PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Damian Tonon (ranked 213 p4p, 236 weight class) and Gianni Castellana (ranked 37 p4p, 39 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Castellana's choice of entrance music: Good night. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Tonon
vs
Castellana

175 cm
29
165
19 - 10 - 1

168 cm
34
165
25 - 16 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

FUClothing

NARCOS
Seventh Circle Clothing

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 19 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Damian Tonon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 16 - 0, fighting out of London, Gianni Castellana!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Summer Carpenter and Darius Henderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Castellana misses with a low kick as Tonon jumps back.
Tonon shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Castellana as he avoids it easily.
Tonon scores with a hook to the body. Castellana takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Castellana keeps the fight on the outside.
Castellana tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tonon was well out of range. Poor timing from Castellana.

Tonon dives in and scores a takedown into Castellana's guard.

Castellana wriggles free and stands up.
Tonon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tonon takes a swing at Castellana's ribcage but misses.
It seemed like Castellana was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Castellana scores with a sloppy right hand. Tonon should have avoided that one.
Tonon misses with a wild body shot.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Castellana! But no joy.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Castellana gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Tonon.
Castellana thows a left - swing and a miss!
Tonon jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Castellana steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.

Tonon clinches.
Tonon wants a takedown but no success here.
Tonon looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Damian Tonon. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tonon is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Castellana struggles to land a body shot inside as Tonon controls his hands.
Tonon tries for a takedown. No joy.
Tonon is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Castellana is defending well.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Castellana lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short uppercut from Castellana.

Castellana escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Castellana is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tonon.
Tonon feinted with a counter takedown.
Castellana misses with an attempted mid kick.
Tonon swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tonon fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Damian Tonon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Castellana lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Tonon works Castellana's body with a nice hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tonon moves out of range of the strikes.
Tonon takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Tonon misses with a body shot.
Gianni Castellana is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tonon misses with a wild combination.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tonon shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Castellana as he avoids it easily.
Tonon loads up on a big right hand but Castellana slips the punch.
Tonon dives in for a single leg takedown but Castellana sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Tonon lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Tonon lands a takedown into guard.
Tonon won't allow Castellana to sweep him here.
Tonon stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Castellana swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Castellana wants to get back to his feet but Tonon is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tonon tries to free his leg and advance position but Castellana is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castellana keeping moving, preventing Tonon from controlling successfully.

Tonon drops back looking for a leg! Castellana is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Castellana manages to kick Tonon off! Tonon jumps back into Castellana's guard.
Castellana is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Tonon postures up in Castellana's guard and throws a big left but Castellana blocks it.
Tonon prevents Castellana from getting back to his feet.
Tonon trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Castellana pulls Tonon in close to prevent any damage.
Tonon pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Castellana is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Castellana keeping moving, preventing Tonon from controlling successfully.
Castellana pulls Tonon in close to prevent any damage.
Castellana keeping full guard, as Tonon tries to pass.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Tonon with a poor takedown
and Castellana counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Castellana throws a big shot that misses.
Tonon throws a body shot but no joy.
A good leg kick by Castellana.
Tonon shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Castellana but Castellana pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Tonon dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Gianni Castellana will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Castellana scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Tonon doesn't seem bothered though.
Castellana works Tonon's body with a nice hook.
Nice defenses there by Tonon.
Castellana throws the left hand but Tonon avoids the punch easily.
Tonon uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Castellana.
A big left from Castellana misses.
Tonon just misses with a punch to the body.
Tonon waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Castellana.
Tonon fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Castellana scores with the left hand. Tonon knows he should have avoided that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tonon tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Castellana was well out of range. Poor timing from Tonon.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Tonon.
Castellana misses with a straight right.
Tonon tries to counter with a takedown but Castellana is quick to defend against it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tonon throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Tonon keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Castellana.
Tonon will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Damian Tonon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tonon scores with a shot to the body.
Castellana swings for the body but Tonon moves out of range.
Tonon feinted with a counter takedown.
Tonon waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Castellana.
Castellana on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
A decent looking cross lands there for Tonon.
Tonon lands with a shot to the body.
Castellana misses with a body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Tonon misses the target.
Gianni Castellana seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tonon lands a right hook to the body.
A low kick lands for Castellana.
Tonon uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Castellana has time to react.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Castellana is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tonon.
Tonon fails with the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castellana moves into range and connects with a jab.
Tonon looks to land a right hand but Castellana moved out of range.
Tonon swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Castellana misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tonon.
A nice inside leg kick there by Castellana. That's going to slow Tonon down.
Tonon closes this distance looking for a takedown but Castellana circles away.
Tonon fails with a takedown attempt.
Tonon checks the leg kick nicely there.
Tonon drops down looking for a counter takedown but Castellana sprawls and moves away.
The fighters circling - Castellana throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Castellana displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Tonon.
Castellana misses with a wild combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castellana lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Tonon avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Tonon lands the left hand.
A low kick lands for Castellana.
Tonon takes one to the side of the head.
Castellana tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tonon was well out of range. Poor timing from Castellana.
Tonon shoots in for a takedown but Castellana shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Castellana throws a nice looking combination but Tonon bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Castellana gets caught napping as Tonon dives in and scores a takedown. Castellana manages to retain guard.

Castellana has his feet on Tonon's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tonon is looking to clinch but Castellana is avoiding it.
Castellana has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tonon throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Castellana throws a shot from downtown. Tonon moves away and avoids it.
Tonon misses with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castellana uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Tonon.
Castellana moves into range and connects with a jab.
Tonon is looking to wear down Castellana with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Tonon walks into a jab.
Castellana misses with a wild body shot.
Castellana throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Tonon stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tonon. Castellana does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tonon changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Castellana tries to avoid it but Tonon manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Castellana to the ground. Castellana escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Castellana now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Tonon ducks right into an uppercut from Castellana.
Castellana cracks Tonon with an open hand slap.
Tonon misses with a double jab.
Castellana is looking to slow Tonon down with leg kicks.
Tonon takes a swing at Castellana's ribcage but misses.
A little jabbing left from Castellana on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A big left from Tonon misses.
Tonon on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tonon ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Castellana moves away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gianni Castellana 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! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Castellana lands a right hook to the body.
Castellana cracks Tonon with a right hand to the side of the head.
Castellana throws a half hearted mid kick.
Castellana bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Castellana is looking to clinch.
Tonon half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Tonon shoots in but Castellana avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Tonon uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Castellana.
Tonon wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Castellana throws out a loose jab but Tonon uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tonon just misses with a punch to the body.
Tonon misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab from Castellana does it's job there.
Tonon throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Castellana's waist but Castellana gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tonon off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Damian Tonon. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tonon works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castellana looks to land a left hand but Tonon moved out of range nicely.
Tonon drops down looking for a counter takedown but Castellana sprawls and moves away.
Donk. Castellana catches Tonon right on the button with a cross.
Tonon scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Castellana lands an overhand right.
Tonon misses with a wild body shot.
A good leg kick by Castellana.
Tonon swings away with a body shot that misses
and Castellana counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nice shot lands for Castellana.
Tonon throws an off balance right hand
and Castellana counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tonon throws out a powerful jab.
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!
Castellana lands a nice looking kick to the body. Tonon takes a step back to recover.
A big left from Tonon misses.
Nice jab there from Tonon.
Donk. Tonon catches Castellana right on the button with a cross.
Tonon misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Castellana.
Damian Tonon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castellana blocks a jab.
Castellana stuffs the takedown attempt from Tonon. Tonon gets slowly back to his feet.
Castellana throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tonon wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Tonon scores with a hook to the body. Castellana takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Tonon takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Tonon walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Castellana connects with an inside leg kick.
Tonon uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Castellana.
Tonon looks to land a right hand but Castellana moved out of range.

Castellana gets tackled into the cage by Tonon. Tonon maintains the clinch.
Good body shot from Castellana.
Castellana scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Tonon misses with a hook to the ribs.
Castellana lands a nice shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tonon is trying to drag Castellana to the mat but Castellana just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Castellana scores with a hook to the body.

Castellana escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tonon changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Castellana tries to avoid it but Tonon manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Castellana to the ground. Castellana escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Castellana throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Tonon stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Castellana stuns Tonon with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Castellana.
Castellana connects with a nice looking jab.
Tonon chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Castellana can pounce on him.
Tonon is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Good standup being displayed there by Castellana as he connects with a hook.
Castellana scores with a spinning back kick!
Castellana throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Tonon stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
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!
Tonon drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Tonon misses with a wild body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tonon shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Castellana as he jumps to the side.
Tonon has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Tonon there as he acknowledges the shot.
Castellana lands with a right hand.
Tonon throws the left hand but Castellana avoids the punch easily.
Castellana circles away from the clinch attempt.
A chopping leg kick lands by Castellana.
A slapping leg kick lands for Castellana.
Castellana throws out a powerful jab.

Tonon drives through with a takedown into Castellana's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Castellana pushes Tonon off and scrambles back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Castellana scores with a jab to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gianni Castellana comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Castellana 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 John Mangel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 27:30
Judge Darius Henderson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gianni Castellana!
An out of breath Gianni Castellana thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.