PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Dan Vespa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frank Castle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Vespa
vs
Castle

169 cm
20
140 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

170 cm
23
135 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Crashforce Voodoo Labs
Convicted

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Dan Vespa!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Frank Castle!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, William Gold and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vespa shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Castle pinned against the cage. Castle gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Vespa closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Castle slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Vespa won't allow Castle to sweep him here.
Vespa trying to control but Castle is working from the bottom.

Vespa got a little sloppy there for a moment and Castle has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Vespa has managed to get both his arms back between Castle's legs - danger averted.
Vespa stopping the sweep attempt from Castle.
Vespa chips away with some ground and pound.
Vespa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Castle swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Castle doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Castle has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Vespa wants to control from the top but Castle keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vespa looking to pass the guard.
Castle throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Vespa looking to pass the guard.

Castle escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Vespa gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Vespa slips nicely into half guard.

Vespa seems to be looking for submissions.
Castle moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Vespa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Castle is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Castle will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vespa pushes down on Castle's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Vespa missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Castle moves into full guard.
Vespa stopping the sweep attempt from Castle.
Vespa forces his way into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Castle is looking to improve his position.
Vespa throwing shots but Castle is blocking nicely.

Vespa seems to be working for a kimura but Castle defends the submission attempt.
Castle regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Castle is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Vespa defends well.

Castle is looking for a triangle but Vespa pushes his legs off easily.
Vespa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Castle is on top in guard.
Vespa striking off his back, scoring a few points.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Castle's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Vespa working for a triangle but Castle defends it easily.
Castle is in close to Vespa's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castle works over Vespa with some ground and pound from guard.
Castle postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Castle distracts Vespa with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Vespa is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Castle in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Vespa looking to hit a scissor sweep but Castle is one step ahead there.

Castle drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Vespa dives on top into guard.
Vespa trying to control but Castle is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Castle dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Castle gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Vespa counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Vespa.

Castle had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Vespa is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Castle Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Vespa's back instead.
Castle is trying to stick to Vespa's back but Vespa is turning into Castle. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Castle's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Vespa.
Vespa tries to stand but Castle is controlling from the bottom.
Castle wants to sweep here but Vespa controlling him for the moment.
Vespa wants to pass the guard but Castle is keeping the position.
Castle lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Vespa!
Vespa flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castle lands with some strikes.
Vespa regains half guard.
Castle looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Vespa with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Vespa trying to hold on to Castle's head to control him but Castle postures up.
Vespa is looking for a sweep. Castle is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Vespa wants to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Castle is pressing down on Vespa's thigh, looking to free his foot. Vespa is holding on for now.
Castle slips a nice elbow through Vespa's hands, connecting with Vespa's forehead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Vespa closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Nice sprawl there from Castle as Vespa shoots in.
Castle throws a predictable looking body shot

and Vespa counters with a takedown into side control.
Vespa tries to advance to mount but Castle denies him.
Castle tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Vespa trying to control the action but Castle is working from the bottom.
Vespa tries to stand but Castle is controlling his head.
Castle is looking to reverse the position.

Vespa looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castle is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Vespa off and has taken his back!
Castle has Vespa flattened out and is raining down punches.

Vespa is trying to get back to his feet. He's worked up on to his knees and now he's on his feet with his head on the canvas, trying to shake Castle off. It looks like it's working - Castle slides off, much to his dismay, and we're back to standing! Vespa displaying calm under pressure there.
Castle lands an overhand right.
Castle throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Vespa takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Castle misses with a hook. Vespa ducked under it nicely.

Castle closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Vespa did well to prevent Castle getting side control.
Castle passes the guard and advances to mount!
Castle lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castle landing punches.

Castle looking to secure an arm triangle but Vespa defends it well.
Vespa is looking to improve his position but Castle isn't that keen on the idea.
Vespa bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vespa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Castle trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Vespa throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Castle works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Vespa wants to get up but he can't break Castle's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Dan Vespa will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Castle throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Vespa scores a takedown into full mount!
Vespa landing strikes from the mount.
Vespa unloads with some shots from mount but Castle bucks and avoids them well.
Castle is working to get back to half guard.

Vespa swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Castle is now in Vespa's guard. A big mistake from Vespa there, giving up the dominant position!
Castle postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Castle stopping the sweep attempt from Vespa.
Castle postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castle preventing the sweep.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Castle postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Castle drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Castle jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Castle stopping the sweep attempt from Vespa.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Castle scores with a decent looking hook.
Castle lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Vespa circles away quickly and effectively.
Vespa slips under a jab.
Castle pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Castle is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Vespa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Vespa scores a takedown into full mount!
Vespa lands a heavy elbow.
Castle tries to reverse the position but Vespa maintains control.

Vespa goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Castle turns into him and now he's in Vespa's guard.
Castle content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Castle landing some decent shots from guard.
Vespa tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Castle working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castle cracks Vespa with a solid left hand.
Castle lands a couple of elbows.
Castle scoring with some ground and pound.

Castle has gone for a leg lock! Vespa slips out almost immediately though and dives into Castle's guard.
Castle keeping full guard, as Vespa tries to pass.
Vespa keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Castle's head.
Vespa has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Vespa wants to pass the guard but Castle is keeping the position.
Dan Vespa overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Vespa throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Castle works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Vespa trying to stand up but can't free himself from Castle's guard.
Vespa tries to free his leg and advance position but Castle is retaining full guard.

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.
Castle wants to sweep here but Vespa controlling him for the moment.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Vespa accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Castle lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Castle fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Vespa on the side of the head.
Vespa shoots for a takedown but Castle saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Castle bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Vespa's head backwards.
Castle lands a body shot.
Castle connects with a body shot.
Castle lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Castle thows a left - swing and a miss!

Castle shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Castle showed some decent athleticism there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Castle really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Castle shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Castle won't allow Vespa to sweep him here.
Vespa lands a couple of decent looking body shots there.
Castle is working Vespa over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Castle drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Vespa manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Castle has Vespa in his guard.
Vespa trying to control but Castle is working from the bottom.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Castle is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Vespa throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vespa trying to control but Castle is working from the bottom.

Castle is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Vespa wants to control from the top but Castle keeps moving.
Vespa stands and throws Castle's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Vespa advances nicely into full mount.
Vespa is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Castle can't escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vespa misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Castle is bucking up trying to escape but Vespa cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Castle bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Castle throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Vespa works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Castle won't allow Vespa to sweep him here.
Vespa bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Castle's guard.
Vespa passes Castle's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Castle slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Castle tries to strike from the bottom.
Vespa wants to control from the top but Castle keeps moving.
Vespa tries to free his leg and advance position but Castle is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Castle had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Vespa is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Castle Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Vespa's back instead.
Castle scores with strikes from the back.
Castle is trying to stick to Vespa's back but Vespa is turning into Castle. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Castle's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Vespa.
Vespa wants to control from the top but Castle keeps moving.
Castle looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Vespa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Castle swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Castle tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Castle is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castle keeping full guard, as Vespa tries to pass.
Vespa lands a couple of digs.
Vespa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Connects with an elbow from the bottom, proving to the judges that he's still active off his back.
Vespa won't allow Castle to sweep him here.
Vespa in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Castle looking for a sweep. Not yet Castle, not yet.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Castle waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Vespa.
Castle doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Vespa counters with a takedown into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Dan Vespa will probably get the nod.
That's time! Vespa's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Vespa drives through with a takedown into guard.
Vespa wants to pass the guard but Castle is keeping the position.
Castle avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Castle working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Vespa doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Vespa manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Vespa looking to pass the guard.

Vespa postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Castle is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Vespa, into his guard.
Castle with a nice head shot there.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Castle thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Castle thows a big elbow that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Castle accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Castle with a flurry of punches that miss.
Castle preventing the sweep.
Vespa trying to control the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Castle gets caught flat footed, as Vespa shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castle lands an upkick as Vespa stands over him.
Vespa wants to pass the guard but Castle is keeping the position.
Castle is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Vespa is looking to improve his position.
Castle is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Castle lands a nice short elbow.

Castle looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Castle winds up and cracks Vespa with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Vespa is pressing down on Castle's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Vespa working for a triangle but Castle defends it easily.
Castle thows a big elbow that misses.

That's four 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.
Vespa trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Castle missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Castle is looking to work some ground and pound but Vespa has wrist control.
Castle distracts Vespa with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Vespa trying to keep a closed guard but Castle is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A shot to the body from Castle misses

and Vespa counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Castle!
Vespa trying to control but Castle is having none of it.
Castle tries to reverse the position but Vespa maintains control.
Castle regains half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dan Vespa showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Vespa 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 47:49
Judge William Gold scores the fight 48:47
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 48:49

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Frank Castle! Frank Castle retains his bantamweight title!