PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between DJ Cannonier (ranked 6993 p4p, 0 weight class) and Piotr Skowronek (ranked 7339 p4p, 0 weight class). DJ Cannonier is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Cannonier
vs
Skowronek

180 cm
25
171 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
20
170 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Very confident

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, DJ Cannonier !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Piotr Skowronek!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Colin Fotheringham and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cannonier throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Skowronek's waist but Skowronek gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cannonier off to one side.
Cannonier misses with a body shot.
Skowronek looks for the body kick but Cannonier saw that one coming.
Cannonier wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Cannonier has been working on his balance at Cozad MMA London, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Skowronek.
Skowronek misses with a two punch combination.
It looked like Cannonier was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Skowronek misses with a wild combination.
Cannonier shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Skowronek sprawls well. Skowronek wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cannonier gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Skowronek clinches.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skowronek wants to break the clinch but can't.

Skowronek pulls guard successfully.
Cannonier wants to stand but Skowronek has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Cannonier looking to pass the guard.

Skowronek scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Skowronek lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cannonier fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Skowronek avoids it really well and circles away.
Skowronek wants to counter with a clinch but Cannonier pushes him away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for DJ Cannonier . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cannonier is breathing heavily.
Cannonier takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Cannonier clinches.
Cannonier is trying to break the clinch but Skowronek is controlling him.
Skowronek tries to score a body lock takedown but Cannonier shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Skowronek manages to break the clinch.

Cannonier closes the distance and pushes Skowronek back into the cage.
Skowronek misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Cannonier .

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skowronek controls from within his opponent's guard.
Skowronek postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cannonier looking to hit a scissor sweep but Skowronek is one step ahead there.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Cannonier is on top in guard.

Skowronek is looking to sweep but instead, Cannonier has passed into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Skowronek looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Cannonier passes the guard and advances to mount!
Cannonier lands a heavy elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Piotr Skowronek will probably get the nod.
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.

Cannonier throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Cannonier takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Skowronek throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A head kick misses from Skowronek.

Skowronek changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Cannonier looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Cannonier prevents Skowronek from improving position.
Skowronek wants to control but Cannonier is keeping him busy.
Skowronek is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cannonier is looking for a sweep.
Cannonier can't do much from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skowronek throws a strike aimed at the side of Cannonier 's head but Cannonier avoids it well.
Cannonier manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Cannonier striking from half guard on the bottom.
Cannonier is concentrating on defense, preventing Skowronek from advancing position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cannonier punching from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Cannonier closes the distance and clinches up with Skowronek, looking for a takedown. Cannonier pushes Skowronek against the cage but Skowronek circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Skowronek tries to clinch up but Cannonier circles away and keeps his distance.
Cannonier tries for a takedown but Skowronek sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Skowronek throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Cannonier .
Skowronek throws a head kick that Cannonier semi-blocks.

Cannonier gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Cannonier wants to break the clinch but can't.
Cannonier lands a body punch.

Cannonier is trying to trip Skowronek. He has hold of a leg but Skowronek is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Cannonier persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

Skowronek wriggles free and stands up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skowronek throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Cannonier throws a head kick but Skowronek moves out of range.
No joy there for Skowronek, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Cannonier closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

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

Cannonier closes the distance and pushes Skowronek back into the cage.
Skowronek is trying to force a seperation but Cannonier has the dominant position.
Skowronek is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for DJ Cannonier . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cannonier is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Skowronek is defending well for now.

Skowronek breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skowronek fails with a takedown attempt.
Cannonier has a takedown stuffed.
Skowronek closes the distance and clinches up with Cannonier , looking for a takedown. Skowronek pushes Cannonier against the cage but Cannonier circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Cannonier drives through and clinches with Skowronek against the cage.
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!
Skowronek wants a takedown but no success here.
We've been informed that Skowronek has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Cannonier is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Skowronek is defending well.
Skowronek creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Cannonier is looking for a takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Piotr Skowronek showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Cannonier 's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Skowronek swinging wildly here.
DJ Cannonier is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cannonier tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Skowronek defends well and Cannonier ends up having to push Skowronek into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Skowronek looks to land a combination. Cannonier sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Cannonier checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Skowronek misses with a right hand

and Cannonier counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Cannonier .
Skowronek wants to take the fight to the mat but Cannonier manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Skowronek has had enough of the clinch but Cannonier keeps him there for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cannonier looking to slow down the pace here.

Cannonier jumps guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cannonier is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Skowronek is trying to maintain the position but Cannonier is very close to passing his half guard.
Skowronek is looking to improve his position.

Cannonier seems to be working for a kimura but Skowronek defends the submission attempt.
Skowronek moves into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cannonier won't allow Skowronek to sweep him here.

Skowronek has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cannonier can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Cannonier passes Skowronek's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Skowronek is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cannonier working Skowronek over with strikes.
Cannonier tries to pass the half guard into mount. Skowronek knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Skowronek looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Skowronek has hold of Cannonier 's hands but Cannonier slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Skowronek is staying active underneath Cannonier , who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Skowronek looking for submissions off his back.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Skowronek is looking to improve his position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Piotr Skowronek seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Cannonier feints a jab promting Skowronek to slip. Cannonier then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Skowronek slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Cannonier clinches up against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
DJ Cannonier showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Skowronek has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Piotr Skowronek!
In his post fight interview, Piotr Skowronek started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.