PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mike Cooper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anthony Newsom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cooper has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Anthony Newsom was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Cooper
vs
Newsom

190 cm
25
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
195 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mike Cooper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Anthony Newsom!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Robert Twigg and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cooper scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Newsom goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

It looks like Mike Cooper has been cut.
Newsom looks to throw the jab but Cooper is out of range.
Cooper misses with a wild combination.
Cooper looks to land a combination but Newsom avoids it well.
Cooper throws a nice looking combination but Newsom bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Newsom circles away from the clinch attempt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Newsom throws a series of punches but Cooper avoids them all with ease.

Cooper moves into the clinch.
Cooper wants to break the clinch but can't.

Newsom escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cooper tries to close the distance and clinch up but Newsom swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Newsom.
Cooper goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Mike Cooper seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Newsom misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cooper fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cooper is breathing heavily.
Newsom lands a right hook to the body.
Cooper dodges the punch combination from Newsom.
Newsom misses with a double jab
and Cooper counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newsom gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Cooper.

Cooper has Newsom up against the cage in a clinch.
Newsom tries to break free but Cooper pushes him back against the cage.
Cooper is trying to break the clinch but Newsom has him pressed against the cage.
Cooper working hard to break the clinch.
Cooper tries to break free but Newsom pushes him back against the cage.
Cooper missing with knees to the body.
Newsom keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cooper's efforts to push away.
Newsom tries to break the clinch but Cooper is controlling the position.
Newsom wants a takedown.

Cooper breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Newsom tries to clinch up.
Newsom tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Cooper defends well and Newsom ends up having to push Cooper into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Newsom escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A punch combination from Cooper misses.
Newsom throws a nice looking combination but Cooper bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Newsom connects with a leg kick. Cooper looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Cooper misses with a few strikes there.

Cooper gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Cooper keeps control of Newsom as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
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!
Cooper lands an uppercut.

Cooper breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Cooper tries to keep at a distance but Newsom has taken the fight into the clinch.
Cooper unloads a knee to the mid-section.

Newsom breaks the clinch.
Cooper doesn't manage to clinch there - Newsom circles away.

Newsom drives through and clinches with Cooper against the cage.
Newsom is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Mike Cooper has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anthony Newsom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cooper escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Newsom shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Cooper's guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Newsom is working Cooper over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Newsom chips away with some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Newsom wants to control from the top but Cooper keeps moving.

Cooper has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Newsom off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Newsom fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
No joy there for Cooper, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Newsom fails with the takedown.
Newsom dodges the punch combination from Cooper.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Newsom tries to clinch up but Cooper circles away and keeps his distance.

Newsom tries to keep at a distance but Cooper has taken the fight into the clinch.
Cooper is trying to force a seperation but Newsom has the dominant position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Newsom keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cooper's efforts to push away.

Newsom breaks the clinch.
Cooper misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cooper keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Newsom rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cooper moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cooper swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Newsom throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Cooper tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Newsom is in Cooper's guard.
Newsom prevents Cooper from getting back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Anthony Newsom will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mike Cooper's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Newsom doesn't manage to clinch there - Cooper circles away.
Cooper displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Newsom.
Cooper is looking to clinch but Newsom is avoiding it.
Mike Cooper is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cooper tries to clinch up.
Cooper uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Newsom.
Cooper swats away the attempt to clinch by Newsom.
Newsom tries to land a leg kick but Cooper saw it coming and moves away.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Newsom shoots in looking for a takedown but Cooper manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Newsom's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Newsom avoids a punch combination nicely.
Cooper throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Newsom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Newsom keeps the fight on the outside.
Cooper looks to land a combination but Newsom avoids it well.
Cooper misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck for Newsom with that takedown attempt.
Mike Cooper has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anthony Newsom.
Cooper with a jab.
Newsom ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Newsom is trying to break the clinch but Cooper has him pressed against the cage.
Newsom misses with a knee to the head.
Newsom is trying to push Cooper away but Cooper has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Cooper breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Cooper rushes Newsom and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Newsom's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cooper tries to clinch there but Newsom circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Newsom shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Cooper is trying to defend but Newsom finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Newsom seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Newsom thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Cooper is trying to stand back up but Newsom is controlling him
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Newsom working Cooper over with strikes.
Cooper is staying active underneath Newsom, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Cooper is trying to escape back to his feet but Newsom uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Cooper is trying to buck Newsom off.
Newsom is working Cooper over with some ground and pound from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newsom working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Cooper is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Newsom has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Newsom stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Newsom tries a low kick but Cooper avoids it.
Left hook, right uppercut from Newsom.
Cooper displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Newsom.
Cooper tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Newsom tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Cooper fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Newsom, pushing him back against the cage.

Cooper breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cooper lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Cooper.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Newsom misses with a low kick as Cooper jumps back.
Mike Cooper is winning the standup battle so far.
Cooper wants to clinch
and Newsom counters with a two punch combo.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Cooper, as that shot connected.

Newsom closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Newsom lands in his opponent's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Newsom stops Cooper from standing up.
Newsom has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Cooper is working an open guard so Newsom takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Newsom avoids a punch combination nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cooper lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Newsom backs up against the cage.
Cooper misses with a jab, cross combination.
Newsom throws a low kick but Cooper moves out of range easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anthony Newsom showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mike Cooper's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Newsom misses with a series of wild punches.
Cooper misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cooper's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Cooper duly obliges.
Newsom misses with a hook.
Cooper uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Newsom.
Newsom throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A combination from Cooper does no damage.

Newsom closes the distance and clinches.
Newsom is stalling here.
Cooper with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cooper has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Newsom's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cooper misses with a straight right.
Newsom connects with a high kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Newsom has Cooper up against the cage in a clinch.

Cooper's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Cooper gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Cooper wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Newsom manages to pass to side control.
Cooper looks like he's trying to stand up.

Newsom decides to stand and escape the position.
Newsom throws a nice looking combination but Cooper bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Newsom fails to land with a series of punches.
Cooper misses with a few strikes there.
Cooper lands with a nice combination. Newsom backs away looking to recover.
Newsom throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cooper's waist but Cooper gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Newsom off to one side.

Cooper clinches up against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Newsom has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Cooper after a bit of a struggle.

Cooper breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mike Cooper is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cooper tries to close the distance and clinch but Newsom swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Newsom rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cooper moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Newsom circles away from the clinch attempt.

Cooper pushes Newsom up against the cage in a clinch.

Newsom breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Cooper clinches with his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cooper is trying to break free.
Newsom tries for a takedown but Cooper manages to get underhooks.
Mike Cooper has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anthony Newsom.
Cooper with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Newsom is looking to take this one to the mat.

Cooper breaks from the clinch.
Cooper checks a low kick from Newsom.
Cooper lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Some wild striking there from Cooper.
Newsom lands a head kick. Cooper smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Newsom.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Mike Cooper has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Newsom tries a knee to the head but Cooper blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cooper breaks from the clinch.
Cooper lands with a hook. Newsom tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Cooper gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Cooper using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Newsom has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Newsom is trying to stall.

Cooper's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Newsom throws a series of punches but Cooper moves out of range.
Newsom shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Cooper but Cooper pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cooper slips under a jab from Newsom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cooper lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Mike Cooper has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Anthony Newsom is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Newsom drops his hands momentarily and Cooper takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Newsom shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Cooper as he jumps to the side.

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 Mike Cooper.
I think Newsom 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anthony Newsom!