PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rodolpho Vasquel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gabriel Emerson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vasquel's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Surviving the Times. Emerson is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Laurent Wolf - No Stress. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Gabriel Emerson was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Vasquel
vs
Emerson

186 cm
22
185 lbs
8 - 7 - 1

185 cm
28
180 lbs
12 - 6 - 2

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Asphyxiation Ltd. (CBK)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rodolpho Vasquel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gabriel Emerson!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Felipe Paraventi and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vasquel misses with a hook
and Emerson counters with a right hand to the body.
Emerson fails to land the takedown.
Emerson misses with the combination.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Vasquel looking to score a takedown here. Emerson is defending well but Vasquel drives through and ends up in Emerson's guard.
Vasquel has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasquel won't allow Emerson to sweep him here.
Vasquel throwing strikes from guard but Emerson blocks nicely.
Vasquel is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Vasquel working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Vasquel accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Emerson has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Vasquel is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Emerson.
Emerson is looking to reverse the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vasquel working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
An elbow from Vasquel crashes against the mat.
Vasquel working the head with strikes.
Vasquel creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Emerson sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Vasquel looks up at the clock and then as Emerson takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Vasquel smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Vasquel is putting a hurting on Emerson here, landing some big shots from side control.
Vasquel landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Emerson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Vasquel working the ground and pound but Emerson is defending the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vasquel is trying to get an arm triangle but Emerson is defending well.
An elbow from Vasquel crashes against the mat.
Emerson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Vasquel wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Emerson manages to work his way to half guard, despite Vasquel's best efforts.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Vasquel is working for a submission of some sort.
Emerson is looking for a sweep. Vasquel is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four 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.
Emerson works his way to full guard. Good work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Vasquel postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Emerson is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Vasquel, into his guard.
Vasquel can't keep his opponent in guard - Emerson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Emerson is trying to control the action in half guard but Vasquel is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodolpho Vasquel dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Emerson has his takedown stuffed
and Vasquel cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Emerson throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Vasquel on the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters circling - Emerson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Emerson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Vasquel counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasquel thows a body shot but no joy.
Emerson looks to score with a jab to the body but Vasquel is just out of range.
Vasquel takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

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.
Emerson misses with a combination

and Vasquel counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Emerson's guard now.
Emerson has momentary wrist control but Vasquel slips an elbow through the middle.
Vasquel missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Vasquel working some strikes from top position.
Vasquel postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Vasquel preventing the sweep.
Vasquel postures up in Emerson's guard and throws a big left but Emerson blocks it.
Vasquel throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emerson lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Vasquel!
Vasquel slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Vasquel avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Emerson.
Vasquel is looking to control Emerson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Vasquel avoid being mounted?
Vasquel won't allow Emerson to pass to mount.
Vasquel is looking for a sweep. Emerson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Emerson works his foot free and advances to mount.
Emerson lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Vasquel hang on?
Emerson takes his opponent's back. Perhaps a chance to lock up a rear naked choke here.
Vasquel covering up well under a series of strikes from Emerson.
Emerson wants to control but Vasquel manages to buck him off and is now in Emerson's guard! Nice work there by Vasquel!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodolpho Vasquel dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Emerson swings for the body but Vasquel moves out of range.
Vasquel slaps away a takedown attempt from Emerson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Emerson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Vasquel decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Emerson's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasquel looking to sit in guard and control but Emerson gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Emerson wants to control from the top but Vasquel keeps moving.
Emerson tries to free his leg and advance position but Vasquel is retaining full guard.

Emerson is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Vasquel is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Vasquel has escaped and now he's on top!

Emerson looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vasquel throws a big right hand that misses.
Emerson working a defensive guard here.

Emerson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Emerson looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Vasquel passes into side control.
Emerson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Vasquel throws a strike aimed at the side of Emerson's head but Emerson avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Emerson takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Emerson takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Rodolpho Vasquel is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Emerson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Vasquel wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Vasquel goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Emerson has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Vasquel but great work by Emerson.
Vasquel tries to bench press Emerson off him but Emerson keeps the position.
Emerson trying to control the position but Vasquel is working away.

Emerson goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Vasquel rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Emerson's guard! Nice work there by Vasquel!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Emerson looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Vasquel has picked Emerson up and slammed him! Emerson can't keep hold of the triangle and Vasquel manages to pass to side control!
Emerson takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Rodolpho Vasquel overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Vasquel is looking to take a break and control but Emerson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Emerson manages to work his way to half guard, despite Vasquel's best efforts.

Emerson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Gabriel Emerson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Vasquel in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Emerson tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Vasquel!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Rodolpho Vasquel!