PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Marcel Cerdan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Russo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cerdan comes into the arena with French National Anthem blaring out of the sound system. 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.

Cerdan
vs
Russo

173 cm
21
155 lbs
8 - 0 - 1

170 cm
21
146 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Fossington & Blythe: Gentlemen's Fight Attire

BLKOUT Clothing
BLKOUT Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 1, fighting out of London, Marcel Cerdan!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Ryan Russo!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Glass and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Russo avoids the body shot from Cerdan.

Russo pushes Cerdan up against the cage in a clinch.
Russo lands an elbow just above Cerdan 's eye.
Cerdan looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Cerdan breaks from the clinch.
Cerdan chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Russo can pounce on him.
An inside leg kick from Russo misses.

Cerdan clinches.

Cerdan breaks the clinch.
Russo throws a chopping leg kick but Cerdan manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Some bone on bone action there as Cerdan checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Russo thuds his shin into the meat of Cerdan's side.
Russo throws a solid leg kick but Cerdan takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Russo.
Cerdan lands with a nice body punch.
Russo fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Cerdan has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cerdan connects with a body shot that sends Russo's belly button to the back.
Cerdan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Russo was well out of range. Poor timing from Cerdan.
Russo throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Russo takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Russo.
Cerdan checks a low kick from Russo.
Russo slips a jab and a cross from Cerdan.
Russo lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Cerdan throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Russo tries to land a leg kick but Cerdan saw it coming and moves away.
Russo attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Cerdan sizes up Russo with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Cerdan lands with a nice combination. Russo backs away looking to recover.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cerdan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Russo manages to avoid it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cerdan misses the shot to the body.
Russo throws a head kick but Cerdan moves out of range.
Cerdan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Russo.
Good shot there by Cerdan.
A slow jab from Cerdan misses its intended target.
Cerdan throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Russo goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Cerdan misses with a wild combination.
Cerdan checks a low kick from Russo.
Ryan Russo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Russo scores with a kick to the body.
Russo tries to clinch up but Cerdan circles away and keeps his distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo thuds his shin into the meat of Cerdan's side.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Russo.
Russo drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
An inside leg kick from Russo misses.
Russo goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Cerdan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Russo manages to avoid it.
Cerdan throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Cerdan throws a jab but it's blocked by Russo.
Cerdan is looking to wear down Russo with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Russo takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Cerdan scores with a jab.
Russo shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Russo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Cerdan.
Cerdan throws a quick inside leg kick.
Cerdan lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Russo backs up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Russo looks for the body kick but Cerdan saw that one coming.

Cerdan has Russo up against the cage in a clinch.
Cerdan wants to get back to striking at distance but Russo won't allow it.
Stalling in the clinch from Russo.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Russo lands a good knee to the midsection. Cerdan won't want to take too many of those.
Russo pushes off an throws an elbow but Cerdan leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Cerdan avoids the elbow strike from Russo, against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcel Cerdan dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Cerdan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Cerdan lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Russo at a distance.
Marcel Cerdan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cerdan lands with a good body shot.
Russo throws a head kick that misses.
Cerdan digs a good body shot into Russo's ribs.
Russo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cerdan lands a nice looking body shot.

Cerdan has closed the distance and engaged Russo in a clinch.
Russo misses with an elbow over the top.
Cerdan avoids the elbow strike from Russo, against the cage.
Cerdan wants to break the clinch but can't.
Russo is looking to control Cerdan's arms but Cerdan gets an underhook and turns him. Now Russo has his back to the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russo stalling in the clinch.
Cerdan on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Russo keeps control of Cerdan as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Russo trying to land knees to the body.
Russo throws a knee to the head but misses.
Russo looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Cerdan has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Cerdan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cerdan circles away from the clinch attempt.
A slapping body kick lands there for Russo.
Cerdan throws a leg kick but Russo checks it.
Russo throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cerdan throws a hook but Russo blocks it.
Some wild striking there from Cerdan.
Cerdan throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Russo throws a head kick but Cerdan moves out of range.
Cerdan moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
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!
Russo checks the leg kick.
Russo lands with a kick to the temple. Cerdan shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Russo thumps Cerdan with a low kick.
Russo fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Russo throws a body kick that misses.
Cerdan scores with a decent looking hook.
Marcel Cerdan is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo tries to clinch but Cerdan moves out of range.
Cerdan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Russo staying out of range there.

Russo drives through and clinches with Cerdan against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Russo.
Russo with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Russo lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Cerdan blocks the elbow strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Russo throws an elbow but misses.
Cerdan blocks an elbow strike from Russo.
Russo using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russo lands an elbow that stopped Cerdan in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like Marcel Cerdan has been cut.
Cerdan wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Russo has him pressed against the cage.
Cerdan is looking to break free of the clinch but Russo has double underhooks.
Russo manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Cerdan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Cerdan drives through and clinches with Russo against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Cerdan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Russo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cerdan swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Russo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Marcel Cerdan will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Marcel Cerdan's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Cerdan misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cerdan tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Cerdan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Russo connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Russo lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A swing and a miss from Cerdan.
Russo finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Russo walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Cerdan checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Cerdan scores with a nice strike.
Russo tries to score with a low kick but Cerdan moves his leg out of the way.
Russo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Russo throws a half hearted mid kick.
Cerdan checks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Russo looks for the body kick but Cerdan saw that one coming.
Russo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cerdan throws out a leg kick but Russo moves out of range and Cerdan only half commits.
A punch combination from Cerdan misses.
Cerdan checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Cerdan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Russo manages to avoid it.
Russo slips under a jab from Cerdan.
Russo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Russo defending well as Cerdan loads up on a big left hand.
Cerdan throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Cerdan thows a body shot but no joy.
Russo scores with a head kick. Cerdan tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Russo lands a nice looking kick to the body. Cerdan takes a step back to recover.
Russo's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Cerdan connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Russo scrambles back to his feet.
Nice uppercut there from Cerdan.
Russo throws out a leg kick but Cerdan moves out of range and Russo only half commits.
Russo scores with a leg kick.
Russo tries to land a leg kick but Cerdan saw it coming and moves away.
Cerdan with a hook.
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!
Cerdan stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cerdan throws a series of punches but Russo avoids them all with ease.
Cerdan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Russo.
Cerdan fails to land with a series of punches.
Russo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cerdan.
Cerdan changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Russo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cerdan.
Russo misses with a takedown attempt - Cerdan sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Marcel Cerdan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryan Russo.
Cerdan misses with a left hand
and Russo counters with a head kick. That will keep Cerdan thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Cerdan looks to land a left hand but Russo moved out of range nicely.
Russo throws the kick towards the body but Cerdan avoids it.
Russo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cerdan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Cerdan crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Russo - the referee stops the clock and Cerdan gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Russo. Cerdan manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Russo showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cerdan.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Russo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Russo is looking to chop away at Cerdan's legs.

Russo moves into range and clinches up with Cerdan.
Russo connects with a nasty looking knee right to Cerdan's face.

Cerdan breaks from the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cerdan misses with a series of wild punches.
Cerdan misses with a wild body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Ryan Russo just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Marcel Cerdan's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Russo tries to clinch there but Cerdan circles away.
Russo feints and then cracks Cerdan's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Cerdan down.
Cerdan lands a jab to Russo's midsection.
Cerdan avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Cerdan avoids the head kick by Russo.
Russo connects with an inside leg kick.
Russo wants to clinch.
Cerdan misses the shot to the body.
Cerdan fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cerdan chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Russo can pounce on him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russo lands with a kick to the ribs.
Cerdan jabs Russo to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Cerdan misses with a body shot.
Russo scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A big right from Cerdan misses.
Cerdan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cerdan will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Cerdan blocks a head kick by Russo.
Nice uppercut there from Cerdan.

Russo clinches up against the cage.
Cerdan wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Russo has him pressed against the cage.
Cerdan blocks an elbow strike from Russo.
Cerdan wants to break free but Russo has control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russo throws a knee to the head but misses.
Cerdan tries to break free but Russo pushes him back against the cage.
Russo missing with knees to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Cerdan's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Russo creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Russo avoiding damage.
Russo crunches a lovely knee into Cerdan's ribcage.
Russo lands a nice elbow.
Russo tries to land a knee to the head but Cerdan blocks with his arms.
Ryan Russo seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cerdan is trying to break free.
Russo stalling in the clinch but Cerdan improves position.
Russo scores with a knee to the head.
Cerdan letting Russo take a breather here.
Cerdan is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Cerdan is trying to break the clinch but Russo has him pressed against the cage.
Cerdan is trying to break free.
Cerdan tries to circle away but Russo has him pinned against the cage.
Russo lands a good knee to the midsection. Cerdan won't want to take too many of those.
Russo pushes off an throws an elbow but Cerdan leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russo lands an elbow just above Cerdan 's eye.
Cerdan is trying to break the clinch but Russo is controlling him.
Russo tries to land knees in the clinch but Cerdan avoids the damage to the body.
Russo taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Russo lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Cerdan dodges an elbow strike from Russo.
Russo is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Cerdan blocks the elbow strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Russo throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Russo dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Marcel Cerdan's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Russo looks to land a body kick but Cerdan moved away.
Russo misses with a head kick.
Russo tries to land a front kick but Cerdan steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Cerdan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Russo.
Russo fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Russo throws a hook to the side of Cerdan's head but Cerdan sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Russo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cerdan.
Cerdan paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Russo slips a straight right by Cerdan.
Cerdan looks to land a combination but Russo avoids it well.
Cerdan shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Russo fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Cerdan has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cerdan lands a body shot.
Cerdan misses with a hook
and Russo counters with a slapping leg kick.
Russo tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Cerdan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Cerdan misses with a wild body shot.
Russo throws a nice inside leg kick.
Russo lands a front kick.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Cerdan throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Russo tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Russo throws a leg kick but Cerdan moved away.
Cerdan blocks a leg kick.
Russo tries to work over Cerdan's front leg with a kick but Cerdan checks it.
A nice leg kick lands there from Russo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cerdan thows a body shot but no joy.
Russo goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Russo throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

Russo gets tackled into the cage by Cerdan. Cerdan maintains the clinch.
Cerdan is looking to break free of the clinch but Russo has double underhooks.
Cerdan letting Russo take a breather here.
Russo is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cerdan looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Russo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cerdan wants to break the clinch but can't.
Cerdan takes a knee to the side of the body.
Russo lands an elbow just above Cerdan 's eye.
With the fighters up against the cage, Russo throws an elbow but misses.
Russo scores with a knee to the head.
Russo trying to stall but Cerdan improves his position.
Russo leaning against his opponent.
Russo lands a damaging elbow.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Cerdan breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cerdan ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Cerdan misses with a hook. Russo ducked under it nicely.
Russo throws a chopping leg kick but Cerdan manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Cerdan lands with a nice combination. Russo backs away looking to recover.
Russo drops his hands momentarily and Cerdan takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Russo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cerdan tries to avoid it but Russo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cerdan to the ground. Cerdan escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Russo is looking to score with low kicks.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Cerdan checks a leg kick.
Russo is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Cerdan.

Russo is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cerdan misses with the combination.
Russo is still on wobbly legs! Can Cerdan finish him?
Russo is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ryan Russo.
I think Russo 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 49:46
Judge James Glass scores the fight 47:48
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Marcel Cerdan!
Marcel Cerdan retains his featherweight title!
Marcel Cerdan gave a mention to Fossington & Blythe: Gentlemen's Fight Attire in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).