PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Dax Crumper (ranked 4418 p4p, 2316 weight class) and Valerio Falto (ranked 238 p4p, 138 weight class). Valerio Falto will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Crumper
vs
Falto

165 cm
26
140
1 - 3 - 0

169 cm
26
144
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Dax Crumper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Valerio Falto!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, David Hoff and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Falto swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Crumper.

Crumper looking to score a takedown here. Falto is defending well but Crumper drives through and ends up in Falto's guard.

Falto looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Crumper passes into side control.
Crumper just content to control the position.
Crumper wants to control but Falto is keeping him busy.
Crumper tries to advance to mount but Falto denies him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Crumper scores with punches from side control.
Crumper trying to control the action but Falto is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crumper is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Falto is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Falto struggling a bit here.
Crumper slows the pace down.
Falto manages to work his way to half guard, despite Crumper's best efforts.

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.

Falto actively working from the bottom here.
Falto wants to control but Crumper is keeping busy.

Falto looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Crumper pushes past his half guard into mount!

Crumper goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Falto turns into him and now he's in Crumper's guard.
Falto looking to pass the guard.
Crumper pulls Falto in close to his closed guard and prevents Falto from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Crumper is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Crumper looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Crumper is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Crumper prevents Falto from improving his position.
Falto is looking to control Crumper's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Falto avoid being mounted?
Crumper looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Falto is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Falto has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Crumper is working away from the top position though.
Falto is not content to let Crumper control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Well, if Crumper is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Falto tries to roll over but Crumper keeps him under control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dax Crumper dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Crumper with a lazy takedown attempt

and Falto counters with a takedown into side control.

Falto goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Crumper has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Falto but great work by Crumper.
Crumper moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Crumper's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Falto regains half guard.
Falto looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Crumper controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crumper looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Crumper trying to control from Falto's half guard. Falto has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Crumper is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Crumper looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Falto looking to hit a scissor sweep but Crumper is one step ahead there.
Crumper postures up in Falto's guard and throws a big left but Falto blocks it.
Falto has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Crumper has passed into side control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Crumper wants to control but Falto is keeping him busy.
Dax Crumper overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Falto manages to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Falto is pressing down on Crumper's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Crumper trying to control but Falto is working from the bottom.
Crumper controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Falto goes for a double leg but Crumper avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Crumper continues to drive forward.
No luck for Crumper with that takedown attempt.
Falto drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Crumper defends it well.
Falto moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Crumper closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Crumper wants to take a breather but Falto is having none of it.
Falto is looking for a sweep. Crumper is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crumper seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Falto does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Crumper slows the pace down in half guard.
Crumper has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Crumper is looking to advance position but Falto won't allow it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Dax Crumper will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Crumper misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Falto displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Crumper.
Falto dips to his left and cracks Crumper with an uppercut!
Crumper shoots in for a double leg but Falto sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dax Crumper. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Crumper shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Falto defends it nicely.

Crumper drives through with a takedown into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Falto tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Falto looking for a guillotine here but Crumper defends easily.
Falto trying to control the position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Falto is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Crumper defends well.
Falto being controlled here, momentarily.
Dax Crumper is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Crumper has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's two 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.
Crumper trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Falto looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Falto pulls Crumper in close to prevent any damage.
Falto is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Crumper shoots in and gets a takedown into Falto's guard.
Crumper seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Crumper seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Falto for as long as he can get away with.
Crumper won't allow Falto to sweep him here.
Crumper content to stall in guard here.

Crumper got a little sloppy there for a moment and Falto has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Crumper has managed to get both his arms back between Falto's legs - danger averted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Falto being controlled here, momentarily.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Falto holds on and takes a little breather.
Valerio Falto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Falto manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Crumper manages to get himself to full guard.

Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Falto working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Valerio Falto.
I think Crumper 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 Peter Branson scores the fight 29:28
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 29:29
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!