PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rio Vegas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sylvain Sauvage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rio Vegas has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Vegas
vs
Sauvage

175 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

177 cm
21
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Enjoys gardening

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rio Vegas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sylvain Sauvage!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Alexandre Firmino and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sauvage shoots in for a double leg but Vegas sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sauvage showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Vegas.
Sauvage lands with a kick to the ribs.
Vegas throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sauvage connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Vegas rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sauvage moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Sauvage thows a body kick. Vegas tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Sauvage - that will leave a mark!
Sauvage feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Vegas's calf.
Sauvage connects with a solid leg kick.
Sauvage throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Vegas misses with a wild combination.
Sauvage defending well as Vegas loads up on a big left hand.
Vegas swinging wildly here.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Sauvage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vegas gets caught napping as Sauvage dives in and scores a takedown. Vegas manages to retain guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Vegas wants to stand up but Sauvage is controlling him.
Vegas preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sauvage preventing the sweep.

Vegas working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Sauvage doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Sauvage manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Vegas knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Sauvage on the ground.
Sauvage wants to control from the top but Vegas keeps moving.
Sauvage advances position into side control!
Sauvage controlling from side mount.
Vegas dodges the ground and pound from Sauvage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sauvage misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Sauvage controls the position.
Sauvage's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Sauvage trying to control the position but Vegas is working away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vegas managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Sauvage.
Vegas is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Vegas tries to improve position but can't.
Sauvage scoring with punches and elbows.
Sauvage postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sauvage throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Sauvage looking to control but instead Vegas has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Vegas on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Vegas keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sauvage performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Vegas throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Sauvage throwing shots but Vegas is blocking nicely.
Sauvage throwing shots but Vegas is blocking nicely.

Vegas looking for submissions off his back.
Sauvage seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Sauvage has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sauvage drops an elbow to the side of Vegas's head.
Vegas is refusing to be controlled, as Sauvage sits in half guard.
Vegas regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Sauvage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sauvage cracks Vegas with a solid left hand.
Sauvage in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Vegas throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sauvage throwing strikes but missing.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sauvage throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Vegas works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sauvage throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Vegas works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sylvain Sauvage dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sauvage takes one to the chin there.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Sauvage.
Vegas throws a series of punches but Sauvage avoids them all with ease.
Sauvage throws a wild body kick that Vegas sees coming a mile off.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Sauvage.
Vegas on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Sauvage throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Vegas misses with a two punch combination.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Sauvage. Vegas shrugs it off though.
A head kick from Sauvage lands but Vegas takes it in his stride.
Vegas fails to land with a series of punches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vegas looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Vegas throws a predictable looking body shot
and Sauvage counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Sauvage lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Good leg kick by Sauvage there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Vegas lands a body shot.
Rio Vegas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sauvage throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Rio Vegas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sauvage lands a leg kick that knocks Vegas off balance momentarily.
Vegas on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Vegas misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sauvage.
Sauvage throws a nice inside leg kick.
Sauvage ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Vegas throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sauvage throws out a loose jab but Vegas uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vegas takes a swing at Sauvage's ribcage but misses.
Nice body kick there by Sauvage.
Nice shot by Sauvage.
Vegas will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sauvage scores with a nice body kick.
Vegas has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Sauvage.
Sauvage shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Vegas defends it nicely.
Vegas throws a combination that misses
and Sauvage counters with a slapping leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sauvage scores with a push kick.
A thudding body kick lands there by Sauvage!
Vegas stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Sauvage.
Sauvage scores with a spinning back kick!
Sauvage explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Sauvage scores with a nice body kick.

Sauvage darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Sauvage thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Vegas's head.
Vegas wants to control but Sauvage is keeping busy.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Sauvage lands a nice short elbow.
Sauvage scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sauvage missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Vegas trying to control from the bottom.
Vegas is not content to let Sauvage control the position.
Sauvage looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Vegas with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Sauvage slips a nice elbow through Vegas's hands, connecting with Vegas's forehead.
Vegas is trying to get back to full guard.
Vegas keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sauvage working the head and body with strikes.
Sauvage takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sauvage scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Vegas is staying active underneath Sauvage, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Sauvage has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sauvage controlling the action here.
Sauvage seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Vegas does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Sauvage seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Sauvage working over Vegas with some ground and pound. Vegas looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Vegas flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Sauvage keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Vegas avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sauvage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sauvage lands strikes from half guard.
Vegas keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Vegas is trying to control but can't.
Sauvage thows a huge punch but Vegas dodges it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sylvain Sauvage showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Sauvage lets loose with a powerful body kick. Vegas will feel that in the morning.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Sauvage - that will leave a mark!
Vegas avoids a kick to the body.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Vegas crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Sauvage - the referee stops the clock and Vegas gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Sauvage. Vegas manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
A solid leg kick lands there for Sauvage.
Vegas sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Vegas tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Sauvage feints and then cracks Vegas's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Vegas down.
Sauvage thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Vegas if he has to take too many more of those.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Good leg kick by Sauvage there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

Sauvage feints and as Vegas raises his hands in defense, Sauvage changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Sauvage cracks Vegas with a solid left hand.
Sauvage forces his way into half guard.
Sauvage not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sauvage is trying to control. Vegas wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Vegas keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sauvage throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Vegas has hold of Sauvage's hands but Sauvage slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Sauvage seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Vegas has hold of Sauvage's hands but Sauvage slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Vegas trying to control from the bottom.
Sauvage lands with a punch from half guard.
Vegas avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sauvage.
Sauvage missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Vegas blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sauvage.
Vegas is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Sauvage scores with a couple of nice shots.
Sylvain Sauvage is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vegas wants to control but Sauvage is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Sauvage in particular looking to stall.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Sylvain Sauvage wasn't active enough on the ground.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Sauvage - that will leave a mark!
Vegas is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Sauvage slips under a jab from Vegas.
A solid body kick from Sauvage.
An inside leg kick lands from Sauvage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sauvage looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Sauvage misses with an uppercut.
Sauvage keeps Vegas at a distance using the push kick.
Vegas waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sauvage.
Sylvain Sauvage seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A shot to the liver by Vegas. Beautiful body shot.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sauvage.
Danga de danga de dang - Vegas scores with a four punch combination!
A looping hook to the body misses from Sauvage. Vegas does a little dance to reset his feet.
Vegas throws a predictable looking body shot
and Sauvage counters with a thumping low kick.
Vegas lands a slapping body shot.
Left hook, right uppercut from Vegas.
Sauvage fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Vegas.
Sauvage scores with a kick to the body.

That's four 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!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Vegas enables Sauvage to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Vegas manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Sauvage slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Vegas is looking for a triangle but Sauvage pushes his legs off easily.
Rio Vegas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sauvage stays in close to Vegas's body and controls the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sylvain Sauvage comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sauvage has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 27:30
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sylvain Sauvage!
Our winner, Sylvain Sauvage, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.