PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Zakk Wylde (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Branson OToole (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Wylde might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to A Song For You by Zack Wylde. OToole has chosen Danny Boy as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Zakk Wylde has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Wylde
vs
OToole

180 cm
21
196 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

182 cm
26
190 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Backyard Fighting

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Zakk Wylde!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Branson OToole!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Gregory Folan and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
OToole lands a jab-cross combination.
Wylde throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Wylde lands a high kick!

It looks like Branson OToole has been cut.
OToole misses with a body shot.
OToole dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Wylde throws a head kick that misses.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Wylde lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and OToole has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from OToole and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Wylde lands with a slapping head kick.
Wylde connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

OToole has Wylde up against the cage in a clinch.
I was talking to Wylde's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wylde misses with some punches.
Wylde has a couple of punches blocked by OToole.
Wylde swings wildly with an uppercut but OToole uses good head movement to avoid it.
OToole lands an uppercut.
OToole tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
OToole swings wildly with an uppercut but Wylde uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wylde throws a punch but it's blocked by OToole.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wylde swings wildly with an uppercut but OToole uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wylde tries to throw a body punch but OToole avoids it by throwing Wylde back against the cage.
Wylde blocking some punches.
We've been informed that OToole has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
OToole stalling in the clinch but Wylde improves position.
OToole misses with a body punch.
OToole lands with a right to the head.
OToole blocks a body shot from Wylde.
OToole blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
OToole misses with the head strike.
OToole scores with a shoulder strike.
Wylde misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Wylde misses with a short punch on the inside.
OToole goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
OToole tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Wylde's elbow.
Wylde misses with the head strike.
Wylde blocks an uppercut.
OToole is leaning against Wylde and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wylde misses with a punch on the inside.
OToole tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Wylde blocks an uppercut.
Wylde misses with a hook to the ribs.
OToole doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
OToole lands with a right to the head.
Wylde wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
This has been an exciting period of action!
OToole has Wylde pushed against the cage.
OToole fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
OToole presses Wylde against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
OToole struggles to land a body shot inside as Wylde controls his hands.
Wylde doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch on the inside from OToole fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for OToole.
OToole tries to throw a body punch but Wylde avoids it by throwing OToole back against the cage.
OToole lands with a right to the head.
Wylde lands with a short punch from the clinch.
OToole misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wylde tries to work over OToole's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Wylde prevents a body shot from OToole.
OToole can't find room to land a body shot as Wylde controls the action.
A head punch on the inside from OToole fails to land.
OToole tries a body shot but Wylde blocks it.
Wylde misses with the head strike.
Wylde wants to break the clinch but can't.
OToole leaning his opponent against the cage.
Wylde misses with a hook from the clinch.
Wylde tries a body shot but OToole blocks it.
Wylde blocks a body shot from OToole.
OToole digs a right hand underneath Wylde's ribcage. Wylde let out a lung full of air as it connected.
OToole blocking some punches.
OToole lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
OToole taking a breather.
OToole keeps control of Wylde as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
OToole misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Wylde.
OToole lands a right hand that snaps the head of Wylde backwards.
OToole doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Wylde is looking to control OToole's arms but OToole gets an underhook and turns him. Now Wylde has his back to the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Wylde.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
OToole can't find room to land a body shot as Wylde controls the action.
OToole lands a hook that snaps the head of Wylde backwards.
OToole stalling against the cage.
OToole is working Wylde over against the cage.
OToole is pushing Wylde up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Wylde is trying to maintain a safe position but OToole gets an underhook and turns Wylde into the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
OToole lands with a right to the head.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from OToole.
OToole tries a body shot but Wylde blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

OToole lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Wylde backs up against the cage.
Wylde uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from OToole.
Wylde swats away the attempt to clinch by OToole.
Wylde moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Zakk Wylde seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wylde pivots, looking for a leg kick but OToole is out of range and Wylde settles back down.
No joy there for OToole, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Wylde bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
OToole on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Wylde. Wylde obviously looking to wear him down.
Wylde pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
OToole throws an overhand right that lands on Wylde's shoulder, as Wylde tries to avoid the shot.
OToole tries to bum rush Wylde with a series of wild strikes but Wylde uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Wylde misses with a low kick.
Wylde misses with a head kick.

Wylde darts in and clinches OToole up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OToole wants to stall.
OToole lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for OToole.
Wylde tried to land a shot to the body but connects with OToole's elbow.
OToole is pushing Wylde up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Wylde manages to break the clinch.
Wylde throws the kick towards the body but OToole avoids it.
Wylde tries to clinch up but OToole circles away and keeps his distance.
OToole doesn't manage to clinch there - Wylde circles away.
Good exchange - OToole coming out on top.
OToole avoids the head kick by Wylde.
Wylde throws a low kick but OToole moves out of range easily.
OToole misses with a two punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wylde throws a nice head kick!
Wylde is looking to chop away at OToole's legs.
Wylde just misses with a punch to the body.
Wylde lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Wylde has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Wylde there as he acknowledges the shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wylde throws an off balance right hand
enabling OToole to counter with a crisp jab.

Wylde clinches with his opponent.
OToole can't find room to land a body shot as Wylde controls the action.
Wylde lands a hook to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from OToole fails to land.
OToole will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Wylde up against the cage.
OToole blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Wylde trying to control the position but instead, OToole has worked for underhooks and has pushed Wylde into the cage.
OToole pushes Wylde back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wylde blocks a body shot from OToole.
Wylde is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
OToole misses with a hook from the clinch.
Wylde misses with a shot to the kidneys.
OToole throws a head punch that misses.
Wylde lands a body punch in the clinch.
OToole struggles to land a body shot inside as Wylde controls his hands.
OToole misses with the head strike.
A short right from OToole on the inside.
OToole can't find room to land a body shot as Wylde controls the action.
OToole lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Wylde or not.
OToole blocks an uppercut.
A short right from OToole on the inside.

Wylde breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Wylde throws a quick head kick that skims the top of OToole's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
OToole uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Wylde has time to react.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Wylde.

OToole darts in and clinches Wylde up against the cage.
OToole misses with a punch on the inside.
Wylde blocking some punches.
OToole lands with a short head shot on the inside.
OToole tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Wylde's elbow.
Wylde lands a right hand that snaps the head of OToole backwards.
Wylde is trying to push OToole away but OToole has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
OToole lands a left hand that snaps the head of Wylde backwards.
Wylde wants to stall.
Wylde lands with a short punch from the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A head punch on the inside from OToole fails to land.
OToole can't find room to land a body shot as Wylde controls the action.

Wylde breaks from the clinch.
OToole avoids the head kick by Wylde.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Branson OToole will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Branson OToole's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

OToole is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Wylde.
Wylde throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Wylde scores with a head kick.
Zakk Wylde is winning the standup battle so far.
A jab from OToole misses.
OToole looks to land a combination but Wylde avoids it well.
OToole avoids the head kick by Wylde.
Wylde scores with a head kick. OToole tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Wylde takes one to the side of the head.
Wylde fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
OToole misses with an uppercut. Wylde saw that one coming.
Wylde ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Wylde tries a low kick but OToole avoids it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
OToole misses with a looping right.
Wylde punishes OToole's body with a nice straight punch.
Wylde tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from OToole. Wylde does a little dance to reset his feet.
OToole might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Wylde slips under a jab from OToole.
OToole blocks a head kick by Wylde.
OToole displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
OToole wants to clinch up but Wylde keeps it at a distance.
OToole scores with a jab.
A nice inside leg kick there by Wylde. That's going to slow OToole down.

OToole has closed the distance and engaged Wylde in a clinch.
Wylde misses with a short punch on the inside.
OToole tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Wylde's elbow.
OToole blocks an uppercut.
Wylde blocks a punch to the side of the head.
OToole digs a right hand underneath Wylde's ribcage. Wylde let out a lung full of air as it connected.
OToole lands a hook to the side of the head.
Branson OToole is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Wylde misses with a body punch.
OToole lands an uppercut.
OToole scores with a nice hook to the head.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Wylde tried to land a shot to the body but connects with OToole's elbow.
Wylde tries to work over OToole's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch blocked on the inside by OToole.
OToole misses with a hook from the clinch.
OToole lands a right hand that snaps the head of Wylde backwards.
OToole blocks an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wylde throws a punch but it's blocked by OToole.
Wylde tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Wylde lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Wylde throws a punch but it's blocked by OToole.
Wylde misses with a hook to the ribs.
Zakk Wylde has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wylde throws a blind hook that connects with the side of OTooles head.
Wylde misses with some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Wylde fails to land.
Wylde struggles to land a body shot inside as OToole controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wylde wants to break the clinch but can't.
A head punch on the inside from Wylde fails to land.
Wylde lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
OToole lands with a short shot to the head.
Wylde effectively controlling the action here.
Wylde throws a head punch that misses.
Branson OToole seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Wylde misses with a punch to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Wylde is trying to break the clinch but OToole is controlling him.
Wylde can't break the clinch.
A short left from Wylde.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Zakk Wylde.
I think OToole 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Branson OToole!
A very excited looking Branson OToole made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.