PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rory Gallagher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Cranzinski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cranzinski has chosen Aenima as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Gallagher
vs
Cranzinski

193 cm
22
195 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
23
200 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Likes ground

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Rory Gallagher!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Steve Cranzinski!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gallagher tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cranzinski paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gallagher pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cranzinski wants to clinch.
Gallagher swats away the attempt to clinch by Cranzinski.

Gallagher clinches.

Gallagher escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Gallagher closes the distance and clinches.
Gallagher tries to break the clinch but Cranzinski is controlling the position.
Gallagher is looking to break free of the clinch but Cranzinski has double underhooks.
Gallagher tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Cranzinski throws a knee to the head but misses.
Gallagher tries to break the clinch but Cranzinski is controlling the position.
Gallagher is trying to break free.
Cranzinski tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Cranzinski is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Gallagher is trying to break free.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gallagher can't break the clinch.

Gallagher breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice sprawl there from Gallagher as Cranzinski shoots in.
Gallagher misses with a head kick.
Gallagher misses with a head kick.
Gallagher misses with a double jab.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cranzinski looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Cranzinski wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gallagher on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Gallagher throws a series of punches but Cranzinski avoids them all with ease.
Cranzinski tries to close the distance and clinch but Gallagher swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gallagher tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cranzinski paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Cranzinski moves in looking to clinch but Gallagher pushes him off.
A solid leg kick lands there for Cranzinski.
Cranzinski avoids the head kick by Gallagher.
Cranzinski is looking to clinch but Gallagher is avoiding it.
Cranzinski is looking to clinch.
Cranzinski tries for a takedown but Gallagher sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rory Gallagher has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Cranzinski.

Cranzinski closes the distance and pushes Gallagher back into the cage.
Cranzinski wants a takedown.
Cranzinski prevents Gallagher from breaking the clinch.
Cranzinski lands a hook that snaps the head of Gallagher backwards.
Cranzinski keeps control of Gallagher as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Cranzinski tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Gallagher smiles and moves away.
Gallagher tries to clinch up.

Gallagher forces Cranzinski back against the cage and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Cranzinski.
Gallagher tries to break the clinch but Cranzinski is controlling the position.
Cranzinski trying to land knees to the body.

Gallagher breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cranzinski fails with a takedown attempt.

Cranzinski clinches with his opponent.

Gallagher breaks the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Gallagher is looking to break free of the clinch but Cranzinski has double underhooks.
Gallagher is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Gallagher wants to get back to striking at distance but Cranzinski won't allow it.

Cranzinski is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Gallagher can't fight it off and eventually Cranzinski manages to take the fight to the floor. Gallagher looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Cranzinski is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Cranzinski looks gassed!
Gallagher is looking to stand up but Cranzinski isn't so interested in that idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cranzinski is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Cranzinski won't allow Gallagher to get back to his feet.

Cranzinski thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Gallagher wants to stand and escape but Cranzinski is having none of it.
Gallagher 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.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Gallagher misses with a kick to the body.
Gallagher throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rory Gallagher seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cranzinski tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cranzinski wants to clinch up but Gallagher keeps it at a distance.

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.
Gallagher throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Gallagher misses with a head kick.
Cranzinski fails with an attempt to clinch.

Gallagher rushes Cranzinski and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Gallagher pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rory Gallagher is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gallagher avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Gallagher has managed to clinch.
Gallagher throws a knee to the head but misses.
Cranzinski is working for takedown but Gallagher is calmly controlling the position for now.
Gallagher wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Cranzinski has him pressed against the cage.
Gallagher softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Cranzinski with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Cranzinski misses with a knee to the head.

Gallagher's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gallagher fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gallagher wants to clinch.
Gallagher wants to clinch but Cranzinski slips to the side

and Cranzinski counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Cranzinski is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Gallagher has managed to free his arm - good work.

Gallagher pushes Cranzinski off and gets back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Steve Cranzinski will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Gallagher tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cranzinski shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Gallagher fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rory Gallagher is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cranzinski fails to land the takedown.
Gallagher tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gallagher will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Cranzinski throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Gallagher throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Gallagher throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Cranzinski counters with a series of strikes. Gallagher will be more careful next time no doubt.
Gallagher swats away the attempt to clinch by Cranzinski.
Cranzinski avoids the head kick by Gallagher.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gallagher keeps the fight on the outside.
Gallagher fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cranzinski swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cranzinski tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cranzinski avoids a punch combination nicely.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A punch combination from Gallagher misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gallagher stuffs the takedown.
Rory Gallagher has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Cranzinski.
Cranzinski is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gallagher throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Cranzinski counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Gallagher is looking to escape.
Gallagher blocking the ground and pound attempt from Cranzinski.
Gallagher is looking to escape.
Cranzinski wants to pass to mount but Gallagher is defending the position.
Gallagher is trying to stand back up but Cranzinski is controlling him
Gallagher avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cranzinski.
Cranzinski wants to control but Gallagher is keeping him busy.
Gallagher tries to kick Cranzinski off but Cranzinski keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
No joy there for Gallagher, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Gallagher tries to clinch up

and Cranzinski counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cranzinski throws a knee to the head but misses.
Gallagher blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Cranzinski wants a takedown.

Gallagher's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gallagher throws a left and a right that both miss

and Cranzinski counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Cranzinski.
Cranzinski stops Gallagher from standing up.
Cranzinski passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Gallagher tries to escape but Cranzinski is in control.

Cranzinski decides to stand back up. Cranzinski steps back and let's Gallagher get back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Cranzinski moves into the clinch.

Gallagher escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cranzinski will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gallagher throws a head kick but Cranzinski moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cranzinski looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Gallagher looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Cranzinski has managed to clinch.

Gallagher pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gallagher misses with a two punch combination.
Cranzinski is looking to clinch but Gallagher is avoiding it.
A head kick misses from Gallagher.

Cranzinski fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Gallagher sprawls well initially but Cranzinski persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Cranzinski stands up from half guard.
Gallagher throws a left and a right that both miss

and Cranzinski counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Cranzinski.
Cranzinski jumps guard but Gallagher stands there with Cranzinski around his waist. Cranzinski gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Gallagher can't break the clinch.
Gallagher wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gallagher wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Cranzinski has him pressed against the cage.
Cranzinski throws an elbow but it misses.
Gallagher looking to throw knees to the head but Cranzinski is blocking nicely.
Gallagher taking a breather.
Cranzinski goes for a takedown in the clinch but Gallagher prevents it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cranzinski throws a knee to the head but misses.
Cranzinski is trying to break the clinch but Gallagher has him pressed against the cage.

Gallagher breaks from the clinch.
Gallagher tries a head kick but it misses.
No luck for Cranzinski with that takedown attempt.

Gallagher moves into range and clinches up with Cranzinski.

Gallagher's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gallagher tries to clinch up

and Cranzinski counters by clinching up.

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

Cranzinski fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gallagher, pushing him back against the cage.
Gallagher wants to break free but Cranzinski has control.
Gallagher can't break the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Cranzinski pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Gallagher swinging wilding here.
Cranzinski fails in his attempt to clinch.

Cranzinski gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Cranzinski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Gallagher clinches up against the cage.
Gallagher blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A nice right hand lands inside from Gallagher.
Cranzinski landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Gallagher breaks the clinch.
Cranzinski wants to clinch.
Cranzinski is looking to clinch but Gallagher is avoiding it.
Gallagher pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gallagher throws a one two combo.
Gallagher throws a right and a left that both miss.

Cranzinski has taken the fight to the clinch.
Cranzinski stalling the fight.
Gallagher can't break the clinch.
Cranzinski tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Gallagher's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gallagher closes the distance but Cranzinski moves to the side
and Cranzinski counters with a flying knee. Nice.

Cranzinski darts in and clinches Gallagher up against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gallagher is looking to break free of the clinch but Cranzinski has double underhooks.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cranzinski feints and as Gallagher raises his hands in defense, Cranzinski changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Cranzinski drops back looking for a leg! Gallagher is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Gallagher manages to kick Cranzinski off! Cranzinski jumps back into Gallagher's guard.
Cranzinski would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Gallagher wants to get back to his feet but Cranzinski is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Gallagher keeping full guard, as Cranzinski tries to pass.
Gallagher wants to get back to his feet but Cranzinski is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Rory Gallagher has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.

Cranzinski thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Gallagher fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cranzinski, pushing him back against the cage.
Gallagher has had enough of the clinch but Cranzinski keeps him there for the moment.
Cranzinski's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Cranzinski wants to stall.

Gallagher escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A head kick misses from Gallagher.
Gallagher closes the distance but Cranzinski moves to the side

and Cranzinski counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Gallagher's guard now.
Gallagher is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cranzinski slips nicely into half guard.
Cranzinski trying to pass the guard but Gallagher defending well.
Gallagher looks like he's trying to stand up.
Cranzinski is nestled in close to Gallagher, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Steve Cranzinski has got the better of the ground game so far.
Cranzinski is trying to control the action in half guard but Gallagher is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Gallagher kicks off Cranzinski and gets to his feet.
Gallagher goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cranzinski looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Gallagher.

Cranzinski drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Gallagher sneaks out the side door and pushes Cranzinski away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Steve Cranzinski is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Cranzinski gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Gallagher is trying to break free.
Cranzinski tries a knee to the head but Gallagher blocks it.
Gallagher looking to throw knees to the head but Cranzinski is blocking nicely.
Gallagher avoiding damage as Cranzinski throws knees to the body.

Gallagher breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Cranzinski lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Gallagher backs up against the cage.
Cranzinski showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gallagher.
Gallagher throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Cranzinski cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cranzinski wants to clinch up but Gallagher keeps it at a distance.
Gallagher throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Cranzinski holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Gallagher.
Gallagher can't break the clinch.
Knees to the body from Cranzinski.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Cranzinski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Cranzinski 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Cranzinski!