PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joe County (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frankie Palmeri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

County
vs
Palmeri

200 cm
20
280 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

194 cm
21
217 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Irish Collar & Elbow Nutrition and Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joe County!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Frankie Palmeri!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Palmeri avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

County moves into the clinch successfully.
Palmeri looking for a takedown.
County stalling.
Palmeri blocks an uppercut.
Palmeri misses with a punch to the body.
County stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from County.
Palmeri being controlled against the cage.
Palmeri digs a right hand into County's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on County's gas tank.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Palmeri manages to pull guard.
Palmeri tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Palmeri wants to improve his position but instead County has moved into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
County prevents Palmeri from improving his position.
Palmeri gets full guard.
Palmeri wants to sweep here but County controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Palmeri being controlled here, momentarily.
Palmeri wants to sweep but no luck.
Palmeri is still trying to improve position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Palmeri controls County momentarily but County frees himself.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Palmeri throws a hook but County blocks it.
A slow jab from County misses its intended target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palmeri scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
We've been told by County's head coaches at DiscoClub that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
County tries to clinch but Palmeri is having none of it.
Palmeri fakes high and swings low for a body shot but County manages to avoid it.
Palmeri throws a looping overhand right but County ducks down to avoid it.
A jab from Palmeri misses.
County tests Palmeri's chin there with a solid looking shot.
County throws a big shot that misses.
Joe County seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Palmeri keeps the fight on the outside.
County throws a body shot but no joy.
County takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A clash of legs there as Palmeri blocks the low kick.
County walks into a left hand.
County dips to his left and cracks Palmeri with an uppercut!
County avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
County steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Palmeri.
Palmeri swats away the attempt to clinch by County.
A little jabbing left from Palmeri on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
County takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
County cracks Palmeri with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

County closes the distance and clinches.
County misses with a hook from the clinch.
County lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Palmeri tries a body shot but County blocks it.
County lands a left hand.

Palmeri is rocked!
County stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Palmeri is still on wobbly legs! Can County finish him?
County tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Palmeri seems to have recovered his senses.
Palmeri lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
County stalling.
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 Joe County will probably get the nod.
That's time! County's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

County takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Palmeri fails to land with a series of punches.
Palmeri ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from County. Palmeri does a little dance to reset his feet.
Palmeri needs to keep his hands up - County had a free shot at his head there.
Palmeri thows a left - swing and a miss!
Frankie Palmeri seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Palmeri throws a lazy right hand but County sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Palmeri swats away the attempt to clinch by County.
Palmeri let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
County tries to clinch up but Palmeri circles away and keeps his distance.
County bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
County is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Palmeri.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
County slips under a jab.
Palmeri looks to land a right hand but County moved out of range.
Palmeri throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Palmeri misses with a straight right.
Palmeri just misses with a punch to the body.
County tries to counter by clinching up but Palmeri breaks away and moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
County lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
County ducks under a wild hook from Palmeri.

County closes the distance and pushes Palmeri back into the cage.
Palmeri misses with some punches.
County's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Palmeri swings away with an uppercut that misses.
County avoiding damage.
Palmeri has had enough of the clinch but County keeps him there for the moment.
County doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Palmeri wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but County has him pressed against the cage.
A bit of stalling here from County.
The referee calls for County to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Palmeri fails to land.
County cracks Palmeri with a nice body shot.
County manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Palmeri breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
County uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Palmeri.
County throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Palmeri ducks under a wild hook from County.

Palmeri gets tackled into the cage by County. County maintains the clinch.
Palmeri tries to break free but County pushes him back against the cage.
Palmeri stalling in the clinch but County improves position.
Joe County has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Palmeri wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
County lands a right hand that snaps the head of Palmeri backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Come on County - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Palmeri lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Palmeri's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
County lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

County drops his shoulder and cracks Palmeri with a huge uppercut! Palmeri goes down! Can County finish him?
Palmeri looking to hit a scissor sweep but County is one step ahead there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
County engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Palmeri bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in County's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palmeri postures up in County's guard and throws a big left but County blocks it.
Palmeri looking to sit in guard and control but County gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Palmeri is trying to hold County in close to prevent damage but County has managed to pass into half guard.
Palmeri is looking for a sweep. County is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with County in particular looking to stall.
Palmeri is looking for a sweep. County is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Palmeri moves into full guard.
Palmeri has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but County has passed into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe County dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

County on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
County displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Palmeri throws out the jab.
Palmeri pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
County moves away from the strike by Palmeri.
County tries to clinch up but Palmeri circles away and keeps his distance.
County pivots, looking for a leg kick but Palmeri is out of range and County settles back down.
Palmeri throws a body punch but County moves out of range.
Palmeri takes a swing at County's ribcage but misses.
Palmeri with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Palmeri on the wrong end of a nice jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
County tries a head kick but it misses.
County has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Palmeri finds it's way round the side to connect with County's head.
Palmeri lands the left hand.
County tries to clinch but Palmeri moves out of range.
Palmeri misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
County scores with a sloppy right hand. Palmeri should have avoided that one.
County tries to clinch
and Palmeri counters with a right hand to the body.
County wants to clinch up but Palmeri keeps it at a distance.
County ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Palmeri connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
County throws a good cross that connects.
Palmeri fails to land with a series of punches.
Palmeri fakes high and swings low for a body shot but County manages to avoid it.
County moves in looking to clinch but Palmeri pushes him off.
County throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Palmeri on the side of the head.
Palmeri throws a lazy right hand but County sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Palmeri ducks under a wild hook from County.
County tries to clinch up but Palmeri circles away and keeps his distance.
Palmeri pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
County throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Palmeri sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Palmeri with the counter takedown but County avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palmeri darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Palmeri looks to land a left hand but County moved out of range nicely.
Palmeri throws a hook but County avoids it easily.
County misses with a hook
and Palmeri counters with a stiff right hand.
A slow jab from Palmeri misses its intended target.
County looks to land a left hand but Palmeri moved out of range nicely.
County with a jab.
County lands a jab.
County misses the jab.
Palmeri connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Palmeri is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
County swings widly with a right hand
and Palmeri counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Palmeri closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Palmeri throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Palmeri circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palmeri misses with an uppercut. County saw that one coming.
County changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Palmeri swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - County looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Palmeri misses with a wild combination.
County wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
County scores with a jab to the jaw.
Palmeri fakes high and swings low for a body shot but County manages to avoid it.
Palmeri throws a right and a left that County avoids nicely.
Palmeri uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by County.
County tries to land a leg kick but Palmeri saw it coming and moves away.
Palmeri throws an uppercut from half a mile away. County sees it coming and avoids it easily.

County moves into the clinch successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palmeri fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Palmeri's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Palmeri jabs at County's body.
County takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
County throws a right and a left that both miss.
Palmeri swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
County tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Palmeri manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Palmeri loads up on a big right hand but County slips the punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
County is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
County misses with an uppercut. Palmeri saw that one coming.
A swing and a miss from Palmeri.
Palmeri thows a left - swing and a miss!
Palmeri misses with a straight left.
County wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Palmeri throws a shot from downtown. County moves away and avoids it.
Palmeri takes a swing at County's ribcage but misses.
County attempts a counter takedown but Palmeri avoids it well and moves away.
Palmeri pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frankie Palmeri really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Palmeri cracks County with a good jab.
Palmeri cracks County with an open hand slap.
County defending well as Palmeri loads up on a big left hand.
Palmeri looks to land a combination but County avoids it well.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A body shot lands from County.
County lands a body shot.
County will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Palmeri up against the cage.
Palmeri has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. County seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Palmeri can turn it around.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Palmeri. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
County misses with a shot to the kidneys.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Palmeri fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Palmeri is trying to break free.
County tries to work over Palmeri's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palmeri tries to pull guard but County holds him up against the cage and eventually Palmeri drops back down to his feet.
County's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
County effectively controlling the action here.
County stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Palmeri misses with a punch to the body.
Palmeri managing to block the knees to the body from County.
County goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Palmeri jumps guard but County stands there with Palmeri around his waist. Palmeri gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
County misses with a hook from the clinch.
Palmeri is trying to maintain a safe position but County gets an underhook and turns Palmeri into the cage.
County misses with a shot to the kidneys.
County stalling in the clinch.
Palmeri has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by County after a bit of a struggle.
Joe County has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frankie Palmeri.
Palmeri is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but County is keeping busy.
County swings wildly with an uppercut but Palmeri uses good head movement to avoid it.
Palmeri tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
County taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Palmeri has County pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. County manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Palmeri breaks the clinch.

County fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Palmeri, pushing him back against the cage.
Palmeri working hard to break the clinch.
County gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Palmeri.
County is stalling here.
Palmeri can't break the clinch.
County works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
County scores with a shoulder strike.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from County.
County effectively controlling the action here.
County seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Stalling in the clinch from County.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palmeri tries to break free but County pushes him back against the cage.
A hook to the body from County.
County lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Palmeri.
Palmeri is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Palmeri can't break the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Palmeri - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Palmeri misses with the head strike.
County lands a body shot in the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from County.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
County tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A short left from County.
County stalling in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe County had his way with Frankie Palmeri in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

County closes the distance and clinches.
Palmeri swings wildly with an uppercut but County uses good head movement to avoid it.
Palmeri swings away with an uppercut that misses.
County doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Palmeri leaning his opponent against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Palmeri.
County manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Palmeri stalling in the clinch but County improves position.

Palmeri's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palmeri throws a jab but it's blocked by County.
Palmeri missing with a left hand there. County was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

County moves into range and clinches up with Palmeri.
Palmeri working aggressively here.
County lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Palmeri backwards.

Palmeri pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Palmeri scores with a jab to the jaw.

County closes the distance and pushes Palmeri back into the cage.
County effectively controlling the action here.
County is struggling to control the position.
County lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Palmeri escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palmeri throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
County misses with a few strikes there.
Palmeri circles away from the clinch attempt.
County tries to clinch but Palmeri is having none of it.
Palmeri throws a right and a left that both miss.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
County fails in his attempt to clinch.
Palmeri throws a right and a left that County avoids nicely.
County swinging wildly here.
A jab from Palmeri finds it's way through County's defenses.

County pushes Palmeri up against the cage in a clinch.
County goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
County lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Palmeri scores with a hook to the body.
County is looking to control Palmeri's arms but Palmeri gets an underhook and turns him. Now County has his back to the cage.
County blocking some punches.
Palmeri can't break the clinch.
County content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Palmeri tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Palmeri is stalling here.
Palmeri swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Palmeri blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
County content to slow the pace in the clinch.
County effectively controlling the action here.
County stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Joe County.
Palmeri lunges at County with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by County's hand.
County moves to clinch but Palmeri breaks away
and Palmeri connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
County displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Palmeri throws out the jab.
County is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
County tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Palmeri manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
County lands a jab to the head.
County pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Frankie Palmeri has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
County pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
And Palmeri tries to counter it with a takedown but County pushes his down on his head and steps out.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Frankie Palmeri.
I think County has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 48:48
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 47:48
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 48:47

The fight is ruled a draw!