PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Better Dead (ranked 15320 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dante Fiaschi (ranked 3823 p4p, 421 weight class). Dead comes into the arena with Death March - Motionless in White blaring out of the sound system. Fiaschi has chosen ZZ Top - Sharp Dressed Man as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Dead
vs
Fiaschi

183 cm
42
168 lbs
31 - 46 - 0

187 cm
28
185 lbs
10 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Big right hand

BJJ Brown Belt
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 31 - 46 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Better Dead!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dante Fiaschi!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Frank Dennis and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dead throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Fiaschi stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Dead forces Fiaschi back against the cage and clinches.

Dead breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Fiaschi moves out of range of the body kick from Dead.

Dead clinches up against the cage.
Dead makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Dead tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Dead throws a head punch that misses.
Dead tries to land knees in the clinch but Fiaschi avoids the damage to the body.

Fiaschi pulls guard effortlessly.

Dead stands and steps away. Fiaschi gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Dead throws out a leg kick but Fiaschi moves out of range and Dead only half commits.

Fiaschi clinches up with Dead and pushes him back against the cage.
Dead stalling the fight.
Fiaschi is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Fiaschi avoids the elbow strike from Dead, against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A short body shot lands from Fiaschi as the two fighters clinch.
Fiaschi blocks an elbow strike from Dead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fiaschi blocks an uppercut.
Dead working aggressively here.
Fiaschi avoids a wild elbow strike from Dead.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Dead just misses with a elbow thrown towards Fiaschi's brow.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Fiaschi has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Dead misses with the head strike.
Dead misses with an elbow over the top.
Dead is working Fiaschi over against the cage.
Nice elbow from Dead.
Dead misses with some punches.
Dead fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

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

Dead clinches up against the cage.
Dead creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Dead throws an elbow but misses.
Dead has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Fiaschi after a bit of a struggle.
Fiaschi tries to pull guard but Dead won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fiaschi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Dead looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Fiaschi takes an elbow to the forehead.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Dead.

Dead breaks the clinch.
Fiaschi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Dead defends it nicely.
Better Dead seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A nice inside leg kick there by Dead. That's going to slow Fiaschi down.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dead throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Dead connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Fiaschi's hands.
A punch combination from Dead misses.

Dead clinches.
Fiaschi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Dead tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Dead struggles to land a body shot inside as Fiaschi controls his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dead throws an elbow but it misses.
Fiaschi blocks the elbow strike.
Fiaschi blocks an uppercut.

Fiaschi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Dead misses with a two punch combination.
Dead throws a sloppy head kick and Fiaschi moves out of range easily.
Dead throws a predictable looking body shot
and Fiaschi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Dead misses with an uppercut
and Fiaschi counters with a nice uppercut.
Dead throws a hook to the side of Fiaschi's head but Fiaschi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Fiaschi is looking for the big counter here.
Dead misses with an uppercut.
Dead throws an off balance right hand

and Fiaschi counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A right hand to the body from Fiaschi.

Fiaschi drags the fight down to the ground.
Fiaschi being controlled here, momentarily.

Fiaschi pushes Dead off and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Dead defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Fiaschi.
Better Dead has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dante Fiaschi.
Fiaschi lands a head kick. Dead smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

It looks like Better Dead has been cut.
Fiaschi throws a series of punches but Dead moves out of range.

Dead gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Dead stalling.

Dead pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Dead takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Nice defenses there by Fiaschi.
Fiaschi is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Dead throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Fiaschi moves into the clinch successfully.
Dead pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Fiaschi blocks an uppercut.
A short uppercut from Dead.
Dead throws a punch but it's blocked by Fiaschi.
Dead is looking to break free of the clinch but Fiaschi has double underhooks.

Dead breaks from the clinch.
Fiaschi checks a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Better Dead dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Better Dead's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Dead misses with a straight left.
Fiaschi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Dead.
Dead missing with a left hand there. Fiaschi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fiaschi doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Fiaschi shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Dead throws a combination. Fiaschi tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Dead pivots, looking for a leg kick but Fiaschi is out of range and Dead settles back down.

Dead tries to keep at a distance but Fiaschi has taken the fight into the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Dead fails to land.
Fiaschi jumps guard but Dead turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Fiaschi pulls guard effortlessly.
Fiaschi is looking to stand up but Dead isn't so interested in that idea.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Dead gets to his feet. Fiaschi looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Fiaschi takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Fiaschi takes one on the chin but seems OK.
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!
Dead throws a low kick but Fiaschi moves out of range easily.
Fiaschi changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fiaschi fails to land the takedown.
Better Dead has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dante Fiaschi.
Dead misses with a wild combination.
A nice side step and Fiaschi releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Fiaschi throws a one two combo.
Dead goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Fiaschi wants to counter the offense by Dead and move into the clinch position.
A head kick misses from Fiaschi.
Fiaschi moves out of range as Dead throws a body kick.

Fiaschi shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Dead is trying to defend but Fiaschi finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Dead makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Fiaschi rushes Dead and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Fiaschi throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Fiaschi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Better Dead is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Dead moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fiaschi holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Fiaschi manages to break the clinch.
Dead is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Fiaschi can do to turn this around?
Dead misses with a hook. Fiaschi ducked under it nicely.
Better Dead is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dead misses with a right hand
letting Fiaschi counter with a right hand.

Dead gets tackled into the cage by Fiaschi. Fiaschi maintains the clinch.
Fiaschi avoids the elbow strike from Dead, against the cage.
A short left from Dead.
Dead letting Fiaschi take a breather here.
Dead tries to land a knee to the head but Fiaschi blocks with his arms.
Dead wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Fiaschi has him pressed against the cage.
Dead tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Fiaschi's elbow.
Dead misses with an elbow strike.

Fiaschi manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dead gets a clinch.

Fiaschi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fiaschi lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Dead goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

Dead takes the fight into the clinch.
Fiaschi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Better Dead has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Fiaschi manages to pull guard.
Fiaschi is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Dead is controlling him.

Fiaschi is working an open guard so Dead takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Dead misses with a kick to the body.
Fiaschi tries to close the distance and clinch but Dead swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
It looked like Dead was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Fiaschi.
Dead darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dead throws the left hand but Fiaschi avoids the punch easily.
A jab from Dead misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fiaschi checks a low kick from Dead.
Fiaschi wants to clinch.
Dead misses with a straight left.
Fiaschi avoids a kick to the body.

Dead fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Fiaschi, pushing him back against the cage.
Dead is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Fiaschi has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Dead avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Dead tries a knee to the head but Fiaschi blocks it.
With the fighters up against the cage, Dead throws an elbow but misses.

Fiaschi pulls guard.

Fiaschi pushes Dead off and scrambles back to his feet.

Fiaschi closes the distance and pushes Dead back into the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Better Dead dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Better Dead's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Fiaschi lands a body shot.

Dead rushes Fiaschi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Dead is trying to push Fiaschi away but Fiaschi has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Fiaschi is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Dead gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Dead just misses with a elbow thrown towards Fiaschi's brow.
Dead throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Fiaschi blocks an uppercut.
Dead lands a damaging elbow.
Dead misses with an elbow over the top.
Fiaschi tries for a takedown. No joy.
Fiaschi taking a breather.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dead tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Dead working aggressively here.
Dead goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Dead lands a right hand that snaps the head of Fiaschi backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fiaschi breaks the clinch.
Fiaschi fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Better Dead has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dante Fiaschi.
Fiaschi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Fiaschi scores with a punch to the head.
Fiaschi shoots in for a takedown but Dead shows good takedown defense.
A nice combination there by Fiaschi.

Dead is rocked!
Fiaschi avoids a kick to the body.

Dead moves into the clinch successfully.
Fiaschi jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Dead walks away with a smile on his face. Fiaschi gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Fiaschi fails with an attempt to clinch.
Dead throws a hook but Fiaschi blocks it.
Fiaschi scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Oh Dead is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fiaschi checks a leg kick.
Dead seems to have got his legs back now.
Dead avoids the head kick by Fiaschi.
Dead swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Dead has closed the distance and engaged Fiaschi in a clinch.
Dante Fiaschi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dead missing with knees to the body.
Fiaschi is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Dead gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Dead escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Dead.
Dead throws a poor cross that misses
and Fiaschi counters with a nice uppercut.

Fiaschi moves into the clinch.
Dead will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Fiaschi up against the cage.

Fiaschi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Fiaschi throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

Fiaschi lands a big head kick that sends Dead tumbling to the mat! Fiaschi takes a step backwards and waves Dead back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Fiaschi avoids the head kick by Dead.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Dead misses with a right hand
and Fiaschi counters with a good, hard body kick but Dead shrugs it off.

Dead tries to keep at a distance but Fiaschi has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dead misses with a punch on the inside.
Fiaschi pushes Dead back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

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

Dead closes the distance and clinches.
Dead throws an elbow but it misses.
Dead misses with an elbow strike.
Fiaschi digs a right hand underneath Dead's ribcage. Dead let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Fiaschi wants a takedown.

Fiaschi jumps guard and drags Dead to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Dead decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Dead throws a low kick but Fiaschi moves out of range easily.
Fiaschi blocks a head kick by Dead.
Fiaschi ducks under a wild hook from Dead.

Dead takes the fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dead prevents a takedown attempt there.

Fiaschi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Fiaschi blocks a head kick by Dead.
Fiaschi looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Dead misses with a kick to the body.
Fiaschi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Horrible takedown attempt by Fiaschi or perhaps it was just good defense by Dead, which made it look bad.

Fiaschi drives through and clinches with Dead against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Dead just misses with a elbow thrown towards Fiaschi's brow.
Fiaschi blocks an uppercut.
Better Dead is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Dead tries to throw a body punch but Fiaschi avoids it by throwing Dead back against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Dante Fiaschi.
I think Dead has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Better Dead!
A relieved looking Better Dead thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.