PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jason Bozzi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Blake Wightman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Bozzi
vs
Wightman

176 cm
21
154 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

178 cm
20
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jason Bozzi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Blake Wightman!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Igor Prikhodko and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wightman thows a left - swing and a miss!
Wightman misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
We've been told by Bozzi's head coaches at Russian Fighting Community Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Wightman misses with a two punch combination.
A leg kick checked by Bozzi.
Bozzi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bozzi scores with a hook.
Wightman misses with a series of wild punches.
A decent looking cross lands there for Bozzi.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bozzi swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Wightman.
Wightman getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Wightman takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Bozzi wants to slow Wightman down by chopping away at his legs.
Wightman throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bozzi drops down looking for a counter takedown but Wightman sprawls and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wightman avoids the body shot from Bozzi.
Wightman tries to counter with a clinch but Bozzi shakes him off and moves away.
Wightman tries to clinch but Bozzi moves out of range.
Bozzi appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Wightman throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Wightman throws a low kick but Bozzi moves out of range easily.
Wightman throws a quick inside leg kick.
Good exchange - Bozzi coming out on top.
Bozzi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It seemed like Wightman was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Bozzi drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Wightman looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Wightman looks to land a body kick but Bozzi moved away.
Wightman connects with an inside leg kick.
Bozzi avoids a kick to the body.
Wightman catches Bozzi with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Wightman is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bozzi.
Bozzi drops down looking for a counter takedown but Wightman sprawls and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bozzi throws an overhand right that lands on Wightman's shoulder, as Wightman tries to avoid the shot.
Wightman scores with a jab.
Wightman swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bozzi throws a hook but Wightman avoids it easily.
Wightman throws a right and a left that Bozzi avoids nicely.
A big right from Bozzi misses.
Wightman scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Wightman scores with a nice body kick.
Wightman ducks under a wild hook from Bozzi.
Wightman swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Bozzi.
Bozzi tries to bum rush Wightman with a series of wild strikes but Wightman uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Wightman moves out of range of the body kick from Bozzi.
Wightman will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bozzi lands a nice looking body shot.
Bozzi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Wightman lands a right hook to the body.
Wightman rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bozzi moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bozzi misses with a hook.
Wightman moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

Wightman throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Bozzi was covering up waiting for the punch and Wightman finishes the takedown easily into guard.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Wightman working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Bozzi keeping full guard, as Wightman tries to pass.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Wightman postures up and lands a big shot to Bozzi's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wightman working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Bozzi is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Wightman wants to control from the top but Bozzi keeps moving.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Bozzi looking for a sweep. Not yet Bozzi, not yet.
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!
Wightman postures up.

Bozzi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Wightman can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Wightman trying to control the position from guard on top but Bozzi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blake Wightman dominated that round.
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.

Wightman cracks a nice hook into Bozzi's ribs.
Wightman stuns Bozzi with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nice body kick there by Wightman.
Bozzi takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Bozzi misses with a hook. Wightman ducked under it nicely.
Wightman lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Bozzi misses with a jab to the body
and Wightman makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Wightman scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Wightman has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bozzi takes one to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A big left from Bozzi misses.
Despite the aggression on Wightman's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Bozzi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Wightman sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Wightman tests Bozzi's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Bozzi takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wightman misses with a body shot.
Bozzi looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Wightman takes a swing at Bozzi's ribcage but misses.
Wightman misses with a low kick as Bozzi jumps back.
Wightman connects with a jab.
Bozzi throws a lazy uppercut
and Wightman counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Bozzi throws a body punch but Wightman moves out of range.
Wightman is looking for the big counter here.
Wightman ducks under a wild hook from Bozzi.
Wightman is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Wightman jabs Bozzi to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lazy left from Wightman finds it's target.
Wightman throws the kick towards the body but Bozzi avoids it.
Bozzi half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Wightman wants to slow Bozzi down by chopping away at his legs.
Wightman misses with a left hand

and Bozzi counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Wightman!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Wightman manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Bozzi is looking to control Wightman's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Bozzi avoid being mounted?
Bozzi slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Wightman stopping the sweep attempt from Bozzi.
Wightman must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Bozzi has his foot on Wightman's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Wightman works his way back into a safe position though.
Wightman trying to control but Bozzi is working from the bottom.
Bozzi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bozzi is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Wightman throws a big right hand that misses.
Bozzi looking to control.
Wightman with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Bozzi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bozzi is trying to keep Wightman in close.

Bozzi is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Bozzi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Wightman working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Wightman lands a couple of elbows.
Bozzi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Wightman is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Bozzi had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Wightman defends it easily.
Wightman slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Wightman lands a few punches from side control.
Bozzi is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Wightman's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Wightman trying to control from half guard but Bozzi is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blake Wightman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Bozzi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Wightman.
Wightman lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Wightman scores with a nice right hand.
Bozzi throws a body punch but Wightman moves out of range.
Wightman tried to score with a low kick but Bozzi checks it.
Bozzi half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Wightman throws a nice inside leg kick.
Wightman wants to land a leg kick but Bozzi is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wightman moves out of range as Bozzi strikes.
Wightman misses with a leg kick.
Wightman looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bozzi. Wightman does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bozzi misses with a straight left.
Bozzi goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Bozzi takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Bozzi throws a half hearted mid kick.
Bozzi drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Wightman throws a low kick but Bozzi avoids it.
Bozzi drops down looking for a counter takedown but Wightman sprawls and moves away.
Wightman slips a straight right by Bozzi.
Wightman is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Wightman looks for the body kick but Bozzi saw that one coming.
An inside leg kick from Wightman misses.
Bozzi throwing a counter right hand but Wightman manages to avoid it.
Bozzi avoids a kick to the body.
Wightman on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Wightman slips a jab from Bozzi.
Wightman fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bozzi scores with a jab to the body.
Wightman throws a head kick that misses.
Wightman throws a leg kick which misses Bozzi's front leg but catches the back leg as Bozzi tries to avoid it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Wightman misses with a body shot.
A shot to the body from Bozzi misses
and Wightman counters with a straight right hand.
Bozzi avoids the body shot from Wightman.
Wightman lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Bozzi slips under a jab from Wightman.
Bozzi tries to counter with a takedown but Wightman is quick to defend against it.
Wightman takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Wightman tries to clinch but Bozzi moves out of range.
A left lands for Wightman.
Bozzi misses with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Bozzi blocks the leg kick.
Bozzi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Wightman is fending him off so far but Bozzi persists. Nope, Wightman circles away and we're back to standing.
Wightman takes a swing at Bozzi's ribcage but misses.
Wightman avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bozzi avoids the body shot from Wightman.
Wightman stuffs the takedown attempt from Bozzi. Bozzi gets slowly back to his feet.
Bozzi backing away here, and Wightman unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Blake Wightman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bozzi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bozzi tries to land a body kick
enabling Wightman to counter with a crisp jab.
Wightman avoids a kick to the body.
Wightman misses with an attempted mid kick.
Wightman throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Blake Wightman seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wightman lands with an overhand left.
Nice straight punches there by Wightman. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Wightman.
A left lands for Wightman.
Bozzi throws a jab when Wightman was well out of range.
Wightman throws a leg kick but Bozzi checks it.
Jab by Wightman.
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!
Bozzi misses with a low kick.
Wightman ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Wightman misses with a hook.
Wightman connects with a leg kick. Bozzi looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Bozzi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Wightman was well out of range. Poor timing from Bozzi.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Wightman.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blake Wightman really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Nice body punch from Wightman.
Bozzi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Wightman lands with a kick to the temple. Bozzi shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Bozzi on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Bozzi throws the left hand but Wightman avoids the punch easily.
Wightman now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Bozzi takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Bozzi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Wightman manages to avoid it.
Wightman tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Bozzi is able to avoid easily.
Wightman blocks a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big left from Wightman misses.
Jab by Wightman.
Bozzi throws the left hand but Wightman avoids the punch easily.
Wightman pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wightman looks to land a combination but Bozzi avoids it well.
Bozzi half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Wightman looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Bozzi misses with an uppercut. Wightman saw that one coming.
Bozzi misses with a hook.
Wightman goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Wightman avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Wightman throws a right and a left that Bozzi avoids nicely.
Bozzi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Wightman.
Wightman swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Wightman keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bozzi.
A telegraphed right hand from Wightman misses the target.
Bozzi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bozzi swings for the body but Wightman moves out of range.
Bozzi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Wightman.
Bozzi connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Bozzi throws a big shot that misses.
Bozzi looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bozzi backing away here, and Wightman unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Bozzi lands with an overhand left.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bozzi misses the shot to the body.
Wightman steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Bozzi.

Wightman changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Bozzi looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Bozzi tries to buck Wightman off but Wightman is having none of it.
Bozzi is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bozzi is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Bozzi is looking for a sweep.
Wightman in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Bozzi is looking to regain half guard here but Wightman keeps moving and retains side control.
Wightman lands some shots froms side control.
Wightman creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Check out the look on Wightman's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Bozzi tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Wightman wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Wightman wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bozzi keeps working.
Bozzi on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bozzi sneaks back into half guard.
Bozzi is looking to improve his position.
Wightman is trying to control the action in half guard but Bozzi is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Bozzi gets back to full guard.
Wightman in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Wightman with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Bozzi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Wightman is one step ahead there.
Wightman is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blake Wightman dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Bozzi misses with a body shot.
Wightman throws out a loose jab but Bozzi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bozzi half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Wightman digs a good hook to Bozzi's body.
Bozzi blocks the body kick.
Wightman ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Wightman lands with a good body shot.
Wightman fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Bozzi checks it well.

Bozzi closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Wightman is controlling Bozzi's trapped leg to prevent Bozzi from advancing to side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wightman wants to control but Bozzi is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Bozzi throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wightman is looking to improve his position.
Bozzi not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Bozzi is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Bozzi missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Wightman manages to get to full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Wightman is on top in guard.

Wightman with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bozzi is on top in guard.

Wightman has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Bozzi wants to pass the guard but Wightman is keeping the position.
Wightman working a defensive guard here.
Bozzi trying to control the position from guard on top but Wightman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wightman tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bozzi throws a big right hand that misses.
Blake Wightman has got the better of the ground game so far.
Wightman bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bozzi's guard.

Bozzi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Wightman is one step ahead there.
Wightman working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Bozzi's head.
Wightman trying to control but Bozzi is working from the bottom.
Bozzi wants to sweep here but Wightman controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bozzi looking for a guillotine here but Wightman defends easily.
Bozzi manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Wightman manages to get himself to full guard.

There's a bit of a scramble here and now Wightman is on top in guard.

Bozzi is trying to control the position but Wightman postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bozzi wants to sweep here but Wightman controlling him for the moment.
Jason Bozzi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wightman connects with a couple of short punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Jason Bozzi.
Well Wightman 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 46:50
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 46:49
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Blake Wightman!