PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Anthony States (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brock Cormier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Brock Cormier has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

States
vs
Cormier

184 cm
19
185 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

180 cm
22
186 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Self confident

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

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 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Anthony States!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Brock Cormier!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Aleksandr Martynov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cormier throws a left and a right that both miss
and States counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
States needs to keep his hands up - Cormier had a free shot at his head there.

Cormier shoots in and bounces States off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Cormier trying to control but States is working from the bottom.
Cormier loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cormier trying to control but States is working from the bottom.

Cormier drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Cormier jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Cormier has gone for a leg lock! States slips out almost immediately though and dives into Cormier's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
States forces his way into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cormier looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Cormier looking for submissions off his back.
Cormier tries to get to full guard but States has control of the leg.

Cormier looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cormier trying to control here.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Cormier looking for submissions off his back.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. States lands a nice short elbow.
States lands with a punch from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
States trying to pass the guard but Cormier defending well.
States lands with a punch from half guard.
States knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Cormier on the ground.
States tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Cormier.

Cormier looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Cormier manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
States throws a big right hand that misses.
States wants to stand and escape but instead Cormier has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cormier trying to control but States is working from the bottom.
Cormier throwing strikes but missing.
Cormier passes into half guard.
Cormier wants to take a breather but States is having none of it.
Cormier throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing States to regain full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cormier stopping the sweep attempt from States.

Cormier drops back looking for a leg! States is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and States manages to kick Cormier off! Cormier jumps back into States's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brock Cormier dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Cormier throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around States's waist but States gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cormier off to one side.
States definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Cormier scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

States shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
States throws a big elbow that misses.
Brock Cormier has got the better of the ground game so far.
States trying to control the position from guard on top but Cormier is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
States has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Cormier looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
States throws a big right hand that misses.
States trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
States lands a couple of elbows.
States trying to control but Cormier is working from the bottom.

Cormier is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. States is aware though and is defending well.

Cormier is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and States defends well.
States wants to control from the top but Cormier keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
States wants to stand but Cormier has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Cormier is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
States trying to control but Cormier is working from the bottom.
States wants to stand but Cormier is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cormier has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but States can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
States tries to stand but Cormier is controlling from the bottom.
States passes Cormier's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
States thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Cormier looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
States working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

Cormier looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Cormier blocking the ground and pound attempt from States.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
States is pressing down on Cormier's thigh, looking to free his foot. Cormier is holding on for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brock Cormier showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

States thumps Cormier with a low kick.
Cormier tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but States defends well and Cormier ends up having to push States into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Come on States - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
States looking to throw knees to the head but Cormier is blocking nicely.

States gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Cormier regains guard.
Cormier lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for States!
States wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Cormier.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cormier moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, States has worked his arm free - good work by States!
Cormier is looking to take a break and control but States is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Cormier working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Cormier tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Cormier has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cormier tries for a kimura but States is defending well.
Cormier takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Cormier tries for a kimura but States is defending well.
States struggling a bit here.

Cormier thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cormier trying to control the action but States is working from the bottom.

Cormier working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Anthony States has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
States regains half guard.

Cormier is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Cormier looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cormier is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. States doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Cormier.
States on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if States tries to get out of the position.
States regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Cormier.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brock Cormier comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Cormier 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brock Cormier!