PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mike Portnoy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rodolpho Vasquel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vasquel is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Surviving the Times. Rodolpho Vasquel has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Portnoy
vs
Vasquel

189 cm
21
177 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

186 cm
23
185 lbs
10 - 9 - 1

Decent wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mike Portnoy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rodolpho Vasquel!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Thiago Cunha and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Portnoy!
Portnoy misses with a few strikes there.
Portnoy lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Vasquel circles away quickly and effectively.
Vasquel is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Portnoy.
Vasquel thuds his right hand into Portnoy's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Mike Portnoy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vasquel looks to land a combination but Portnoy avoids it well.
Portnoy throws a right and a left that both miss.
Vasquel scores with a body shot.
Portnoy misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Vasquel misses with a looping right.
Vasquel just misses with a punch to the body.
Vasquel dodges the punch combination from Portnoy.
Vasquel throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Portnoy scores with a three punch combo!
Portnoy throws a right and a left that both miss.
Portnoy throws a nice looking combination but Vasquel bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Vasquel takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Portnoy misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Portnoy lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Vasquel backs up against the cage.
Jab, jab by Portnoy - just one landing.
Portnoy takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Portnoy looks to land a combination but Vasquel avoids it well.
Portnoy tries to bum rush Vasquel with a series of wild strikes but Vasquel uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Vasquel throws a quick inside leg kick.
Vasquel slips a jab and a cross from Portnoy.
Portnoy misses with a low kick as Vasquel jumps back.
Portnoy swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Vasquel counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Vasquel throws a right hand that Portnoy ducks under and follows up with a left that Portnoy also avoids with ease.
Portnoy swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Vasquel will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Vasquel looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Portnoy is fending him off so far but Vasquel persists. Nope, Portnoy circles away and we're back to standing.
Portnoy misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Portnoy will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Portnoy fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Vasquel dodges the punch combination from Portnoy.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Left hook, right uppercut from Portnoy.
Portnoy lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Portnoy scores with a one two! Vasquel had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Portnoy has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Portnoy there as he acknowledges the shot.
Portnoy misses with a double jab
and Vasquel counters with a straight right hand.
Portnoy with a jab.
Portnoy is working the combinations to good effect here.
Portnoy will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A left lands for Portnoy.
Portnoy jabs Vasquel to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Portnoy as Vasquel shoots in.
Portnoy takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Portnoy throws a nice looking combination but Vasquel bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Portnoy falls off balance throwing a combination
and Vasquel counters with a nice uppercut.
Vasquel fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Portnoy avoids it really well and circles away.
Mike Portnoy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodolpho Vasquel.
Portnoy misses with the combination.
Vasquel walks into a straight right hand from Portnoy.
Some wild striking there from Portnoy.
Portnoy ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A punch combination from Vasquel misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Portnoy looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Portnoy throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Portnoy misses with a double jab.
Vasquel takes one to the side of the head.
Portnoy throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Vasquel counters with a right hand to the body.
Portnoy lands the left hand.
Vasquel ducks under a wild hook from Portnoy.
Portnoy misses with a jab, cross combination.
Portnoy staying out of range there.
Portnoy throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Vasquel on the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sloppy strikes from Portnoy. Those never looked like landing.
Portnoy throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Portnoy misses with a wild combination.
Portnoy looks to land a combination but Vasquel avoids it well.
Vasquel tries a head kick but it misses.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Vasquel throws out a powerful jab.
Vasquel takes a swing at Portnoy's ribcage but misses.
Vasquel throws a right hand that misses
and Portnoy counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Vasquel thinking.
Vasquel throws a lazy right hand but Portnoy sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Portnoy scores with a three punch combo!
Portnoy fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Vasquel doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Vasquel throws a lazy right hand but Portnoy sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Horrible takedown by Vasquel or perhaps it was just good defense by Portnoy which made him look bad.
Portnoy throws a series of punches but Vasquel avoids them all with ease.
Portnoy misses with a few strikes there.
Vasquel misses with a series of wild punches.
The fighters circling - Vasquel throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Portnoy misses with a wild combination.
Portnoy leaves Vasquel with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Vasquel rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Portnoy counter with a right hand.
Portnoy swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Vasquel waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Portnoy.
Portnoy is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Portnoy lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Portnoy slips a straight right by Vasquel.
Vasquel dodges the punch combination from Portnoy.
Vasquel slips a jab and a cross from Portnoy.
Portnoy misses with a series of wild punches.
Portnoy 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.
Vasquel lunges at Portnoy with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Portnoy's hand.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Portnoy misses.
Vasquel throws a shot from downtown. Portnoy moves away and avoids it.
Vasquel showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Portnoy.
A jab from Portnoy misses.
Portnoy throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Portnoy lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Vasquel circles away quickly and effectively.
Vasquel lands with an uppercut that bounces Portnoy off the cage and back into rage.
Vasquel misses with a straight right.
Portnoy fails to land with a series of punches.
Portnoy throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Vasquel.
Vasquel checks a low kick from Portnoy.
A low kick from Portnoy is predictable there

and Vasquel counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Portnoy is breathing heavily.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Vasquel is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Vasquel trying to control but Portnoy is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
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!
Vasquel postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Vasquel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Portnoy wants to get back to his feet but Vasquel is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Vasquel slips nicely into half guard.
Portnoy trying to get back to full guard but Vasquel takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Vasquel thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Vasquel throwing strikes here but Portnoy is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Portnoy knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Vasquel on the ground.
Portnoy is looking to get to half guard.
Vasquel is landing with some decent strikes but Portnoy is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vasquel lands a big shot there that rocks Portnoy but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Poor strikes thrown by Vasquel there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
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 Mike Portnoy will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Portnoy feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Vasquels jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Portnoy throws a nice looking combination but Vasquel bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Portnoy throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Vasquel.
Vasquel slips a jab and a cross from Portnoy.
Portnoy throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Vasquel.
A jab from Vasquel misses.
Vasquel throws a hook but Portnoy blocks it.

Vasquel scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Portnoy is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Vasquel asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Vasquel tries to score with some ground and pound. Portnoy controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Vasquel in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasquel is looking to take a break and control but Portnoy is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Vasquel advances to full mount.

Vasquel is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Portnoy has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Portnoy!
Vasquel looking to hit a scissor sweep but Portnoy is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Portnoy pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Vasquel is keeping the position for now.
Portnoy loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Vasquel trying to strike off his back.
Vasquel has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Portnoy postures up.
Rodolpho Vasquel has got the better of the ground game so far.
Vasquel preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Vasquel looking to hit a scissor sweep but Portnoy is one step ahead there.
Vasquel bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Portnoy's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Portnoy is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Vasquel throwing strikes but missing.
Vasquel tries to free his leg and advance position but Portnoy is retaining full guard.
Vasquel postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Vasquel passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Portnoy being controlled for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Portnoy tries to bench press Vasquel off him but Vasquel keeps the position.
Portnoy sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Vasquel wants to lay and pray for a moment but Portnoy keeps working.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Portnoy looks like he's trying to stand up.
Vasquel prevents Portnoy from improving his position.
Vasquel throwing shots but Portnoy is blocking nicely.
Vasquel missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Vasquel not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Portnoy is refusing to be controlled, as Vasquel sits in half guard.

Rodolpho Vasquel has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Portnoy misses the shot to the body.
Vasquel missing with a left hand there. Portnoy was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Vasquel ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Portnoy throws a right and a left that Vasquel avoids nicely.
Vasquel shoots in for a takedown but Portnoy shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Vasquel's corner calls for a 1-2. Vasquel obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Vasquel swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Portnoy steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Vasquel.
Portnoy pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Vasquel back to the cage. Portnoy follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Portnoy steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Vasquel.
Vasquel throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Vasquel throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Portnoy.
Portnoy misses with a double jab.
A punch combination from Portnoy misses.
A slow jab from Vasquel misses its intended target.
A big right from Vasquel misses.
Vasquel walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Vasquel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Portnoy swinging wildly here.
Mike Portnoy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Portnoy swinging wildly here.
Portnoy tries to score with a low kick but Vasquel moves his leg out of the way.
Portnoy lands with an overhand left.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Portnoy looks to land a combination but Vasquel avoids it well.
Portnoy misses with a series of wild punches.
Vasquel showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Portnoy.
Portnoy tries to bum rush Vasquel with a series of wild strikes but Vasquel uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Portnoy lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Vasquel circles away quickly and effectively.
Portnoy tries to bum rush Vasquel with a series of wild strikes but Vasquel uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Vasquel fails with a takedown attempt.
Vasquel is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Portnoy.
Vasquel throws a nice looking combination but Portnoy bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nice shot by Vasquel.
Vasquel throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Vasquel has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Vasquel looks to land a left hand but Portnoy moved out of range nicely.
The crowd cheers as Portnoy lands an impressive looking overhand right. Vasquel doesn't seem phased though.
Portnoy swinging wildly here.
Portnoy throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Vasquel needs to keep his hands up - Portnoy had a free shot at his head there.
Portnoy misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Vasquel scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Vasquel lands a jab to the head.
Vasquel looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Portnoy is fending him off so far but Vasquel persists. Nope, Portnoy circles away and we're back to standing.
Mike Portnoy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodolpho Vasquel.
Portnoy throws a nice looking combination but Vasquel bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vasquel loads up on a big right hand but Portnoy slips the punch.
Portnoy throws a series of strikes that have Vasquel backpedaling.
Vasquel is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Portnoy.
Portnoy stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Portnoy wants it to stay on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rodolpho Vasquel comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight for Rodolpho Vasquel!
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight for Mike Portnoy!
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight as a draw!

The fight ends as a draw!