PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rico Cole (ranked 1569 p4p, 187 weight class) and Elijah David (ranked 3161 p4p, 344 weight class). Cole comes to the cage accompanied by Gerardo's Rico Suave. Rico Cole has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Cole
vs
David

182 cm
31
160 lbs
19 - 10 - 1

167 cm
31
165 lbs
10 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Rico Cole!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Elijah David!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Colin Fray and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cole finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Cole connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Some wild striking there from David.
David throws a low kick, looking for Cole's leg but Cole calmly moves out of range.
A head kick misses from David.
David looks to land a right hand but Cole moved out of range.
David walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Cole fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Cole thumps David with a low kick.
David gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Cole throws a body punch but David moves out of range.
David steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Cole. That one must have hurt.
David connects with a looping right hand.
Cole connects with a leg kick. David looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Rico Cole seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A looping hook to the body misses from David. Cole does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cole uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by David.
David misses with a two punch combination.
David uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cole.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cole tries to land a front kick but David steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
David looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Cole scores with a jab to the body.
Cole throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
David throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Cole counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Cole takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
David scores with a nice strike.
David walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Cole checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
David feints and then cracks Cole's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Cole down.
Cole definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Cole listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
David looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Cole uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by David.
Cole fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. David looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Cole digs a good body shot into David's ribs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
David scoring well with a low kick there.
Cole is looking to wear down David with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
A jab from David misses.
It looked like Cole wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Cole slips under a jab from David.
A clash of legs there as Cole blocks the low kick.
Cole lands with an overhand left.
Cole throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
David lands a right hook to the body.
Cole keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
David checks a low kick from Cole.
The fighters circling - David throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Cole missing with a left hand there. David was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Cole is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
David throws a half hearted mid kick.
Cole swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

David decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
David missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
David throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
David scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
David wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cole keeps working.
Ground and pound from David.
David missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cole avoiding damage under a succession of punches from David.
David missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
David sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Cole defending well though.
David thows a huge punch but Cole dodges it nicely.
David not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Cole tries to get to full guard but David has control of the leg.
Cole keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Cole taking some punishment here, with David in his half guard.
Cole taking some punishment here, with David in his half guard.
David is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The fighters are battling for position here. Cole manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
David is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
David working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
David stands up over Cole, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
David must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
David trying to control the position from guard on top but Cole is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
David makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
David looking to sit in guard and control but Cole gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

David wants to sweep here but Cole controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rico Cole will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Cole with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
David stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Cole.
David moves forwards but Cole connects with a nice, crisp jab.
David closes this distance looking for a takedown but Cole circles away.
Cole is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
David fails with a takedown attempt.
David takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Cole tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cole lunges at David with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by David's hand.
Cole explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cole misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from David.
David throws a counter combo.
David throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cole's waist but Cole gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing David off to one side.
Rico Cole has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Elijah David.
An inside leg kick from Cole misses.
David checks a leg kick.
David is looking to chop away at Cole's legs.
Cole lands a jab to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
David tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Cole defends well and David ends up having to push Cole into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Cole misses with a body shot.
David walks into a stiff left hand from Cole.
David moves out of range as Cole strikes.
David looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Cole thows a left - swing and a miss!
Cole tries to score with a low kick but David moves his leg out of the way.
Cole looks to throw the jab but David is out of range.
David uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cole.
Cole thows a left - swing and a miss!
David connects with a right hand. Cole shakes it off.
David has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Cole.
David cracks Cole with an open hand slap.
A head kick misses from David.
Cole misses with a looping left.
A big right from Cole misses.
Cole keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from David.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Cole, right into the meat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
David works Cole's body with a nice hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Cole.
Rico Cole is winning the standup battle so far.
David rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cole moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
David needs to keep his hands up - Cole had a free shot at his head there.
Cole throws a nice head kick!
David misses the shot to the body.
Rico Cole is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cole lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
David moves out of range as Cole throws a body kick.
David's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Cole misses with a body shot.
David was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
David checks a low kick from Cole.
David scores with a kick to the midsection.
A swing and a miss from Cole.
David misses with a double jab
and Cole counters with a slapping leg kick.
David fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Nice sprawl there from Cole as David shoots in.
David on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
David jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A big right from David misses.
Nice defenses there by David.
Cole throws a wild body kick that David sees coming a mile off.
Cole has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Cole there as he acknowledges the shot.
A cross from Cole lands.
David misses with a takedown attempt
and Cole cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Cole throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cole throws a quick inside leg kick.
Cole misses with a leg kick.
It seemed like David was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Cole dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on David. That did some damage!
David misses with a double jab
and Cole cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
David checks a leg kick nicely.
Cole takes a head kick and keeps coming.
David ducks under a wild hook from Cole.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cole throws a good cross that connects.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

David closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Cole quickly recovers to half guard.
Cole trying to control here.
David not doing much here.
David not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
David thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Cole kicks off David and gets to his feet.
A slow jab from David misses its intended target.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cole lands with a thumping leg kick.
Cole lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Cole will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rico Cole dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Cole misses with a looping right.
David doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Cole looks to score with a jab to the body but David is just out of range.
Cole moves out of range as David strikes.
David lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Cole at a distance.
David is looking to chop away at Cole's legs.
Cole throws the left hand but David avoids the punch easily.
Cole with a nice cross.
Cole misses with a hook.
David avoids the body shot from Cole.
Cole misses with an uppercut. David saw that one coming.
Cole uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before David has time to react.
Cole loads up on a big right hand but David slips the punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
David takes a swing at Cole's ribcage but misses.
Cole throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Cole misses with a head kick.
David throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Cole throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
David scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Cole doesn't seem bothered though.
David doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
David shoots and misses
enabling Cole to counter with a crisp jab.
David takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
David looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cole is fending him off so far but David persists. Nope, Cole circles away and we're back to standing.
Cole scores with a hook.
David tries to clinch up but Cole circles away and keeps his distance.
Cole ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from David.
Rico Cole has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Elijah David.
David tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Cole misses with a low kick.
Cole looks for the body kick but David saw that one coming.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Cole.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by David.
Cole scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
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!
Cole thuds his right hand into David's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
David fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
David takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
David has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Cole misses with a hook
and David cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Cole moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
David fails with a takedown attempt.
David misses with a body kick.
Cole slips under a jab.
David checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Nice takedown defense from Cole. No joy for David on that attempt.
Cole misses with an attempted mid kick.
David shoots for a double leg takedown but Cole sprawls well. He's pushed David's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Cole lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and David has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from David and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Cole jabs at David's body.
Cole darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
David thows a left - swing and a miss!
Cole misses with an uppercut. David saw that one coming.
Cole throws a head kick but David moves out of range.
David swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cole thuds a left hand into David's body.
David lands with a kick to the ribs.
Cole throws a push kick but David slaps the foot to one side.
David takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
David throws a right and a left that both miss.
Cole lands with a good body shot.
Cole throws a lazy head kick
and David counters with a lovely straight right hand!

David darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
David takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
David looks to land a strike but Cole avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
David trying to control but Cole is working from the bottom.
Cole will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Cole is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

David is trying to get back to full guard.
Rico Cole is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
David trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Cole manages to pass to mount!
Cole controlling the pace for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rico Cole showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cole, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rico Cole!
An out of breath Rico Cole thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.