PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Billy Sampson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bariga Cocainich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cocainich has chosen Будущее 9эт as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Sampson
vs
Cocainich

192 cm
25
265 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

180 cm
32
250 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Good gas tank

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 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Billy Sampson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bariga Cocainich!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Jorge Garcia and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cocainich darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Sampson is pressing down on Cocainich's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Cocainich is fighting to break Sampson's control of his arms but Sampson is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Sampson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Sampson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sampson is pulling down on Cocainich's head to control his posture.
Cocainich trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sampson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

We're going to have a standup here because Billy Sampson wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Cocainich shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sampson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Sampson swings widly with a right hand

and Cocainich counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cocainich thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Sampson tries to roll over but Cocainich keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cocainich trying to pass the guard but Sampson defending well.
Sampson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Sampson is defending against the submission attempts here by Cocainich.
Sampson trying to hold on to Cocainich's head to control him but Cocainich postures up.
Sampson is holding on to half guard well.
Sampson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Sampson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cocainich makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Sampson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Cocainich manages to get himself to full guard.

Cocainich looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sampson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cocainich bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sampson's guard.
Sampson keeping moving, preventing Cocainich from controlling successfully.
Cocainich makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Sampson 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.
Sampson trying to keep a closed guard but Cocainich is proving a slippery customer.
Sampson controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cocainich pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sampson is keeping the position for now.
Sampson wants to sweep but no luck.
Cocainich pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sampson is keeping the position for now.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Cocainich trying to control the position from guard on top but Sampson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sampson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Cocainich's guard.
Sampson lands a couple of digs.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sampson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Cocainich can't keep his opponent in guard - Sampson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Sampson lands a nice short elbow.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sampson is pressing down on Cocainich's thigh, looking to free his foot. Cocainich is holding on for now.
Sampson moves nicely into side control.
Sampson lands a nice forearm strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sampson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Cocainich manages to get back to half guard.
Sampson landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Cocainich is trying to maintain the position but Sampson is very close to passing his half guard.
Cocainich is looking to improve his position.
Cocainich gets full guard.
Sampson stopping the sweep attempt from Cocainich.
Cocainich trying to control the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Cocainich escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sampson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sampson with a lazy takedown attempt

and Cocainich counters with a nice double leg into side control. Sampson won't be happy with that.
Sampson is looking for a sweep.

Cocainich is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Sampson has escaped the position, nice work there.

Cocainich is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Sampson has escaped the position, nice work there.
You can see the frustration on Sampson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Sampson is looking to reverse the position.

Cocainich thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Cocainich wants to control but Sampson is keeping him busy.

Cocainich is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Sampson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sampson manages to get back to half guard.
Cocainich is pressing down on Sampson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Sampson is holding on for now.
Cocainich wants to control but Sampson is keeping him busy.
Sampson keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Cocainich is stalling here. Sampson is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Cocainich seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Sampson has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Sampson wants to take a breather but Cocainich manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Sampson.
Sampson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sampson landing some decent shots from guard.

Cocainich is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Sampson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Sampson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sampson throwing strikes but missing.
Cocainich utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cocainich manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sampson manages to get himself to full guard.
Cocainich tries to free his leg and advance position but Sampson is retaining full guard.
Sampson seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Cocainich advances position into side control!
Billy Sampson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Cocainich goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Sampson rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Cocainich's guard! Nice work there by Sampson!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cocainich controls Sampson momentarily but Sampson frees himself.
Sampson throwing strikes but missing.
Cocainich wants to sweep but no luck.
Sampson lands a couple of digs.
Cocainich trying to control the position.
Sampson throws a big right hand that misses.
Sampson is working Cocainich over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Cocainich 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.
Sampson stands up over Cocainich, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Cocainich lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Sampson!
Sampson is squirming around, avoiding Cocainich's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cocainich looking to ground and pound but Sampson is blocking nicely.
Cocainich trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Sampson tries to reverse the position but Cocainich maintains control.
Cocainich wants to control the pace but Sampson is squirming around nicely.
Sampson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Cocainich takes Sampson's back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cocainich is not going to allow Sampson to sit and survive in this position.
Cocainich keeps control of the position as Sampson tries to break free.

Cocainich is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Sampson defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Bariga Cocainich will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Sampson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Cocainich looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Sampson!
Cocainich prevents Sampson from getting the reversal.
Cocainich fails to take his opponent's back.
Sampson tries to lock up and control but Cocainich gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Cocainich throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Sampson because Cocainich loaded up on that one.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sampson wants to control but Cocainich is having none of it.
Cocainich wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Sampson can't escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cocainich lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Sampson hang on?
Sampson is squirming around, avoiding Cocainich's attempts to control the action.
Cocainich lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

Cocainich jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Sampson is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Sampson and Cocainich has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Sampson gets back to half guard.
Cocainich trying to mount his opponent but Sampson defends it.
Sampson wants to improve his position but Cocainich is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cocainich is thwarting Sampson's attempts to control the position.
Cocainich tries to pass the half guard into mount. Sampson knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Sampson is defending against the submission attempts here by Cocainich.
Sampson is positioning himself well to prevent Cocainich advancing to mount.
Sampson is refusing to be controlled, as Cocainich sits in half guard.
Sampson tries to roll over but Cocainich keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sampson is trying to control but can't.

Cocainich is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Sampson wants to improve his position but Cocainich is controlling well.
Sampson is not content to let Cocainich control the position.
Sampson is trying to maintain the position but Cocainich is very close to passing his half guard.
Cocainich is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Cocainich swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Sampson is now in Cocainich's guard. A big mistake from Cocainich there, giving up the dominant position!

Cocainich throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Cocainich takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sampson stands up over Cocainich, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Sampson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Cocainich looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sampson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sampson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sampson landing some decent shots from guard.
Cocainich wants to sweep but no luck.
Sampson distracts Cocainich with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sampson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Cocainich lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Sampson!
Cocainich trying to control but Sampson is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Bariga Cocainich.
I think Cocainich 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Billy Sampson!
After winning the bout, Billy Sampson thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.