PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Logan Punish (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and MIKE CORTEZ (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). MIKE CORTEZ has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Punish
vs
CORTEZ

181 cm
22
161 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

170 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Tends to cut

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 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Logan Punish!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, MIKE CORTEZ!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Alec Ball and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Punish keeps the fight on the outside.
Punish tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Punish tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
CORTEZ is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
CORTEZ wants to land a leg kick but Punish is out of range.
CORTEZ avoids the head kick by Punish.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Punish, right into the meat.
CORTEZ looks gassed!
Punish is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Nice combo by Punish! Oh, that's hurt him - CORTEZ falls to the canvas and Punish follows him into side control.

CORTEZ is rocked!

It looks like MIKE CORTEZ has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
An elbow from Punish crashes against the mat.
Punish has knee on belly and moves into mount.
CORTEZ is squirming around, avoiding Punish's attempts to control the action.

Punish wants to finish this one by submission but CORTEZ is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Punish.
CORTEZ really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Punish. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
CORTEZ blocking the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Punish with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Punish lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Punish can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as CORTEZ is looking to escape.

Punish is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but CORTEZ is surviving well by controlling Punish's body position as best he can.

Punish with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Punish looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
CORTEZ is squirming around, avoiding Punish's attempts to control the action.
CORTEZ is bucking up trying to escape but Punish cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Punish trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Punish landing strikes from the mount.
A nice elbow there by Punish.

Punish has control of CORTEZ's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and CORTEZ regains control of the situation pretty easily.

Punish looking to secure an arm triangle but CORTEZ defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Punish working for a guillotine from mount but CORTEZ is in no mood to give up.
Punish will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
CORTEZ is trying to escape the mount.
Punish has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Punish landing strikes from the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
CORTEZ wants to hold on but Punish pushes him away.

Punish looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Punish throws some wild stikes that CORTEZ manages to avoid easily.
Punish prevents CORTEZ from getting the reversal.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Punish is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. CORTEZ can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Punish unloads with some shots from mount but CORTEZ bucks and avoids them well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
CORTEZ is trying to stand up.

Punish wants to finish this one by submission but CORTEZ is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Punish.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Punish throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Punish avoids the head kick by CORTEZ.
Punish tries a head kick but it misses.
CORTEZ swats away the attempt to clinch by Punish.
CORTEZ darts in trying to clinch
and Punish makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Punish throws a head kick that misses.
Punish connects with a high kick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Punish.
CORTEZ lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Punish circles away quickly and effectively.
CORTEZ takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
CORTEZ misses with an uppercut.
Punish misses with a body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
CORTEZ tries to clinch but Punish moves out of range.
Punish misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
The fight stays on the outside here - Punish looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Punish circles away from the clinch attempt.
Punish shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says CORTEZ as he avoids it easily.

CORTEZ moves into the clinch.
CORTEZ scores with a nice hook to the head.
CORTEZ tries to break free but Punish pushes him back against the cage.
Punish tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and CORTEZ avoids it.
CORTEZ misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Punish.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
CORTEZ blocks an elbow strike.
CORTEZ is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
CORTEZ creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Punish tries to score a body lock takedown but CORTEZ shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

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.
CORTEZ is trying to break the clinch but Punish has him pressed against the cage.
CORTEZ is trying to break free.
Punish lands a right hand that snaps the head of CORTEZ backwards.
Punish trying to stall but CORTEZ improves his position.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for CORTEZ.
CORTEZ tries to break the clinch but Punish is controlling the position.
CORTEZ throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
CORTEZ on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Punish trying to stall but CORTEZ improves his position.
Punish can't seem to implement his control oriented gameplan at the moment. That's no bad thing of course, for those of us who want to see a good fight.
CORTEZ is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
CORTEZ has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Punish is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Logan Punish. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Punish is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

CORTEZ escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Punish tries a head kick but it misses.
CORTEZ throws an overhand right that lands on Punish's shoulder, as Punish tries to avoid the shot.
Punish throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Punish throws a sloppy head kick and CORTEZ moves out of range easily.
Punish tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but CORTEZ was well out of range. Poor timing from Punish.

CORTEZ moves into the clinch.
Punish has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

CORTEZ breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Punish throws a right hand that CORTEZ ducks under and follows up with a left that CORTEZ also avoids with ease.

CORTEZ gets in close and instigates a clinch.
CORTEZ lands a right hand that snaps the head of Punish backwards.
CORTEZ is trying to break the clinch but Punish has him pressed against the cage.

Punish manages to break the clinch.

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

Punish pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Punish misses with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by CORTEZ!
CORTEZ throws a head kick but Punish moves out of range.
CORTEZ throws a right hand that Punish ducks under and follows up with a left that Punish also avoids with ease.
A head kick misses from Punish.
Punish sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
CORTEZ misses with a head kick.

CORTEZ darts in and clinches Punish up against the cage.
Punish looking to throw knees to the head but CORTEZ is blocking nicely.
CORTEZ pushes off an throws an elbow but Punish leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Punish working hard to break the clinch.
CORTEZ misses with a knee strike.
CORTEZ wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
CORTEZ is trying to break free.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Punish stalling.
Punish wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Punish is looking to control CORTEZ's arms but CORTEZ gets an underhook and turns him. Now Punish has his back to the cage.

Punish escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but MIKE CORTEZ will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on MIKE CORTEZ's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Punish throws a lazy head kick
and CORTEZ counters with a low kick, right behind Punish 's knee.

CORTEZ drives through and clinches with Punish against the cage.
Punish is trying to break free.

CORTEZ breaks from the clinch.
CORTEZ tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
CORTEZ leaves Punish with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Punish misses with a few strikes there.
Punish looks to land a body kick but CORTEZ moved away.
CORTEZ lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Punish tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Punish tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

CORTEZ looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
CORTEZ wants to get up but he can't break Punish's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
CORTEZ controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
CORTEZ wants to get up but he can't break Punish's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
CORTEZ thows a big elbow that misses.
Punish looking for a sweep. Not yet Punish, not yet.
CORTEZ postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Punish is pulling down on CORTEZ's head to control his posture.
Punish looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
CORTEZ tries for a takedown but Punish circles away easily
and Punish counters with a nice leg kick.
CORTEZ lands with a nice body kick.
Punish looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
CORTEZ throws a head kick that half lands.

Punish closes the distance and pushes CORTEZ back into the cage.
CORTEZ tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Punish avoids it.
Punish has CORTEZ pressed against the cage, preventing CORTEZ from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
CORTEZ scores a nice knee to the body.
Punish is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but CORTEZ is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Punish avoiding damage as CORTEZ throws knees to the body.
Punish stalling.

CORTEZ breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
CORTEZ avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from CORTEZ. Punish does a little dance to reset his feet.
Punish throws a head kick that CORTEZ semi-blocks.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Punish misses with a head kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by CORTEZ. That's going to slow Punish down.
Punish throws a head kick that misses.
Punish tries a head kick but it misses.
CORTEZ lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Punish tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Punish fails with an attempt to clinch.
CORTEZ doesn't manage to clinch there - Punish circles away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
CORTEZ is trying to break the clinch but Punish is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Punish is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but CORTEZ is keeping busy.
Punish avoids the elbow strike from CORTEZ, against the cage.
Punish wants to stall.
CORTEZ with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Come on Punish - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
CORTEZ keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Punish's efforts to push away.
CORTEZ has had enough of the clinch but Punish keeps him there for the moment.
Punish stalling in the clinch but CORTEZ improves position.
Punish wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

CORTEZ manages to break the clinch.
Punish throws a lazy head kick

and CORTEZ counters with a shoot takedown. Punish fights it but they end up in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Punish looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Punish controls CORTEZ momentarily but CORTEZ frees himself.
CORTEZ throwing strikes but missing.
CORTEZ trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Punish manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Punish trying to control the position from guard on top but CORTEZ is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
MIKE CORTEZ comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think CORTEZ has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:28
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 28:28
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 29:27

The fight is ruled a majority draw!