PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Blaze Cunningham (ranked 2435 p4p, 3920 weight class) and Owen Tooogood (ranked 258 p4p, 379 weight class). 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?

Cunningham
vs
Tooogood

183 cm
27
167
4 - 2 - 0

182 cm
27
165
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Powerful

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Blaze Cunningham!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Owen Tooogood!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Eddie Farnsworth and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tooogood lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

It looks like Blaze Cunningham has been cut.
Cunningham looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Cunningham turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Cunningham throws a nice looking combination but Tooogood bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cunningham listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Tooogood shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cunningham throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Cunningham throws a low kick but Tooogood avoids it.

Tooogood gets a double leg takedown into Cunningham's guard.
Cunningham on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Cunningham tries to get out of the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tooogood is looking to work some ground and pound but Cunningham has wrist control.
Tooogood postures up.

Cunningham looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Cunningham working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Tooogood doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Tooogood manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Cunningham working for a triangle but Tooogood defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tooogood working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tooogood tries to free his leg and advance position but Cunningham is retaining full guard.
Cunningham is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Tooogood tries to stand but Cunningham is controlling from the bottom.
Tooogood has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Cunningham working for a triangle but Tooogood defends it easily.
Tooogood in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Cunningham wants to sweep but no luck.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Cunningham's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Tooogood connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Cunningham scrambles back to his feet.
Tooogood needs to keep his hands up - Cunningham had a free shot at his head there.
A chopping leg kick lands by Cunningham.
Tooogood shoots for a double leg takedown but Cunningham sprawls well. He's pushed Tooogood's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Cunningham throws a series of punches but Tooogood moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Tooogood fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Cunningham avoids it really well and circles away.
Blaze Cunningham has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Owen Tooogood.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Tooogood.
Cunningham thuds his shin into the meat of Tooogood's side.
Cunningham throws a head kick but Tooogood moves out of range.
Tooogood with a poor takedown
and Cunningham counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Cunningham connects with a solid leg kick.
Tooogood takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Tooogood clinches with his opponent.
Tooogood tries a body shot but Cunningham blocks it.
Cunningham looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Tooogood with a knee to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cunningham is trying to break the clinch but Tooogood has him pressed against the cage.
Cunningham wants to break the clinch but can't.
Tooogood wants a takedown but no success here.

Tooogood decides to pull guard.
Tooogood 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.
Cunningham trying to control but Tooogood is working from the bottom.
Cunningham keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Tooogood's head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Blaze Cunningham dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Blaze Cunningham's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A low kick lands for Cunningham.
Tooogood keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tooogood steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Tooogood tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cunningham swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Cunningham thinks about countering with a body kick.
Tooogood lands with a good body shot.
Tooogood misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Cunningham misses with a few strikes there.
Cunningham bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Cunningham is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tooogood can do to turn this around?
Cunningham tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tooogood throws a wild body kick that Cunningham sees coming a mile off.
It appears Cunningham was looking to counter with a kick there.
Cunningham fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tooogood is defended easily by Cunningham.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tooogood misses with a takedown
and Cunningham counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Blaze Cunningham has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Owen Tooogood.
Tooogood on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Cunningham scores with a jab. Tooogood acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Cunningham lands with a slapping head kick.

Tooogood shoots in and gets a takedown into Cunningham's guard.

Cunningham has his feet on Tooogood's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Tooogood looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tooogood is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cunningham sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Tooogood is breathing heavily.
Tooogood shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cunningham pinned against the cage. Cunningham gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tooogood on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Cunningham scores with a kick to the midsection.
Cunningham scores with a body shot.
Blaze Cunningham is winning the standup battle so far.
Tooogood looks for a takedown but Cunningham sprawls well.
Cunningham was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Cunningham changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Tooogood crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Cunningham - the referee stops the clock and Tooogood gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Cunningham. Tooogood manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Tooogood tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Cunningham lands with a slapping head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Cunningham!
Tooogood tries to clinch
and Cunningham counters with a left and a right that stings Tooogood.
Cunningham lands a head kick. Tooogood smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Tooogood is rocked!
Cunningham scoring well with a low kick there.
Cunningham feints and then cracks Tooogood's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Tooogood down.
Cunningham throws a series of strikes that have Tooogood backpedaling.
Tooogood shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Cunningham defends it nicely.
Cunningham appears to be looking for a big counter.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tooogood wants to clinch but Cunningham slips to the side
and Cunningham counters with a series of strikes. Tooogood will be more careful next time no doubt.
Tooogood shoots for a double leg takedown but Cunningham sprawls well. He's pushed Tooogood's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham lunges at Tooogood with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Tooogood's hand.
Tooogood walks into a left hand.
Tooogood tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Cunningham counters with a one-two to the body.
Tooogood is still on wobbly legs! Can Cunningham finish him?
A combination from Cunningham does no damage.
Tooogood seems to have recovered his senses.
Cunningham stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cunningham wants it to stay on the feet.
Left hook, right uppercut from Cunningham.
Cunningham throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Tooogood closes the distance and clinches.

Cunningham breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cunningham throws a nice looking combination but Tooogood bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Blaze Cunningham dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Blaze Cunningham'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!

Tooogood rushes Cunningham and presses him up against the cage.
Cunningham is trying to break the clinch but Tooogood has him pressed against the cage.

Tooogood breaks from the clinch.
Tooogood tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A thudding body kick lands there by Cunningham!
Cunningham tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tooogood doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Tooogood will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Cunningham appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Nice uppercut lands for Cunningham. That snapped Tooogood's head back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cunningham lands a high kick!
Cunningham slips a jab and a cross from Tooogood.
Cunningham tries to land a front kick but Tooogood steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Tooogood gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Cunningham counters with a three punch combo that has Tooogood backing up. Tooogood nods at Cunningham to acknowledge the strikes.
Tooogood takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Cunningham blocks the low kick.
Cunningham uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Tooogood has time to react.
Tooogood shoots in but Cunningham avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Blaze Cunningham has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Owen Tooogood.
Tooogood takes one to the side of the head.
Cunningham fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Tooogood darts in trying to clinch
and Cunningham counters with a nice kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tooogood shoots in but no luck this time.
Tooogood throws a combination that misses
and Cunningham counters with a nice leg kick.
Cunningham lands with a kick to the temple. Tooogood shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Tooogood drives through with a takedown into guard.
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!
Cunningham seems keen to control Tooogood's posture.
Cunningham wants to sweep here but Tooogood controlling him for the moment.
Cunningham seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Tooogood stops Cunningham from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham controls Tooogood momentarily but Tooogood frees himself.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Tooogood is stalling in the full guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Cunningham misses with a jab, cross combination.
Blaze Cunningham is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cunningham stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cunningham wants it to stay on the feet.
It looked like Cunningham wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Tooogood throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cunningham.
Cunningham misses with a wild combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tooogood shoots for a takedown but Cunningham saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A combination from Cunningham does no damage.
Cunningham misses with a head kick.
Tooogood shoots in and drives through. Cunningham sprawls well.
Tooogood fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Tooogood takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Cunningham misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cunningham connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Tooogood's hands.
Blaze Cunningham is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tooogood takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Owen Tooogood has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Blaze Cunningham is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cunningham connects with a high kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Blaze Cunningham showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cunningham, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:27
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Blaze Cunningham!
Blaze Cunningham seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.