PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Conor Tiernan (ranked 1980 p4p, 236 weight class) and Rico Cole (ranked 1382 p4p, 169 weight class). Tiernan kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Tartanic - Unavoidable - 09 BAllZ/Ringworm. Cole has chosen Gerardo's Rico Suave as his entrance music. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Tiernan
vs
Cole

175 cm
33
165 lbs
14 - 9 - 0

182 cm
31
160 lbs
20 - 10 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Sin City Allstars

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Conor Tiernan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Rico Cole!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, James Atkins and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cole bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Cole fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Tiernan.
Tiernan takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Tiernan lands a jab to the nose.
Cole lands an overhand right.
Tiernan throws a wild body kick that Cole sees coming a mile off.
Cole misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cole looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
A solid body kick from Cole.
Tiernan with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Cole to score with a decent uppercut.
A low kick from Tiernan is predictable there
and Cole counters with a stiff right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cole throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Tiernan's head.
Cole takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Tiernan connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Tiernan shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Tiernan wants to control but Cole is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tiernan is working for a kimura but Cole is defending it quite comfortably.
Tiernan is looking to take a break and control but Cole is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Cole is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Tiernan's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Tiernan's back!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tiernan tries to escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tiernan trying to control the hands but Cole won't let him.
Good control from Cole.
Cole keeps control of the position as Tiernan tries to break free.
Tiernan trying to control the hands but Cole breaks the grip.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
What can Tiernan do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Tiernan rolls, trying to escape but Cole keeps control of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole avoiding Tiernan 's attempts to control his hands.
Cole struggling to keep hold of the position.
What can Tiernan do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Tiernan is trying to stand back up.
I really don't envy Tiernan right now.
Tiernan is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Cole really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Tiernan.
Tiernan is trying to get back to his feet but Cole has full control of the position and if anything, Tiernan has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Cole has good solid back control here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rico Cole dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Cole digs a good body shot into Tiernan's ribs.
Cole connects with a good right hand that stumbles Tiernan. Tiernan circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Cole throws a sloppy body shot
and Tiernan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tiernan takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Cole connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Cole is looking to land body kicks.
A slapping leg kick lands for Tiernan.
Nice cross by Tiernan.
We've been told by Tiernan's head coaches at Shark Tank MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Tiernan blocks a low kick nicely.
Cole has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Tiernan, right into the meat.
Cole chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tiernan can pounce on him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cole scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Tiernan takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Cole feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Tiernans jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cole throws a push kick but Tiernan slaps the foot to one side.
Tiernan was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Cole connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Tiernan scores with a jab to the jaw.
Cole throws a good cross that connects.
Rico Cole is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tiernan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cole scoring well with a low kick there.
Cole moves out of range as Tiernan strikes.
Cole bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Tiernan's head.
Rico Cole seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tiernan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cole was well out of range. Poor timing from Tiernan.
Cole feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Tiernans jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Cole throws a low kick, looking for Tiernan's leg but Tiernan calmly moves out of range.
Tiernan swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Cole cracks Tiernan with an open hand slap.
Cole jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
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!
Cole lands a nice looking body kick.
Cole has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Tiernan keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tiernan sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
A good leg kick by Cole.
Cole swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice jab there from Cole.
Cole lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Cole uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Tiernan has time to react.
A nice leg kick lands there from Cole.
Jab by Cole.
Tiernan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tiernan misses with an uppercut. Cole saw that one coming.
Cole connects with a crisp jab.
Cole smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
That kick from Cole tenderised Tiernan's leg. Tiernan is trying to keep his angry face on.
Cole connects with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole throws a leg kick which misses Tiernan's front leg but catches the back leg as Tiernan tries to avoid it.
Cole moves into range and connects with a jab.
Tiernan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Cole displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Tiernan throws out the jab.
A swing and a miss from Cole.
Rico Cole seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tiernan has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Cole with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Cole throws the kick towards the body but Tiernan avoids it.
Tiernan tries to clinch up but Cole circles away and keeps his distance.
Tiernan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cole.
Tiernan moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Cole fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tiernan manages to avoid it.
Cole lands a slapping body shot.
Cole lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A leg kick checked by Tiernan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Cole. Those never looked like landing.
Cole moves away from the strike by Tiernan.
A swing and a miss from Tiernan.
A decent looking cross lands there for Cole.
Tiernan lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cole circles away quickly and effectively.
Tiernan looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Tiernan takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Tiernan sizes up Cole with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
A nice inside leg kick there by Cole. That's going to slow Tiernan down.
Cole dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Cole moves into range and connects with a jab.
Cole uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tiernan.
Cole looks like he wants to counter punch here.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tiernan throws a low kick but Cole avoids it.
Tiernan misses with a head kick.
Cole keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rico Cole showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Cole stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Tiernan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cole paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Tiernan on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Cole. Cole obviously looking to wear him down.
Tiernan slips a jab and a cross from Cole.
Cole just misses with a punch to the body.
Cole works Tiernan's body with a nice hook.
Cole connects with a leg kick. Tiernan looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Cole goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Cole thumps Tiernan with a low kick.
Cole slips under a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tiernan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cole moves away.
Tiernan backing away here, and Cole unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Cole throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Tiernan takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Cole stuns Tiernan with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tiernan takes a jab right on the kisser.
Tiernan is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some bone on bone action there as Tiernan checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Tiernan throws a hook but Cole avoids it easily.
Cole throws a sloppy head kick and Tiernan moves out of range easily.
Tiernan throws a leg kick
and Cole counters with a leg kick.
Cole tests Tiernan's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Cole connects with a nice looking jab.
Tiernan ducks right into an uppercut from Cole.
Tiernan swings away with a body shot that misses
and Cole counters with an outside leg kick.
Tiernan closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Cole works Tiernan's body with a nice hook.
Cole throws the left hand but Tiernan avoids the punch easily.
Tiernan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cole manages to avoid it.
Cole lands a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cole connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Conor Tiernan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tiernan moves out of range of the body kick from Cole.
Cole stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cole wants it to stay on the feet.
Tiernan backing away here, and Cole unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Cole slips under a jab.
Tiernan throws a jab when Cole was well out of range.
Nice shot lands for Cole.
Cole just misses with a punch to the body.
Tiernan went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Tiernan ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Cole checks a low kick from Tiernan.
Cole lands with a right hand.
Tiernan shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cole pinned against the cage. Cole gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tiernan takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Cole lands a nice leg kick that just misses Tiernan's sensitive parts.
Cole scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Cole lands a nice looking body kick.
Cole connects with a nice looking jab.
Tiernan has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Cole finds it's way round the side to connect with Tiernan's head.
Cole dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Tiernan. That did some damage!
Cole throws a quick inside leg kick.
Cole lands a jab to Tiernan's midsection.
Tiernan finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cole throws a quick inside leg kick.
Tiernan tries a head kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cole feints and then cracks Tiernan's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Tiernan down.
Cole cracks the inside of Tiernan's front leg.
Tiernan jabs at Cole's body.
Tiernan misses with a looping right.
Tiernan walks forward, straight into a front kick from Cole.
Cole misses with a double jab.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Cole!
Rico Cole is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Tiernan takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Tiernan avoids the body shot from Cole.
Cole just misses with a punch to the body.
Cole scores with a jab.
Cole waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tiernan.
Cole buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Cole connects with an inside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rico Cole comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Cole 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rico Cole!
Rico Cole thanked the fans post fight for their support.