PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sanji Cook (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Donald Russell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Russell has chosen Smash Mouth - The Fonz as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Cook
vs
Russell

200 cm
23
265 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

207 cm
25
270 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Sanji Cook!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Donald Russell!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Russell finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
The fighters circling - Russell throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Russell.
Cook avoids the body shot from Russell.
Russell fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
A swing and a miss from Russell.
Good exchange - Russell coming out on top.
Cook shoots in looking for a takedown. Russell tries to sprawl out of it but Cook keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Russell manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Russell scores with a shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A big left from Russell misses.
Cook takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Cook keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A swing and a miss from Russell.
Cook shoots in for a takedown but Russell shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Cook tries to clinch up but Russell circles away and keeps his distance.
Russell misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russell throws a hook to the side of Cook's head but Cook sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Cook tries to clinch but Russell moves out of range.
Cook shoots in for a takedown but Russell shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sanji Cook. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Russell 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.
Cook uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Russell.
A jab from Russell misses.
Cook tries for a takedown but Russell sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Cook on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Cook ducks under a wild hook from Russell.
Cook fails with an attempt to clinch.
Russell with a hook.
Russell swats away the attempt to clinch by Cook.
Russell looks to land a right hand but Cook moved out of range.
A jab from Russell misses.
Donald Russell is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Russell scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russell lands a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Russell takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Russell lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Cook at a distance.
Russell throws a one two combo.
Russell misses with a looping right.
Cook moves forwards but Russell connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Cook shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Russell but Russell pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Donald Russell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd cheers as Russell lands an impressive looking overhand right. Cook doesn't seem phased though.
Nice sprawl there from Russell as Cook shoots in.
Russell lands a slapping body shot.
Cook is breathing heavily.
Cook takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Cook changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Russell tries to avoid it but Cook manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Russell to the ground. Russell escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Cook is looking to clinch.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Cook. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cook moves out of range as Russell strikes.
Cook closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
The fighters circle momentarily. Russell darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Russell lunges at Cook with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Cook's hand.
Cook slips under a jab.
Cook uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Russell.
Good exchange - Russell coming out on top.
Russell stuffs the takedown.
Cook drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A jab lands there for Russell.
Nice defenses there by Cook.
Russell misses with a hook.
Cook fails with a takedown attempt.
Russell lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cook slips under a jab from Russell.
Russell throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Jab from Russell.
No luck for Cook with that takedown attempt.
Russell lands with a right hand.
Russell throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Russell is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Cook had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Cook looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Russell misses with a looping right.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cook shoots in looking for a takedown but Russell manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cook's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Russell scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Cook uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Russell.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Donald Russell dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Cook avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Russell scores with a crisp jab that stopped Cook in his tracks.
Sanji Cook is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cook moves forwards but Russell connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Russell, as that shot connected.
Sloppy strikes from Russell. Those never looked like landing.
Russell lands a nice hook to Cook's body. Cook takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Cook shoots in for a double leg but Russell sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Cook might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Russell with a nice cross.
Russell throws a shot to the body.
Donald Russell seems to be getting the better of the standup.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Russell jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Russell scores with a jab. Cook acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Russell tests Cook's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Russell paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A cross from Russell lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Russell throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Russell paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Russell connects with a single shot there.
A decent looking cross lands there for Russell.
Russell scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Russell throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Nice uppercut lands for Russell. That snapped Cook's head back.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Russell throws a lazy right hand but Cook sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cook fails with a takedown attempt.
Russell jabs at Cook's body.
Cook takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Cook walks into a stiff left hand from Russell.
Cook looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Russell cracks Cook with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russell cracks a nice hook into Cook's ribs.
Cook on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Russell moves into range and connects with a jab.
Cook takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Cook is rocked!
Russell has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Russell works Cook's body with a nice hook.
Russell digs a good body shot into Cook's ribs.
Russell scores with a jab to the head.
Good exchange - Russell coming out on top.
Russell loads up on a big right hand but Cook slips the punch.
Cook takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Cook tries to close the distance and clinch up but Russell swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Cook shoots in and drives through. Russell sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sanji Cook. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Russell works Cook's body with a nice hook.
Cook walks into a straight right hand from Russell.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russell is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Cook defending well as Russell loads up on a big left hand.
Cook takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Russell scores with a body shot.
Russell darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Russell connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Russell jabs Cook right on the nose. Cook blinks but takes it well.
Cook takes one on the button.
Cook drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cook ducks under a wild hook from Russell.
Russell circles away from the clinch attempt.
Russell missing with a left hand there. Cook was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Russell throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russell leaves Cook with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Cook shoots in and drives through. Russell sprawls well.
Cook tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Russell paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Russell throws an overhand right that lands on Cook's shoulder, as Cook tries to avoid the shot.
Cook on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Cook uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Russell.
Russell connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Russell circles away from the clinch attempt.
Russell misses the jab.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Russell throws out a loose jab but Cook uses good head movement to avoid it.
Cook looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Russell is fending him off so far but Cook persists. Nope, Russell circles away and we're back to standing.
Decent striking displayed by Russell there.
Russell swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Donald Russell showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Cook fails with the takedown.
Russell connects with a looping right hand.
Sloppy strikes from Cook. Those never looked like landing.
Cook slips a straight right by Russell.
Russell throws a nice looking combination but Cook bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Russell has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Russell digs a good hook to Cook's body.
Russell looks to score with a jab to the body but Cook is just out of range.
Cook moves away from the strike by Russell.
Cook ducks under a wild hook from Russell.
Cook fails with an attempt to clinch.
Russell smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Cook has a takedown stuffed.
Cook keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russell scores with a nice strike.
Cook shoots in and drives through. Russell sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sanji Cook. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Russell looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Cook tries to close the distance and clinch but Russell swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Cook ducks under a wild hook from Russell.
Cook tries to close the distance and clinch up but Russell swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Russell misses with a looping right.
Russell misses with a leg kick.
Russell throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Russell swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Russell throws a hook but Cook avoids it easily.
Russell takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Russell takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Russell swats away the attempt to clinch by Cook.
Russell leaves Cook with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cook has Russell up against the cage in a clinch.
Russell avoiding damage as Cook throws knees to the body.

Cook jumps guard and drags Russell to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Cook tries to strike from the bottom.

Cook has his feet on Russell's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Cook connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Cook tries to clinch but Russell is having none of it.
Russell scores with a nice right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cook looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cook is defended easily by Russell.
Russell tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cook was well out of range. Poor timing from Russell.
Cook tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Russell swivels and escapes.
Russell thuds his right hand into Cook's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Russell lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Cook shoots in but no luck this time.
Russell works the jab nicely.
Cook lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cook.
Russell throws a lazy right hand but Cook sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cook fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Russell, pushing him back against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Russell stops a takedown attempt from Cook.
Cook trying to control the position but instead, Russell has worked for underhooks and has pushed Cook into the cage.
Donald Russell is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Cook tries to pull guard but Russell won't allow it.
Cook trying to control the position but instead, Russell has worked for underhooks and has pushed Cook into the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Sanji Cook.
Russell looks to throw the jab but Cook is out of range.
Sanji Cook has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Russell throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Donald Russell.
I've got Russell 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 26:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 26:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 26:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Donald Russell!