PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cane Corso (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Systym Ovadown (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Corso
vs
Ovadown

200 cm
26
207 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

190 cm
26
210 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Knockout power

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Cane Corso!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Systym Ovadown!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Summer Carpenter and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ovadown has closed the distance and engaged Corso in a clinch.

Corso successfully pulls guard.
Corso is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ovadown pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Corso is keeping the position for now.
Ovadown won't allow Corso to sweep him here.
Ovadown engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Corso keeping full guard, as Ovadown tries to pass.
Corso is looking to sweep but instead, Ovadown has passed into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ovadown stops Corso from getting back to his feet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Ovadown gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Corso is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Ovadown is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Corso is defending well.
Ovadown lands a body punch in the clinch.
Corso jumps guard but Ovadown stands there with Corso around his waist. Corso gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Corso is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ovadown pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ovadown's coach down at Fokai Academy was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Ovadown's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

Corso manages to pull guard.
Corso manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ovadown manages to get himself to full guard.

Ovadown not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ovadown can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Corso pushes down on Ovadown's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Corso blocks the strikes from Ovadown.
Corso wants to stand up but Ovadown has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Corso looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Ovadown is looking to improve his position.
Corso is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Corso looking to control but Ovadown is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Corso prevents Ovadown from getting the reversal.
Corso trying to control but Ovadown is having none of it.
Corso landing shots from mount.
Ovadown tries to hold on but Corso postures up.
Ovadown is trying to escape the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Corso scoring with strikes but Ovadown is staying in there.
Corso wants to take Ovadown's back here but Ovadown is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.
Ovadown tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Ovadown avoids a series of strikes thrown by Corso.
Corso throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.

Corso is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Ovadown is surviving well by controlling Corso's body position as best he can.
Corso trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cane Corso dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Corso tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ovadown defends well and Corso ends up having to push Ovadown into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Corso closes the distance and clinches up with Ovadown, looking for a takedown. Corso pushes Ovadown against the cage but Ovadown circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Ovadown clinches up against the cage.

Ovadown pulls guard.
Corso stands and throws Ovadown's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Corso trying to control the position but Ovadown is working away.
Ovadown is looking to reverse the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ovadown manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Ovadown tries to stand but can't do so whilst Corso controls his leg.
Corso trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Corso is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Ovadown stalling.
The fighters are battling for position here. Corso manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Ovadown drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ovadown jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Corso looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ovadown is one step ahead there.
Ovadown postures up.

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.

Corso has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Ovadown has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

Ovadown escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ovadown goes for a double leg but Corso avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Corso continues to drive forward.
Corso lands a nice hook to Ovadown's body. Ovadown takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

Corso gets tackled into the cage by Ovadown. Ovadown maintains the clinch.

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

Corso gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Ovadown manages to break the clinch.
Ovadown keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cane Corso. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ovadown tries to bum rush Corso with a series of wild strikes but Corso uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Corso shoots in and drives through. Ovadown sprawls well.
Ovadown tries to counter by closing the distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Ovadown shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Ovadown was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Corso throws Ovadown to one side and escapes!
Corso throws a series of punches but Ovadown moves out of range.
And Ovadown tries to counter it with a takedown but Corso pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Corso gets tackled into the cage by Ovadown. Ovadown maintains the clinch.
Corso's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Corso's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Corso stuffs the takedown.
Corso went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ovadown throws a head kick but Corso moves out of range.
Corso fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ovadown fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Corso avoids it really well and circles away.
Corso is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Ovadown.
Ovadown throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Corso lands with a kick to the ribs.
Corso fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ovadown changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Corso tries to avoid it but Ovadown manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Corso to the ground. Corso escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ovadown misses with a head kick.

Corso moves into the clinch.
Ovadown tries a knee to the head but Corso blocks it.
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 Cane Corso will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Ovadown shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Corso pinned against the cage. Corso gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ovadown stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ovadown wants it to stay on the feet.
Cane Corso is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Ovadown gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Ovadown breaks from the clinch.
Corso looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Corso fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ovadown avoids it really well and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Corso tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ovadown sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Corso somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cane Corso. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ovadown fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ovadown moves into the clinch successfully.
Corso is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ovadown gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Corso wants a takedown.

Ovadown escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ovadown swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Corso.

It looks like Cane Corso has been cut.

Ovadown has taken the fight to the clinch.

Ovadown breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Systym Ovadown seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Ovadown instigates a clinch.
Corso drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ovadown lands with a right to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ovadown gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Corso regains guard.

Corso wriggles free and stands up.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Corso has closed the distance and engaged Ovadown in a clinch.
Systym Ovadown seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Corso's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ovadown lands with a good body shot.
Corso fails with a takedown attempt.

Ovadown rushes Corso and presses him up against the cage.
Ovadown working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ovadown working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Ovadown pressing his opponent against the cage.
Ovadown lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Corso.
Corso is trying to force a seperation but Ovadown has the dominant position.
Ovadown effectively controlling the action here.
Ovadown working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Corso jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Ovadown walks away with a smile on his face. Corso gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Ovadown shoots in looking for a takedown but Corso manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ovadown's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ovadown fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ovadown closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Ovadown lands in his opponent's guard.
Ovadown is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Ovadown stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Corso swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Systym Ovadown has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Corso controls Ovadown momentarily but Ovadown frees himself.

And that's the end of the fight!
Systym Ovadown comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Corso 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 28:29
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 29:28
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Cane Corso!