PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Graig Cooke (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mann Singh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Cooke
vs
Singh

174 cm
18
151 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

175 cm
25
147 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Graig Cooke!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mann Singh!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Chris Saunders and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Singh avoids the head kick by Cooke.
Cooke shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Singh as he jumps to the side.
Singh tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Singh gets the takedown into side control.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Singh trying to control the action but Cooke is working from the bottom.
Cooke throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cooke tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Singh wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
A lull in the action here as Singh stalls from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Singh stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Cooke gets caught napping as Singh dives in and scores a takedown. Cooke manages to retain guard.
Singh advances to half guard.
Singh is trying to control the action in half guard but Cooke is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cooke wants to get back to full guard but Singh has mounted him!

Singh jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Cooke is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Cooke and Singh has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Singh is looking to take a break and control but Cooke is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cooke tries to improve position but can't.
Singh wants to control but Cooke is keeping him busy.
Singh looks up at the clock and then as Cooke takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Singh smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Singh wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cooke keeps working.
Cooke is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cooke manages to get back to half guard.
Cooke is looking for a sweep. Singh is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Singh is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Still in half guard, Singh seems content to control.
Cooke tries to get to full guard but Singh has control of the leg.
Singh lands strikes from half guard.
Singh passes to full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Singh sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Singh manages to capitalize on a mistake by Cooke to take his back!

Singh is persistently looking for the submission but Cooke is defending it well.
Singh struggling to keep hold of the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Singh is trying to stick to Cooke's back but Cooke is turning into Singh. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Singh's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Cooke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mann Singh dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Singh closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Cooke being controlled against the cage.

Singh breaks from the clinch.
Cooke misses with a kick to the body

and Singh counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Cooke!
Singh trying to control the action but Cooke is working from the bottom.
Singh just content to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Singh goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Cooke has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Singh but great work by Cooke.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Singh's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Singh tries to escape but Cooke is in control.

Cooke goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Singh has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Cooke but great work by Singh.
Cooke tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Singh wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Singh wants to control but Cooke is keeping him busy.
Singh has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Singh decides to stand back up. Singh steps back and let's Cooke get back to his feet.
Singh keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Singh shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Cooke but Cooke pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Cooke is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Singh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cooke has taken the fight to the clinch.
Cooke looking to slow down the pace here.
Cooke holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Singh manages to break the clinch.
Cooke misses with a head kick.

Singh manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Cooke on his heels. He'll look to pass Cooke's guard now, I'm sure.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cooke keeping moving, preventing Singh from controlling successfully.
Singh pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cooke is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cooke keeping moving, preventing Singh from controlling successfully.
Singh working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Singh wants to control from the top but Cooke keeps moving.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Singh must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Cooke wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four 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.

Singh closes the distance and clinches.
Singh has Cooke pressed against the cage, preventing Cooke from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

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

Singh throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Cooke was covering up waiting for the punch and Singh finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Singh is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Singh wants to pass the guard but Cooke is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mann Singh showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Cooke tries to clinch but Singh moves out of range.

Singh gets a double leg takedown into Cooke's guard.
Singh postures up in Cooke's guard and throws a big left but Cooke blocks it.
Singh controls from within his opponent's guard.
Cooke working a defensive guard here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cooke utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Cooke keeping moving, preventing Singh from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cooke lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Singh lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Singh sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Cooke keeping full guard, as Singh tries to pass.
Cooke keeping moving, preventing Singh from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Singh trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Cooke manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Cooke scoring with punches to the head and body.

Cooke postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Singh is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Cooke, into his guard.

Singh wants to control from the top but Cooke keeps moving.
Cooke keeping full guard, as Singh tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Singh seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Cooke looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Singh distracts Cooke with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Singh wants to control from the top but Cooke keeps moving.
Singh is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Cooke looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Cooke working a defensive guard here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cooke thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mann Singh comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Singh has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 27:30
Judge Josh West scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mann Singh!