PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Garik Andonian (ranked 1526 p4p, 2998 weight class) and Steve Cusumano (ranked 212 p4p, 400 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Cusumano's choice of entrance music: Gamefire. Steve Cusumano has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Andonian
vs
Cusumano

187 cm
36
176
8 - 7 - 0

175 cm
39
180
21 - 18 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Garik Andonian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Steve Cusumano!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Radbod Blank and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Andonian works the jab nicely.

It looks like Steve Cusumano has been cut.
Cusumano tries to clinch but fails miserably
letting Andonian counter with a right hand.
Andonian misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nice uppercut lands for Andonian. That snapped Cusumano's head back.
Cusumano tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Andonian manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Andonian shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Andonian thuds a left hand into Cusumano's body.
Cusumano fails with an attempt to clinch.

Andonian instigates a clinch.

Andonian breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cusumano tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Andonian cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cusumano looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Cusumano slips a jab and a cross from Andonian.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cusumano lands with a cross.
Steve Cusumano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A solid body kick from Andonian.
Andonian dodges the punch combination from Cusumano.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andonian throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

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

Andonian pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cusumano tries to clinch there but Andonian circles away.
Andonian uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cusumano.
Cusumano is looking to clinch but Andonian is avoiding it.
Cusumano avoids the head kick by Andonian.
Cusumano is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Cusumano looks to throw the jab but Andonian is out of range.
Andonian avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Andonian is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Cusumano is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Cusumano tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Andonian makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Cusumano swings for the body but Andonian moves out of range.
Andonian connects with a crisp jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Andonian.
Cusumano throws a counter combo.
Cusumano connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Andonian closes the distance and clinches.
Our sources have told us that Andonian has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
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!
Cusumano misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Andonian pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Andonian has managed to clinch.

Cusumano breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cusumano lands a two punch combo.
Cusumano tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Andonian manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Andonian gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Cusumano drops down looking for an ankle pick but Andonian pulls his leg out and moves away.

Andonian has Cusumano up against the cage in a clinch.

Andonian escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Andonian swats away the attempt to clinch by Cusumano.
Andonian is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

Andonian darts in and clinches Cusumano up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cusumano manages to break the clinch.
Andonian scores with a head kick. Cusumano tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Andonian swats away the attempt to clinch by Cusumano.
Andonian tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Andonian looks to land a body kick but Cusumano moved away.
Cusumano tries to clinch but Andonian is having none of it.
Andonian throws a quick counter head kick but Cusumano was just out of range.
Andonian is looking to clinch but Cusumano is avoiding it.
Andonian showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cusumano.
Andonian went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Andonian throws a quick inside leg kick.
Andonian tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cusumano takes a kick to the side of the head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Cusumano. Andonian does a little dance to reset his feet.
Andonian checks a low kick from Cusumano.
Andonian lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Andonian uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cusumano.
Cusumano takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Andonian needs to keep his hands up - Cusumano had a free shot at his head there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cusumano tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Andonian manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Andonian throwing a counter right hand but Cusumano manages to avoid it.
Cusumano misses with a hook.
Andonian keeps the fight on the outside.
Cusumano throws a hook but Andonian avoids it easily.
Andonian is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A jab from Andonian does it's job there.
Andonian looks to land a combination but Cusumano avoids it well.
Cusumano tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Andonian paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Andonian throws a quick counter kick to the body but Cusumano avoids it.
Some wild striking there from Cusumano.
Andonian looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Andonian tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Cusumano manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Andonian closes the distance and clinches.

Andonian escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cusumano wants to clinch but Andonian slips to the side
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cusumano showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Andonian.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Garik Andonian dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Steve Cusumano's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Andonian misses with a wild combination.
Cusumano misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cusumano tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cusumano tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Andonian manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Andonian circles away from the clinch attempt.
Andonian lands with a cross.
Andonian steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Cusumano.
Andonian tries to clinch but Cusumano is having none of it.
Cusumano throws a lazy right hand but Andonian sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cusumano throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Andonian misses the target.
Cusumano walks into a stiff left hand from Andonian.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Andonian lands a really nice looking cross but Cusumano seems unphased.
Cusumano lands with an overhand left.

Andonian rushes Cusumano and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Cusumano tries for a takedown. No joy.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cusumano is trying to stall.

Andonian pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andonian keeps the fight on the outside.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Andonian.
Andonian throws a head kick but Cusumano moves out of range.
Cusumano throws a body shot but no joy.
Cusumano lands a nice hook to Andonian's body. Andonian takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Garik Andonian is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Andonian throws a head kick but Cusumano moves out of range.
Cusumano feints a counter leg kick.
A nice combination there by Andonian.

That has opened up Steve Cusumano's cut even more.
Andonian is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cusumano can do to turn this around?
Andonian misses the shot to the body.
Cusumano is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Andonian misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cusumano tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Cusumano rushes Andonian and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Andonian breaks the clinch.

Andonian moves into range and clinches up with Cusumano.

Andonian's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A punch combination from Andonian misses.
Cusumano is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Andonian misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Andonian with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cusumano tries to clinch but Andonian is having none of it.
Cusumano is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
It looked like Andonian was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

Cusumano fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Andonian, pushing him back against the cage.
Cusumano misses with a punch on the inside.

Cusumano escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Andonian pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Cusumano tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Andonian manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Cusumano moves in looking to clinch but Andonian pushes him off.
Cusumano takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Cusumano throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Andonian counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Andonian closes the distance and clinches.

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

Andonian moves into the clinch.

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

Andonian has closed the distance and engaged Cusumano in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cusumano is stalling here.
Cusumano is trying to drag Andonian to the mat but Andonian just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Andonian blocking some punches.
Garik Andonian has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Andonian manages to break the clinch.
Cusumano takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A combination from Andonian does no damage.
Cusumano takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Andonian pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Andonian lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cusumano circles away quickly and effectively.
Andonian swats away the attempt to clinch by Cusumano.

Cusumano clinches with his opponent.
Andonian working hard to break the clinch.
Andonian gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Cusumano.
Garik Andonian has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Cusumano.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cusumano misses with a jab, cross combination.
Andonian throws a head kick that misses
and Cusumano connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Cusumano is looking to clinch.
Andonian rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cusumano moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
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!
Andonian throws a sloppy head kick and Cusumano moves out of range easily.
Cusumano lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Andonian at a distance.
Cusumano throws a series of punches but Andonian moves out of range.
Andonian scores with a kick to the body.
Andonian throws a nice looking combination but Cusumano bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Andonian gets a clinch.

Cusumano breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cusumano tries to close the distance and clinch up but Andonian swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Andonian throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cusumano now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Cusumano is looking to clinch but Andonian is avoiding it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Garik Andonian dominated that second round.
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. This is the final round!

Andonian avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cusumano doesn't manage to clinch there - Andonian circles away.
Andonian is looking for a counter combo.
Cusumano tries to clinch but Andonian moves away
and Andonian counters with a stiff right hand.
Andonian works over Cusumano's head and body with a nice combination.
Andonian scores with a three punch combo!
Cusumano doesn't manage to clinch there - Andonian circles away.
Andonian scores with a shot to the body.
Cusumano tries to clinch but Andonian moves away
letting Andonian counter with a right hand.
Andonian keeps the fight on the outside.
Cusumano wants to clinch.
Cusumano cracks Andonian with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
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!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Andonian breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cusumano dodges the punch combination from Andonian.
Cusumano throws a right hand that Andonian ducks under and follows up with a left that Andonian also avoids with ease.
A head kick misses from Andonian.
Andonian dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Andonian connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Cusumano takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Garik Andonian is winning the standup battle so far.
Cusumano tries to clinch but Andonian is having none of it.
Andonian throws a sloppy head kick and Cusumano moves out of range easily.

Andonian forces Cusumano back against the cage and clinches.
Andonian prevents the takedown attempt.

Andonian breaks from the clinch.
Andonian is looking to clinch but Cusumano is avoiding it.
Cusumano moves in looking to clinch but Andonian pushes him off.
Cusumano slips a jab and a cross from Andonian.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cusumano just misses with a punch to the body.
Andonian keeps the fight on the outside.
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!
Cusumano throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Andonian sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Cusumano fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cusumano has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Andonian finds it's way round the side to connect with Cusumano's head.

The cut above Steve Cusumano's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Andonian avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Andonian keeps the fight on the outside.
Andonian keeps the fight on the outside.
Andonian tries a head kick but it misses.
Cusumano swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Garik Andonian is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Cusumano tries to clinch but Andonian moves out of range.
Andonian misses with a series of wild punches.
Cusumano swinging wildly here.
As Cusumano looks to move away, Andonian throws a big counter combo but Cusumano just gets out of the way.
Cusumano fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cusumano tries to clinch but Andonian moves out of range.
Andonian is looking to counter punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cusumano tries to close the distance and clinch but Andonian swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Andonian throws a head kick that half lands.
Cusumano takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Cusumano moves out of range as Andonian throws a body kick.
Andonian avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cusumano jabs Andonian to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Cusumano tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Andonian paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Andonian avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Andonian is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

Cusumano rushes Andonian and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Andonian breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cusumano tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Andonian manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A bone on bone clash there as Andonian blocks the leg kick.
Andonian tries to land a front kick but Cusumano steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Cusumano throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Andonian clinches with his opponent.

Andonian's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cusumano misses with a two punch combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Andonian has Cusumano up against the cage in a clinch.

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

Andonian clinches up with Cusumano and pushes him back against the cage.

Andonian breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cusumano looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Danga de danga de dang - Andonian scores with a four punch combination!
Andonian lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Andonian gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Cusumano is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Andonian breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Steve Cusumano has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cusumano tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Andonian paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Cusumano throws a hook but Andonian avoids it easily.
A little feinted left hand from Andonian on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Cusumano misses with a double jab.

Andonian has managed to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Garik Andonian showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Andonian has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Garik Andonian!