PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joosep Lõhmus (ranked 353 p4p, 52 weight class) and Michael Cole (ranked 166 p4p, 28 weight class). Cole has chosen I Won't Back Down as his entrance music. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Lõhmus
vs
Cole

190 cm
26
210 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

175 cm
35
209 lbs
36 - 18 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Knockaround Guys Fight Gear
UnderGround Clothing Co.

Urban Fighter
UnderGround Clothing Co.

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 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Joosep Lõhmus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 36 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Michael Cole!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Paul Tew and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cole shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Lõhmus manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Cole in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Cole throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lõhmus works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Lõhmus is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Cole throws a big elbow that misses.
Cole in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lõhmus avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cole throwing strikes from guard but Lõhmus blocks nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lõhmus is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Cole throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cole working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Lõhmus swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Cole is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Lõhmus with a body shot.
Cole shoots in looking for a takedown but Lõhmus manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cole's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
It looked like Lõhmus wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Cole swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Lõhmus counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Cole walks into a jab.
Lõhmus definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Cole dodges the punch combination from Lõhmus.
Lõhmus throws a wild body kick that Cole sees coming a mile off.
Lõhmus throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cole doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Lõhmus lands a nice shot that snaps Cole's head back.
Cole just misses with a punch to the body.
It looked like Lõhmus wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cole ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lõhmus moves away.
It looked like Lõhmus wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Lõhmus keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cole takes a swing at Lõhmus's ribcage but misses.
Lõhmus throws a leg kick but Cole moved away.
Lõhmus stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Lõhmus wants it to stay on the feet.
Cole uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Lõhmus has time to react.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cole bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Lõhmus's head backwards.
Cole tries to clinch up but Lõhmus circles away and keeps his distance.
Lõhmus tried to counter with a leg kick but Cole avoided it.
Cole moves out of range of the leg kick from Lõhmus.
Lõhmus throws a jab when Cole was well out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole scores with a hook.
The fighters circling - Cole throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lõhmus went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Lõhmus throws a leg kick
and Cole counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Cole goes for a double leg but Lõhmus avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Lõhmus continues to drive forward.
Lõhmus half committed to a counter leg kick.
Joosep Lõhmus has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Cole.
Lõhmus avoids a punch combination nicely.
Cole throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lõhmus swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Michael Cole seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cole lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Lõhmus has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Cole finds it's way round the side to connect with Lõhmus's head.
A low kick from Cole misses
and Lõhmus counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Cole fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Lõhmus to the ground. Cole is now in Lõhmus's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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 with a nice head shot there.
Cole in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Cole missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Lõhmus is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cole throws a big elbow that misses.
Cole throws a strike but Lõhmus rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Cole controlling Lõhmus's posture.
Lõhmus looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Cole dominated that round.
That's time! Lõhmus's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Cole shoots in for a takedown but Lõhmus shows good takedown defense.
Joosep Lõhmus has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cole takes a swing at Lõhmus's ribcage but misses.
Lõhmus defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cole.
Cole throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lõhmus misses with a wild combination.
Lõhmus uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cole.
It looked like Lõhmus wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cole throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lõhmus is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Cole punishes Lõhmus's body with a nice straight punch.
Lõhmus listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

It looks like Michael Cole has been cut.
Cole tries to close the distance and clinch but Lõhmus swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cole changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Lõhmus tries to avoid it but Cole manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Lõhmus to the ground. Lõhmus escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A little feinted left hand from Lõhmus on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Joosep Lõhmus has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Cole.
Cole misses with a jab to the body
and Cole takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Lõhmus takes a swing at Cole's ribcage but misses.
Lõhmus walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Cole's coach down at Brotherhood MMA (ELITE COACHES) was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Cole's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

Lõhmus gets caught flat footed, as Cole shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Lõhmus preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Lõhmus pulls Cole in close to his closed guard and prevents Cole from doing any damage or advancing position.
Cole has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Lõhmus working a defensive guard here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cole accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lõhmus managing to control the position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Lõhmus utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Cole loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lõhmus looking to control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Cole fails with the takedown.

Cole moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lõhmus breaks the clinch.
Cole is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Lõhmus rather than just go for the knockout.
Lõhmus rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Cole counters with a straight right hand.
Lõhmus digs a good body shot into Cole's ribs.
Lõhmus throws a quick inside leg kick.
Cole scores with a jab to the body.
Cole tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Lõhmus defends well and Cole ends up having to push Lõhmus into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A cross from Cole lands.
Cole misses with a takedown attempt - Lõhmus sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lõhmus wants to land a leg kick but Cole is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lõhmus circles away from the clinch attempt
and Lõhmus counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Cole jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
A big left from Lõhmus misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cole misses the jab.
Cole closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Cole moves out of range of the body kick.
Cole wants to counter with a clinch but Lõhmus pushes him away.
Lõhmus throws a big shot that misses.
Cole scores with a punch to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Michael Cole will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Michael Cole's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Cole fails in his attempt to clinch.
Cole digs a good hook to Lõhmus's body.
Cole throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Cole misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Lõhmus on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cole throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A counter left hand to the body from Lõhmus misses its target.
Cole misses with a wild body shot.
Lõhmus just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lõhmus takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cole.
Lõhmus swats away the attempt to clinch by Cole.
Lõhmus appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Cole ducks under a wild hook from Lõhmus.
Cole scores with a jab to the head.

Cole clinches.
Lõhmus misses with some punches.

Lõhmus escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Joosep Lõhmus is winning the standup battle so far.
The fighters circling - Cole throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
It looked like Lõhmus was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cole cracks Lõhmus with a right hand to the side of the head.
Lõhmus swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cole throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Lõhmus keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cole.
Cole throws a jab but it's blocked by Lõhmus.
It looked like Lõhmus wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Lõhmus cracks Cole with an open hand slap.
A swing and a miss from Lõhmus.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cole closes the distance and clinches up with Lõhmus, looking for a takedown. Cole pushes Lõhmus against the cage but Lõhmus circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Joosep Lõhmus has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Cole.
Lõhmus throws a chopping leg kick but Cole manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Cole throws a body punch but Lõhmus moves out of range.
Lõhmus fires out a quick counter leg kick but Cole just manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole connects with a body shot that sends Lõhmus's belly button to the back.
Lõhmus slips under a jab from Cole.
Lõhmus scores with a body shot.
Cole scores with a jab to the head.
Lõhmus throws a leg kick

and Cole counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Cole tries to work over Lõhmus's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Lõhmus manages to break the clinch.
Lõhmus thuds his right hand into Cole's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Cole throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Lõhmus is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Cole.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lõhmus managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Cole.
Lõhmus regains half guard.
Lõhmus is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Cole seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Lõhmus is controlling Cole's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Cole not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Lõhmus keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Michael Cole is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Cole landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:30
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Cole!
An out of breath and clearly excited Michael Cole thanked Urban Fighter for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).