PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joe County (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frankie Palmeri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joe County has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

County
vs
Palmeri

200 cm
20
280 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

194 cm
21
217 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joe County!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Frankie Palmeri!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
County misses with a hook
and Palmeri counters with a one-two to the body.
Palmeri slips a jab and a cross from County.

County gets a clinch.
County letting Palmeri take a breather here.
County is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
County stalling.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Palmeri's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
County throws a nice looking combination but Palmeri bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nice uppercut there from Palmeri.
County looks to throw the jab but Palmeri is out of range.

County closes the distance and clinches.
County is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good body shot from Palmeri.
Palmeri is stalling here.
Come on County - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
County content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Palmeri misses with a hook to the ribs.
County leaning his opponent against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Joe County.
Palmeri slips a jab from County.
Palmeri throws a right hand that misses

and County holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
County lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Palmeri scores with a shoulder strike.
Palmeri has had enough of the clinch but County keeps him there for the moment.
Palmeri misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
County keeps control of Palmeri as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Palmeri displaying some good clinch control by pressing County up against the cage.
Palmeri wants to break the clinch but can't.
County blocks an uppercut.
Palmeri is looking to take this one to the mat.
County cracks Palmeri with a nice body shot.
County is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Palmeri is pushing County up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
The referee is keeping an eye on County - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Palmeri.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palmeri scores with a nice hook to the head.
County content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Palmeri blocks the elbow strike.
A bit of stalling here from Palmeri.
County has a couple of punches blocked by Palmeri.

Palmeri pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A swing and a miss from County.
Palmeri throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Joe County seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
County thows a left - swing and a miss!
Palmeri throws a right and a left that both miss.
Palmeri throws a hook but County blocks it.
County is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Palmeri.
Palmeri drops down looking to force a counter takedown but County defends it well.
Palmeri lands a nice shot to the body.
We've been told by County's head coaches at DiscoClub that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
County takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palmeri swings widly with a right hand

and County moves into the clinch.
County leaning his opponent against the cage.
County scores with a hook to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Palmeri fails to land.

Palmeri manages to break the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
County fails with an attempt to clinch.
Palmeri feints the counter takedown.
Palmeri misses with a straight right.

County moves into the clinch successfully.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Palmeri.
Palmeri goes for a takedown attempt but County pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
County scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Palmeri misses with the combination.
County tries to counter by clinching up but Palmeri breaks away and moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Frankie Palmeri will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

County tries to clinch
and Palmeri counters with a straight right hand.
Palmeri slips under a jab.
County walks into a stiff left hand from Palmeri.
Palmeri throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
County throws a looping overhand right but Palmeri ducks down to avoid it.
County tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Palmeri paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Palmeri has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Palmeri there as he acknowledges the shot.
County showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Palmeri.
Palmeri uses good head movement to avoid the hook from County.
Palmeri dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A shot to the liver by County. Beautiful body shot.
Palmeri cracks County with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Palmeri throws a right hand that County ducks under and follows up with a left that County also avoids with ease.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
County throws a poor cross that misses

and Palmeri counters with a single leg into guard. County didn't expect that.
Palmeri is looking to work some ground and pound but County has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palmeri throwing strikes from guard but County blocks nicely.
County pulls Palmeri in close to prevent any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Palmeri in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Palmeri postures up in County's guard and throws a big left but County blocks it.
Palmeri stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. County swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Palmeri throwing strikes from guard but County blocks nicely.
Palmeri missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Palmeri wants to control from the top but County keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
County throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Palmeri circles away from the clinch attempt.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Palmeri. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
County tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Palmeri manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
It seemed like Palmeri was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

County has managed to clinch.
Palmeri stalling in the clinch but County improves position.
County works on Palmeri's body with a couple of short punches.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Palmeri.
Palmeri wants a takedown.
County swings away with an uppercut that misses.
County dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Palmeri is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
County is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palmeri drops to a knee looking for a takedown but County gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Joe County has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frankie Palmeri.
The referee calls for County to work.
Palmeri fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
County'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.
A short right from County on the inside.
Palmeri cracks County with a nice body shot.
Palmeri misses with a hook from the clinch.
County stalling against the cage.
Palmeri lands with a short shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palmeri tries to pull guard but County holds him up against the cage and eventually Palmeri drops back down to his feet.
Palmeri will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning County up against the cage.

Palmeri breaks the clinch.
County lunges at Palmeri with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Palmeri's hand.
Palmeri ducks under a wild hook from County.
Frankie Palmeri seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Palmeri lands a straight punch to the body, keeping County at a distance.
County keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
County tries to clinch up.

County drops Palmeri with a left and a right! Oh, Palmeri is hurt - County dives into side control looking to finish!

Palmeri is rocked!

It looks like Frankie Palmeri has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Palmeri is trying to get back to half guard.
Palmeri is still in real trouble! Can County finish him?
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
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 Joe County will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Frankie Palmeri'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.

Palmeri throws a body punch but County moves out of range.
County fails in his attempt to clinch.
Palmeri seems to have recovered his senses.
Palmeri misses with a straight left.
County slips under a jab.
Jab by Palmeri.
County lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Palmeri keeps the fight on the outside.
County throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Palmeri to counter with a crisp jab.
County swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A little jabbing left from Palmeri on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
County tries to close the distance and clinch but Palmeri swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Palmeri is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Palmeri avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Frankie Palmeri is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Palmeri circles away from the clinch attempt.
Palmeri is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Palmeri slips under a jab.
County displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Palmeri throws out the jab.
Palmeri looks to throw the jab but County is out of range.
County takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

County has closed the distance and engaged Palmeri in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palmeri has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by County after a bit of a struggle.
County pressing his opponent against the cage.
County effectively controlling the action here.
Palmeri dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Palmeri working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Palmeri is looking for a takedown up against the cage. County gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Palmeri has a couple of punches blocked by County.

Palmeri breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
County tries to clinch up but Palmeri circles away and keeps his distance.
Palmeri swats away the attempt to clinch by County.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palmeri throws a lazy right hand but County sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Palmeri throws a hook but County avoids it easily.
County lands the left hand.
Palmeri circles away from the clinch attempt.
Palmeri looks to land a combination but County avoids it well.
County tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Palmeri counters with a stiff right hand.
County is looking to chop away at Palmeri's legs.
County avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
County throws an overhand right that lands on Palmeri's shoulder, as Palmeri tries to avoid the shot.
Sloppy strikes from Palmeri. Those never looked like landing.
Palmeri circles away from the clinch attempt.
Palmeri uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from County.
Palmeri feints the counter takedown.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Palmeri checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
County tries to close the distance and clinch but Palmeri swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palmeri misses with a two punch combination.

County rushes Palmeri and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Good body shot from County.

Palmeri gets a trip takedown into half guard.
County is trying to maintain the position but Palmeri is very close to passing his half guard.
Palmeri throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing County to regain full guard.
Palmeri loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Palmeri accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Palmeri missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Palmeri trying to control but County is working from the bottom.
County looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palmeri wants to control from the top but County keeps moving.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Palmeri passes County's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Palmeri is trying to control. County wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Palmeri working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Palmeri wants to take a breather but County is having none of it.
Frankie Palmeri has got the better of the ground game so far.
Palmeri thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frankie Palmeri really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Frankie Palmeri's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

County's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Palmeri connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! County scrambles back to his feet.
Palmeri fails to land with a series of punches.
County tried to score with a low kick but Palmeri checks it.
County steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Palmeri.
Palmeri throws a series of punches but County avoids them all with ease.
County uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Palmeri.
County tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Palmeri was well out of range. Poor timing from County.
A swing and a miss from County.
County's jab looks to have found its range, popping Palmeri under the eye.
County slips under a jab from Palmeri.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Palmeri misses with an uppercut. County saw that one coming.
Palmeri throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
County misses with a double jab.
County misses with an uppercut. Palmeri saw that one coming.
County tries to close the distance and clinch up but Palmeri swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palmeri connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed County momentarily.
County throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Palmeri sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Palmeri circles away from the clinch attempt.
Palmeri scores with a shot to the body.
Palmeri fails to land with a series of punches.
Palmeri misses the shot to the body.
County seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Palmeri ducks under a wild hook from County.
County tests Palmeri's chin there with a solid looking shot.
County closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Palmeri might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Nice shot by County.
County is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
County moves out of range as Palmeri strikes.
Palmeri swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palmeri lands a body shot.
Palmeri throws a series of punches but County moves out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
County moves in looking to clinch but Palmeri pushes him off.
County tries to close the distance and clinch but Palmeri swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
County missing with a left hand there. Palmeri was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
County takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Palmeri moves into range and connects with a jab.
County throws a sloppy head kick and Palmeri moves out of range easily.
Palmeri is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by County.
County swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Palmeri throws a nice looking combination but County bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
County tries to clinch
and Palmeri counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Palmeri throws a jab when County was well out of range.
Palmeri throws a body punch but County moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
County looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Palmeri is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
County tries to clinch but Palmeri moves out of range.
Palmeri throws a right and a left that County avoids nicely.
County is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Palmeri.

County closes the distance and clinches.
County stalling the fight.
Palmeri jumps guard but County turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Palmeri being controlled against the cage.
Palmeri has a couple of punches blocked by County.
County is stalling here.
A short left from Palmeri.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palmeri works on County's body with a couple of short punches.
County taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
County gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Palmeri.
County keeps control of Palmeri as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
County tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Palmeri's elbow.
Palmeri is looking for a takedown.
Joe County has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frankie Palmeri.
County is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Palmeri has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. County is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Palmeri wants to break free but County has control.

Palmeri breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
County avoids the body shot from Palmeri.
County is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Palmeri.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frankie Palmeri dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Frankie Palmeri'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. This is the final round!

Palmeri displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as County throws out the jab.
County tries to clinch up.
County wants to clinch up but Palmeri keeps it at a distance.
Palmeri is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
County misses with a looping right.
County is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Palmeri waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract County.
County lands with an overhand left.
County misses with a hook. Palmeri ducked under it nicely.
County tries to clinch
and Palmeri counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Palmeri throws an ugly left hook that misses

and County counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by County.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Palmeri trying to stall but County improves his position.
County pressing his opponent against the cage.
County has Palmeri pressed against the cage, preventing Palmeri from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palmeri is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
County avoiding damage.
Palmeri has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by County after a bit of a struggle.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Palmeri.
Palmeri tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Palmeri misses with a hook from the clinch.
Come on County - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Palmeri breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Palmeri throws a shot to the body.
Palmeri misses with a straight left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palmeri misses with a double jab.
Nice defenses there by Palmeri.
Sloppy strikes from County. Those never looked like landing.
County waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Palmeri.
Palmeri keeps the fight on the outside.
Palmeri throws a lazy right hand but County sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Palmeri misses with a jab, cross combination.
County misses with a hook.
County tries to clinch but Palmeri moves out of range.
Nice shot lands for Palmeri.
County takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Palmeri slips under a jab from County.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Palmeri throws a looping overhand right but County ducks down to avoid it.
County wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
County cracks Palmeri with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

County moves into the clinch.
County working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Palmeri misses with a short punch on the inside.
County stalling in the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from County.
Palmeri is looking to break free of the clinch but County has double underhooks.
County looking to slow down the pace here.
County throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Palmeri blocks it with crossed arms.

Palmeri breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
County scores with a decent looking hook.
Palmeri scores with a jab.
Palmeri throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Palmeri avoids a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palmeri throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A bone on bone clash there as Palmeri blocks the leg kick.
Palmeri with a hook.
County tries to clinch but Palmeri moves out of range.
County getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
County pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
County tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Palmeri manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Palmeri tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Decent striking displayed by Palmeri there.
A looping hook to the body misses from County. Palmeri does a little dance to reset his feet.
Palmeri pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces County back to the cage. Palmeri follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
County drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Palmeri slips a straight right by County.
County throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Palmeri sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Joe County has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Palmeri lands a nice hook to County's body. County takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Frankie Palmeri.
I think Palmeri 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 46:50
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 48:47
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Frankie Palmeri!
Frankie Palmeri is the new heavyweight champion!