PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Balack Rassum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Vargas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vargas has chosen Shut it down by Pitbull as his entrance music. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Rassum
vs
Vargas

170 cm
20
135 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

167 cm
19
140 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Balack Rassum!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alex Vargas!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Albert Achterberg and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vargas misses with a hook.
Vargas scores with a nice strike.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Rassum.
Vargas tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Vargas can't do much from the bottom here.
An elbow from Rassum crashes against the mat.
Rassum wants to control but Vargas is keeping him busy.
Rassum throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Rassum misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

Rassum is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Vargas knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vargas is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Rassum off and has taken his back!

Vargas is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Rassum has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Vargas's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Rassum is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Rassum staying busy and making it hard for Vargas to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vargas looking to hold on to the position here but Rassum rolls and ends up regaining guard.
Vargas looking to pass the guard.

Vargas postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Rassum is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Vargas, into his guard.

Vargas looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Rassum passes into side control.
Rassum working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vargas manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Vargas regains full guard. Nicely done.
Vargas working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rassum.
Vargas wants to sweep but no luck.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vargas looking for a sweep. Not yet Vargas, not yet.

Vargas is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Vargas looking for a sweep. Not yet Vargas, not yet.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Vargas holds on and takes a little breather.
Vargas working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Vargas dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Rassum scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Vargas regains full guard. Nicely done.

Vargas looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rassum won't allow Vargas to sweep him here.
Vargas is trying to keep Rassum in close.

Rassum decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Rassum misses with a wild combination.
Vargas swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rassum looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Rassum is looking to stand up but Vargas won't let him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Vargas has his foot on Rassum's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rassum works his way back into a safe position though.
Vargas manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Rassum defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Vargas.
Alex Vargas has got the better of the ground game so far.
Vargas tries to control but Rassum wriggling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rassum is in all sorts of trouble here.

Vargas goes for an armbar but Rassum turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Rassum.
Vargas is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Vargas pulls Rassum in close to his closed guard and prevents Rassum from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rassum tries to stand but Vargas is controlling from the bottom.
Vargas is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Vargas 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.

Vargas working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rassum doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Vargas is tightening it up a little... Rassum has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Rassum reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Rassum taps out! nice BJJ there by Vargas!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:03 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Alex Vargas!