PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Brandon Vera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Giorgio Lombardi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Vera
vs
Lombardi

178 cm
23
166 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

172 cm
24
158 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Brandon Vera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Giorgio Lombardi!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Radbod Blank and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lombardi shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Vera's guard.
Vera tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lombardi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Vera is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Vera avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lombardi wants to pass the guard but Vera is keeping the position.
Vera avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lombardi postures up and lands a big shot to Vera's brow.
Vera trying to keep a closed guard but Lombardi is proving a slippery customer.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Lombardi scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Vera regains half guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lombardi is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Vera reverses the position - he's now on top in Lombardi's guard.
Vera would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Vera wants to stand and escape but instead Lombardi has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Vera is trying to control the position from the bottom.

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

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.
Lombardi wants to pass the guard but Vera is keeping the position.
Lombardi controls from within his opponent's guard.
Lombardi trying to move into half guard but instead Vera has managed to sweep!
Lombardi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Vera is one step ahead there.

Vera 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.
Vera trying to control the position from guard on top but Lombardi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Vera blocks a jab.
The crowd cheers as Lombardi lands an impressive looking overhand right. Vera doesn't seem phased though.

Vera darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Vera prevents Lombardi from improving his position.
Lombardi wants to get back to his feet.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Lombardi can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lombardi tries to get to full guard but Vera has control of the leg.
Vera trying to control the action but Lombardi is working from the bottom.
Lombardi tries to kick Vera off but Vera keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Vera thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lombardi's head.

Vera is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Lombardi defends it well.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Lombardi misses with a straight right.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Giorgio Lombardi dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Vera has his takedown stuffed
and Lombardi counters with a series of strikes. Vera will be more careful next time no doubt.
Lombardi is looking to clinch.
Lombardi doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Vera counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Lombardi!
Lombardi is trying to stand but he's not in a good position to be doing that! Vera has taken his back!
Lombardi holding both Vera 's hands and preventing any damage.
Vera trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Lombardi doesn't escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lombardi trying to control the hands but Vera won't let him.
Vera struggling to keep hold of the position.

Lombardi preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Vera.
Vera is trying to stick to Lombardi's back but Lombardi is turning into Vera. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Vera's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Lombardi.
Vera keeping full guard, as Lombardi tries to pass.
Lombardi works over Vera with some ground and pound from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Vera is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Vera keeping moving, preventing Lombardi from controlling successfully.
Lombardi lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Lombardi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Vera managing to control the position.
Vera keeping moving, preventing Lombardi from controlling successfully.
Lombardi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Vera working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lombardi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lombardi works over Vera with some ground and pound from guard.
Vera preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Lombardi postures up and lands a big shot to Vera's brow.
Lombardi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lombardi scoring with some ground and pound.
Vera looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Vera looking to control.
Vera keeping moving, preventing Lombardi from controlling successfully.
Lombardi cracks Vera with a solid left hand.
Lombardi wants to stand but Vera has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vera controls Lombardi momentarily but Lombardi frees himself.
Lombardi slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Lombardi trying to control the position but Vera is working away.
Lombardi has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Vera!
Lombardi putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Vera is trying to escape the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Giorgio Lombardi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Vera throws a combination that misses

and Lombardi counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Vera tries to get to full guard but Lombardi has control of the leg.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Lombardi lands a nice short elbow.
Lombardi landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Vera is trying to stand back up but Lombardi is controlling him
Lombardi trying to control the action but Vera is working from the bottom.
Giorgio Lombardi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lombardi working Vera over with strikes.
Lombardi thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Vera is trying to get back to full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Lombardi lands a nice short elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lombardi working over Vera with some ground and pound. Vera looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Lombardi not doing much here.
Lombardi thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Lombardi trying to control from half guard but Vera is working away.
Lombardi is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Lombardi passes into side control, despite Vera's attempt to control the position.
Lombardi looks up at the clock and then as Vera takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Lombardi smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Brandon Vera has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Lombardi lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Vera takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Lombardi landing strikes.
Vera is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Vera manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Lombardi connects with a nice short shot to Vera's temple.
Lombardi throwing shots but Vera is blocking nicely.
Lombardi working over Vera with some ground and pound. Vera looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Lombardi trying to control from Vera's half guard. Vera has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Lombardi is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lombardi controlling from the top position.
Lombardi trying to control the position from guard on top but Vera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lombardi throwing strikes from guard but Vera blocks nicely.
Vera working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lombardi.
Vera keeping full guard, as Lombardi tries to pass.
Lombardi lands a couple of elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Lombardi is working Vera over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Lombardi is posturing up here but Vera has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Lombardi tries to roll out but it's too tight and Lombardi has to tap! Slick submission there by Vera!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:24 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Brandon Vera!