PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vito Scaletta (ranked 2713 p4p, 2457 weight class) and Jack Fox (ranked 369 p4p, 343 weight class). Vito Scaletta has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Scaletta
vs
Fox

181 cm
42
184
26 - 18 - 1

170 cm
28
168
11 - 14 - 0

Great wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

EFC Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 4 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 18 - 1, fighting out of New York, Vito Scaletta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 14 - 0, fighting out of London, Jack Fox!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fox moves into range and clinches up with Scaletta.

Scaletta has Fox pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Scaletta pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Fox tumbling to the mat - Scaletta dives into Fox's guard.
Scaletta postures up in Fox's guard and throws a big left but Fox blocks it.
Scaletta is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Scaletta looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Scaletta controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Scaletta looking to pass the guard.
Fox working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fox might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Scaletta haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Scaletta sitting in guard here, content to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Scaletta misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Fox moves out of range as Scaletta strikes.

Scaletta gets tackled into the cage by Fox. Fox maintains the clinch.
Scaletta jumps guard but Fox stands there with Scaletta around his waist. Scaletta gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Fox misses with a body punch.

Scaletta breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fox sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Scaletta throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Fox.
Fox misses with a leg kick.

Scaletta moves into the clinch successfully.
Scaletta is trying to pull guard but Fox turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Fox throws an elbow but it misses.
Fox tries a body shot but Scaletta blocks it.
A left hand lands to the body for Fox.
Still in the clinch, Fox scores with a nice short uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fox looking to throw knees to the head but Scaletta is blocking nicely.
Fox scores with a shot to the side of Scaletta's head.
Fox tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Fox swings wildly with an uppercut but Scaletta uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fox misses with a knee to the head.
Fox trying to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Scaletta tries to score a body lock takedown but Fox shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vito Scaletta. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Scaletta breaks the clinch.

Scaletta shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Scaletta showed some decent athleticism there.
Fox has hold of Scaletta's hands but Scaletta slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Scaletta working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Still in half guard, Scaletta seems content to control.
Scaletta is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Fox reverses the position - he's now on top in Scaletta's guard.
Scaletta wants to stand but Fox is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Scaletta is trying to control the position but Fox postures up.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Scaletta holds on and takes a little breather.
Scaletta tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Scaletta controls Fox momentarily but Fox frees himself.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Vito Scaletta will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Fox takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Scaletta swats away the attempt to clinch by Fox.
Scaletta shoots in for a takedown but Fox shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Fox tries to clinch but Scaletta is having none of it.

Fox rushes Scaletta and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Scaletta holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Fox tries to work over Scaletta's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
The referee calls for Scaletta to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Scaletta wants to take the fight to the mat but Fox manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Fox pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Scaletta fails with the takedown
and Fox counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vito Scaletta. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Scaletta tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fox paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Scaletta fails to land the takedown.

Fox drives through and clinches with Scaletta against the cage.
Fox swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Fox misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Fox pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

Scaletta breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
No luck for Scaletta with that takedown attempt.

Scaletta clinches with his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Scaletta tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Fox gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Scaletta.
Fox lands a body shot.
Scaletta lands a right hand.
Scaletta drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Fox gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Nice body punch from Fox - that landed with a thud.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Fox using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Scaletta has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Scaletta tries for a takedown but Fox manages to get underhooks.
Scaletta prevents a body shot from Fox.

Scaletta escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Fox digs a good hook to Scaletta's body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fox throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Scaletta changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Scaletta tries to clinch but Fox moves out of range.
Scaletta avoids a punch combination nicely.
No luck for Scaletta with that takedown attempt.
Scaletta tries to clinch there but Fox circles away.
Scaletta looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Fox rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Scaletta moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Scaletta scores with a body shot.

Fox has closed the distance and engaged Scaletta in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Scaletta tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Fox is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Scaletta has picked Fox up - he's going for a ride! Scaletta dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Fox is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Fox is trying to get back to full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Scaletta wants to work for an arm triangle but Fox is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Fox wants to get back to full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Scaletta in particular looking to stall.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Fox showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Fox slaps away a takedown attempt from Scaletta, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Scaletta gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Fox moves into the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Fox.

Scaletta has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Fox uses from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fox is looking to stand up but Scaletta won't let him.

Scaletta is working an open guard so Fox takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Fox works the jab nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Scaletta looks for a takedown but Fox sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vito Scaletta. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Scaletta gets a takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Scaletta decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Jack Fox seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Fox misses with a double jab.
Fox tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Fox is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Scaletta changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Fox fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Scaletta shoots in for a double leg but Fox sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Fox wants to counter the offense by Scaletta and move into the clinch position.
Scaletta fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Fox avoids it really well and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fox cracks Scaletta with an open hand slap.
Scaletta avoids the head kick by Fox.
Vito Scaletta seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fox tries to close the distance and clinch but Scaletta swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Fox throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Scaletta went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

Scaletta closes the distance and clinches.
Fox throws a knee to the head but misses.
Fox misses with a punch on the inside.

Scaletta drags the fight down to the ground.
Fox has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Scaletta looking to control but Fox passes into half guard.
Fox tries to stand but can't do so whilst Scaletta controls his leg.
Scaletta is trying to control but Fox manages to pass to mount!
Fox prevents Scaletta from getting the reversal.
Fox tries to stand up but he's trapped just for the moment.
Scaletta is looking to improve his position but Fox isn't that keen on the idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fox wants to get back to his feet but Scaletta is holding on tight.
Scaletta tries to hold on but Fox postures up.
Scaletta gets back to half guard.
Scaletta is trying to control but Fox passes into side control!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Scaletta tries to improve position but can't.
Scaletta can't do much from the bottom here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Fox really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Fox closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Fox tries to clinch up but Scaletta circles away and keeps his distance.
Scaletta shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Fox as he jumps to the side.
Fox is looking for the big counter here.

Fox has managed to clinch.
Scaletta drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fox tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Scaletta tries to pull guard but Fox forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vito Scaletta. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fox tries to circle away but Scaletta has him pinned against the cage.
Fox throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Scaletta blocks it with crossed arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fox with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Fox tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Scaletta keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Fox's efforts to push away.
Fox comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Scaletta has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Fox uses from the top position.

Scaletta is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Fox defends well.
Fox has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Scaletta is proving hard to escape from.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Scaletta not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fox wants to stand but Scaletta has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Scaletta has an active guard here but Fox has managed to pass into half guard.
Scaletta works his way to full guard. Good work.

Scaletta throws his legs up looking for a submission but Fox uses it to pass to side control.
Scaletta striking from the bottom but nothing landed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fox decides to stand back up. Fox steps back and let's Scaletta get back to his feet.

Scaletta forces Fox back against the cage and clinches.
Fox tries to land a knee to the head but Scaletta blocks with his arms.
Fox lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Fox tries to land a knee to the head but Scaletta blocks with his arms.

Scaletta successfully pulls guard.
Fox wanted to stand there but Scaletta had control of the position.

Scaletta working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Fox has passed into half guard!
Scaletta wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Scaletta is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Fox's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Fox's back!
Fox is keeping busy.
Scaletta will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Scaletta controlling from the back.
Vito Scaletta has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Scaletta doesn't have the hooks in and Fox manages to turn into his guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Fox comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Fox 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 4 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Jack Fox!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Jack Fox!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Jack Fox!

Jack Fox wins by unanimous decision!
A very excited looking Jack Fox made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.