PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Denis Rasic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abel Velasquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Abel Velasquez has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Denis Rasic's chin.

Rasic
vs
Velasquez

170 cm
21
245 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

185 cm
23
243 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Denis Rasic!
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, Abel Velasquez!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Russell Pearce and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Velasquez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rasic but Rasic pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Rasic shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Velasquez keeping moving, preventing Rasic from controlling successfully.
Velasquez managing to control the position.
Rasic postures up in Velasquez's guard and throws a big left but Velasquez blocks it.
Rasic has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Rasic trying to control but Velasquez is working from the bottom.
Velasquez controls Rasic momentarily but Rasic frees himself.
Velasquez seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Velasquez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rasic throwing strikes from guard but Velasquez blocks nicely.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Velasquez is looking to clinch.
Velasquez throws a sloppy head kick and Rasic moves out of range easily.
Rasic moves out of range of the body kick.
Velasquez punishes Rasic's body with a nice straight punch.
Velasquez does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Velasquez attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rasic checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Velasquez tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rasic needs to keep his hands up - Velasquez had a free shot at his head there.
Rasic blocks a leg kick.
Velasquez slaps away a takedown attempt from Rasic, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Rasic is breathing heavily.
Velasquez doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Rasic decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Velasquez's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rasic preventing the sweep.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Velasquez holds on and takes a little breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rasic trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rasic is working hard here to advance position.

Rasic is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Velasquez is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Velasquez has escaped and now he's on top!
Rasic wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Velasquez is now in half guard.
Velasquez looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Velasquez working the head and body with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Velasquez thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rasic's head.
Rasic tries to roll over but Velasquez keeps him under control.
Velasquez landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Velasquez takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Velasquez is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rasic is just riding it out for now. Velasquez eventually gives up the hold.
Rasic is looking to improve his position.
Velasquez passes to full mount!
Velasquez scores with a couple of good head shots there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Velasquez is looking to clinch.
Velasquez moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Denis Rasic has been cut.
Velasquez connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Rasic fails to land the takedown.
Rasic gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Velasquez counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Rasic might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Velasquez is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Rasic!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Velasquez lands a heavy elbow.

Velasquez working from mount. He moves in close and looks like he might be going for an arm triangle... He's hopped off to the side and he's transitioned into an Anaconda choke. Rasic turning a nasty shade of purple. He's refusing to tap but he's gone! He's out! The ref rips Velasquez off and cradles Rasic's limp body as Velasquez celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:01 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Anaconda Choke). Abel Velasquez!