PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joe Pulizzi (ranked 1105 p4p, 1682 weight class) and Petr Stukov (ranked 169 p4p, 258 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Pulizzi
vs
Stukov

193 cm
27
210
8 - 4 - 0

180 cm
28
222
5 - 2 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Northern Zombie
Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Joe Pulizzi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Petr Stukov!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Russell Pearce and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stukov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Pulizzi.
Stukov's coach down at St Petersburg MMA Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Stukov's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Pulizzi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Stukov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Pulizzi on the side of the head.

It looks like Joe Pulizzi has been cut.
Stukov lands a glancing blow to the side of Pulizzi's head.
Stukov throws a body kick that misses.
Pulizzi was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A big left from Stukov misses.
Pulizzi throwing a counter right hand but Stukov manages to avoid it.
Stukov missing with a left hand there. Pulizzi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Pulizzi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stukov was well out of range. Poor timing from Pulizzi.
Stukov is trying to counter with his kicks.
Pulizzi throws a hook but Stukov blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big right from Stukov misses.
Pulizzi thows a left - swing and a miss!
Stukov throws a big shot that misses.
A head kick by Stukov misses
enabling Pulizzi to counter with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pulizzi with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Stukov to score with a decent uppercut.
Pulizzi throws a hook to the side of Stukov's head but Stukov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A little jabbing left from Stukov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Pulizzi takes one on the button.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Pulizzi checks a leg kick.
Stukov thuds a left hand into Pulizzi's body.
Pulizzi throws an overhand right that lands on Stukov's shoulder, as Stukov tries to avoid the shot.
Stukov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
It seemed like Stukov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Stukov throws a right hand that Pulizzi ducks under and follows up with a left that Pulizzi also avoids with ease.
Stukov connects with a looping right hand.
Stukov tries to score with a low kick but Pulizzi moves his leg out of the way.
Stukov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stukov lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stukov thows a leg kick but Pulizzi checks it
and Pulizzi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

It looks like Petr Stukov has been cut.
Stukov misses with a leg kick
and Pulizzi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Stukov misses with a left hand
and Pulizzi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Pulizzi moves out of range as Stukov strikes.
Pulizzi throws a jab but it's blocked by Stukov.
Stukov is looking for the big counter here.
Pulizzi is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Stukov lands a jab.
Pulizzi staying out of range there.
An inside leg kick from Stukov misses.
Stukov throws a big shot that misses.
Stukov throws a leg kick that misses.
A solid leg kick lands there for Stukov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pulizzi throws a hook but Stukov avoids it easily.
Stukov lands a jab.
A jab lands there for Stukov.
Pulizzi looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Pulizzi has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Pulizzi there as he acknowledges the shot.
Stukov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Pulizzi on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Stukov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Pulizzi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stukov is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Pulizzi had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Pulizzi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stukov was well out of range. Poor timing from Pulizzi.
Pulizzi moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pulizzi blocks a jab.
As Stukov looks to move away, Pulizzi throws a big counter combo but Stukov just gets out of the way.
Stukov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
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!
Stukov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Pulizzi slips a jab from Stukov.
Pulizzi misses with an uppercut. Stukov saw that one coming.
Stukov thuds a left hand into Pulizzi's body.
Pulizzi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Stukov.
A good leg kick by Stukov.
Stukov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Stukov swings away with a body shot that misses
and Pulizzi counters with a stiff right hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Petr Stukov dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Stukov misses with a straight right.
It looked like Pulizzi was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Pulizzi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Stukov.
Stukov only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Stukov throws a sloppy head kick
enabling Pulizzi to counter with a crisp jab.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Pulizzi might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Pulizzi misses with a right hand
and Pulizzi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Pulizzi throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stukov.
Petr Stukov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice defenses there by Pulizzi.
Pulizzi dodges the punch combination from Stukov.
Pulizzi was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stukov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Stukov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Pulizzi.
Pulizzi throws a right hand that misses
and Stukov counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stukov throws a hook to the side of Pulizzi's head but Pulizzi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Pulizzi appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Pulizzi looks to land a right hand but Stukov moved out of range.
Stukov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Pulizzi throws a right hand that misses
and Stukov counters with a low kick, right behind Pulizzi 's knee.
Stukov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Stukov lands a nice looking body shot.
Stukov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Pulizzi throws a lazy uppercut
and Pulizzi takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Pulizzi just misses with a punch to the body.
Stukov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Pulizzi.
Pulizzi ducks under a wild hook from Stukov.
An attempted straight right counter from Pulizzi misses the target.
Stukov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Stukov just misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pulizzi blocks a jab.
Pulizzi was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Pulizzi throws a lazy uppercut
and Stukov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Stukov's jab looks to have found its range, popping Pulizzi under the eye.
Pulizzi has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stukov throws a front kick aimed at Pulizzi's knee but Pulizzi avoids it well.
A solid leg kick lands there for Stukov.
Pulizzi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Stukov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Pulizzi walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Pulizzi blocks a head kick by Stukov.
Pulizzi swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Pulizzi lunges at Stukov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Stukov's hand.
Stukov just misses with a punch to the body.
Pulizzi misses with a looping right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pulizzi fails to land with a series of punches.
Stukov cracks Pulizzi with a good jab.
Pulizzi misses with a straight left.
Pulizzi ducks right into an uppercut from Stukov.
Stukov throws out a loose jab but Pulizzi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Pulizzi swings away with a body shot that misses
and Stukov counters with a one-two to the body.
Pulizzi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stukov.
Pulizzi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stukov.
Pulizzi is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Pulizzi scores with a nice head shot.
Stukov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Pulizzi went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Pulizzi looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Stukov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Pulizzi on the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Decent striking displayed by Stukov there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stukov throws a poor cross that misses
and Pulizzi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Stukov throws a body punch but Pulizzi moves out of range.
Stukov throws a low kick but Pulizzi moves out of range easily.
Pulizzi is looking to counter punch.
Stukov throws a body punch but Pulizzi moves out of range.
Pulizzi appears to be looking for a big counter.

Pulizzi lands a left and a right that send Stukov crashing to the mat, dazed. Pulizzi thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Stukov is rocked!
Pulizzi ducks under a wild hook from Stukov.
Stukov is still on wobbly legs! Can Pulizzi finish him?
Pulizzi misses with a wild body shot.
Stukov seems to have recovered his senses.
Stukov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Jab, jab by Stukov - just one landing.
Stukov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Petr Stukov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Pulizzi takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Stukov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Stukov is looking to slow Pulizzi down with leg kicks.
Stukov misses with a hook
and Pulizzi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Stukov.
A nice inside leg kick there by Stukov. That's going to slow Pulizzi down.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Pulizzi checks a leg kick.
A little feinted left hand from Pulizzi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Stukov throws a big shot that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stukov clobbers Pulizzi with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Stukov connects with a crisp jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Stukov misses the target.
Jab by Stukov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Pulizzi misses its intended target.
Stukov scores with a jab to the body.
Stukov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Stukov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A little feinted left hand from Pulizzi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Stukov with a nice cross.
Petr Stukov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pulizzi takes one on the button.
Stukov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Stukov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Stukov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Stukov works the jab nicely.
Stukov lands the left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stukov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Pulizzi counters with a nice uppercut.
Stukov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Pulizzi throws out the jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pulizzi throws a right hand that misses
and Stukov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Stukov tries to bum rush Pulizzi with a series of wild strikes but Pulizzi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
It looked like Pulizzi wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Stukov connects with a body shot.
Pulizzi throws out a loose jab but Stukov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Pulizzi misses the shot to the body.
Stukov lands a jab to Pulizzi's midsection.
A big left from Stukov misses.
Stukov misses with a body punch
and Stukov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Stukov throws a series of punches but Pulizzi moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pulizzi misses with the combination.
Stukov with a nice calf kick.
Stukov connects with a leg kick.
Joe Pulizzi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pulizzi looks to score with a jab to the body but Stukov is just out of range.
Pulizzi throws a hook to the side of Stukov's head but Stukov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Stukov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Stukov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A jab from Pulizzi misses.
Pulizzi has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Pulizzi there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pulizzi shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Stukov looks to score with a jab to the body but Pulizzi is just out of range.
Stukov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Stukov misses with a leg kick.
Nice straight punches there by Stukov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Stukov.
Stukov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pulizzi tries to bum rush Stukov with a series of wild strikes but Stukov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Pulizzi chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Stukov can pounce on him.
Pulizzi walks into a left hand.
Pulizzi takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Petr Stukov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Stukov 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Petr Stukov!
During a confident post fight interview, Petr Stukov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.