PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rufus McTearson (ranked 130 p4p, 19 weight class) and Michael Cole (ranked 194 p4p, 32 weight class). Cole has chosen I Won't Back Down as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

McTearson
vs
Cole

193 cm
40
202 lbs
46 - 21 - 4

175 cm
26
200 lbs
16 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best Nutrition

Aspire Clothing
Amped Performance

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 46 - 21 - 4, fighting out of New York, Rufus McTearson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Michael Cole!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, James Ackerman and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slow jab from McTearson misses its intended target.
McTearson sets himself, and Cole steps forward looking for the clinch! McTearson avoids it this time.
McTearson throws a looping overhand right but Cole ducks down to avoid it.

Cole throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. McTearson tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Cole is in McTearson's guard.
McTearson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Cole looking to pass the guard.
McTearson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Cole trying to control but McTearson is working from the bottom.
Cole stands up over McTearson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McTearson looking for a sweep. Not yet McTearson, not yet.
Cole throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McTearson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cole working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
McTearson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
McTearson trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cole working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Cole loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
McTearson looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Cole working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
McTearson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cole tries to counter by closing the distance.
McTearson swings widly with a right hand

and Cole counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Cole.
Cole is in close to McTearson's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Cole postures up in McTearson's guard and throws a big left but McTearson blocks it.
McTearson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cole is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McTearson is working hard here to advance position.
McTearson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cole.
Cole trying to control the position from guard on top but McTearson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McTearson has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Cole wants to control from the top but McTearson keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cole accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McTearson is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
McTearson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rufus McTearson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice shot lands for McTearson.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cole looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Cole gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
McTearson can't find room to land a body shot as Cole controls the action.
McTearson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Cole breaks from the clinch.

Cole drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
McTearson tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Cole trying to control but McTearson is working from the bottom.
Cole scoring with some ground and pound.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Cole working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McTearson trying to keep a closed guard but Cole is proving a slippery customer.
Cole throws a big elbow that misses.
Cole missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cole stands and throws McTearson's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Cole controlling from side mount.
McTearson is working to avoid the ground and pound but Cole connects with a decent elbow.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McTearson tries to bench press Cole off him but Cole keeps the position.
Cole working away.
Cole misses with the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Cole dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Cole scores with a body shot.
McTearson looks to throw the jab but Cole is out of range.
Cole looks to throw a body kick
enabling McTearson to counter with a crisp jab.
Cole slips under a jab from McTearson.
McTearson connects with a leg kick. Cole looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
McTearson swings widly with a right hand
and Cole counters with a nice uppercut.
Cole has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Cole gets a clinch.
Cole doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Cole blocks a body shot from McTearson.
Cole misses with a short punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cole takes a knee right on the jaw!
McTearson letting Cole take a breather here.

Cole has picked McTearson up - he's going for a ride! Cole dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McTearson is trying to maintain the position but Cole is very close to passing his half guard.
McTearson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cole.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McTearson is trying to control but can't.
Cole is trying to control the action in half guard but McTearson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Cole working the head and body with strikes.
Cole missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
McTearson trying to hold on to Cole's head to control him but Cole postures up.
Cole is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Cole not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
McTearson gets back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Cole working some strikes from top position.
Cole wants to pass the guard but McTearson is keeping the position.
Cole throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Cole postures up.
McTearson keeping moving, preventing Cole from controlling successfully.
McTearson pulls Cole in close to prevent any damage.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A telegraphed right hand from McTearson misses the target.
Cole wants to counter the offense by McTearson and move into the clinch position.
McTearson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cole.
McTearson misses with a right hand
and Cole counters with a nice body shot.
McTearson throws a left and a right that both miss

and Cole counters with a nice double leg into side control. McTearson won't be happy with that.
Cole lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear McTearson down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole landing a few strikes.
McTearson manages to work his way to half guard, despite Cole's best efforts.
Cole lands strikes from half guard.
Cole missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Cole slips a nice elbow through McTearson's hands, connecting with McTearson's forehead.
Michael Cole has got the better of the ground game so far.
McTearson trying to control from the bottom.
McTearson moves into full guard.
McTearson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
McTearson keeping moving, preventing Cole from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cole postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cole working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Cole pushing down on McTearson's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Cole is trying to control. McTearson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Cole looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
McTearson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cole.
McTearson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cole.
Cole sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. McTearson defending well though.
Cole missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
McTearson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cole.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cole stuns McTearson with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
McTearson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cole changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
McTearson misses with a looping left.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Cole 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!

McTearson throws a right and a left that both miss.

Cole gets in close and instigates a clinch.
McTearson blocks an elbow strike from Cole.
A short body shot lands from Cole as the two fighters clinch.
Cole leaning against his opponent.
Cole avoiding damage as McTearson throws knees to the body.
Cole swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McTearson swings wildly with an uppercut but Cole uses good head movement to avoid it.
Come on McTearson - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Cole has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. McTearson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A right handed body shot lands from Cole.
Cole tried to land a shot to the body but connects with McTearson's elbow.
Cole throws an elbow that misses.
Knees in the clinch landing for Cole.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cole tries a body shot but McTearson blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cole blocks a body shot from McTearson.
Cole doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Cole pushes McTearson back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Cole lands an uppercut.
McTearson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Cole lands a nice shot to the body.

Cole gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
McTearson taking some punishment here, with Cole in his half guard.
Cole working the head and body with strikes.
Cole is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Cole landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Cole with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Cole is looking to take a break and control but McTearson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Nice strikes from Cole there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McTearson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Cole not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
McTearson trying to control but Cole postures up.
Cole working McTearson over with strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McTearson wants to improve his position but Cole is controlling well.
Cole throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
McTearson is staying active underneath Cole, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Cole not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McTearson is refusing to be controlled, as Cole sits in half guard.
Cole missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole lands a jab to the head.
Cole lands a jab to McTearson's midsection.
The fighters circling - Cole throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Cole fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with McTearson, pushing him back against the cage.
McTearson lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Cole.

Cole is trying to trip McTearson. He has hold of a leg but McTearson is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Cole persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Cole is fighting to break McTearson's control of his arms but McTearson is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Cole looking to pass the guard.
McTearson seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cole loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cole works a leg free and moves into half guard.
McTearson wants to improve his position but Cole is controlling well.
McTearson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Cole scores with a couple of nice shots.
Rufus McTearson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cole lands strikes from half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cole throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing McTearson to regain full guard.
McTearson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
McTearson thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Cole scoring with punches to the head and body.
Cole is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Michael Cole is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Cole content to stall in guard here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Cole comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Cole 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Cole!
Michael Cole very nearly forgot to thank MayheM sportswear amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.