PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rooster Cogburn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Strangess (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rooster Cogburn could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Mike Strangess's chin.

Cogburn
vs
Strangess

180 cm
26
205 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

190 cm
26
210 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Decent elbows
Intelligent

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

MADE IN GERMANY

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rooster Cogburn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mike Strangess!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Summer Carpenter and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Strangess circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cogburn tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Strangess manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Strangess attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Some wild striking there from Cogburn.
Cogburn could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Strangess drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Cogburn is looking for a sweep.
Cogburn tries to escape but Strangess is in control.
Strangess is staying tight to Cogburn's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Cogburn is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Cogburn wants to get back to his feet.

Strangess is working for a submission of some sort.

Strangess is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Cogburn defends it well.
Strangess thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Cogburn to regain full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strangess wants to control from the top but Cogburn keeps moving.
Cogburn is looking to stand up but Strangess isn't so interested in that idea.
Cogburn utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Strangess wants to pass the guard but Cogburn is keeping the position.
Cogburn wants to get back to his feet but Strangess is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Strangess postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Strangess pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cogburn is keeping the position for now.
Strangess preventing the sweep.
Strangess being controlled here momentarily.
Strangess preventing the sweep.

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.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Strangess loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cogburn is looking to stand up but Strangess isn't so interested in that idea.
Strangess must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Cogburn is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Cogburn is breathing heavily.
Cogburn tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Strangess avoids it.
Strangess wants to break free but Cogburn has control.
Strangess is trying to break the clinch but Cogburn has him pressed against the cage.
Strangess softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Cogburn misses with a knee strike.
Strangess lands a right hand that snaps the head of Cogburn backwards.
Cogburn takes a shot to the head.
Strangess lands with a light punch inside.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Cogburn takes a shot to the head.
A short left from Strangess.
Strangess lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Strangess.
Cogburn tries a body shot but Strangess blocks it.
Strangess lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A short right from Strangess on the inside.

Strangess's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Strangess throws a head kick that misses.
Strangess scores with a hook to the body. Cogburn takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Strangess goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Strangess tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cogburn takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Cogburn avoids the head kick by Strangess.

Strangess shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Strangess was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Strangess misses with a head shot.
Cogburn in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Cogburn avoids a series of strikes thrown by Strangess.
Strangess unloads with some shots from mount but Cogburn bucks and avoids them well.
Strangess throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Strangess scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Strangess looking to control and managing it successfully.
Strangess thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Cogburn sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cogburn wants to get back to his feet.
Cogburn avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Strangess.
Strangess thows a huge punch but Cogburn dodges it nicely.
Strangess missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Cogburn keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Cogburn looks like he's trying to stand up.
Strangess tries to pass to full mount but Cogburn defends it.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Cogburn keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Strangess throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Still in half guard, Strangess seems content to control.
Cogburn is looking for a sweep. Strangess is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Cogburn keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Strangess dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Strangess goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Cogburn swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cogburn doesn't manage to clinch there - Strangess circles away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Strangess.
Strangess will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Strangess lands a jab to Cogburn's midsection.
Strangess throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Strangess stuns Cogburn with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Cogburn misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Strangess throws a head kick but Cogburn moves out of range.
Strangess avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cogburn wants to clinch.
Strangess bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Cogburn's head.
Mike Strangess seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Strangess throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Cogburn stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Strangess lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

Strangess drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Strangess moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Strangess is trying to get an arm triangle but Cogburn is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cogburn is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Strangess with the ground and pound but Cogburn uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Strangess looking to pass the guard.
Strangess trying to control but Cogburn is working from the bottom.
Strangess stopping the sweep attempt from Cogburn.

Cogburn wriggles free and stands up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strangess misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Strangess lands a nice shot that snaps Cogburn's head back.
Strangess scores with a hook to the body. Cogburn takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Rooster Cogburn is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Strangess lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Rooster Cogburn is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Strangess ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Strangess looks for the body kick but Cogburn saw that one coming.
Cogburn wants to clinch up but Strangess keeps it at a distance.
Strangess looks for a takedown but Cogburn sprawls well.
Rooster Cogburn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Strangess.
Strangess scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Horrible takedown by Strangess or perhaps it was just good defense by Cogburn which made him look bad.
Strangess fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Cogburn tries to clinch there but Strangess circles away.
Cogburn is looking to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cogburn wants to clinch up but Strangess keeps it at a distance.
Strangess lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Cogburn moves in looking to clinch but Strangess pushes him off.
Strangess thuds his right hand into Cogburn's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Cogburn gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Strangess.
Strangess swats away the attempt to clinch by Cogburn.
Strangess catches Cogburn with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Cogburn avoids the head kick by Strangess.
Cogburn avoids the head kick by Strangess.
Cogburn tries to clinch up.
Cogburn is looking to clinch.
Strangess has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Strangess swats away the attempt to clinch by Cogburn.
Cogburn tries to clinch there but Strangess circles away.
Some bone on bone action there as Cogburn checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Cogburn tries to clinch but Strangess is having none of it.
Cogburn takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strangess lands an overhand right.
Strangess fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Strangess looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Cogburn tries to clinch but Strangess is having none of it.

Cogburn moves into the clinch.
Cogburn comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Cogburn tries to break free but Strangess pushes him back against the cage.
Strangess lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Cogburn decides to pull guard.
Strangess won't allow Cogburn to get back to his feet.
Strangess postures up.
Cogburn utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Cogburn avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Strangess trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cogburn has control of Strangess's left arm, preventing Strangess from doing any damage.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Strangess trying to control the position from guard on top but Cogburn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cogburn is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Strangess 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! This is the final round!

Strangess connects with a body shot.
Strangess connects with a single shot there.
Strangess tries to land a front kick but Cogburn steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Strangess lands a nice hook to Cogburn's body. Cogburn takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Strangess avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Strangess throws a series of strikes that have Cogburn backpedaling.
Strangess thuds a left hand into Cogburn's body.
Cogburn defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Strangess.
Strangess throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Cogburn tries to close the distance and clinch but Strangess swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Strangess shoots in looking for a takedown. Cogburn tries to sprawl out of it but Strangess keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cogburn manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Cogburn blocks a head kick by Strangess.
Strangess throws the kick towards the body but Cogburn avoids it.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Strangess.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cogburn wants to clinch.
Cogburn throws a sloppy head kick and Strangess moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cogburn stuffs the takedown.
Rooster Cogburn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Strangess.
Strangess misses with a body kick.
Strangess circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cogburn tries to clinch but Strangess is having none of it.
Strangess looks to score with a jab to the body but Cogburn is just out of range.
Cogburn takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Strangess throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cogburn's waist but Cogburn gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Strangess off to one side.
Strangess keeps the fight on the outside.
Cogburn is looking to clinch.
Cogburn tries to clinch but Strangess moves out of range.
Cogburn fails in his attempt to clinch.
Cogburn tries to clinch up but Strangess circles away and keeps his distance.
Cogburn is looking to clinch but Strangess is avoiding it.
Strangess shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Cogburn defends it nicely.
Cogburn tries to close the distance and clinch but Strangess swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Strangess misses the shot to the body.
Strangess digs a good body shot into Cogburn's ribs.
Strangess throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Strangess circles away from the clinch attempt.
Strangess tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cogburn was well out of range. Poor timing from Strangess.
Cogburn tries to close the distance and clinch up but Strangess swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Strangess drives through with a takedown into guard.
Strangess stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cogburn swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Strangess trying to control the position from guard on top but Cogburn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Strangess wants to pass the guard but Cogburn is keeping the position.
Cogburn is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strangess tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Cogburn trying to control from half guard but Strangess is working away.
Strangess is in trouble now - Cogburn has advanced to mount!
Strangess really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Cogburn. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Cogburn wants to finish this one by submission but Strangess is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Cogburn.
Strangess tries to reverse the position but Cogburn maintains control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Cogburn tries to control but Strangess wriggling away.
Cogburn prevents Strangess from getting the reversal.
Mike Strangess has got the better of the ground game so far.
Strangess is squirming around, avoiding Cogburn's attempts to control the action.
Rooster Cogburn has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mike Strangess is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Strangess is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Strangess comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Strangess has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Strangess!