PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Nando Vasquez (ranked 1408 p4p, 1516 weight class) and Grant Dukes (ranked 157 p4p, 163 weight class). Nando Vasquez has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Vasquez
vs
Dukes

179 cm
34
155
23 - 17 - 0

168 cm
25
157
7 - 3 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nando Vasquez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Grant Dukes!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Andrew Berry and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dukes throws a body shot but no joy.
Vasquez uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Dukes.
Vasquez misses with a body shot.
Dukes throws a body shot but no joy.
Dukes keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Vasquez.
Dukes misses with a lunging right hand
and Vasquez counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Dukes takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Vasquez throws a front kick aimed at Dukes's knee but Dukes avoids it well.
Vasquez tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Dukes manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Vasquez throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Dukes counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Vasquez thinking.
Dukes has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Vasquez thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Dukes if he has to take too many more of those.
Vasquez throws a low kick but Dukes avoids it.
Dukes displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Vasquez throws out the jab.
And Dukes tries to counter it with a takedown but Vasquez pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Dukes misses with a hook.
Vasquez throws a series of punches but Dukes avoids them all with ease.
Vasquez lands with a cross.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vasquez slips a straight right by Dukes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dukes throws a hook to the side of Vasquez's head but Vasquez sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Vasquez throwing a counter right hand but Dukes manages to avoid it.
Dukes throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Vasquez is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Vasquez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Vasquez was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Dukes works the jab nicely.
Dukes throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Vasquez throws a leg kick but Dukes sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Dukes throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dukes tests Vasquez's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Dukes lands a right hook to the body.
Dukes digs a good hook to Vasquez's body.
Dukes misses with a takedown attempt - Vasquez sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nando Vasquez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Vasquez wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Vasquez looks to land a left hand but Dukes moved out of range nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dukes avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Vasquez throws a nice inside leg kick.
Vasquez tries a low kick but Dukes avoids it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
An inside leg kick lands from Vasquez.
Vasquez throws a shot from downtown. Dukes moves away and avoids it.
Dukes throws a hook to the side of Vasquez's head but Vasquez sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A head kick misses from Vasquez.
Dukes throws out a counter right but Vasquez avoids it with no problem.
Vasquez ducks under a wild hook from Dukes.
Dukes misses with a hook.
Vasquez connects with a solid leg kick.
Dukes fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Vasquez avoids it really well and circles away.
Dukes scores with a decent looking hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasquez throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Vasquez displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Dukes throws out the jab.
Vasquez swings for the body but Dukes moves out of range.
Vasquez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Dukes.
Dukes looks to land a right hand but Vasquez moved out of range.
A jab from Dukes misses.
Dukes is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Vasquez uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Dukes.
Vasquez scores with a jab.
Vasquez fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Dukes is out of range.
Dukes throws a right and a left that Vasquez avoids nicely.
Dukes scores with a crisp jab that stopped Vasquez in his tracks.
Dukes dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Vasquez loads up on a big right hand but Dukes slips the punch.
Vasquez misses with a low kick as Dukes jumps back.
Vasquez defending well as Dukes loads up on a big left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vasquez scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Vasquez uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Dukes.
Vasquez smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
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!
Dukes misses with a body shot.
Vasquez takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Vasquez uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Dukes.
Dukes scores with a hook to the body. Vasquez takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Vasquez is looking to clinch.
Dukes let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Dukes throws a body punch but Vasquez moves out of range.
Dukes fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Vasquez lands with a straight right. Dukes didn't see that one coming.
Vasquez displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Dukes.
Nando Vasquez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Grant Dukes.
Vasquez scores with a leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Grant Dukes will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A swing and a miss from Dukes.
Dukes misses with an uppercut. Vasquez saw that one coming.
Dukes misses with a hook. Vasquez ducked under it nicely.
Vasquez is looking to clinch.
A little jabbing left from Dukes on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

Dukes drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Vasquez tries to bench press Dukes off him but Dukes keeps the position.
Dukes wants to control but Vasquez is keeping him busy.
Dukes controlling the position from side mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dukes trying to control the position but Vasquez is working away.
Vasquez is trying to control Dukes's posture but Dukes avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasquez is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Vasquez is not content to let Dukes control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Dukes tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Dukes has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Dukes looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Dukes wants to lay and pray for a moment but Vasquez keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Dukes working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Dukes is trying to get an arm triangle but Vasquez is defending well.

Dukes tries for a kimura but Vasquez is defending well.
Vasquez is looking to regain half guard here but Dukes keeps moving and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasquez is trying to control Dukes's posture but Dukes avoids it.
Dukes wants to lay and pray for a moment but Vasquez keeps working.
Vasquez stops Dukes from passing to mount.

Dukes is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Vasquez is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Vasquez is letting Dukes control him for a moment.

Dukes looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Vasquez is looking for a sweep.

Dukes is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Vasquez has escaped the position, nice work there.
Dukes is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Vasquez will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Dukes trying to control the position but Vasquez is working away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Dukes is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Vasquez knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Dukes trying to control the action but Vasquez is working from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Grant Dukes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Vasquez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Vasquez throws a push kick but Dukes slaps the foot to one side.
Dukes has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Vasquez.
Vasquez tries to clinch but Dukes moves out of range.
Dukes scores with a jab to the head.
Dukes throws a big shot that misses.
Vasquez scores with a punch to the head.
Vasquez stuffs the takedown attempt from Dukes. Dukes gets slowly back to his feet.
Vasquez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dukes manages to avoid it.
Vasquez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dukes manages to avoid it.
Vasquez buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vasquez misses with an uppercut
and Dukes counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Vasquez attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Dukes uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Vasquez has time to react.
Vasquez thows a body kick. Dukes tries to catch it but that hurt him.

Dukes gets a takedown into half guard.

Vasquez has one foot on Dukes's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasquez is looking to land body kicks.
Vasquez throws a sloppy head kick and Dukes moves out of range easily.
Vasquez throws a body punch but Dukes moves out of range.
Vasquez lands a nice leg kick that just misses Dukes's sensitive parts.
Nando Vasquez is winning the standup battle so far.
Vasquez lands with a right hand.
Dukes shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Dukes takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Vasquez walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Dukes lands a slapping body shot.
Vasquez is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Nice straight punches there by Dukes. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Dukes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Dukes shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Nando Vasquez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vasquez seems keen to control Dukes's posture.
Vasquez keeping moving, preventing Dukes from controlling successfully.
Dukes wants to pass the guard but Vasquez is keeping the position.
Dukes trying to control but Vasquez is working from the bottom.
Dukes stays in close to Vasquez's body and controls the position.
Dukes forces his way into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dukes seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Dukes passes to side control.

Dukes wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Vasquez, who protects the arm well.
Dukes trying to control the position but Vasquez is working away.
Dukes wants to take a breather but Vasquez manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Dukes.

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.
Dukes wants to control from the top but Vasquez keeps moving.
Dukes controls from within his opponent's guard.
Vasquez pulls Dukes in close to prevent any damage.
Dukes slips nicely into half guard.

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 Nando Vasquez.
I think Dukes has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 James Glass scores the fight 29:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:29
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!