PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Horvat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Randy Vargas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Horvat might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Linkin Park-By Myself. Vargas has chosen Az - Rather Unique as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Ivan Horvat could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Randy Vargas's chin.

Horvat
vs
Vargas

186 cm
19
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
19
185 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ivan Horvat!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Randy Vargas!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Yuuki Gou and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vargas displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Horvat.

Vargas tries to sprawl but Horvat drives through with a takedown into half 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.
Vargas is trying to get back to full guard.
Vargas avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Horvat.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Vargas looking for submissions off his back.

Horvat is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Horvat is pressing down on Vargas's thigh, looking to free his foot. Vargas is holding on for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vargas is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Vargas is refusing to be controlled, as Horvat sits in half guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Vargas misses with a few strikes there.
Horvat misses with a double jab

and Vargas counters with a shoot takedown. Horvat fights it but they end up in guard.
Vargas wanted to stand there but Horvat had control of the position.
Vargas wants to pass the guard but Horvat is keeping the position.
Horvat is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horvat looking for a sweep. Not yet Horvat, not yet.

Vargas stands up and waves to Horvat to follow him.
Horvat chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Vargas looks gassed!

Horvat scores a takedown into full mount!
Horvat looking to control but Vargas is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Horvat lands with some strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Horvat is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Horvat misses with a takedown attempt

and Vargas counters with a shoot takedown. Horvat fights it but they end up in guard.
Vargas controlling from the top position.
Vargas stopping the sweep attempt from Horvat.
Vargas won't allow Horvat to get back to his feet.
Horvat manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Vargas manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horvat passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Vargas is pushing Horvat's head away, looking to escape. Horvat manages to hold on to the position though.

Horvat stands up.
Vargas with a poor takedown

and Horvat holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Horvat turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vargas sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vargas trying to control here.

Horvat is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ivan Horvat will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Horvat pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Horvat gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Vargas counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Vargas tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Horvat counters with a takedown into side control.
Vargas is trying to get back to half guard.
Horvat trying to control the position but Vargas is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Horvat working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sloppy strikes there by Horvat.
Vargas manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Vargas keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Horvat tries to stand and escape but Vargas is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Horvat is just content to waste time from the top position. Vargas takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vargas keeping moving, preventing Horvat from controlling successfully.
Vargas looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Horvat sitting in guard here, content to control.
Horvat missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horvat looking to sit in guard and control but Vargas gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Vargas wants to stand but Horvat is controlling his posture from full guard.
Horvat looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Horvat keeping moving, preventing Vargas from controlling successfully.
Ivan Horvat overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Horvat is trying to control the position but Vargas postures up.

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.
Vargas in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Vargas blocks an elbow strike from Horvat.

Horvat is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Vargas can't fight it off and eventually Horvat manages to take the fight to the floor. Vargas looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Vargas has control of Horvat's left arm, preventing Horvat from doing any damage.

Vargas is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Horvat is aware though and is defending well.
Vargas controlling Horvat's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Horvat dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Horvat misses with a wild combination.
Horvat throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Horvat gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Vargas counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Horvat!
Horvat has given up his back here.
Horvat prevents Vargas from getting a body triangle.

Vargas is looking for the choke from the back position but Horvat is controlling his hands well.
A lull in the action here.
Horvat manages to reverse the position and now he's in Vargas's guard. Nice work there by Horvat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horvat thows a big elbow that misses.

Horvat gets to his feet - Vargas follows without any prompting.

Horvat feints and as Vargas raises his hands in defense, Horvat changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Horvat wants to control from the top but Vargas keeps moving.

Horvat stands and steps away. Vargas gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Horvat shoots and misses

and Vargas counters with a takedown into side control.
Vargas is looking to take a break and control but Horvat is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Horvat tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Horvat is looking to get back to his feet here but Vargas is keeping cool and he's managed to take Horvat's back.
Horvat turns into Vargas and is now in his guard.

Vargas is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Horvat defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horvat is standing up over Vargas. Vargas looks to escape but Horvat dives into side control.
Horvat tries to move to mount but Vargas blocks the move with his legs.
Vargas is not content to let Horvat control the position.
Horvat working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Horvat is trying to get an arm triangle but Vargas is defending well.
Vargas can't do much from the bottom here.

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

Horvat decides to stand back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Randy Vargas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Horvat has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Horvat!