PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jaycee Knight (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Cusumano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Knight comes into the arena with Go Hard or Go Home by E-40 blaring out of the sound system. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Knight
vs
Cusumano

170 cm
22
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
22
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jaycee Knight!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Steve Cusumano!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Bruno Lombardi and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Knight shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Cusumano manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Knight is looking to work some ground and pound but Cusumano has wrist control.
Knight preventing the sweep.
Cusumano is adopting a defensive guard.
Knight wants to pass the guard but Cusumano is keeping the position.

Cusumano has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Knight off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Cusumano closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Knight did well to prevent Cusumano getting side control.
Cusumano seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Knight looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Cusumano is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Knight wants to improve his position but Cusumano is controlling well.
Cusumano seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knight blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cusumano.
Knight blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cusumano.
Cusumano working Knight over with strikes.
Cusumano lands with a punch from half guard.
Knight misses with some strikes from the bottom.

Knight looking for submissions off his back.
Knight is breathing heavily.
Cusumano not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Knight taking some punishment here, with Cusumano in his half guard.
Knight taking some punishment here, with Cusumano in his half guard.
Cusumano landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Cusumano working Knight over with strikes.

Knight is rocked!
Cusumano lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Oh Knight is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Knight taking some punishment here, with Cusumano in his half guard.
Cusumano working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Knight on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Ground and pound from Cusumano.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cusumano looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Cusumano lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Cusumano lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Nice strikes from Cusumano there.
Knight seems to have got his legs back now.
Cusumano prevents Knight from improving his position.
Cusumano slips a nice elbow through Knight's hands, connecting with Knight's forehead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cusumano landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Cusumano is nestled in close to Knight, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Cusumano lands a nice short elbow.
Knight throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Cusumano lands a nice short elbow.
Knight trying to control but Cusumano postures up.
Knight tries to kick Cusumano off but Cusumano keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Cusumano takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Cusumano takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Cusumano landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Cusumano scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Cusumano connects with a nice short shot to Knight's temple.
Cusumano throwing shots but Knight is blocking nicely.
Knight is looking to escape.
Cusumano working the head and body with strikes.
Cusumano is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Nice strikes from Cusumano there.
Knight taking some punishment here, with Cusumano in his half guard.
Knight missing with punches from the bottom.
Knight has hold of Cusumano's hands but Cusumano slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cusumano is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Knight regains full guard. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Cusumano dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Knight shoots for a double leg takedown but Cusumano sprawls well. He's pushed Knight's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Knight!
Knight stuffs the takedown attempt from Cusumano. Cusumano gets slowly back to his feet.
Horrible takedown by Cusumano or perhaps it was just good defense by Knight which made him look bad.
Knight leaves Cusumano with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Jaycee Knight has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Cusumano.
Knight wants to clinch.
Knight scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knight shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cusumano sprawls well. Cusumano wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Knight gets slowly back to his feet.
Cusumano shoots for a double leg takedown but Knight sprawls well. He's pushed Cusumano's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Knight is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cusumano fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Knight avoids it really well and circles away.
Knight shoots in for a takedown but Cusumano shows good takedown defense.
Knight displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Cusumano.
Knight shoots in for a takedown but Cusumano shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Cusumano is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Knight's half guard.
Knight avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cusumano.
Cusumano really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Knight. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Knight moves into full guard.
Cusumano throwing strikes from guard but Knight blocks nicely.
Knight wants to get back to his feet but Cusumano is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cusumano works over Knight with some ground and pound from guard.
Knight tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Cusumano stands up over Knight, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Cusumano wants to pass the guard but Knight is keeping the position.
Knight is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Cusumano shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Knight sprawls well. Knight wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cusumano gets slowly back to his feet.
Knight shoots for a takedown but Cusumano saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cusumano looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Knight is fending him off so far but Cusumano persists. Nope, Knight circles away and we're back to standing.
A jab lands there for Knight.
Cusumano shoots in looking for a takedown. Knight tries to sprawl out of it but Cusumano keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Knight manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Cusumano stuffs the takedown attempt from Knight. Knight gets slowly back to his feet.
Knight shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Cusumano as he jumps to the side.
Cusumano shoots for a takedown but Knight saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Knight slaps away a takedown attempt from Cusumano, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Cusumano looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Knight is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cusumano landing with the ground and pound.
Knight is trying to keep Cusumano in close.
Cusumano cracks Knight with a solid left hand.
Cusumano landing some decent shots from guard.
Knight is trying to keep Cusumano in close.
Cusumano working some strikes from top position.
Cusumano must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Cusumano is in close to Knight's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Cusumano with a flurry of punches that miss.
Cusumano in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Cusumano 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! This is the final round!

Cusumano tries to score a power double leg takedown but Knight sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cusumano somewhat.
Knight misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Knight lands a jab-cross combination.
Cusumano swats away the attempt to clinch by Knight.
Cusumano shoots in for a takedown but Knight shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Cusumano stuffs the takedown attempt from Knight. Knight gets slowly back to his feet.
Cusumano fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Knight avoids it really well and circles away.
Jaycee Knight has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Cusumano.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knight is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Knight shoots in and drives through. Cusumano sprawls well.
Jaycee Knight is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cusumano fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Knight lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cusumano.
Knight fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Knight has managed to clinch.
Cusumano drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The is referee keeping an eye on Knight - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Knight working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Cusumano prevents a takedown attempt there.
Cusumano can't get the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cusumano has Knight pressed against the cage, preventing Knight from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Cusumano tries for a takedown. No joy.
Cusumano drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Knight gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Knight is trying to break the clinch but Cusumano is controlling him.
Cusumano can't get the takedown.

Knight manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Cusumano stands up over Knight, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Cusumano working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Knight had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Cusumano is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Knight Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Cusumano's back instead.
Cusumano rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
The fighters are battling for position here. Cusumano manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knight won't allow Cusumano to sweep him here.
Cusumano is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Cusumano wants to stand but Knight is controlling the position.
Cusumano looking to hit a scissor sweep but Knight is one step ahead there.
Knight slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Cusumano can do anything to dispel that myth.
Knight wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cusumano keeps working.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cusumano is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Knight throws a series of punches but Cusumano moves out of range.
Knight shoots in for a takedown but Cusumano shows good takedown defense.

Cusumano bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Cusumano cracks Knight with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Steve Cusumano has got the better of the ground game so far.
Knight wants to get back to his feet.
Cusumano lands a few punches from side control.
Knight manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Cusumano is thwarting Knight's attempts to control the position.
Jaycee Knight has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Steve Cusumano is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Cusumano working the head and body with strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Steve Cusumano.
I've got Cusumano winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 28:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Cusumano!