PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Johnny Crier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Donato Russo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Crier comes to the cage accompanied by Red Hot Chili Peppers - Get On Top. Russo has chosen Manchester Orchestra - Virgin as his entrance music. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Crier
vs
Russo

170 cm
27
155 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

172 cm
30
157 lbs
25 - 16 - 1

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Johnny Crier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 16 - 1, fighting out of New York, Donato Russo!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Alyssa Summers and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Russo.

It looks like Johnny Crier has been cut.
Russo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Crier connects with a body shot that sends Russo's belly button to the back.
Russo doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Crier counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Russo dives in and grabs Crier's left leg, looking for a takedown. Crier pushes down on Russo's head and hops out.
Johnny Crier has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Donato Russo.
Crier throws a hook but Russo avoids it easily.
Russo shoots in looking for a takedown. Crier tries to sprawl out of it but Russo keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Crier manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Crier connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Russo momentarily.

Crier scores with a takedown into Russo's guard.
Russo is trying to control the position but Crier postures up.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Russo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Crier.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crier with a nice head shot there.
Russo wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Crier is now in half guard.
Crier not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Russo keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Crier prevents Russo from improving his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Crier is looking to take a break and control but Russo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Russo keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Crier throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crier working the head and body with strikes.
Russo blocking the ground and pound attempt from Crier.
Russo tries to roll over but Crier keeps him under control.
The fighters are battling for position here. Russo manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Crier landing with the ground and pound.
Crier working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Russo's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Crier drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Russo dives on top into guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Crier is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crier is looking to work some ground and pound but Russo has wrist control.
Crier throwing strikes from guard but Russo blocks nicely.
Russo manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Crier is wriggling around trying to escape.
Crier tries to lock up and control but Russo gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Russo landing shots from mount.
Russo tries to control but Crier wriggling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russo lands a heavy elbow.
Russo is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Crier tries to hold on but Russo postures up.
Crier is working to get back to half guard.
Russo working Crier over with strikes here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Crier wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Russo.
Crier wants to control but Russo is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Johnny Crier will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Johnny Crier's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Russo.
Russo lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Russo throws a hook but Crier blocks it.
Russo closes the distance and clinches up with Crier, looking for a takedown. Russo pushes Crier against the cage but Crier circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Danga de danga de dang - Crier scores with a four punch combination!

It looks like Donato Russo has been cut.
Sloppy strikes from Crier. Those never looked like landing.
Russo shoots for a takedown but Crier saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Johnny Crier has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Donato Russo.
Crier stuffs the takedown.
Crier 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.
Johnny Crier seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Russo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Crier's waist but Crier gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Russo off to one side.
Crier misses with a looping right.
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!
Russo doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russo is looking to score with low kicks.

Crier looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Russo!
Johnny Crier overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Russo is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Russo takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Crier is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Russo is looking to get to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Russo tries to lock up and control but Crier gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Russo takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Crier prevents Russo from getting the reversal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crier landing punches.
Russo is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Crier lands a nice shot to the head.
Crier lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

Russo is rocked!
Crier postures up and connects with a big shot that has rocked Russo badly. He's trying desperately to grab hold of Crier around the waist but Crier pushes him off and unloads with more strikes, forcing the referee to jump in and save him! Crier is the winner by TKO! Crier jumps onto the cage and shouts into the camera. "We did it momma!"

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:44 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Johnny Crier!