PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Chael Bravo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Varelans (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Bravo
vs
Varelans

180 cm
27
240 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

194 cm
23
255 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chael Bravo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Paul Varelans!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bravo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Bravo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Bravo.

Varelans gets caught napping as Bravo dives in and scores a takedown. Varelans manages to retain guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Varelans looking to control.
Varelans might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Bravo kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Bravo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bravo slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Bravo wants to pass the guard but Varelans is keeping the position.
Bravo trying to control the position from guard on top but Varelans is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Paul Varelans has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Varelans fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Varelans wants to clinch up but Bravo keeps it at a distance.
Bravo throws a left and a right that both miss

and Varelans counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Varelans.
Bravo tries to circle away but Varelans has him pinned against the cage.
Varelans is looking for a takedown.
Varelans blocks an elbow strike.
Bravo lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bravo lands with a left to the head.
Bravo is looking for a takedown.
Bravo has Varelans pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Varelans manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Bravo.
Bravo keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Varelans's efforts to push away.
Bravo lands a right hand.

Bravo manages to break the clinch.
No joy there for Bravo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bravo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Varelans tries to avoid it but Bravo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Varelans to the ground. Varelans escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chael Bravo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Varelans.
Varelans is looking to clinch but Bravo is avoiding it.
Varelans checks a low kick from Bravo.

Bravo shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Bravo showed some decent athleticism there.
Bravo prevents Varelans from standing back up.
Bravo is taking a breather. Varelans says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bravo thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Varelans's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bravo trying to mount his opponent but Varelans defends it.
Bravo is thwarting Varelans's attempts to control the position.
Bravo controlling the pace.

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

Bravo fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Varelans sprawls well initially but Bravo persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bravo passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Varelans!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bravo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Varelans.
Bravo keeps the fight on the outside.
Bravo misses with a series of wild punches.

Bravo scores a takedown into full mount!
Varelans tries to hold on but Bravo postures up.
Varelans wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Bravo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bravo avoids the attempt from Varelans to control.
Bravo looking to ground and pound but Varelans is blocking nicely.

Bravo is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Varelans is surviving well by controlling Bravo's body position as best he can.
Bravo controlling from mount.
Bravo throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Varelans wants to control but Bravo is having none of it.
Bravo looking to ground and pound but Varelans is blocking nicely.
Bravo avoids the attempt from Varelans to control.
Bravo looking to control and managing it successfully.
Varelans wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Bravo.
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.
Bravo controlling his opponent.
Bravo lands a big elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bravo punching from mount but Varelans doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Bravo thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Bravo cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

Bravo working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bravo controlling from the full mount.
Chael Bravo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bravo landing strikes, looking to finish!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chael Bravo dominated that second round.
That's time! Bravo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Varelans tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Bravo swivels and escapes.
Bravo stuffs the takedown.
Bravo takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Varelans gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Bravo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bravo with a flurry of punches that miss.
Varelans wants to get back to his feet but Bravo is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Varelans takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Varelans not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bravo seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Chael Bravo just wasn't active enough.
Varelans tries to clinch up but Bravo circles away and keeps his distance.
Bravo tries to close the distance and clinch but Varelans swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bravo wants to clinch up but Varelans keeps it at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bravo misses with a series of wild punches.

Bravo closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Bravo content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

Bravo is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Varelans has escaped the position, nice work there.
Bravo is looking to take a break and control but Varelans is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Paul Varelans has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee asks Bravo politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Bravo prefers to stall for the moment though.
Bravo throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Varelans can't do much from the bottom here.
Bravo cracks Varelans with an elbow. That is naaassty.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Varelans is not content to let Bravo control the position.
Varelans parries the strikes from Bravo easily there. Bravo is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Varelans to escape.
Bravo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Varelans can do to turn this around?
Check out the look on Bravo's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
You can see the frustration on Varelans's face as Bravo controls the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bravo creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Varelans sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Varelans avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Bravo.
Bravo works to advance to full mount. Varelans defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chael Bravo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Bravo has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chael Bravo!
Chael Bravo decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.