PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between BJ Penn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nathan Azzuri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Penn comes into the arena with Dami Mong Alam - Skusta Clee ft. Flip D blaring out of the sound system. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Penn
vs
Azzuri

180 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
18
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, BJ Penn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Nathan Azzuri !
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Paul Tew and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A left lands for Penn.

It looks like Nathan Azzuri has been cut.
Danga de danga de dang - Penn scores with a four punch combination!
Azzuri has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Penn throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Penn fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Azzuri closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A nice inside leg kick there by Penn. That's going to slow Azzuri down.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Penn!
Azzuri jabs Penn right on the nose. Penn blinks but takes it well.
Penn lets loose with a powerful body kick. Azzuri will feel that in the morning.
Azzuri shoots in looking for a takedown. Penn tries to sprawl out of it but Azzuri keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Penn manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
BJ Penn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Penn lands with a nice combination. Azzuri backs away looking to recover.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penn lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Penn tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Azzuri was well out of range. Poor timing from Penn.
Azzuri is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Penn throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Azzuri is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Penn with a body shot.
Penn throws a right and a left that both miss.
Penn throws a head kick that half lands.
Azzuri darts in looking for a takedown but Penn gets double underhooks and turns Azzuri into the cage.
Azzuri avoids a punch combination nicely.
Despite the aggression on Azzuri 's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Some wild striking there from Azzuri .
Azzuri throws a right hand that misses
and Penn counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Azzuri throws a hook to the side of Penn's head but Penn sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Penn defending well as Azzuri loads up on a big left hand.
Penn throws a low kick but Azzuri moves out of range easily.
A shot to the body from Azzuri misses
and Penn counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Penn misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Azzuri misses with a hook. Penn ducked under it nicely.
Penn looks to land a combination but Azzuri avoids it well.
Penn is breathing heavily.
Azzuri fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Penn avoids it really well and circles away.
BJ Penn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nathan Azzuri .
Azzuri takes a swing at Penn's ribcage but misses.
Penn throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Azzuri stuns Penn with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Penn looks to land a right hand but Azzuri moved out of range.
Azzuri avoids the head kick by Penn.
Azzuri looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Penn slips a straight right by Azzuri .
Azzuri shoots and misses
and Penn counters with a nice low kick that buckles Azzuri 's knee momentarily.
Azzuri shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Penn sprawls well. Penn wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Azzuri gets slowly back to his feet.
Penn slips under a jab.
Azzuri swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Azzuri clinches with his opponent.
Azzuri prevents Penn from breaking the clinch.

Penn breaks from the clinch.
Penn throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
BJ Penn is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Penn scores with a leg kick.
Penn keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Penn went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azzuri scores with a nice strike.
Azzuri lands a lovely overhand right.
Azzuri takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Azzuri sizes up Penn with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Penn takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Azzuri rushes Penn and presses him up against the cage.

Azzuri has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Penn uses from the top position.

Azzuri looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Azzuri is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Azzuri preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Azzuri lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Penn at a distance.
Azzuri takes a swing at Penn's ribcage but misses.
Penn appears to be looking for a big counter.
A good leg kick by Penn.
Azzuri throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Penn throws the kick towards the body but Azzuri avoids it.
Penn moves out of range of the strikes.
Penn scoring well with a low kick there.
Nice jab there from Penn.
Penn leaves Azzuri with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Penn cracks the inside of Azzuri 's front leg.
An inside leg kick lands from Penn.
Azzuri wants to clinch up but Penn keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Azzuri is trying hard to land a takedown here. Penn sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Penn is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Azzuri can do to turn this around?
Azzuri tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Penn swivels and escapes.
BJ Penn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nathan Azzuri .
Azzuri takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Azzuri moves in looking to clinch but Penn pushes him off.
Azzuri 's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Penn throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Azzuri on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Azzuri throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Azzuri throws a shot from downtown. Penn moves away and avoids it.
Penn ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Penn keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Azzuri .
Penn throws a nice head kick!
Penn throws a sloppy head kick and Azzuri moves out of range easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azzuri throws the left hand but Penn avoids the punch easily.
Penn throws a low kick but Azzuri avoids it.
Azzuri throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Penn throws a series of punches but Azzuri moves out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Penn throws a leg kick which misses Azzuri 's front leg but catches the back leg as Azzuri tries to avoid it.
Penn misses with a two punch combination.
Azzuri swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Penn throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The fighters circling - Penn throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Penn misses with a low kick.
Azzuri misses the shot to the body.
Penn throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Azzuri ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Penn moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azzuri tries to clinch up.
Penn went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
BJ Penn is winning the standup battle so far.
Azzuri smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Azzuri missing with a left hand there. Penn was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
It looked like Penn was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Penn looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Azzuri shoots in and drives through. Penn sprawls well.
Azzuri wants to clinch up but Penn keeps it at a distance.
Penn keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Azzuri throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Penn sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Azzuri throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Penn sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Azzuri throws an overhand right that lands on Penn's shoulder, as Penn tries to avoid the shot.
Azzuri uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Penn.
Azzuri tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Penn defends well and Azzuri ends up having to push Penn into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Azzuri takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Azzuri 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.
BJ Penn is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Azzuri shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Penn defends it nicely.
Azzuri lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Azzuri is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Penn.
Penn throws a head kick that misses.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Penn looks to land a combination but Azzuri avoids it well.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Azzuri ! But no joy.
Azzuri misses with an uppercut. Penn saw that one coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

BJ Penn dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Nathan Azzuri 's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Penn avoids the body shot from Azzuri .
Azzuri fails with a takedown attempt.
Azzuri is looking to clinch but Penn is avoiding it.
Penn misses with a few strikes there.
A combination from Penn does no damage.
Azzuri throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Penn throwing a counter right hand but Azzuri manages to avoid it.
Penn moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice takedown defense from Penn. No joy for Azzuri on that attempt.
Nice shot lands for Penn.
Penn ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Azzuri moves away.
Azzuri takes a swing at Penn's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Penn uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Azzuri .
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Penn goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Azzuri loads up on a big right hand but Penn slips the punch.
Penn ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Azzuri moves away.
Azzuri is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Azzuri looks to score with a jab to the body but Penn is just out of range.
Penn cracks a nice hook into Azzuri 's ribs.
Penn throws a body punch but Azzuri moves out of range.
Azzuri tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Penn misses with a few strikes there.
Penn drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
A shot to the liver by Azzuri . Beautiful body shot.
Penn stuffs the takedown attempt from Azzuri . Azzuri gets slowly back to his feet.
BJ Penn has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nathan Azzuri .

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Azzuri misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Azzuri shoots in looking for a takedown. Penn tries to sprawl out of it but Azzuri keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Penn manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Penn lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Azzuri circles away quickly and effectively.
Azzuri shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Penn but Penn pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Azzuri misses with a hook. Penn ducked under it nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Azzuri darts in looking for a takedown but Penn gets double underhooks and turns Azzuri into the cage.
Azzuri misses with a double jab.
Penn throws a nice looking combination but Azzuri bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Azzuri shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Penn but Penn pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Azzuri with a poor takedown
and Penn counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Azzuri is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Azzuri looks to score with a jab to the body but Penn is just out of range.
Azzuri shoots for a double leg takedown but Penn sprawls well. He's pushed Azzuri 's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Penn looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Penn lands with a nice combination. Azzuri backs away looking to recover.
Azzuri fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Penn manages to avoid it.
Penn misses with the combination.
Azzuri misses with an uppercut.
Azzuri shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Penn moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Azzuri looks to land a right hand but Penn moved out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Azzuri misses the target.
Penn looks to score with a jab to the body but Azzuri is just out of range.
Penn works over Azzuri 's head and body with a nice combination.
Nathan Azzuri has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Penn takes one to the side of the head.
Azzuri fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Penn manages to avoid it.
Penn stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Penn wants it to stay on the feet.
Azzuri takes a swing at Penn's ribcage but misses.

Azzuri rushes Penn and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Penn tries to break free but Azzuri pushes him back against the cage.

Azzuri breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
BJ Penn showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Penn, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... BJ Penn!
An intense looking BJ Penn took to the microphone post fight and gave a little speech: 'Guess Who's Back Bitches!!'.