PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Steve Cusumano (ranked 2199 p4p, 245 weight class) and George Arias (ranked 883 p4p, 116 weight class). Cusumano comes to the cage accompanied by Gamefire. George Arias is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Cusumano
vs
Arias

175 cm
27
180 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

182 cm
25
175 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Juggernaut And Gladiators(90% Laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Steve Cusumano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, George Arias!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Cecil Peabody and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Arias rushes Cusumano and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A right hand to the body from Arias.
Arias lands with a left to the head.
Cusumano wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Arias keeps control of Cusumano as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Arias lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Arias misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Cusumano blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Cusumano tries to break the clinch but Arias is controlling the position.
Arias scores with a nice hook to the head.
Arias lands a right hand.
Cusumano working hard to break the clinch.
Arias can't find room to land a body shot as Cusumano controls the action.
Cusumano is trying to push Arias away but Arias has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arias scores with a hook to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Arias.

It looks like Steve Cusumano has been cut.
Arias presses Cusumano against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Cusumano is breathing heavily.
Arias keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cusumano's efforts to push away.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Arias.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Arias.
Arias lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Cusumano backwards.
Arias prevents Cusumano from breaking the clinch.
Arias working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Arias lands a right hand that snaps the head of Cusumano backwards.
Arias lands a right hand that snaps the head of Cusumano backwards.
Arias lands a left hand.
Arias can't get the takedown.
Arias throws a punch but it's blocked by Cusumano.
Cusumano's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Cusumano wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Arias has him pressed against the cage.
Arias struggles to land a body shot inside as Cusumano controls his hands.
A nice right hand lands inside from Arias.

Arias has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Cusumano clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Arias wants to control but Cusumano is keeping busy.
Arias avoiding Cusumano 's attempts to control his hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cusumano wants to get back to his feet.

Arias is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Arias is punishing Cusumano with strikes - can he finish him?!
Arias softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Cusumano wants to get back to his feet.

Cusumano is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Arias gets his way!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cusumano can't escape the position.

Arias working for a choke but Cusumano is defending well.
Arias is punishing Cusumano with strikes - can he finish him?!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Arias struggling to land strikes to the head as Cusumano covers up.
Arias is looking to finish with some ground and pound!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cusumano covering up well under a series of strikes from Arias.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Arias controlling the positon.
Arias punches Cusumano on the ear.
Arias is landing with strikes from the back.

Cusumano is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Arias keeps control of the position easily here as Cusumano tries to buck him off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Arias dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Steve Cusumano's cut.
That's time! Cusumano's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Arias rushes Cusumano and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Cusumano wants to get back to striking at distance but Arias won't allow it.
Cusumano blocks an uppercut.
Arias is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Arias lands an uppercut.
A short uppercut from Arias.
Arias swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Arias lands a right hand that snaps the head of Cusumano backwards.
Arias struggles to land a body shot inside as Cusumano controls his hands.
Arias lands a left hand that snaps the head of Cusumano backwards.
Arias lands with a light punch inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arias makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Arias misses with a hook from the clinch.
Arias softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A frustrated look appears on Cusumano's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Arias throws a punch but it's blocked by Cusumano.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arias pushes Cusumano back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Arias lands with a left to the head.
Cusumano is trying to break the clinch but Arias is controlling him.
A short left from Arias.
Arias lands a left hand.
Arias prevents Cusumano from breaking the clinch.
Arias tries to work over Cusumano's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Cusumano is trying to push Arias away but Arias has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Cusumano has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Arias throws a punch but it's blocked by Cusumano.

Arias is trying to trip Cusumano. He has hold of a leg but Cusumano is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Arias persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Arias stops Cusumano from standing up.
Arias has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Arias throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Arias advances to half guard.
Arias prevents Cusumano from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cusumano looks like he's trying to stand up.
Arias trying to mount his opponent but Cusumano defends it.
Cusumano slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Arias throws a strike but Cusumano rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

This has been an exciting period of action!
Cusumano wants to get up but he can't break Arias's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Cusumano trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Cusumano has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arias pulls Cusumano in close to his closed guard and prevents Cusumano from doing any damage or advancing position.
Cusumano throwing strikes but missing.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Cusumano's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Arias looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Arias wants to sweep here but Cusumano controlling him for the moment.
Arias pulls Cusumano in close to his closed guard and prevents Cusumano from doing any damage or advancing position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Arias throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Cusumano's head.
Arias scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Cusumano doesn't seem bothered though.
Arias pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cusumano misses with a jab, cross combination.
Arias tries a head kick but it misses.
That kick from Arias tenderised Cusumano's leg. Cusumano is trying to keep his angry face on.
Cusumano misses with a body shot.
Arias bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Cusumano's head.
Cusumano moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Cusumano fails to land with a series of punches.
Arias lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Cusumano at a distance.
Arias throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Cusumano's head.
Cusumano swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Arias wants to counter with a clinch but Cusumano pushes him away.

Arias forces Cusumano back against the cage and clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Arias showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Steve Cusumano's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Cusumano throws a series of punches but Arias moves out of range.
A combination from Cusumano does no damage.
Cusumano throws a body shot but no joy.
Cusumano misses with an attempted mid kick.
Arias looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Arias fakes the leg kick and cracks Cusumano in the body.
Arias lands a glancing blow to the side of Cusumano's head.
No luck for Arias with that takedown attempt.

Arias rushes Cusumano and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Arias lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Cusumano or not.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Arias gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Arias throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Cusumano avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Arias scoring with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cusumano keeping moving, preventing Arias from controlling successfully.
Cusumano working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Arias.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Arias accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Cusumano keeping full guard, as Arias tries to pass.
Arias sitting in guard here, content to control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Cusumano circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Cusumano!
Cusumano takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Arias bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Cusumano's head.
Cusumano misses with a double jab.
Arias wants to counter with a clinch but Cusumano pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arias keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cusumano ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Arias moves away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cusumano gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
The fighters circle momentarily. Arias darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
We've been told by Cusumano's head coaches at Midnight MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Arias cracks Cusumano with a nice body shot.

Arias gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Cusumano regains guard.
Arias slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Sloppy strikes there by Arias.
Arias cracks Cusumano with a big elbow.
Cusumano is not content to let Arias control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cusumano is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Arias has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Arias connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Cusumano some visible discomfort.
Cusumano taking punishment in the form of punches.
Arias scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Cusumano to see if he's OK.
Arias is looking to take a break and control but Cusumano is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Arias scoring with punches from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arias lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Cusumano down.
Arias scoring with punches from side control.
Cusumano is pushing Arias's head away, looking to escape. Arias manages to hold on to the position though.
Arias lands a nice forearm strike.
Arias landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Arias trying to control the action but Cusumano is working from the bottom.
Arias throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Steve Cusumano has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cusumano takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

And that's the end of the fight!
George Arias comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Arias has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 26:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... George Arias!