PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Phol Boxaaja (ranked 1886 p4p, 1697 weight class) and Steve Cusumano (ranked 260 p4p, 242 weight class). Cusumano has chosen Gamefire as his entrance music. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Boxaaja
vs
Cusumano

180 cm
29
173
21 - 10 - 0

175 cm
37
180
18 - 13 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Phol Boxaaja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Steve Cusumano!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Patrick Alders and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cusumano looks to land a body kick but Boxaaja moved away.
Boxaaja ducks right into an uppercut from Cusumano.

Boxaaja moves into the clinch.
Cusumano being controlled against the cage.

Boxaaja breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cusumano cracks Boxaaja with a right hand to the side of the head.
Cusumano bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cusumano moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cusumano fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Boxaaja, pushing him back against the cage.

Boxaaja breaks the clinch.
Cusumano takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cusumano has Boxaaja up against the cage in a clinch.
Cusumano has Boxaaja pressed against the cage.
Cusumano goes for a takedown in the clinch but Boxaaja prevents it.
Cusumano is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Boxaaja is defending well.
Cusumano changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Boxaaja fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Phol Boxaaja has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Cusumano.
Cusumano closes the distance looking to clinch
and Boxaaja counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Cusumano looks to clinch
and Boxaaja counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Cusumano moves away from the strike by Boxaaja.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boxaaja doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Cusumano throws a right hand that Boxaaja ducks under and follows up with a left that Boxaaja also avoids with ease.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Cusumano has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.

Boxaaja tries to keep at a distance but Cusumano has taken the fight into the clinch.
Boxaaja is pressed up against the cage. Cusumano has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Boxaaja down to the mat. Boxaaja avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Cusumano looks winded!
Cusumano misses with a wild combination.
An attempted straight right counter from Boxaaja misses the target.

Boxaaja clinches with his opponent.
Cusumano swings wildly with an uppercut but Boxaaja uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cusumano can't find room to land a body shot as Boxaaja controls the action.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cusumano misses with a double jab.

Boxaaja moves into the clinch.
Our sources have told us that Boxaaja has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Cusumano is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Cusumano manages to break the clinch.
Boxaaja scores with a hook.

Cusumano rushes Boxaaja and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Cusumano is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Boxaaja is defending well.
Boxaaja tries a body shot but Cusumano blocks it.
Cusumano drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cusumano has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Boxaaja is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Cusumano wants to take the fight to the mat but Boxaaja manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Cusumano tries to break free but Boxaaja pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cusumano goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Boxaaja is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Cusumano is trying to break the clinch but Boxaaja is controlling him.
Boxaaja prevents a body shot from Cusumano.
Cusumano tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Cusumano is trying to break the clinch but Boxaaja is controlling him.
Cusumano misses with the head strike.
Nice body punch from Boxaaja - that landed with a thud.
A nice left hand lands by Boxaaja.
Cusumano is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Boxaaja gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Steve Cusumano will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Boxaaja lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cusumano circles away quickly and effectively.
Boxaaja tries for a takedown but Cusumano sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Cusumano misses with a combination
and Boxaaja counters with a nice body shot.
Boxaaja connects with a nice looking jab.

Cusumano darts in and clinches Boxaaja up against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Boxaaja - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Boxaaja displaying some good clinch control by pressing Cusumano up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Boxaaja avoiding damage.
Cusumano wants to take the fight to the mat but Boxaaja manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cusumano is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Boxaaja is keeping busy.

Boxaaja's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Boxaaja tests Cusumano's chin there with a solid looking shot.

It looks like Steve Cusumano has been cut.
Cusumano throws a shot to the body.
Boxaaja moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Boxaaja circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cusumano tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Boxaaja counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Cusumano tries to clinch up
and Boxaaja makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cusumano drives through and clinches with Boxaaja against the cage.
Cusumano looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Cusumano is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Boxaaja gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Cusumano.
Cusumano is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Phol Boxaaja has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Cusumano.
Cusumano is breathing heavily.
Boxaaja creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Cusumano's defenses.
Cusumano letting Boxaaja take a breather here.
Cusumano is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Cusumano is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Cusumano's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cusumano tries to clinch
and Boxaaja counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Cusumano tries to clinch but Boxaaja moves away
and Boxaaja counters with a stiff right hand.
Boxaaja scores with a shot to the body.
Boxaaja with a nice cross.

That has opened up Steve Cusumano's cut even more.
Steve Cusumano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Boxaaja on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cusumano tries to clinch but Boxaaja moves out of range.
Boxaaja swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

Cusumano moves into the clinch successfully.
Boxaaja is pressed up against the cage. Cusumano has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Boxaaja down to the mat. Boxaaja avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Boxaaja swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Steve Cusumano is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cusumano looks to land a combination. Boxaaja sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
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!
Boxaaja pushes Cusumano away with a front kick.

Boxaaja has closed the distance and engaged Cusumano in a clinch.

Boxaaja breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cusumano tries to clinch but Boxaaja is having none of it.
Boxaaja swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Cusumano throws a combination that misses
and Boxaaja cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Boxaaja lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Boxaaja will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Phol Boxaaja dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Steve Cusumano's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

A telegraphed right hand from Boxaaja misses the target.
Boxaaja doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Cusumano moves to clinch but Boxaaja breaks away
and Boxaaja counters with a right hand to the body.
Cusumano is looking to clinch.
Boxaaja swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Cusumano takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Cusumano is looking to clinch.
Boxaaja misses with a body shot
and Cusumano counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Cusumano fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Boxaaja checks it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cusumano connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Boxaaja pushes Cusumano up against the cage in a clinch.
Boxaaja is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cusumano can do to turn this around?
Cusumano takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Cusumano wants to take the fight to the mat but Boxaaja manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Cusumano is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cusumano drops down looking for an ankle pick but Boxaaja pulls his leg out and moves away.
Phol Boxaaja has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Cusumano.
Cusumano misses with a shot to the body
and Boxaaja counters with a lovely straight right hand!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Boxaaja.
Cusumano throws a body punch but Boxaaja moves out of range.
It looked like Boxaaja was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Cusumano.
Cusumano on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Boxaaja scores with a punch to the head.

Cusumano is rocked!

The cut above Steve Cusumano's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Cusumano misses with a shot to the body
and Boxaaja counters with a left to the body.
Cusumano is still on wobbly legs! Can Boxaaja finish him?
Cusumano takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Boxaaja cracks Cusumano with a big right hand that sees him stumbling back against the cage! Cusumano falls to his knees and Boxaaja doesn't need a second invitatation - he rushes in and fires off several unanswered shots that force the referee to stop the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:44 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Phol Boxaaja!
A very excited looking Phol Boxaaja made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.