PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sione Veainu (ranked 456 p4p, 1388 weight class) and Han Mariduena (ranked 67 p4p, 187 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Veainu
vs
Mariduena

175 cm
26
205
5 - 0 - 0

190 cm
26
213
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Underpant Gnomes
UnderGround Threads

Highland Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Sione Veainu!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Han Mariduena!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, David Hoff and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice straight punches there by Veainu. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Veainu.

It looks like Han Mariduena has been cut.
Mariduena bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Veainu fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Mariduena looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Veainu definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Sione Veainu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mariduena misses with a takedown attempt - Veainu sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Mariduena tries to score a power double leg takedown but Veainu sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mariduena somewhat.
Veainu ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Veainu missing with a left hand there. Mariduena was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mariduena changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mariduena misses with a lunging right hand
and Veainu counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Veainu scores with a body shot.
Mariduena looks winded!
Veainu misses the shot to the body.
Mariduena misses with a few strikes there.
Nice straight punches there by Veainu. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Veainu.
Nice shot by Veainu.
Veainu connects with a crisp jab.
Veainu is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mariduena.
Mariduena feints the counter takedown.
Veainu throws a lazy uppercut

and Mariduena counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Veainu is trying to maintain the position but Mariduena is very close to passing his half guard.
Mariduena throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Mariduena looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mariduena throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Mariduena thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Veainu's head.

Veainu looking for submissions off his back.
Veainu might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Mariduena wants to pass to mount but Veainu is defending the position.
Mariduena throwing shots but Veainu is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mariduena is trying to control the action in half guard but Veainu is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Mariduena content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Veainu on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Veainu tries to get out of the position.
Mariduena throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Veainu thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mariduena avoids the body shot from Veainu.
Veainu connects with a crisp jab.

That has opened up Han Mariduena's cut even more.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Mariduena.
Mariduena has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Mariduena throws an elbow but Veainu slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mariduena tries to move into full mount but can't pass Veainu's legs.
Mariduena throws an elbow but Veainu slips to the side and avoids it well.
Mariduena in side control, throwing shots but Veainu defends.
Veainu is not content to let Mariduena control the position.
Mariduena scoring with punches and elbows.
Mariduena throwing shots but missing, from side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sione Veainu dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Han Mariduena's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

A left lands for Veainu.
Veainu just misses with a punch to the body.
Veainu displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mariduena throws out the jab.
Mariduena slips under a jab from Veainu.
Mariduena feints the counter takedown.

Veainu cracks Mariduena with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Mariduena looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Veainu finish him?
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Veainu checks a leg kick.
Jab by Veainu.

The cut above Han Mariduena's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Veainu lands an uppercut out of nowhere! Mariduena falls backwards - clearly groggy! Veainu dives in and finishes the fight with more strikes for a TKO finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:48 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Sione Veainu!
Sione Veainu retains his light heavyweight title!