PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Al Russo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thomas Iverson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Russo
vs
Iverson

218 cm
18
177 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
18
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Al Russo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Thomas Iverson!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Lou da Vinci and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Iverson throws a series of punches but Russo moves out of range.
Russo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Sloppy strikes from Iverson. Those never looked like landing.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Iverson.
Iverson throws a series of punches but Russo avoids them all with ease.
Russo really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Iverson looks to land a combination but Russo avoids it well.
Sloppy strikes from Iverson. Those never looked like landing.
Iverson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Russo tries to keep at a distance but Iverson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Iverson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Russo has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iverson tries to break free but Russo pushes him back against the cage.
Iverson tries to circle away but Russo has him pinned against the cage.
Russo drops down looking for an ankle pick but Iverson pulls his leg out and moves away.
Iverson throws a right and a left that Russo avoids nicely.
Russo leaves Iverson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Iverson wants to clinch up but Russo keeps it at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Iverson does no damage.
Thomas Iverson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Iverson misses with the combination.
Iverson tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Russo counters with a nice double leg into side control. Iverson won't be happy with that.
Iverson tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Russo presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Iverson tries to hold on but Russo postures up.
Iverson is looking to get to half guard.

Russo stands up from mount. Strange move.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Iverson misses with a low kick as Russo jumps back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Russo wants it to stay on the feet.
Al Russo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thomas Iverson.
Iverson throws a series of punches but Russo avoids them all with ease.
Iverson looks winded!
Iverson misses with a head kick.
Iverson closes the distance but Russo moves to the side

and Russo counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Russo.
Iverson wants to hit a switch here but Russo passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Iverson there!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Iverson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Russo get's back to his feet.
Iverson misses with a two punch combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Iverson tries to clinch but Russo is having none of it.
Iverson looks to clinch

and Russo counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Russo decides to stand and escape the position.
Iverson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Russo stuffs the takedown.
Iverson swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Russo counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Iverson is trying to hold Russo in close to prevent damage but Russo has managed to pass into half guard.
Russo tries to stand but can't do so whilst Iverson controls his leg.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Iverson is looking for a sweep. Russo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Russo checks a low kick from Iverson.
Iverson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Iverson misses with the combination.
Iverson looks to land a combination but Russo avoids it well.
Iverson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Russo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Iverson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Iverson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Iverson looks to land a combination but Russo avoids it well.
Horrible takedown by Iverson or perhaps it was just good defense by Russo which made him look bad.
Iverson tries to bum rush Russo with a series of wild strikes but Russo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Al Russo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iverson closes the distance looking to clinch

and Russo counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Russo.
Iverson is breathing heavily.
Russo would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Iverson wants to sweep but no luck.
Iverson has a closed guard, preventing Russo from standing up.

Russo stands up from Iverson's guard - Russo perhaps looking for a knockout.
Iverson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Russo decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Iverson's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Iverson working a defensive guard but Russo passes into half guard.

Russo postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Iverson to stand up.
Iverson tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Russo decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Iverson's guard.
Iverson is looking to sweep but instead, Russo has passed into half guard.
It looks like Russo is going to stand back up.
Iverson is looking for a sweep. Russo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo wants to stand up but Iverson is controlling the position.
Iverson wants to control but Russo is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Iverson is trying to get back to full guard.
Iverson pushes Russo off but Russo dives into side control.

Russo decides to stand back up.
A combination from Iverson does no damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Iverson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Russo.
Iverson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Russo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Iverson misses with a wild combination.
Iverson throws a combination that misses

and Russo counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Russo tries to stand and escape but Iverson is controlling the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Russo trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Al Russo dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Iverson shoots in for a takedown but Russo shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Iverson looks to land a combination but Russo avoids it well.
Iverson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Russo is fending him off so far but Iverson persists. Nope, Russo circles away and we're back to standing.
Iverson wants to clinch.
Iverson throws a nice looking combination but Russo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Iverson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The fight stays on the outside here - Iverson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Russo avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iverson throws a right hand that Russo ducks under and follows up with a left that Russo also avoids with ease.
Iverson throws a right hand that Russo ducks under and follows up with a left that Russo also avoids with ease.
Iverson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Russo counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Russo is thwarting Iverson's attempts to control the position.

Russo stands up and beckons Iverson to join him on the feet.
Iverson darts in looking for a takedown but Russo gets double underhooks and turns Iverson into the cage.
Al Russo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thomas Iverson.
Russo has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Iverson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russo keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Iverson's efforts to push away.
Iverson is trying to break the clinch but Russo has him pressed against the cage.
Russo has Iverson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Iverson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Russo has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Iverson after a bit of a struggle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo is trying to drag Iverson to the mat but Iverson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Russo keeps control of Iverson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Russo is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Russo wants to take the fight to the mat but Iverson manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Iverson prevents a takedown attempt there.
Iverson is trying to break the clinch but Russo has him pressed against the cage.
Thomas Iverson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Al Russo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Iverson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

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 Al Russo.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Russo, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 30:27
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 30:27
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Al Russo!