PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jim McNulty (ranked 959 p4p, 131 weight class) and Mario Rossi (ranked 2396 p4p, 301 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

McNulty
vs
Rossi

175 cm
28
170 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

180 cm
22
187 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

BuriedAlive// Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jim McNulty!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mario Rossi!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Hirohito Nitta and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McNulty throws a leg kick but Rossi checks it.
Rossi throws a head kick that half lands.
A telegraphed right hand from Rossi misses the target.
Rossi lands a nice leg kick that just misses McNulty's sensitive parts.
Rossi just misses with a punch to the body.
McNulty cracks Rossi with an open hand slap.
McNulty is looking to clinch.
McNulty blocks a head kick by Rossi.
A punch combination from Rossi misses.
McNulty was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rossi on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A shot to the body from McNulty misses
and Rossi counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps McNulty thinking.
Rossi jabs McNulty right on the nose. McNulty blinks but takes it well.
McNulty tries a head kick but it misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rossi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from McNulty.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McNulty takes one on the button.
McNulty takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
McNulty fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
McNulty keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rossi throws an ugly left hook that misses
and McNulty counters with an inside leg kick.
Rossi looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
McNulty feints and then cracks Rossi's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rossi down.
A solid leg kick lands there for McNulty.

Rossi gets tackled into the ropes by McNulty. McNulty maintains the clinch.
Rossi tries a body shot but McNulty blocks it.

McNulty breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rossi lands a slapping body shot.
Rossi attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
McNulty scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McNulty with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rossi to score with a decent uppercut.
Rossi swats away the attempt to clinch by McNulty.
McNulty connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A clash of legs there as Rossi blocks the low kick.
Nice body kick there by McNulty.
Rossi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
McNulty throws a jab but it's blocked by Rossi.
Rossi blocks a head kick by McNulty.
McNulty misses with a kick to the body.
Rossi only half commits to the counter leg kick.
McNulty jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rossi is clearly trying to counter these attacks from McNulty with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Rossi, right into the meat.
McNulty on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A head kick misses from McNulty.
Rossi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Rossi clobbers McNulty with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
McNulty is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rossi.
Rossi scores with a decent looking hook.
Rossi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
McNulty tries a low kick but Rossi avoids it.
McNulty checks a leg kick nicely.
McNulty misses with a leg kick
and Rossi counters with a series of strikes. McNulty will be more careful next time no doubt.
Rossi fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Rossi lands a glancing blow to the side of McNulty's head.
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!
McNulty lands an overhand right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McNulty on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rossi. Rossi obviously looking to wear him down.
A slapping leg kick lands for McNulty.
McNulty throws a lazy uppercut
and Rossi counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
McNulty throws a leg kick that misses.
McNulty misses with a two punch combination.
Rossi throws a lazy right hand but McNulty sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rossi throws a leg kick but McNulty checks it.
Rossi thows a left - swing and a miss!
A nice leg kick lands there from Rossi.
McNulty throws a leg kick
and Rossi counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
McNulty throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
McNulty on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Rossi misses with an uppercut. McNulty saw that one coming.
Rossi cracks McNulty with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
McNulty pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rossi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
McNulty defending well as Rossi loads up on a big left hand.
Rossi throws a lazy uppercut
and McNulty counters with a lovely straight right hand!
McNulty paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Rossi misses with a straight right.
Rossi listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Jim McNulty seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McNulty drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Rossi uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
McNulty misses with a body shot
and Rossi counters with a stiff right hand.

McNulty closes the distance and pushes Rossi back into the ropes.
I was talking to McNulty's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McNulty throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Rossis head.
Rossi tries to work over McNulty's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch on the inside from Rossi fails to land.
Rossi is trying to push McNulty away but McNulty has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Rossi blocking some punches.
McNulty lands an uppercut.
Rossi lands a hook that snaps the head of McNulty backwards.

Rossi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rossi is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! McNulty had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
McNulty has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Rossi finds it's way round the side to connect with McNulty's head.
Rossi wants to land a leg kick but McNulty is out of range.
McNulty slips a straight right by Rossi.
Rossi swats away the attempt to clinch by McNulty.
McNulty misses with a looping left.
Rossi does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Rossi misses its intended target.
Rossi works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
That kick from McNulty tenderised Rossi's leg. Rossi is trying to keep his angry face on.
Rossi lands with a right hand.
Rossi comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Rossi connects with the punch.
McNulty uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rossi.
A big left from Rossi misses.
McNulty slips under a jab from Rossi.
McNulty is looking to counter the offense by Rossi and move into the clinch.

Rossi tries to keep at a distance but McNulty has taken the fight into the clinch.
Rossi tries to circle away but McNulty has him pinned against the ropes.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
McNulty lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Rossi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McNulty misses with an uppercut.
Rossi throws a hook to the side of McNulty's head but McNulty sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rossi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rossi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
McNulty seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Rossi thuds his right hand into McNulty's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Rossi swings for the body but McNulty moves out of range.
McNulty was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
McNulty displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rossi throws out the jab.
McNulty fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rossi manages to avoid it.
McNulty throws a body shot but no joy.
Rossi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

Rossi gets tackled into the ropes by McNulty. McNulty maintains the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McNulty.
Rossi working aggressively here.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
McNulty struggles to land a body shot inside as Rossi controls his hands.
Rossi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rossi takes a shot to the head.
Rossi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short right from Rossi on the inside.
Rossi misses with some punches.
McNulty works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Rossi misses with a punch on the inside.

McNulty escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rossi connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Rossi throws a jab but it's blocked by McNulty.
McNulty throws a shot from downtown. Rossi moves away and avoids it.
Rossi checks the leg kick.
McNulty throws a low kick but it's checked well by Rossi.
Rossi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
McNulty keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rossi.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Rossi dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

McNulty throws a leg kick that is checked
and Rossi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Rossi throws a hook but McNulty blocks it.
Rossi connects with a jab.
McNulty slips a jab and a cross from Rossi.
Rossi blocks a head kick by McNulty.
McNulty looking to land some kicks to the body here.
McNulty throws a leg kick
and Rossi counters with a stiff right hand.
Rossi avoids the head kick by McNulty.
McNulty swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McNulty looks to clinch
and Rossi counters with a nice uppercut.
McNulty throws a body kick that misses.
McNulty misses the jab.
Mario Rossi seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rossi fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Rossi tries a head kick but it misses.
McNulty tries to counter by clinching up but Rossi breaks away and moves out of range.
McNulty misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rossi is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
A shot to the liver by Rossi. Beautiful body shot.
McNulty throws a right hand that Rossi ducks under and follows up with a left that Rossi also avoids with ease.
Rossi throws out a counter right but McNulty avoids it with no problem.
Rossi looks to land a right hand but McNulty moved out of range.
Rossi misses with the combination.
Rossi works over McNulty's head and body with a nice combination.
McNulty looks to land a body kick but Rossi moved away.
The fighters circle momentarily. McNulty darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from McNulty. Those never looked like landing.
Rossi looks to land a right hand but McNulty moved out of range.
McNulty looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rossi moves out of range as McNulty throws a body kick.
Rossi is clearly trying to counter these attacks from McNulty with a body shot.
McNulty scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
McNulty ducks under a wild hook from Rossi.
McNulty wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
A big left from Rossi misses.

McNulty rushes Rossi and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Rossi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rossi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rossi scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rossi swings wildly with an uppercut but McNulty uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rossi lands a hook that snaps the head of McNulty backwards.
McNulty blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McNulty manages to break the clinch.
Nice defenses there by McNulty.
Rossi throws a nice outside leg kick.
Nice jab there from McNulty.
McNulty takes a kick to the side of the head.
Rossi fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Rossi ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Rossi moves out of range as McNulty throws a body kick.
Rossi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Rossi lands with a nice body punch.
Rossi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
McNulty throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Rossi! But no joy.
McNulty slips a jab and a cross from Rossi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for McNulty.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McNulty on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
McNulty fails in his attempt to clinch.
McNulty tries to close the distance and clinch but Rossi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
McNulty throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rossi blocks a jab.
McNulty takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Rossi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
McNulty keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rossi's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

McNulty gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Rossi prevents a body shot from McNulty.

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

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Rossi avoids the body shot from McNulty.
McNulty throws a head kick but Rossi moves out of range.
Rossi throws a hook but McNulty blocks it.
McNulty uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rossi.
Rossi moves out of range as McNulty throws a body kick.
Rossi misses with a hook. McNulty ducked under it nicely.
Rossi throws a sloppy head kick
and McNulty counters with a stiff right hand.
A head kick misses from Rossi.
A nice inside leg kick there by McNulty. That's going to slow Rossi down.
McNulty avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
McNulty scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Rossi doesn't seem bothered though.
Rossi needs to keep his hands up - McNulty had a free shot at his head there.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
McNulty scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
McNulty uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Rossi has time to react.
Rossi feints a jab promting McNulty to slip. Rossi then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. McNulty slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
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!
Rossi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rossi bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps McNulty's head backwards.

McNulty pushes Rossi up against the ropes in a clinch.
McNulty blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
McNulty blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rossi throws a punch but it's blocked by McNulty.

Rossi breaks from the clinch.
McNulty fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Rossi throws a nice outside leg kick.
McNulty scores with a crisp jab that stopped Rossi in his tracks.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Rossi avoids the head kick by McNulty.
McNulty slips a straight right by Rossi.
McNulty wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
McNulty throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
McNulty drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Rossi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rossi misses with a leg kick
and McNulty counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Danga de danga de dang - McNulty scores with a four punch combination!
Rossi moves out of range as McNulty strikes.
Rossi looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Rossi misses with a wild combination.
Rossi misses with a right hand

and McNulty counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by McNulty.
Mario Rossi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Jim McNulty has scored more points in the clinch so far.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Rossi swings wildly with an uppercut but McNulty uses good head movement to avoid it.

McNulty manages to break the clinch.
McNulty takes a swing at Rossi's ribcage but misses.
Rossi throws out a counter right but McNulty avoids it with no problem.
McNulty tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rossi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rossi looks like he wants to counter punch here.
McNulty connects with a solid leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McNulty walks forward, straight into a front kick from Rossi.
Rossi throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
McNulty keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rossi.
McNulty tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Rossi is able to avoid easily.
Rossi blocks a jab.
It seemed like Rossi was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
McNulty throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Rossi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
McNulty wants to clinch
enabling Rossi to counter with a crisp jab.
A head kick misses from McNulty.
It seemed like Rossi was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
McNulty is looking to clinch.
Rossi swats away the attempt to clinch by McNulty.
McNulty misses with a kick to the body.
Rossi throws out a counter right but McNulty avoids it with no problem.
McNulty thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Rossi if he has to take too many more of those.
McNulty misses with a low kick.
Rossi was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Rossi stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Jim McNulty has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McNulty tries to land a leg kick but Rossi saw it coming and moves away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mario Rossi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rossi 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 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight for Mario Rossi!
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Mario Rossi!
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight for Mario Rossi!

Mario Rossi wins by unanimous decision!
In his post fight interview, Mario Rossi started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.