PBP Commentary

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

Nogueira
vs
Vukovic

191 cm
20
239 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

197 cm
20
275 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rodrigo Nogueira!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Frank Vukovic!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Cecil Peabody and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Vukovic scores with a takedown into Nogueira's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Vukovic trying to control but Nogueira is working from the bottom.

Nogueira is looking for a triangle but Vukovic pushes his legs off easily.
Vukovic postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

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

Vukovic got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nogueira has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Vukovic has managed to get both his arms back between Nogueira's legs - danger averted.
Vukovic wants to control from the top but Nogueira keeps moving.

Nogueira is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Vukovic with a flurry of punches that miss.

Nogueira looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Vukovic working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Vukovic accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Vukovic has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Nogueira working for a triangle but Vukovic defends it easily.
Vukovic makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Vukovic accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Vukovic trying to control but Nogueira is working from the bottom.

Nogueira working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Vukovic doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Vukovic manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Vukovic chips away with some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vukovic working some strikes from top position.
Vukovic working some strikes from top position.
Vukovic 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nogueira working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Vukovic doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Vukovic manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Nogueira is breathing heavily.
Vukovic trying to control but Nogueira is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vukovic throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nogueira works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nogueira avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Nogueira looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Vukovic working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Vukovic wants to control from the top but Nogueira keeps moving.

Nogueira has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Vukovic can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Vukovic content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nogueira has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Vukovic is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Nogueira.
Vukovic looks up at the clock and then as Nogueira takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Vukovic smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Vukovic in side control lands a decent elbow.
Vukovic advances to full mount.
Vukovic working the ground and pound effectively.
Vukovic lands with some strikes.
Vukovic landing punches.
Vukovic lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Vukovic working for a guillotine from mount but Nogueira is in no mood to give up.
Vukovic lands a heavy elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vukovic putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Nogueira tries to lock up and control but Vukovic gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Vukovic with the ground and pound from mount.
Vukovic scoring with strikes but Nogueira is staying in there.
Vukovic lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

Vukovic wants to finish this one by submission but Nogueira is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Vukovic.
Vukovic breaks from Nogueira's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Vukovic looking to finish Nogueira with some ground and pound. This is bad for Nogueira!
Vukovic lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
BOOM! Vukovic connects with a massive shot to the dome!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vukovic looking to control but Nogueira is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Nogueira tries to hold on but Vukovic postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Vukovic dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Vukovic tries to close the distance and clinch but Nogueira swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nogueira shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Vukovic counters with a low kick, right behind Nogueira 's knee.
Vukovic is looking to clinch.
Vukovic misses with a takedown attempt

and Nogueira counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Vukovic tries to get to full guard but Nogueira has control of the leg.
Vukovic gets back to full guard.

Nogueira thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nogueira looking to sit in guard and control but Vukovic gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Vukovic accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Vukovic trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Nogueira is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Vukovic is aware though and is defending well.
Vukovic lands a couple of digs.
Vukovic throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nogueira works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Vukovic trying to control the position from guard on top but Nogueira is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Nogueira looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Vukovic looking to pass the guard.
Vukovic trying to control but Nogueira is working from the bottom.

Vukovic drops back looking for a leg! Nogueira is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Nogueira manages to kick Vukovic off! Vukovic jumps back into Nogueira's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vukovic connects with a couple of short punches.
Vukovic landing with the ground and pound.
Frank Vukovic has got the better of the ground game so far.
Vukovic postures up and lands a big shot to Nogueira's brow.

Nogueira looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Vukovic connects with a couple of short punches.

Nogueira looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Vukovic trying to control but Nogueira is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nogueira looking for a guillotine here but Vukovic defends easily.
Vukovic keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Nogueira's head.
Nogueira keeping moving, preventing Vukovic from controlling successfully.
Vukovic working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Nogueira's head.
Vukovic pushes down on Nogueira's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Nogueira keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Vukovic seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Nogueira does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Nogueira makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Nogueira.
Vukovic postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Frank Vukovic will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Nogueira avoids the body shot from Vukovic.
Nogueira takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

It looks like Rodrigo Nogueira has been cut.
Rodrigo Nogueira is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Vukovic shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Nogueira is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Vukovic pulls his head out easily.
Nogueira wants to control but Vukovic is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Nogueira is trying to get back to full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Vukovic working Nogueira over with strikes.
Nogueira has hold of Vukovic's hands but Vukovic slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vukovic is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Nogueira looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Vukovic wants to free his trapped foot but Nogueira is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Vukovic is trying to control. Nogueira wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Nogueira looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Vukovic scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Vukovic is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Vukovic looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Nogueira with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vukovic works his way into side control.
Nogueira takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Nogueira manages to get back to half guard.
Nogueira trying to hold on to Vukovic's head to control him but Vukovic postures up.

Vukovic is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Nogueira sees it coming and defends easily.
Nogueira trying to control from the bottom.
Nogueira is refusing to be controlled, as Vukovic sits in half guard.
Rodrigo Nogueira has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vukovic slips a nice elbow through Nogueira's hands, connecting with Nogueira's forehead.
Vukovic 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.
Vukovic not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nogueira moves into full guard.
Vukovic with a nice head shot there.

Nogueira is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Vukovic connects with a couple of short punches.

Nogueira looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Nogueira is looking for a triangle but Vukovic pushes his legs off easily.
Vukovic advances position into side control!
Nogueira is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vukovic trying to control the action but Nogueira is working from the bottom.
Vukovic working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Nogueira tries to improve position but can't.
Frank Vukovic is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Vukovic gets to mount! Nogueira was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Nogueira is looking to improve his position but Vukovic isn't that keen on the idea.
Vukovic landing strikes from the mount and Nogueira is in trouble!
Nogueira is trying to stand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frank Vukovic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Vukovic has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 27:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frank Vukovic!