a miss!
Russell has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Corner finds it's way round the side to connect with Russell's head.
Corner gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Good standup being displayed there by Corner as he connects with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russell swings away with a body shot that misses
and Corner counters with a straight right hand.
Corner thuds his right hand into Russell's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
A shot to the liver by Corner. Beautiful body shot.
Corner cracks Russell with a right hand to the side of the head.
Russell blocks a jab.
Russell's corner calls for a 1-2. Russell obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Russell takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Russell leaves Corner with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Russell takes a swing at Corner's ribcage but misses.
Russell tries to bum rush Corner with a series of wild strikes but Corner uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Russell throws an overhand right that lands on Corner's shoulder, as Corner tries to avoid the shot.
Russell keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Corner staying out of range there.
Corner's corner calls for a 1-2. Corner obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
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!
A big left from Corner misses.
Corner getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A jab from Corner does it's job there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russell gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Corner misses the shot to the body.
Russell displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Corner.
Pierce Russell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tony Corner.
Russell scores with a shot to the body.
Corner on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Russell walks into a straight right hand from Corner.
Corner lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Corner.
Russell uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Corner.
Corner ducks under a wild hook from Russell.
Russell lands with a nice body punch.
Russell misses with a double jab.
Corner will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Corner will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Russell misses with the combination.
Corner throws an overhand right that lands on Russell's shoulder, as Russell tries to avoid the shot.
Corner lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russell misses with a wild combination.
Corner finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Russell takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Corner scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

Corner bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Corner is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Corner working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Corner has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Russell looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Corner lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Russell circles away quickly and effectively.
Russell throws a right and a left that both miss.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Russell steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Corner.
A combination from Corner does no damage.
Corner throws a hook to the side of Russell's head but Russell sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Pierce Russell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Corner takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Corner showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Corner scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Corner shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Russell as he jumps to the side.
Russell throws an overhand right that lands on Corner's shoulder, as Corner tries to avoid the shot.
Russell checks the leg kick.
Russell misses with an uppercut.
Russell keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Corner moves away from the strike by Russell.
Corner throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Corner takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Russell stuffs the takedown.
Corner displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Russell throws out the jab.
Russell keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Corner.
Russell slips a straight right by Corner.
Corner throws a jab but it's blocked by Russell.
Corner misses with a looping left.
Corner misses with a hook.
Russell throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Russell will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russell misses with the combination.
Corner misses with a takedown attempt - Russell sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Pierce Russell has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tony Corner.
Russell moves out of range as Corner strikes.
Corner missing with a left hand there. Russell was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Russell swings for the body but Corner moves out of range.
Russell lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Russell forces Corner back against the cage and clinches.
Corner tries to circle away but Russell has him pinned against the cage.
Russell has a couple of punches blocked by Corner.
Russell lands a nice uppercut.
Corner blocking some punches.
Russell tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Corner's elbow.
Russell fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Russell keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Corner's efforts to push away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Russell keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Corner's efforts to push away.
Russell works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Russell lands an uppercut.
Russell misses with a hook from the clinch.
Russell struggles to land a body shot inside as Corner controls his hands.
A short body shot lands from Russell as the two fighters clinch.
Corner is trying to break the clinch but Russell has him pressed against the cage.
Russell lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Corner or not.
Corner takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Corner blocks an uppercut.
Russell working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Russell misses with a body punch.
Russell softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Russell tries a body shot but Corner blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russell goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Russell tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Russell tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Corner's elbow.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Russell.
A head punch on the inside from Russell fails to land.
Corner has had enough of the clinch but Russell keeps him there for the moment.
Russell swings wildly with an uppercut but Corner uses good head movement to avoid it.
Russell lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Russell misses with a short punch on the inside.
Russell misses with the head strike.
Corner wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Russell has him pressed against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Russell.
Russell lands a left hand that snaps the head of Corner backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Corner is looking to break free of the clinch but Russell has double underhooks.
Russell doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Russell is leaning against Corner and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Russell pushes Corner back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Russell.
Corner prevents a body shot from Russell.
Russell is leaning against Corner and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Corner wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Russell misses with the head strike.
Russell lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Corner backwards.
Russell misses with a short punch on the inside.
Russell keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Corner's efforts to push away.
Russell lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Pierce Russell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tony Corner is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Russell swings wildly with an uppercut but Corner uses good head movement to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pierce Russell showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Corner 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 William Peck scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tony Corner!