PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tommy Vercetti (ranked 4528 p4p, 25046 weight class) and Zia Pologe (ranked 508 p4p, 690 weight class). Pologe has chosen Die Young as his entrance music. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Vercetti
vs
Pologe

180 cm
26
165
1 - 2 - 0

182 cm
26
155
0 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Very confident

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tommy Vercetti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Zia Pologe!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Sandra Marshall and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vercetti throws an overhand right that lands on Pologe's shoulder, as Pologe tries to avoid the shot.
Vercetti avoids the head kick by Pologe.
Pologe fails with an attempt to clinch.
Vercetti changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Pologe throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
A head kick by Pologe misses
and Vercetti connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Pologe throws a head kick but Vercetti moves out of range.
We've been told by Vercetti's head coaches at Walter J Abramowitz Center for Bigness that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Zia Pologe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pologe throws a sloppy head kick

and Vercetti counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Vercetti leaning against his opponent.
Vercetti holding his opponent close, against the cage.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Vercetti for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
A short uppercut from Vercetti.
Vercetti looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Pologe 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.
Vercetti lands an uppercut.
Vercetti is pushing Pologe up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vercetti tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Vercetti softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Vercetti tries to break free but Pologe pushes him back against the cage.
Vercetti gets through Pologe's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Vercetti tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Pologe has Vercetti pressed against the cage, preventing Vercetti from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Pologe pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Vercetti tried to score with a low kick but Pologe checks it.
A head kick by Pologe misses

and Vercetti counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Vercetti.
A frustrated look appears on Vercetti's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vercetti is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A short uppercut from Vercetti.
Pologe avoiding damage as Vercetti throws knees to the body.
Vercetti avoiding damage.
Vercetti is trying to break free.
Vercetti lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Pologe backwards.
Vercetti has Pologe pressed against the cage, preventing Pologe from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Vercetti throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Pologe blocks it with crossed arms.

Vercetti breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vercetti blocks a head kick by Pologe.
Pologe throws a head kick that misses

and Vercetti counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Pologe is trying to push Vercetti away but Vercetti has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Vercetti with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Vercetti tries to break free but Pologe pushes him back against the cage.
Vercetti controlling the action here for a moment.
Vercetti keeps control of Pologe as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Vercetti wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Pologe has him pressed against the cage.
Pologe is looking to break free of the clinch but Vercetti has double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Vercetti lands a hook that snaps the head of Pologe backwards.
Vercetti lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Vercetti missing with knees to the body.
Vercetti lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Vercetti tries to land a knee to the head but Pologe blocks with his arms.
Vercetti is looking to break free of the clinch but Pologe has double underhooks.
Vercetti is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Pologe keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Vercetti's efforts to push away.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tommy Vercetti dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Pologe moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Pologe closes the distance but Vercetti moves to the side
letting Vercetti counter with a right hand.
Pologe tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Vercetti counters with a huge left! Pologe is in big trouble! He's backing up but Vercetti isn't giving him chance to recover. Under a barage of punches the ref has to step in to save Pologe from any more damage. A dominating finish by Vercetti!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:27 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Tommy Vercetti!