PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Richard Coughlan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Spiff Rossi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Coughlan might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Infinite Mass-Enter The Dragon. The key to victory for Richard Coughlan has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Coughlan
vs
Rossi

159 cm
27
139 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

173 cm
18
138 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Richard Coughlan!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Spiff Rossi!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, James Atkins and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Coughlan misses with a few strikes there.
Rossi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rossi gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Rossi slips a jab and a cross from Coughlan.
Coughlan throws an off balance right hand

and Rossi counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Coughlan has control of Rossi's left arm, preventing Rossi from doing any damage.
Coughlan lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Rossi!
Rossi is trying to escape the mount.

Coughlan jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Rossi is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Rossi and Coughlan has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
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!
Rossi gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Coughlan thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Rossi tries to reverse the position but Coughlan maintains control.
Rossi 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.
Coughlan is trying to control. Rossi wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Coughlan is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Rossi slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Coughlan stands up and waves to Rossi to follow him.
Richard Coughlan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rossi defending well as Coughlan loads up on a big left hand.
Rossi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Coughlan is fending him off so far but Rossi persists. Nope, Coughlan circles away and we're back to standing.
The crowd cheers as Coughlan lands an impressive looking overhand right. Rossi doesn't seem phased though.
Rossi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Coughlan lands with a nice combination. Rossi backs away looking to recover.
Rossi shoots in looking for a takedown but Coughlan manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rossi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Coughlan lands an overhand right.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Coughlan connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Rossi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Coughlan tries to avoid it but Rossi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Coughlan to the ground. Coughlan escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Richard Coughlan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Spiff Rossi.
Coughlan lands a jab to the head.

Rossi looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Rossi wants to pass to mount but Coughlan is defending the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rossi is looking to stall here but Coughlan recovers full guard.
Coughlan bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rossi's guard.
Coughlan works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Coughlan is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Rossi wants to get back to full guard.
Coughlan throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Coughlan is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Coughlan controlling the action here.
Rossi is looking to improve his position.
Coughlan not doing much here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Rossi is defending against the submission attempts here by Coughlan.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Coughlan dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Coughlan gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Rossi to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Coughlan might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Coughlan wants to stand up but Rossi is controlling him.
Coughlan keeping moving, preventing Rossi from controlling successfully.
Rossi passes into half guard.
Coughlan is staying active underneath Rossi, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Rossi stalling.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Coughlan makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Coughlan.
Spiff Rossi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Coughlan trying to keep a closed guard but Rossi is proving a slippery customer.
Rossi pushes down on Coughlan's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Rossi is looking to advance position but Coughlan won't allow it.
Rossi performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Rossi is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Coughlan flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Rossi performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Coughlan is trying to maintain the position but Rossi is very close to passing his half guard.
Rossi wants to control but Coughlan is keeping him busy.
Rossi tries to pass to full mount but Coughlan defends it.
Coughlan blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rossi.

Coughlan kicks Rossi off and gets back to his feet.
Rossi takes one on the button.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Coughlan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Coughlan scores with a jab to the jaw.
Spiff Rossi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Coughlan lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Rossi slips a jab and a cross from Coughlan.
Rossi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Nice sprawl there from Coughlan as Rossi shoots in.
Rossi shoots in looking for a takedown. Coughlan tries to sprawl out of it but Rossi keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Coughlan manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Richard Coughlan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Spiff Rossi.
Nice takedown defense from Coughlan. No joy for Rossi on that attempt.
Rossi avoids the body shot from Coughlan.
Coughlan throws a right and a left that both miss.
Coughlan lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rossi circles away quickly and effectively.
Coughlan jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Coughlan fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Coughlan misses with a looping right.
Rossi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Coughlan throws out the jab.
Coughlan misses with a body shot.
Rossi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Coughlan sprawls well. Coughlan wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rossi gets slowly back to his feet.
Rossi with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Coughlan to score with a decent uppercut.
Coughlan throws a body punch but Rossi moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Coughlan keeps the fight on the outside.
Rossi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Coughlan sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Coughlan connects with the punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Spiff Rossi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rossi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rossi is defended easily by Coughlan.
Coughlan misses with a body shot.
Richard Coughlan is winning the standup battle so far.
Coughlan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Danga de danga de dang - Coughlan scores with a four punch combination!
Richard Coughlan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Coughlan wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Coughlan missing with a left hand there. Rossi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Coughlan misses with a two punch combination.
Coughlan lands with a straight right. Rossi didn't see that one coming.
Coughlan connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Coughlan misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Coughlan connects with a nice looking jab.
Coughlan misses with an uppercut
and Rossi counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Coughlan lands the left hand.
Coughlan lands a nice shot that snaps Rossi's head back.
Rossi takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Coughlan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rossi on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Coughlan slaps away a takedown attempt from Rossi, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Richard Coughlan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Spiff Rossi.
Coughlan misses with a body shot.
Coughlan lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Coughlan misses with an uppercut. Rossi saw that one coming.
Rossi slips under a jab from Coughlan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rossi tries to clinch but Coughlan is having none of it.
Some wild striking there from Rossi.
Rossi slips a straight right by Coughlan.
Rossi shoots in for a takedown but Coughlan shows good takedown defense.
Coughlan misses with a wild combination.
Rossi shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Coughlan as he avoids it easily.
Coughlan throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rossi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Coughlan scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Coughlan digs a good hook to Rossi's body.
Coughlan misses with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Coughlan scores with a crisp jab that stopped Rossi in his tracks.
Rossi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Coughlan.
Rossi shoots for a takedown but Coughlan saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Coughlan pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Rossi back to the cage. Coughlan follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Rossi has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Rossi there as he acknowledges the shot.
Rossi throws a half hearted mid kick.
Coughlan misses the jab.
A big right from Coughlan misses.
Coughlan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Coughlan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rossi was well out of range. Poor timing from Coughlan.
Rossi tries to close the distance and clinch up but Coughlan swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Coughlan feints a jab promting Rossi to slip. Coughlan then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Rossi slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Coughlan stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Coughlan wants it to stay on the feet.
Rossi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Coughlan.
Rossi walks into a jab.
Rossi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Coughlan avoids it really well and circles away.
Rossi shoots in looking for a takedown but Coughlan manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rossi's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rossi shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Coughlan but Coughlan pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Coughlan loads up on a big right hand but Rossi slips the punch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Coughlan stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Coughlan wants it to stay on the feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Coughlan connects with a nice looking jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Coughlan clearly takes that round.
That's time! Coughlan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Coughlan lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Rossi.

Rossi tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Rossi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Coughlan keeps working.
Coughlan is trying to control Rossi's posture but Rossi avoids it.
Coughlan is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Rossi off and has taken his back!

Coughlan is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Rossi has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Rossi wants to escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Coughlan really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Rossi.

Coughlan is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Rossi is defending well though. Coughlan let's go of the attempt for now.

Coughlan is persistently looking for the submission but Rossi is defending it well.
Rossi rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rossi wants to improve his position but Coughlan is controlling well.
Rossi moves into full guard.
Coughlan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rossi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rossi lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Coughlan!
BOOM! Rossi connects with a massive shot to the dome!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rossi takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

Rossi is standing up, even though he is in mount.
A right-left combo lands from Coughlan.
Coughlan misses with a straight left.
Rossi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Coughlan.
Coughlan digs a good body shot into Rossi's ribs.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Coughlan, as that shot connected.
Rossi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Coughlan avoids it really well and circles away.
Rossi has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Coughlan lands a nice hook to Rossi's body. Rossi takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Coughlan cracks Rossi with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Rossi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Coughlan sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Coughlan avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rossi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Coughlan is fending him off so far but Rossi persists. Nope, Coughlan circles away and we're back to standing.
Richard Coughlan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Spiff Rossi.
Coughlan misses the jab.
Coughlan swinging wildly here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Coughlan misses with a straight right.
Coughlan throws a right hand that Rossi ducks under and follows up with a left that Rossi also avoids with ease.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Spiff Rossi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Rossi misses with a takedown attempt - Coughlan sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Coughlan lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Nice body punch from Coughlan.
Coughlan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A big right from Coughlan misses.
Coughlan wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Coughlan fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Rossi moves into the clinch.

Coughlan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Coughlan lands with a good body shot.
Rossi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Coughlan.
Coughlan waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rossi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rossi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Coughlan as he jumps to the side.
Coughlan pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Rossi back to the cage. Coughlan follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Coughlan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rossi.
Rossi dodges the punch combination from Coughlan.
Coughlan leaves Rossi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Richard Coughlan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Spiff Rossi.
A slow jab from Coughlan misses its intended target.
Coughlan works Rossi's body with a nice hook.
Coughlan leaves Rossi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Coughlan misses the jab.
Rossi takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Nice shot by Coughlan.
Rossi walks into a straight right hand from Coughlan.
A big right from Coughlan misses.
Nice sprawl there from Coughlan as Rossi shoots in.
Rossi slips a straight right by Coughlan.
Rossi tries to clinch there but Coughlan circles away.
Coughlan misses with an uppercut. Rossi saw that one coming.
Coughlan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rossi.
Nice cross by Coughlan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rossi fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rossi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Coughlan.
Coughlan misses with an uppercut

and Rossi counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Coughlan looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
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.
Coughlan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rossi is one step ahead there.
Rossi wants to pass the guard but Coughlan is keeping the position.

Rossi drops back looking for a leg! Coughlan is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Coughlan manages to kick Rossi off! Rossi jumps back into Coughlan's guard.
Coughlan keeping moving, preventing Rossi from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Coughlan wants to improve his position but instead Rossi has moved into half guard.
Coughlan is refusing to be controlled, as Rossi sits in half guard.
Rossi trying to mount his opponent but Coughlan defends it.
Rossi wants to control but Coughlan is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rossi perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Rossi wants to pass to mount but Coughlan is defending the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Richard Coughlan.
I think Coughlan has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 48:47
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 50:45
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Richard Coughlan!
Richard Coughlan is the new bantamweight champion!
After the fight, Richard Coughlan was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.