PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Alex Vandorfer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Will Messinger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Will Messinger has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Vandorfer
vs
Messinger

166 cm
18
131 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

170 cm
21
133 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Attliction

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 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alex Vandorfer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Will Messinger!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Skip Squint and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vandorfer throws a right hand that Messinger ducks under and follows up with a left that Messinger also avoids with ease.
Messinger tries to clinch up.
Messinger throws a nice looking combination but Vandorfer bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Messinger avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Vandorfer looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Messinger is fending him off so far but Vandorfer persists. Nope, Messinger circles away and we're back to standing.

Messinger scores with a takedown into Vandorfer's guard.
Messinger tries to free his leg and advance position but Vandorfer is retaining full guard.
Vandorfer wants to stand but Messinger is controlling the position.
Vandorfer 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.
Messinger wants to get up but he can't break Vandorfer's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Vandorfer pulls Messinger in close to his closed guard and prevents Messinger from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vandorfer looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Vandorfer wants to stand up but Messinger is controlling him.
Vandorfer is breathing heavily.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Messinger thuds his right hand into Vandorfer's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Messinger looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Vandorfer fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Messinger manages to avoid it.
Messinger shoots and misses
and Vandorfer counters with a nice uppercut.
Messinger fails with a takedown attempt.
Messinger stuffs the takedown attempt from Vandorfer. Vandorfer gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two 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.
Messinger tries to clinch but Vandorfer is having none of it.
Vandorfer misses with a head kick.
Messinger closes the distance but Vandorfer moves to the side
letting Vandorfer counter with a right hand.
A jab from Vandorfer misses.

Vandorfer feints and as Messinger raises his hands in defense, Vandorfer changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Vandorfer stands and steps away. Messinger gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Messinger fails in his attempt to clinch.
Messinger blocks a head kick by Vandorfer.
Vandorfer fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Vandorfer. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Vandorfer closes the distance and clinches.
Vandorfer wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Messinger lands a nice knee to the body.
Messinger prevents Vandorfer from breaking the clinch.

Messinger breaks the clinch.
Messinger is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Messinger closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vandorfer wants to get back to striking at distance but Messinger won't allow it.
Vandorfer is looking to break free of the clinch but Messinger has double underhooks.
Messinger changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Vandorfer fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Vandorfer moves in looking to clinch but Messinger pushes him off.
Vandorfer pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Vandorfer looks for a takedown but Messinger sprawls well.
Vandorfer avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Messinger has closed the distance and engaged Vandorfer in a clinch.
Messinger fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Messinger breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Messinger closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Vandorfer to the mat! Vandorfer manages to get full guard.
Messinger trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Messinger won't allow Vandorfer to sweep him here.

Vandorfer throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Vandorfer wants to stand but Messinger is controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Vandorfer is on top in guard.

Messinger has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Vandorfer off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Messinger gets caught flat footed, as Vandorfer shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Messinger is working an open guard so Vandorfer takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Messinger shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Vandorfer's guard.
Messinger pushes down on Vandorfer's leg and manages to get into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Will Messinger will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Vandorfer throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Vandorfer swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Horrible takedown by Messinger or perhaps it was just good defense by Vandorfer which made him look bad.
Vandorfer swinging wilding here.

Messinger has managed to clinch.
Vandorfer wants to break free but Messinger has control.
Vandorfer wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Messinger has him pressed against the cage.
Messinger goes for a takedown in the clinch but Vandorfer prevents it.

Messinger jumps guard.
Messinger wants to sweep here but Vandorfer controlling him for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vandorfer won't allow Messinger to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Messinger working for a triangle but Vandorfer defends it easily.
Vandorfer stops Messinger from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Vandorfer accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Messinger is trying to keep Vandorfer in close.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nice sprawl there from Messinger as Vandorfer shoots in.

Vandorfer bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Vandorfer decides to stand back up.
Messinger tries to close the distance and clinch up but Vandorfer swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Messinger shoots for a takedown but Vandorfer saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Alex Vandorfer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Will Messinger.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vandorfer fails to land the takedown.
Messinger blocks a head kick by Vandorfer.
Messinger is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Vandorfer will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Messinger clinches up against the cage.
Messinger stops a takedown attempt from Vandorfer.
Knees to the body from Messinger.

Vandorfer breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Messinger shoots in and drives through. Vandorfer sprawls well.
Messinger is looking to clinch.
Vandorfer tries to clinch up but Messinger circles away and keeps his distance.
Messinger fails with the takedown
and Vandorfer cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Vandorfer throws a head kick that misses.
Vandorfer looks to clinch

and Messinger counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Vandorfer has had enough of the clinch but Messinger keeps him there for the moment.
Messinger fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Vandorfer can't break the clinch.

Vandorfer pulls guard successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vandorfer pushes Messinger off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Vandorfer tries for a takedown but Messinger sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Vandorfer throws a hook but Messinger avoids it easily.
Messinger showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Vandorfer.
Vandorfer misses with a double jab.
Messinger feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Vandorfer's calf.
Vandorfer looks to land a combination but Messinger avoids it well.
Good leg kick by Vandorfer there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Vandorfer.

Messinger scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Vandorfer is not content to let Messinger control the position.
Vandorfer is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Messinger asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vandorfer tries to improve position but can't.
Vandorfer is not content to let Messinger control the position.
Messinger taking a break here but Vandorfer is having none of it and regains half guard.
Vandorfer is trying to stand back up but Messinger is controlling him
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Vandorfer dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Messinger avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Messinger has managed to clinch.
Messinger looking for a takedown.
Vandorfer is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Messinger gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Vandorfer drops down looking for an ankle pick but Messinger pulls his leg out and moves away.
No joy there for Vandorfer, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Messinger lands a nice leg kick that just misses Vandorfer's sensitive parts.
Vandorfer connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Messinger doesn't manage to clinch there - Vandorfer circles away.
Vandorfer checks a leg kick.

Vandorfer fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Messinger sprawls well initially but Vandorfer persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Well, if Vandorfer is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Vandorfer stops Messinger from getting back to his feet.
Messinger takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Messinger trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Messinger tries to get to full guard but Vandorfer has control of the leg.
Messinger is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Vandorfer trying to pass the guard but Messinger defending well.
Messinger trying to control but Vandorfer postures up.
Messinger pushes Vandorfer off looking to stand but Vandorfer dives back in and keeps control.

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

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Vandorfer changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Messinger looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Messinger is trying to control Vandorfer's posture but Vandorfer avoids it.
Messinger is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Vandorfer off and has taken his back!
Messinger tries to keep control of the position but Vandorfer is staying busy.
Vandorfer is really stuck here.
Vandorfer trying to control but not successfully.
Even with his hooks in, Messinger manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Vandorfer trying to control but not successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Messinger trying to control.
Vandorfer turns into Messinger and is now in his guard.
Messinger wants to get back to his feet but Vandorfer is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Vandorfer misses with a two punch combination.
Vandorfer throws a jab when Messinger was well out of range.
Vandorfer moves in looking to clinch but Messinger pushes him off.
Vandorfer fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Messinger swats away the attempt to clinch by Vandorfer.
Messinger connects with a good right hand that stumbles Vandorfer. Vandorfer circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Alex Vandorfer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Vandorfer.
Messinger lands a head kick. Vandorfer smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Vandorfer is rocked!
Vandorfer pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Oh Vandorfer is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Vandorfer tries to keep at a distance but Messinger has taken the fight into the clinch.
Messinger prevents a body shot from Vandorfer.
Messinger stalling against the cage.
Vandorfer has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Messinger avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Vandorfer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vandorfer is trying to break free.
Vandorfer wants to break free but Messinger has control.
Messinger has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Vandorfer avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Messinger unloads a knee to the mid-section. Vandorfer lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Vandorfer seems to have got his legs back now.
Messinger prevents Vandorfer from breaking the clinch.

Vandorfer breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Vandorfer is looking to clinch.
Messinger fails with the takedown
and Vandorfer counters with a three punch combo that has Messinger backing up. Messinger nods at Vandorfer to acknowledge the strikes.
Vandorfer misses with a double jab.
Vandorfer throws a head kick that misses

and Messinger counters with a nice double leg into side control. Vandorfer won't be happy with that.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vandorfer wants to get back to his feet but Messinger drags him back down.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Will Messinger.
I think Messinger has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Will Messinger!