PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Laverne Mazzola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pat Tillman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mazzola's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Il Canto Degli Italiani. 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.

Mazzola
vs
Tillman

170 cm
28
165 lbs
16 - 4 - 1

177 cm
25
160 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition
Bullet Proof System

KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250
Hellbent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 4 - 1, fighting out of New York, Laverne Mazzola!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Pat Tillman!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tillman connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Tillman has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Mazzola bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Tillman moves out of range as Mazzola strikes.
Tillman lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Mazzola checks the leg kick.
Mazzola is looking to counter punch.
Tillman connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Tillman throws a body punch but Mazzola moves out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Mazzola on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Mazzola bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Tillman's head backwards.

Mazzola moves into the clinch.
Mazzola can't find room to land a body shot as Tillman controls the action.
Mazzola can't find room to land a body shot as Tillman controls the action.
A nice left hand lands by Tillman.
Tillman blocks a body shot from Mazzola.
Tillman digs a right hand underneath Mazzola's ribcage. Mazzola let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Tillman tries to work over Mazzola's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tillman goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Mazzola lands a body shot.
Mazzola misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Tillman prevents a body shot from Mazzola.
Tillman doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Tillman is trying to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tillman swings wildly with an uppercut but Mazzola uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mazzola trying to land knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mazzola.
Tillman tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mazzola's elbow.
Tillman lands with a light punch inside.
Tillman tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tillman scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Tillman tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Tillman misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tillman lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Mazzola lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Mazzola misses with a punch to the body.
Mazzola lands an uppercut.
Tillman lands a hook to the side of the head.
Mazzola tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Mazzola misses with a punch to the body.
Mazzola tries to throw a body punch but Tillman avoids it by throwing Mazzola back against the cage.
Mazzola struggles to land a body shot inside as Tillman controls his hands.
Mazzola tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tillman's elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mazzola doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mazzola blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tillman tries to work over Mazzola's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Mazzola.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mazzola throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tillmans head.
Mazzola lands a nice uppercut.
Tillman blocking some punches.
Mazzola misses with a body punch.
Mazzola tries to work over Tillman's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Mazzola misses with a punch to the body.
Tillman lands with a left to the head.
Tillman scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Mazzola misses with a hook from the clinch.
I was talking to Mazzola's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Tillman creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Tillman lands with a short shot to the head.
Mazzola throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Tillmans head.
Tillman has a couple of punches blocked by Mazzola.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Tillman creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Tillman working aggressively here.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Tillman.
Tillman lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Tillman.
Mazzola lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Mazzola lands a hook to the side of the head.
Mazzola misses with a hook from the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Tillman blocks a body shot from Mazzola.
Mazzola doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Tillman misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mazzola lands a nice uppercut.
Mazzola tries to throw a body punch but Tillman avoids it by throwing Mazzola back against the cage.
Tillman looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Mazzola misses with a punch on the inside.
A short left from Mazzola.
Mazzola misses with a knee to the head.
Mazzola misses with a punch to the body.

Tillman breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mazzola looks to land a left hand but Tillman moved out of range nicely.
Nice defenses there by Tillman.
Tillman moves out of range of the leg kick from Mazzola.
Tillman throws a predictable looking body shot
and Mazzola counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mazzola digs a good hook to Tillman's body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tillman is looking to slow Mazzola down with leg kicks.
Tillman swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Mazzola throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Tillman counters with a left to the body.
Tillman throws an off balance right hand

and Mazzola counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Mazzola.
Tillman is trying to control the position but Mazzola postures up.
Tillman wants to sweep but no luck.
Mazzola working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Tillman's head.
Tillman keeping moving, preventing Mazzola from controlling successfully.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Mazzola throws a big elbow that misses.
Mazzola content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mazzola postures up in Tillman's guard and throws a big left but Tillman blocks it.
Mazzola lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Mazzola postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Mazzola postures up and lands a big shot to Tillman's brow.
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 Laverne Mazzola will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Mazzola connects with a single shot there.
Tillman misses with a hook.
Tillman throws a quick inside leg kick.
A swing and a miss from Tillman.
Mazzola on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tillman. Tillman obviously looking to wear him down.
An inside leg kick from Tillman misses.
Pat Tillman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Mazzola fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Tillman sprawls well initially but Mazzola persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Well, if Mazzola is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Tillman has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mazzola is working away from the top position though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mazzola is trying to control the action in half guard but Tillman is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Tillman manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Mazzola trying to control the position from guard on top but Tillman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mazzola scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mazzola in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mazzola with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tillman preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Mazzola trying to control the position from guard on top but Tillman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mazzola cracks Tillman with a solid left hand.
Tillman is adopting a defensive guard.
Mazzola lands a couple of elbows.
Tillman has his hands on Mazzola's head, controlling the position.
Laverne Mazzola overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mazzola stands up over Tillman, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Mazzola makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Tillman working for a triangle but Mazzola defends it easily.
Mazzola is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mazzola trying to control but Tillman is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tillman has momentary wrist control but Mazzola slips an elbow through the middle.
Tillman pulls Mazzola in close to prevent any damage.
Mazzola landing with the ground and pound.
Mazzola postures up in Tillman's guard and throws a big left but Tillman blocks it.
Mazzola won't allow Tillman to sweep him here.
Mazzola has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Tillman is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Mazzola is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mazzola lands a couple of decent looking shots.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mazzola accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mazzola is stalling in the full guard.
Mazzola trying to control but Tillman is working from the bottom.
Mazzola scoring with punches to the head and body.
Mazzola loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tillman keeping moving, preventing Mazzola from controlling successfully.
Tillman is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Tillman looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mazzola is one step ahead there.
Mazzola stands up over Tillman, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tillman trying to control the position here.
Mazzola wants to control from the top but Tillman keeps moving.
Mazzola throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tillman works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tillman is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Mazzola controls from within his opponent's guard.

Tillman looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mazzola throws a big elbow that misses.
Tillman is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Laverne Mazzola 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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Mazzola scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Tillman doesn't seem bothered though.
Tillman throws a low kick but Mazzola moves out of range easily.
Some bone on bone action there as Mazzola checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Mazzola changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Mazzola shoots in looking for a takedown. Tillman tries to sprawl out of it but Mazzola keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Tillman manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Tillman defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mazzola.
Tillman swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Mazzola swings widly with a right hand
and Tillman counters with a leg kick.
Mazzola throws a front kick aimed at Tillman's knee but Tillman avoids it well.
Mazzola backing away here, and Tillman unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Tillman throws a body punch but Mazzola moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tillman misses with a body shot.
Mazzola ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Tillman throws an off balance right hand
and Mazzola counters with an outside leg kick.
Tillman lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Tillman needs to keep his hands up - Mazzola had a free shot at his head there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mazzola. Tillman does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tillman connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Mazzola's hands.
Mazzola misses with a body kick.
Tillman throws a leg kick that misses.
Mazzola pivots, looking for a leg kick but Tillman is out of range and Mazzola settles back down.
Tillman is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Mazzola with a body shot.
Mazzola throws a hook but Tillman blocks it.
Mazzola works Tillman's body with a nice hook.
Mazzola throws a push kick but Tillman slaps the foot to one side.
Tillman only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Mazzola moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Mazzola takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Tillman lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Tillman misses with a body kick.
Mazzola cracks Tillman with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Tillman throws a jab when Mazzola was well out of range.
Mazzola cracks the inside of Tillman's front leg.
Pat Tillman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mazzola is looking to slow Tillman down with leg kicks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A jab lands there for Mazzola.
Mazzola works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Mazzola keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tillman.
Mazzola takes one on the button.
Mazzola throws a lazy uppercut
and Tillman counters with an inside leg kick.
Mazzola fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tillman scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Mazzola.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Laverne Mazzola. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tillman misses with a looping right.
Tillman misses with a body shot
and Mazzola counters with a nice uppercut.
Mazzola fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tillman manages to avoid it.
Pat Tillman is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mazzola stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Tillman.
Mazzola lands a head shot.
Laverne Mazzola is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tillman looks to score with a jab to the body but Mazzola is just out of range.
Tillman tried to score with a low kick but Mazzola checks it.
A little feinted left hand from Mazzola on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Mazzola tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Tillman walks into a straight right hand from Mazzola.
Mazzola throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Pat Tillman seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mazzola ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Mazzola moves out of range of the body kick from Tillman.
Tillman throws a lazy uppercut
and Mazzola counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Mazzola checks a leg kick.
Tillman uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mazzola.
Mazzola takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Mazzola lands an overhand right.
Mazzola misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tillman.
A punch lands to the side of Tillman 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's four 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!
Tillman moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Tillman takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Mazzola walks into a left hand.
Nice shot by Tillman.

Tillman cracks Mazzola with a big right hand that sends him crashing to the floor. Tillman has the opportunity to follow him to the ground but instead he's beckoning Mazzola to stand back up!

Mazzola is rocked!
Mazzola's corner calls for a 1-2. Mazzola obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Oh Mazzola is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Mazzola misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tillman.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Mazzola.
Tillman looks to land a left hand but Mazzola moved out of range nicely.
A nice inside leg kick there by Mazzola. That's going to slow Tillman down.
Mazzola seems to have got his legs back now.
Tillman lunges at Mazzola with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Mazzola's hand.
Tillman checks a leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mazzola defending well as Tillman loads up on a big left hand.
Tillman throws a hook but Mazzola avoids it easily.
Tillman avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Pat Tillman.
I think Mazzola 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Laverne Mazzola!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Laverne Mazzola waved his t-shirt featuring Bullet Proof System's logo in front of the cameras.