PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Finnish Experiment lV (ranked 207 p4p, 29 weight class) and Mario Puzo (ranked 290 p4p, 39 weight class). Puzo has chosen Speak Softly Love as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Experiment lV
vs
Puzo

190 cm
31
190 lbs
19 - 10 - 0

185 cm
40
187 lbs
34 - 22 - 3

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Pit Bull Development

Urban Fighter
Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Finnish Experiment lV!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 22 - 3, fighting out of New York, Mario Puzo!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Donald Grub and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Experiment lV with a nice cross.
Experiment lV has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Puzo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Experiment lV moves away.
Experiment lV throws a hook to the side of Puzo's head but Puzo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Experiment lV misses with a kick to the body.
Puzo slips a jab and a cross from Experiment lV.
Experiment lV throws a leg kick which misses Puzo's front leg but catches the back leg as Puzo tries to avoid it.
Experiment lV connects with a single shot there.
Puzo takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Puzo lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Puzo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Puzo comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Puzo lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Experiment lV at a distance.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Experiment lV missing with a left hand there. Puzo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Puzo lands with a nice body punch.
Puzo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A little feinted left hand from Experiment lV on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Puzo misses with a low kick.
Puzo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Experiment lV moves forwards but Puzo connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Sloppy strikes from Puzo. Those never looked like landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puzo lands with an overhand left.
Experiment lV throws the left hand but Puzo avoids the punch easily.
A swing and a miss from Puzo.
Puzo slips a jab from Experiment lV.
Puzo avoids a kick to the body.
Puzo connects with a body shot.
Puzo lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Puzo bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Puzo attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Puzo misses with a head kick.
Experiment lV is looking to counter the offense by Puzo and move into the clinch.
Experiment lV looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Experiment lV fails in his attempt to clinch.
Experiment lV with a nice cross.
Experiment lV uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Puzo.
Experiment lV chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Puzo can pounce on him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A slapping leg kick lands for Experiment lV.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Experiment lV avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Experiment lV connects with a right hand. Puzo shakes it off.
Puzo lands with a shot to the body.
Experiment lV throws the left hand but Puzo avoids the punch easily.
Puzo connects with an inside leg kick.
Puzo lands with a good body shot.
Experiment lV feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Puzo's calf.
Puzo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Puzo lands a right hook to the body.
Experiment lV throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Puzo's head.
Puzo jabs Experiment lV to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Experiment lV pivots, looking for a leg kick but Puzo is out of range and Experiment lV settles back down.
Experiment lV scores with a jab to the body.
A swing and a miss from Experiment lV.
Experiment lV misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Puzo counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Experiment lV closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Puzo.
Experiment lV checks the leg kick.
Experiment lV missing with a left hand there. Puzo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Puzo looks for the body kick but Experiment lV saw that one coming.
Puzo tries to score with a low kick but Experiment lV moves his leg out of the way.
Puzo just misses with a punch to the body.
Experiment lV is looking to counter the offense by Puzo and move into the clinch.
A punch combination from Puzo misses.
Experiment lV throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Puzo is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Experiment lV rather than just go for the knockout.
A slapping leg kick lands for Experiment lV.
Experiment lV looks to score with a jab to the body but Puzo is just out of range.
Nice uppercut lands for Puzo. That snapped Experiment lV's head back.
Experiment lV tests Puzo's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Experiment lV misses with a jab, cross combination.
Experiment lV misses with a hook. Puzo ducked under it nicely.
Puzo throws out a leg kick but Experiment lV moves out of range and Puzo only half commits.
Experiment lV was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Experiment lV moves out of range of the leg kick from Puzo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Experiment lV looks to land a left hand but Puzo moved out of range nicely.
Puzo tries a quick counter leg kick but Experiment lV is wise to it.
Puzo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Puzo moves into range and connects with a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Puzo pivots, looking for a leg kick but Experiment lV is out of range and Puzo settles back down.
Puzo scores with a body shot.
Puzo scores with a body shot.
Puzo throws out a leg kick but Experiment lV moves out of range and Puzo only half commits.
Nice defenses there by Puzo.
Experiment lV fails with an attempt to clinch.
Puzo throws out a counter right but Experiment lV avoids it with no problem.
Mario Puzo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A big left from Experiment lV misses.
Experiment lV throws a body shot but no joy.
Puzo is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Experiment lV had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Experiment lV blocks a jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Some wild striking there from Puzo.
Experiment lV changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Puzo dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Puzo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Experiment lV misses with a straight right.
Experiment lV doesn't manage to clinch there - Puzo circles away.
Experiment lV lands with an overhand left.
Puzo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Experiment lV.
Experiment lV throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Puzo connects with a solid leg kick.
Experiment lV misses with a double jab
and Puzo counters with a good low kick that Experiment lV was not able to check.
Experiment lV scores with a body shot.

Experiment lV closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Puzo goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Puzo works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Puzo misses with a short punch on the inside.
Experiment lV is trying to maintain a safe position but Puzo gets an underhook and turns Experiment lV into the cage.
Experiment lV stalling.
A short uppercut from Puzo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Experiment lV softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Experiment lV pushes Puzo back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Experiment lV blocking some punches.

Puzo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Puzo turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Puzo punishes Experiment lV's body with a nice straight punch.
Left hook, right uppercut from Puzo.
Experiment lV looks to throw the jab but Puzo is out of range.
Experiment lV scores with a sloppy right hand. Puzo should have avoided that one.
Puzo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Experiment lV.
The fight stays on the outside here - Experiment lV looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Puzo walks into a jab.
Experiment lV throws a right hand that Puzo ducks under and follows up with a left that Puzo also avoids with ease.
Puzo looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Experiment lV closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Experiment lV is trying to pull guard but Puzo turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Puzo.
Puzo stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Experiment lV jumps guard.
Experiment lV is trying to control the position but Puzo postures up.
Puzo must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Puzo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Puzo connects with a couple of short punches.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Puzo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Experiment lV is adopting a defensive guard.
Puzo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Experiment lV keeping moving, preventing Puzo from controlling successfully.

Experiment lV is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Puzo is pushing down on Experiment lV's leg trying to pass to half guard. Experiment lV is fighting to maintain full guard but Puzo has managed to sneak the leg through.
Puzo drops an elbow to the side of Experiment lV's head.

Experiment lV actively working from the bottom here.
Experiment lV is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Puzo's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Puzo's back!
Puzo trying to control but not successfully.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.

Experiment lV working for a choke but Puzo is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Puzo trying to control the action but Experiment lV just sinks the hooks in.
Experiment lV throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Puzo trying to get back to his feet but Experiment lV is in full control for now.
Experiment lV is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Puzo. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Finnish Experiment lV dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Experiment lV darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Puzo misses the shot to the body.
Experiment lV is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Puzo.
Experiment lV lands with a nice combination. Puzo backs away looking to recover.

Experiment lV clinches up with Puzo and pushes him back against the cage.
Experiment lV lands an uppercut.
Experiment lV is looking to control Puzo's arms but Puzo gets an underhook and turns him. Now Experiment lV has his back to the cage.
Puzo swings wildly with an uppercut but Experiment lV uses good head movement to avoid it.
Experiment lV blocks a body shot from Puzo.
Experiment lV lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Puzo or not.
Experiment lV lands a right hand that snaps the head of Puzo backwards.
Experiment lV lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Puzo takes a shot to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Puzo tries to work over Experiment lV's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Puzo.

Experiment lV breaks from the clinch.
Puzo misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puzo misses with a two punch combination.
Puzo is looking to slow Experiment lV down with leg kicks.
Experiment lV throws a low kick, looking for Puzo's leg but Puzo calmly moves out of range.
Experiment lV looks to land a right hand but Puzo moved out of range.
Puzo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Experiment lV moves away.
Experiment lV throwing a counter right hand but Puzo manages to avoid it.
Experiment lV works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Experiment lV dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Puzo. That did some damage!
Experiment lV blocks a low kick nicely.
Crunch! Experiment lV slams his shin into Puzo's torso.
Experiment lV uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Puzo.
A counter left hand to the body from Experiment lV misses its target.
Puzo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Experiment lV.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Puzo checks a leg kick.
Experiment lV backing away here, and Puzo unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Puzo throws a poor cross that misses
and Experiment lV counters with an outside leg kick.
Experiment lV throws a right hand that misses
and Puzo counters with a left to the body.
Puzo throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Experiment lV throws a shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Experiment lV lands with an uppercut that bounces Puzo off the cage and back into range.
A slow jab from Experiment lV misses its intended target.
Experiment lV is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A nice inside leg kick there by Puzo. That's going to slow Experiment lV down.
Experiment lV throws a right and a left that Puzo avoids nicely.
Experiment lV connects with a jab.
Puzo gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Experiment lV.
Experiment lV walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Puzo punishes Experiment lV's body with a nice straight punch.
Puzo throws a wild body kick that Experiment lV sees coming a mile off.
We've been informed that Puzo has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Experiment lV tries to clinch up but Puzo circles away and keeps his distance.
Puzo throws a lazy uppercut
and Experiment lV counters with a nice uppercut.
Puzo swats away the attempt to clinch by Experiment lV.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Experiment lV jabs Puzo to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Puzo lands with a nice body kick.
Puzo throws a low kick, looking for Experiment lV's leg but Experiment lV calmly moves out of range.
Puzo throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Experiment lV sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mario Puzo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Experiment lV throws a push kick but Puzo slaps the foot to one side.
Experiment lV throws a lazy right hand but Puzo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Experiment lV dodges the punch combination from Puzo.
Experiment lV misses with a head kick.
Puzo takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Puzo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Experiment lV.
Experiment lV throws an off balance right hand
and Puzo counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Puzo tries to land a leg kick but Experiment lV saw it coming and moves away.
A jab from Puzo misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Puzo tests Experiment lV's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Experiment lV has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Puzo.
Puzo ducks under a wild hook from Experiment lV.
As Experiment lV backs off Puzo throws a huge counter combo but Experiment lV manages to avoid it all.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Puzo uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Experiment lV has time to react.
Puzo missing with a left hand there. Experiment lV was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Puzo defending well as Experiment lV loads up on a big left hand.
Puzo swinging wildly here.
Puzo scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Puzo checks a low kick from Experiment lV.
Puzo misses with a lunging right hand
and Experiment lV counters with a one-two to the body.
Experiment lV motions for Puzo to come forward. Experiment lV throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Finnish Experiment lV showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Experiment lV has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 James Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Finnish Experiment lV!
After the fight, Finnish Experiment lV was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.