PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joe Vatali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Noctis Perseus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Vatali
vs
Perseus

188 cm
25
210 lbs
14 - 3 - 0

195 cm
22
278 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Broken Halo Pride Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joe Vatali!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Noctis Perseus!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Perseus missing with a left hand there. Vatali was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Perseus stuffs the takedown attempt from Vatali. Vatali gets slowly back to his feet.
Perseus moves into range and connects with a jab.

It looks like Joe Vatali has been cut.
Vatali uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Perseus.
Perseus ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Vatali moves away.
Vatali shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Perseus swings for the body but Vatali moves out of range.
Vatali looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Perseus is fending him off so far but Vatali persists. Nope, Perseus circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Vatali. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vatali 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.
Perseus sizes up Vatali with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Vatali misses with a looping left.
Nice body punch from Vatali.
Vatali avoids the body shot from Perseus.

Vatali moves into the clinch.
Perseus avoiding damage as Vatali throws knees to the body.
Vatali is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Vatali tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Perseus avoids it.
Vatali trying to land knees to the body.
Vatali has Perseus pressed against the cage, preventing Perseus from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vatali misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Perseus.
Perseus is looking to break free of the clinch but Vatali has double underhooks.
Vatali is struggling to control the position.
Vatali is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Vatali lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Perseus or not.
Vatali fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Perseus is stalling here.
Vatali stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Vatali tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Perseus can't find room to land a body shot as Vatali controls the action.
Vatali is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Perseus is defending well for now.
Vatali tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Vatali stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Vatali misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Perseus.
Vatali lands a body punch in the clinch.
Vatali tries a body shot but Perseus blocks it.
Vatali tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Perseus taking a breather.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vatali wants a takedown but no success here.
Perseus gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Vatali.
Perseus tries to break free but Vatali pushes him back against the cage.
Vatali throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Vatali is leaning against Perseus and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Perseus has had enough of the clinch but Vatali keeps him there for the moment.
A right hook to the body lands for Perseus.
Vatali connects with a nasty looking knee right to Perseus's face.
Vatali misses with a body punch.

Vatali lands a takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vatali postures up in Perseus's guard and throws a big left but Perseus blocks it.
Vatali throwing strikes but missing.
Vatali thows a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Perseus seems keen to control Vatali's posture.
Vatali trying to move into half guard but instead Perseus has managed to sweep!
Perseus controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Vatali 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.
Vatali is trying to control the position but Perseus postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vatali wants to sweep here but Perseus controlling him for the moment.

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.
Vatali is controlling Perseus's posture.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Noctis Perseus hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Vatali takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Perseus displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Vatali throws out the jab.
Vatali tries to clinch up but Perseus circles away and keeps his distance.
Perseus scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Vatali swings and misses with a shot to the body
enabling Perseus to counter with a crisp jab.
Vatali slips under a jab.
Vatali missing with a left hand there. Perseus was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Perseus looks to score with a jab to the body but Vatali is just out of range.
Vatali misses with a looping right.
Perseus throws a looping overhand right but Vatali ducks down to avoid it.
Vatali misses with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Noctis Perseus will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Joe Vatali's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Vatali with a hook.
Vatali staying out of range there.
Perseus ducks under a wild hook from Vatali.
Vatali is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Vatali ducks under a wild hook from Perseus.
Joe Vatali seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vatali tries a low kick but Perseus avoids it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Vatali.
Vatali blocks a jab.
Vatali tries to land a leg kick but Perseus saw it coming and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Perseus throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Perseus blocks a jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Perseus. Vatali does a little dance to reset his feet.
Vatali throws out a loose jab but Perseus uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vatali looks to land a left hand but Perseus moved out of range nicely.
Vatali misses with a telegraphed body shot
letting Perseus counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vatali doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Perseus cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Perseus throws a shot from downtown. Vatali moves away and avoids it.
Vatali uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Perseus.
Vatali fails with the takedown
and Perseus counters with a nice body shot.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Vatali. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The fighters circling - Perseus throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A swing and a miss from Perseus.
Vatali misses with a head kick.
Perseus throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Vatali walks into a stiff left hand from Perseus.
Perseus keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Vatali shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Perseus napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Vatali misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

Vatali tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vatali tries to score with some ground and pound. Perseus controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
The ground and pound from Vatali seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Perseus gets back to half guard.
Perseus is pressing down on Vatali's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vatali postures up.
Vatali is fighting to break Perseus's control of his arms but Perseus is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vatali thows a big elbow that misses.
Vatali working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Perseus controls Vatali momentarily but Vatali frees himself.
Vatali throwing strikes from guard but Perseus blocks nicely.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Perseus keeping moving, preventing Vatali from controlling successfully.
Vatali is really struggling to control Perseus but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Perseus working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Vatali.

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.
Vatali loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Vatali postures up in Perseus's guard and throws a big left but Perseus blocks it.
Vatali trying to control the position from guard on top but Perseus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vatali postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Perseus keeping full guard, as Vatali tries to pass.
Vatali pushing down on Perseus's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Perseus tries to get to full guard but Vatali has control of the leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Noctis Perseus showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Joe Vatali's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Vatali shoots in for a takedown but Perseus shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Perseus throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Vatali on the side of the head.
Perseus lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

Joe Vatali's cut is getting worse.
A jab from Vatali misses.
Vatali ducks under a wild hook from Perseus.
Perseus lands a jab to Vatali's midsection.
Vatali lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Vatali checks a leg kick.
Noctis Perseus seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Perseus throws the left hand but Vatali avoids the punch easily.

Vatali scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Vatali works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Vatali throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Vatali throws a strike aimed at the side of Perseus's head but Perseus avoids it well.
Vatali working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vatali trying to control the position but Perseus is working away.
Perseus regains half guard.

Vatali seems to be working for a kimura but Perseus defends the submission attempt.
Perseus wants to get back to full guard.
Vatali missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Vatali seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Perseus does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Vatali with the ground and pound but Perseus uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Perseus controlling Vatali's posture.
Vatali throws a big right hand that misses.
Perseus keeping full guard, as Vatali tries to pass.
Perseus is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Vatali wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vatali wants to get back to full guard but Perseus has passed into side control.
Vatali can't escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Vatali manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Vatali is looking to improve his position.
Perseus controlling the action here.
Vatali gets back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Noctis Perseus really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joe Vatali's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Vatali clinches but Perseus breaks the clinch
and Perseus counters with a stiff right hand.
Perseus takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Vatali is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Perseus's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Good exchange - Perseus coming out on top.
Vatali swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Perseus lands a lovely overhand right.
Vatali moves out of range of the strikes.
Perseus throws a hook but Vatali avoids it easily.
Vatali throws a body punch but Perseus moves out of range.
Perseus jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Vatali is defended easily by Perseus.
Vatali closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Perseus scores with a shot to the body.
Vatali chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vatali shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Perseus napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Vatali is looking to take a break and control but Perseus is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
An elbow from Vatali crashes against the mat.
Perseus regains half guard.
Perseus taking some punishment here, with Vatali in his half guard.

Vatali is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Vatali trying to mount his opponent but Perseus defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Perseus is looking to control Vatali's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Perseus avoid being mounted?
Vatali tries to pass to full mount but Perseus defends it.
Perseus is refusing to be controlled, as Vatali sits in half guard.
Perseus blocking the ground and pound attempt from Vatali.
Vatali wants to pass to mount but Perseus is defending the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vatali sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Perseus defending well though.
Perseus is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Vatali scores with a couple of nice shots.
Vatali trying to control from half guard but Perseus is working away.
Vatali wants to free his trapped foot but Perseus is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Joe Vatali overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Vatali not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Vatali thows a huge punch but Perseus dodges it nicely.
Vatali sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Perseus defending well though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Perseus regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Vatali.
Perseus managing to control the position.
Vatali lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Vatali throws a big right hand that misses.
Vatali connects with a couple of short punches.
Vatali postures up in Perseus's guard and throws a big left but Perseus blocks it.
Vatali trying to control the position from guard on top but Perseus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Noctis Perseus will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Joe Vatali's cut.
That's time! Vatali's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Perseus displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Perseus leaves Vatali with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Perseus blocks a head kick by Vatali.
Perseus on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Vatali tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A looping hook to the body misses from Vatali. Perseus does a little dance to reset his feet.

Vatali gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Vatali missing with knees to the body.
Vatali digs a right hand underneath Perseus's ribcage. Perseus let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Vatali has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Perseus clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Perseus manages to escape to a better position under a series of strikes. Vatali is now in side control.
Perseus regains half guard, as Vatali was trying to land strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vatali 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.
Ground and pound from Vatali.

That's two 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.

Vatali is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Vatali misses with a head shot. Perseus uses the momentum to regain guard.
Perseus wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Vatali throws a big right hand that misses.
Vatali trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Perseus keeping moving, preventing Vatali from controlling successfully.
Vatali with a flurry of punches that miss.

Vatali drops back, looking for a kneebar! Perseus looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Perseus looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Perseus!
Perseus controlling the position from side mount.
Vatali is looking for a sweep.
Joe Vatali has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.
Noctis Perseus is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Vatali manages to get back to half guard.
Vatali trying to control here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Vatali manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Vatali working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Perseus has passed into half guard!

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Joe Vatali.
I think Perseus 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 46:50
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 47:48
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Noctis Perseus!
Noctis Perseus is the new heavyweight champion!