PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Justin Starr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Vermillion (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Justin Starr has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Starr
vs
Vermillion

177 cm
19
177 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
176 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Justin Starr !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Max Vermillion!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Columbo Gatti and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vermillion misses with a hook.
Vermillion stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Vermillion wants it to stay on the feet.
Starr fails with the takedown.

Vermillion is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Starr 's half guard.

Vermillion is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Starr doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Vermillion.
Starr is trying to maintain the position but Vermillion is very close to passing his half guard.
Starr moves into full guard.
Starr tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Vermillion passes Starr 's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Vermillion is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Vermillion works his way into full mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Starr tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Vermillion fails to move to back control.
Starr keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Starr has given up his back.
Vermillion trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Starr is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Vermillion is not going to allow Starr to sit and survive in this position.

Starr is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Vermillion gets his way!

Vermillion looking for the choke from the back.

Starr is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Vermillion gets his way!
Vermillion looks gassed!
Starr trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Starr breaks Vermillion's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vermillion preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Starr passes into half guard.

Starr is trying to work for a kimura but Vermillion is defending well.

Starr 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Starr is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Vermillion doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Starr .
Vermillion is trying to control but Starr passes into side control!

Starr is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Vermillion is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Starr wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Vermillion, who protects the arm well.
Vermillion is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Starr off and has taken his back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Starr breaks Vermillion's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Starr postures up.

Vermillion throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Starr preventing the sweep.
Starr postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

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

Starr is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Starr loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Vermillion dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Starr with a poor takedown

and Vermillion counters with a nice double leg into side control. Starr won't be happy with that.
Starr tries to buck Vermillion off but Vermillion is having none of it.
Starr manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Vermillion regains full guard. Nicely done.
Vermillion wants to sweep here but Starr controlling him for the moment.

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

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

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

Starr is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Starr avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vermillion has his foot on Starr 's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Starr works his way back into a safe position though.

Starr is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Starr slips nicely into half guard.
Vermillion tries to get to full guard but Starr has control of the leg.

Vermillion is defending against the submission attempts here by Starr .
Starr missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Starr is looking for a kimura here.

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.

Vermillion looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Vermillion looking for submissions off his back.
Vermillion tries to get to full guard but Starr has control of the leg.

Starr is trying to work for a kimura but Vermillion is defending well.

Starr is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Vermillion is just riding it out for now. Starr eventually gives up the hold.
Starr wants to control but Vermillion is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Starr is working for a kimura but Vermillion is defending it quite comfortably.
Vermillion tries to roll over but Starr keeps him under control.

Starr is looking for a kimura here.
Vermillion wants to get back to full guard.
Vermillion is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Starr 's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Starr 's back!
Vermillion controlling well, preventing Starr from escaping the position.

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.

Vermillion patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Vermillion is looking to control Starr but Starr is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Vermillion doesn't have the hooks in and Starr manages to turn into his guard.

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

Vermillion looking for a guillotine here but Starr defends easily.

Starr thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Vermillion keeping moving, preventing Starr from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Vermillion showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Starr gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Vermillion looking to pass the guard.
Starr not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Vermillion trying to control but Starr is working from the bottom.

Vermillion drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Starr manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Vermillion has Starr in his guard.

Starr drops back looking for a leg! Vermillion is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Vermillion manages to kick Starr off! Starr jumps back into Vermillion's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Vermillion throws his legs up looking for a submission but Starr uses it to pass to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Starr wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Vermillion, who protects the arm well.

Starr thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Starr tries for a kimura but Vermillion is defending well.

Starr wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Vermillion, who protects the arm well.
Starr working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vermillion tries to buck Starr off but Starr is having none of it.

Starr working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Vermillion is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Starr off and has taken his back!

Starr defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Max Vermillion has got the better of the ground game so far.
Starr tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Starr manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Starr wants to sweep but Vermillion has passed to side control!

Vermillion is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Starr knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Starr can't do much from the bottom here.
Starr is looking to regain half guard here but Vermillion keeps moving and retains side control.
Vermillion wants to control but Starr is keeping him busy.
Starr gets back to half guard.
Starr is pressing down on Vermillion's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Starr has his foot on Vermillion's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Vermillion works his way back into a safe position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Starr 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.
Vermillion tries to free his leg and advance position but Starr is retaining full guard.
Vermillion trying to control but Starr is working from the bottom.
Vermillion must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Starr tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Vermillion wants to pass the guard but Starr is keeping the position.

Starr has his feet on Vermillion's thighs here. He's pushed Vermillion off and worked for a very quick armbar from the bottom! He's flipped onto his stomach and he's cranking hard on the arm! Vermillion screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Justin Starr !