PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between KT Panda (ranked 237 p4p, 651 weight class) and Don Cortez (ranked 13 p4p, 35 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Panda
vs
Cortez

190 cm
29
288
18 - 10 - 0

185 cm
28
275
14 - 7 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

PWNAGE™
Bondi MMA 🏝️

PWNAGE Elite
Brooklyn Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, KT Panda!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Don Cortez!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Sam Margolis and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cortez tries to keep at a distance but Panda has taken the fight into the clinch.
Panda lands a hook to the side of the head.
Cortez fails to pull guard.
Cortez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Panda fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Cortez 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.
Panda throws a punch but it's blocked by Cortez.
Panda misses with the head strike.
Cortez jumps guard but Panda stands there with Cortez around his waist. Cortez gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Panda swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Panda struggles to land a body shot inside as Cortez controls his hands.
Cortez blocking some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Panda lands a right hand that snaps the head of Cortez backwards.
A short right from Panda.
A short right from Panda.
Panda tries a body shot but Cortez blocks it.
Panda misses with some punches.
Panda misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortez fails to pull the fight into his guard.
KT Panda has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Don Cortez.
Panda misses with the head strike.
Cortez's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Panda lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Cortez backwards.
Cortez is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Panda gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Panda throws a head punch that misses.
Cortez blocks an uppercut.
A hook to the body from Panda.
A short uppercut from Panda.
A short right from Panda on the inside.
Panda lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Panda struggles to land a body shot inside as Cortez controls his hands.
Panda misses with a body punch.
Panda fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cortez.
A short body shot lands from Panda as the two fighters clinch.
Cortez looks winded!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cortez.
Panda scores with an uppercut up the middle.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A right hand to the body from Panda.
Panda lands an uppercut.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Panda.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cortez.
Good body shot from Panda.
Panda scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Panda lands a right hand.
Panda lands with a light punch inside.
A hook to the body from Panda.
Panda lands a right hand.
Panda misses with a punch to the body.
A short right from Panda on the inside.
Panda throws a head punch that misses.
Panda lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Panda lands with a light punch inside.
A hook to the body from Panda.
Panda lands a body shot.
Panda misses with some punches.
Panda tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cortez's elbow.
Panda tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Panda lands a right hand.
Panda lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Cortez backwards.
Cortez is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Panda to keep the fight standing.
A short left from Panda.
A short uppercut from Panda.
Panda misses with the head strike.
Panda digs a right hand underneath Cortez's ribcage. Cortez let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Good body shot from Panda.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Panda.
Panda lands with a right to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Panda lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Panda throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Cortezs head.
Cortez takes a shot to the head.
Panda pushes Cortez back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Panda struggles to land a body shot inside as Cortez controls his hands.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Panda.
Panda misses with some punches.
Panda tries to work over Cortez's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Panda fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Panda lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Panda is working Cortez over against the cage.
Panda scores with a hook to the body.
Cortez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Panda has a couple of punches blocked by Cortez.
Cortez blocking some punches.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Panda is defending well against a takedown attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

KT Panda dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Panda lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Panda is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cortez can do to turn this around?
Sloppy strikes from Panda. Those never looked like landing.
Panda works Cortez's body with a nice hook.
Panda scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Cortez swings for the body but Panda moves out of range.
Panda moves out of range of the strikes.
Cortez looks to land a combination. Panda sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Panda lands with a slapping head kick.

It looks like Don Cortez has been cut.
Panda keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Panda is looking to counter with head kicks.
Cortez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cortez takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Panda scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cortez takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Panda avoids a punch combination nicely.
Cortez is breathing heavily.
A head kick misses from Panda.
Cortez looks to score with a jab to the body but Panda is just out of range.
A counter left hand to the body from Panda misses its target.
KT Panda is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Panda gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Panda throws a head kick that half lands.
Cortez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Panda.

Panda cracks Cortez with a big right hand that sends him crashing to the floor. Panda has the opportunity to follow him to the ground but instead he's beckoning Cortez to stand back up!

Cortez is rocked!
Nice body punch from Panda.
Cortez is still on wobbly legs! Can Panda finish him?
Cortez stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Panda.
Cortez seems to have recovered his senses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Panda digs a good hook to Cortez's body.
Panda connects with a solid leg kick.
Panda throws a good cross that connects.
A swing and a miss from Cortez.
Panda was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Cortez throws out a loose jab but Panda uses good head movement to avoid it.

Panda moves into range and clinches up with Cortez.
Panda scores with a shoulder strike.
Cortez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Cortez drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Panda gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Panda lands a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Panda.
Panda lands a body punch in the clinch.
Panda lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Panda works on Cortez's body with a couple of short punches.
A short right from Panda on the inside.
Panda throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Cortezs head.
KT Panda has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Panda lands with a right to the head.
Panda doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short left from Panda.
Panda misses with a punch to the body.
Cortez's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Cortez blocks a body shot from Panda.
Panda lands a hook that snaps the head of Cortez backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Panda lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Cortez backwards.
A short right from Panda.
Panda tries to work over Cortez's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Panda scores with a shot to the side of Cortez's head.
Panda goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Cortez is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Panda gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Panda misses with a punch to the body.
Cortez takes a shot to the head.
Cortez blocks an uppercut.
Panda tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cortez's elbow.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Panda.
Cortez blocking some punches.
Panda throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Cortezs head.
Panda can't find room to land a body shot as Cortez controls the action.

Panda drops Cortez onto one knee with a big uppercut from the clinch! Cortez is propped up by the cage and works his way back to his feet!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Panda struggles to land a body shot inside as Cortez controls his hands.
Panda lands an uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Panda as the two fighters clinch.

Panda drops Cortez onto one knee with a big uppercut from the clinch! Cortez is propped up by the cage and works his way back to his feet!
Good body shot from Panda.
Panda digs a right hand underneath Cortez's ribcage. Cortez let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Panda scores with a shot to the side of Cortez's head.
A short right from Panda on the inside.
Panda throws a punch but it's blocked by Cortez.
A right hand to the body from Panda.
Panda lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Panda misses with some punches.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cortez drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
KT Panda has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Don Cortez.
A nice left hand lands by Panda.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

KT Panda dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Don Cortez's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

A nice leg kick from Panda, right into the meat of the thigh.
Don Cortez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Panda throws a body shot but no joy.
A big right from Cortez misses.
Panda ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cortez moves away.
Panda misses with a body kick.
Cortez connects with a body shot that sends Panda's belly button to the back.
Cortez throws a jab when Panda was well out of range.
A nice leg kick from Panda, right into the meat of the thigh.
Cortez lands a really nice looking cross but Panda seems unphased.
Panda showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cortez.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Panda misses with a body shot.
Cortez takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Cortez walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Panda cracks Cortez with a right hand to the side of the head.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Panda.
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!
Cortez with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Panda to score with a decent uppercut.
Cortez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Panda lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Cortez at a distance.
Panda throws a nice head kick!
Cortez dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Panda swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Cortez.
Panda keeps Cortez at a distance using the push kick.
Panda lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Sloppy strikes from Cortez. Those never looked like landing.
Panda quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Jab, jab by Panda - just one landing.

Panda has managed to clinch.
Panda goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Panda lands a nice uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Panda misses with a punch to the body.
Panda prevents a takedown attempt there.
Panda throws a punch but it's blocked by Cortez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Panda doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A nice left hand lands by Panda.
Cortez is trying to pull guard but Panda turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Panda tries a body shot but Cortez blocks it.
Panda scores with a shot to the side of Cortez's head.
Panda misses with a short punch on the inside.
A right hook to the body lands for Panda.
Panda lands with a right to the head.
Panda tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Cortez's elbow.
Panda lands with a short punch from the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Panda.
Panda misses with a punch on the inside.
Panda working aggressively here.
Cortez has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Panda avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
KT Panda has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Don Cortez.
Panda tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Panda lands with a right to the head.
Panda is working Cortez over against the cage.
Panda swings wildly with an uppercut but Cortez uses good head movement to avoid it.
Panda lands a nice shot to the body.
Panda lands with a left to the head.
Panda lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Panda throws a punch but it's blocked by Cortez.
Panda misses with a punch on the inside.
Panda tries to work over Cortez's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Cortez's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Panda stops a takedown attempt from Cortez.
Panda lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Panda has a couple of punches blocked by Cortez.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Panda scores with a shot to the side of Cortez's head.
Panda lands with a short punch from the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Panda lands a nice uppercut.
Panda fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Panda misses with the head strike.
Cortez blocks an uppercut.
A right hook to the body lands for Panda.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Panda.
Panda swings wildly with an uppercut but Cortez uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cortez.
Panda lands with a left to the head.
Panda misses with a short punch on the inside.
Panda misses with a short punch on the inside.
Panda lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Cortez backwards.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

KT Panda clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Don Cortez's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Panda moves out of range as Cortez strikes.
A quick step to the side and Panda tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cortez scores with a sloppy right hand. Panda should have avoided that one.
Cortez tests Panda's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Panda dodges the punch combination from Cortez.
Panda lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Panda cracks a nice hook into Cortez's ribs.
Panda tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cortez was well out of range. Poor timing from Panda.
Cortez changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Cortez looks to land a left hand but Panda moved out of range nicely.
Cortez misses the shot to the body.
We've been told by Panda's head coaches at Crapollas Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Cortez 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.
Panda cracks a nice hook into Cortez's ribs.
Panda misses with a body shot.
Cortez slips a jab from Panda.
Cortez throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Panda sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Panda went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Panda lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortez goes for a double leg but Panda avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Panda continues to drive forward.
Cortez's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Panda scores with a crisp jab that stopped Cortez in his tracks.
Panda is looking to slow Cortez down with leg kicks.
Panda is looking to wear down Cortez with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Panda scores with a sloppy right hand. Cortez should have avoided that one.
A combination from Cortez does no damage.
Cortez is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Cortez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cortez changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Panda keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cortez.
Panda tried to counter with a leg kick but Cortez avoided it.
Panda lands with a straight right. Cortez didn't see that one coming.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Panda, as that shot connected.

Panda moves into the clinch.
Panda lands a left hand that snaps the head of Cortez backwards.
Panda misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nice body punch from Panda.
Cortez prevents a body shot from Panda.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Panda lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cortez.
Cortez is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Panda pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Panda doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Panda fails to land.
Panda goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Panda lands a nice uppercut.
Panda makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Panda lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Panda misses with a punch on the inside.
Panda misses with some punches.

Cortez gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Cortez is keen to just control but Panda is a slippery customer.
Cortez throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Panda desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Cortez prevents Panda from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Panda has his hands clasped together around Cortez's back. He's all about the action.
Cortez stops Panda from getting back to his feet.
Cortez not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Cortez seems to be working for a kimura but Panda defends the submission attempt.
Cortez not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Cortez with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Panda manages to get to full guard.
Panda is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Panda trying to keep a closed guard but Cortez is proving a slippery customer.
Cortez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Panda is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Cortez trying to control but Panda is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Cortez misses with a straight left.
Panda misses with a body shot.
Panda slips under a jab from Cortez.
Panda cracks a nice hook into Cortez's ribs.
Panda walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A nice leg kick from Panda, right into the meat of the thigh.
Cortez ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Panda moves away.
Panda keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

KT Panda had his way with Don Cortez in that round.
The cut man is working on Don Cortez's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Cortez lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Panda throws a sloppy head kick and Cortez moves out of range easily.
Cortez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Panda ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A slow jab from Panda misses its intended target.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Cortez!
A low kick from Panda is predictable there

and Cortez counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Cortez won't allow Panda to get back to his feet.
Panda controlling Cortez's posture.
Cortez wants to control from the top but Panda keeps moving.
Panda is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortez connects with a couple of short punches.
Panda wants to stand but Cortez is controlling the position.
Panda keeping full guard, as Cortez tries to pass.
Cortez pushes down on Panda's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Cortez stops Panda from getting back to his feet.
Panda keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Cortez wants to take a breather but Panda is having none of it.
Panda is controlling Cortez's position as best he can from this difficult position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Panda has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Cortez is working away from the top position though.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Panda is trying to stand up here but Cortez is controlling him well.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Panda defending well as Cortez loads up on a big left hand.
Sloppy strikes from Cortez. Those never looked like landing.
Cortez changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Cortez defending well as Panda loads up on a big left hand.
Cortez is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Panda waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cortez.
A big left from Cortez misses.
Panda appears to be looking for a big counter.
Panda lands a body shot.
Cortez's corner calls for a 1-2. Cortez obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Cortez lands a nice hook to Panda's body. Panda takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Cortez swinging wildly here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cortez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Panda looks to score with a jab to the body but Cortez is just out of range.
Cortez looks to land a right hand but Panda moved out of range.
Panda throws a head kick but Cortez moves out of range.
Both fighters circling a little - Panda finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Cortez is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Panda throws a leg kick but Cortez checks it.
KT Panda is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cortez walks forward, straight into a front kick from Panda.
Panda slips under a jab.

Panda gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A shot in the inside from Panda.

Cortez pulls guard effortlessly.
Panda slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Cortez keeping moving, preventing Panda from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Panda slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Cortez trying to keep a closed guard but Panda is proving a slippery customer.
Don Cortez has got the better of the ground game so far.
Cortez can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Panda controls the pace.
KT Panda is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Panda wants to control from the top but Cortez keeps moving.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Panda is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Cortez is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Cortez connects with a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Don Cortez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Panda 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 49:45
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 49:44
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 49:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... KT Panda!
KT Panda retains his super heavyweight title!