PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Velazquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tony Wilks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Velazquez
vs
Wilks

200 cm
20
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
22
204 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Antonio Velazquez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tony Wilks!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Robert Twigg and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wilks misses with a double jab.
Wilks throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Wilks should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Wilks throws a combination. Velazquez tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

It looks like Antonio Velazquez has been cut.
Velazquez slips a jab and a cross from Wilks.

Wilks gets caught flat footed, as Velazquez shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Velazquez postures up and lands a big shot to Wilks's brow.
Velazquez lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Velazquez has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Velazquez working some strikes from top position.

Wilks has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Velazquez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Wilks is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Velazquez lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Velazquez scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Velazquez cracks Wilks with a solid left hand.
Velazquez with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Velazquez avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Velazquez will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Velazquez scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Velazquez chips away with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velazquez content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Wilks can do anything to dispel that myth.
Velazquez is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Velazquez postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Velazquez is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Wilks has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Velazquez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Wilks looks gassed!
Velazquez connects with a couple of short punches.
Velazquez postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Wilks really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Velazquez. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Velazquez is in close to Wilks's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Velazquez is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Wilks is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Velazquez working some strikes from top position.

Wilks looking for a guillotine here but Velazquez defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velazquez lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Wilks had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Velazquez is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Wilks Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Velazquez's back instead.
Wilks is trying to stick to Velazquez's back but Velazquez is turning into Wilks. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Wilks's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Velazquez.

Wilks looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Velazquez avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Velazquez scoring with some ground and pound.
Velazquez landing with the ground and pound.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velazquez working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Wilks's head.
Wilks utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Velazquez slips a jab and a cross from Wilks.
Wilks throws a right and a left that both miss.

Velazquez scores with a takedown into Wilks's guard.
Velazquez scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Velazquez stops Wilks from standing up.
Velazquez lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Wilks looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Wilks has his foot on Velazquez's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Velazquez works his way back into a safe position though.
Wilks has momentary wrist control but Velazquez slips an elbow through the middle.
Wilks is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velazquez won't allow Wilks to sweep him here.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Velazquez showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Wilks.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Velazquez.
Wilks throws a series of punches but Velazquez moves out of range.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Wilks has eaten all the pies!
Wilks throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Velazquez.
Velazquez dodges the punch combination from Wilks.
Wilks throws a series of punches but Velazquez moves out of range.
Tony Wilks is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Velazquez.
Wilks prevents Velazquez from improving position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Wilks defending against the ground and pound.
Velazquez tries to score with some ground and pound. Wilks controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Wilks is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Velazquez dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Antonio Velazquez's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Wilks fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Velazquez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Velazquez scores with a takedown into Wilks's guard.

Velazquez avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Wilks working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Velazquez doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Velazquez manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Velazquez distracts Wilks with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Velazquez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Wilks is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Velazquez is aware though and is defending well.
Velazquez stands up over Wilks, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Velazquez chips away with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Wilks misses with a few strikes there.

Velazquez gets a takedown into half guard.
Velazquez moves into full mount! Wilks won't be happy about that!
Velazquez lands a big elbow.
Wilks is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Wilks is trying desperately to improve position.
Wilks wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Velazquez is landing with some decent strikes but Wilks is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Wilks is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Velazquez landing strikes, looking to finish!
Wilks is trying to stand.
Velazquez lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Wilks hang on?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
BOOM! Velazquez connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Wilks trying desperately to get to his feet.
Wilks is desperately trying to improve his position but Velazquez has a good base and remains in mount.
Velazquez has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Wilks's face.
Velazquez landing strikes from the mount and Wilks is in trouble!
Velazquez postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Wilks looks a forlorn figure.
Velazquez is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Wilks can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Velazquez working the ground and pound effectively.
Velazquez thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Antonio Velazquez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Velazquez prevents Wilks from getting the reversal.
Wilks holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Velazquez tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Wilks trying desperately to get to his feet.
Velazquez prevents Wilks from getting the reversal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velazquez raining down shots from the mount!
Wilks tries to reverse the position but Velazquez maintains control.
Velazquez scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Wilks takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Velazquez throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Velazquez throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Velazquez unloads with some shots from mount but Wilks bucks and avoids them well.
Wilks is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Wilks working to try and regain half guard.
The referee warns Wilks that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Wilks's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Velazquez with shots to the head and body - Wilks looks very uncomfortable down there.
A nice elbow there by Velazquez.
Wilks taking shots to the head.

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.
Wilks keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Velazquez looking to finish Wilks with some ground and pound. This is bad for Wilks!
Velazquez with shots to the head and body - Wilks looks very uncomfortable down there.
Velazquez throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Wilks because Velazquez loaded up on that one.
Wilks is working to get back to half guard.
Wilks is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Wilks is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Wilks is bucking up trying to escape but Velazquez cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Velazquez pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Wilks takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Velazquez throwing strikes here but Wilks is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Velazquez throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Wilks because Velazquez loaded up on that one.
Wilks is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Velazquez dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Antonio Velazquez's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Velazquez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Velazquez shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Velazquez showed some decent athleticism there.
Wilks tries to kick Velazquez off but Velazquez keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Wilks is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Velazquez wants to free his trapped foot but Wilks is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Wilks tries to kick Velazquez off but Velazquez keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Velazquez is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Velazquez lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Velazquez looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A combination from Wilks does no damage.

Velazquez shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Velazquez prevents Wilks from standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velazquez seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Wilks is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Velazquez pulls his head out easily.
Velazquez looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Velazquez throwing shots but Wilks is blocking nicely.
Velazquez trying to pass the guard but Wilks defending well.
Velazquez throwing shots but Wilks is blocking nicely.

Wilks looking for submissions off his back.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Velazquez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Wilks defends it nicely.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Wilks misses with a few strikes there.
Wilks lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Velazquez circles away quickly and effectively.
Velazquez avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Velazquez scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Wilks looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Velazquez is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Velazquez lands with some strikes.
Velazquez landing strikes from the mount.
Velazquez throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Wilks because Velazquez loaded up on that one.
Velazquez cracks Wilks with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Velazquez throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Wilks slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Wilks tries to kick Velazquez off but Velazquez keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Velazquez landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Velazquez looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Velazquez thows a huge punch but Wilks dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velazquez thows a huge punch but Wilks dodges it nicely.
Wilks wants to get back to full guard.
Velazquez not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Velazquez tries to pass the half guard into mount. Wilks knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A punch combination from Wilks misses.
Wilks misses with a few strikes there.

Velazquez feints and as Wilks raises his hands in defense, Velazquez changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Velazquez with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Wilks is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Wilks is looking for a triangle but Velazquez pushes his legs off easily.
Velazquez lands a couple of digs.
Velazquez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Wilks escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Velazquez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wilks is looking to stand up but Velazquez isn't so interested in that idea.
Velazquez makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Wilks will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Velazquez gets a takedown into half guard.
Wilks is looking to escape.
Velazquez passes the guard and advances to mount!
Velazquez scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Wilks is in all sorts of trouble here.
Velazquez postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Wilks looks a forlorn figure.
Tony Wilks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Antonio Velazquez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Wilks throwing hammer fists to the chest of Velazquez. What's that going to do exactly?

And that's the end of the fight!
Antonio Velazquez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Velazquez, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antonio Velazquez!