PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Cray Vasil (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jacob Viss (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Vasil
vs
Viss

180 cm
23
180 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

181 cm
18
179 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Cray Vasil!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jacob Viss!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Paul Gruel and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Viss leaves Vasil with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Vasil closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Viss's guard.
Vasil trying to control the position from guard on top but Viss is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vasil is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Cray Vasil just wasn't active enough.
Vasil fails with a takedown attempt.
Cray Vasil seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vasil rushes Viss and presses him up against the cage.
Viss throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Vasil blocks it with crossed arms.

Vasil pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Vasil throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Viss's waist but Viss gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Vasil off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cray Vasil. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Vasil throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Viss tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Vasil is in Viss's guard.
Viss wants to stand and escape but Vasil is having none of it.
Vasil trying to control but Viss is working from the bottom.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Vasil is stalling in the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cray Vasil has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Viss wants to clinch up but Vasil keeps it at a distance.
Vasil fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Viss moves into the clinch.
Viss throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Viss throws an elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vasil has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Viss clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Viss really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Vasil. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Viss fending off the submission attempt from Vasil.

Vasil looking to break Viss's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Viss remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Vasil will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Viss fending off the submission attempt from Vasil.
Vasil is looking to control Viss but Viss is wriggling around and keeping busy.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Vasil is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Viss knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Viss for a finish.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cray Vasil dominated that 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.

Vasil has taken the fight to the clinch.
Viss pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Vasil blocks an elbow strike from Viss.
Viss throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Nice elbow from Viss.

It looks like Cray Vasil has been cut.
Viss misses with an elbow over the top.
Viss creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Vasil's defenses.
Vasil takes an elbow to the temple.
Vasil is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Vasil tries a body shot but Viss blocks it.
Vasil avoids a wild elbow strike from Viss.
Viss lands a knee to the head.
Viss creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Viss with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Vasil is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Viss is defending well.
Vasil fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cray Vasil. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Viss with a knee to the head.
Vasil stalling in the clinch.
Viss prevents the takedown attempt.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Viss just misses with a elbow thrown towards Vasil's brow.
A knee to the head by Viss.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Viss misses with an elbow strike.
Viss misses with an elbow strike.
Viss lands an elbow inside that Vasil shrugs off.

Cray Vasil's cut is getting worse.
Viss lands a nice elbow.
Vasil blocking some punches.
Viss tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Viss scores with a knee to the head.
Nice elbow from Viss.
Viss lands an elbow inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Viss with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Vasil lands a takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vasil trying to control the position from guard on top but Viss is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

We're going to have a standup here because Cray Vasil wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Viss tries to close the distance and clinch but Vasil swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Viss tries to clinch up.
Vasil misses with a low kick as Viss jumps back.
Vasil tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Vasil throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Viss was covering up waiting for the punch and Vasil finishes the takedown easily into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasil controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Cray Vasil.
Vasil throws a quick inside leg kick.
Cray Vasil is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice takedown defense from Viss. No joy for Vasil on that attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Viss is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Viss wants to clinch

and Vasil counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Vasil.
Viss keeping moving, preventing Vasil from controlling successfully.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

We're going to have a standup here because Cray Vasil wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Vasil changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Viss tries to avoid it but Vasil manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Viss to the ground. Viss escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Viss tries to close the distance and clinch but Vasil swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Cray Vasil will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Cray Vasil's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Vasil shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Viss pinned against the cage. Viss gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Vasil drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Vasil trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Vasil prevents Viss from getting back to his feet.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Viss is working an open guard so Vasil takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Vasil shoots in looking for a takedown. Viss tries to sprawl out of it but Vasil keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Viss manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Vasil or perhaps it was just good defense by Viss which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cray Vasil. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Vasil closes the distance and clinches up with Viss, looking for a takedown. Vasil pushes Viss against the cage but Viss circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Vasil rushes Viss and presses him up against the cage.
Viss connects with a knee to the head.
Vasil takes an elbow to the forehead.
Vasil trying to stall but Viss improves his position.
Nice elbow from Viss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Viss tries a knee to the head but Vasil blocks it.
Viss unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Viss landing knees to the head.

Cray Vasil's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Viss misses with an elbow strike.
Viss with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Viss lands an elbow inside that Vasil shrugs off.
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!
Viss gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Vasil blocks an elbow strike from Viss.
Vasil avoids the elbow strike from Viss, against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Viss obliges.
Viss lands a hook to the side of the head.
Vasil avoids a wild elbow strike from Viss.
Viss throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Vasil blocks it with crossed arms.
Viss gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Viss is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasil tries to pull guard but Viss forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Viss throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Viss lands an elbow just above Vasil 's eye.
Nice elbow from Viss.

Jeez, Cray Vasil's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Viss with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Viss.
Vasil looking to stall.
Vasil avoids a wild elbow strike from Viss.
Viss with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Vasil has clasped his hands together around Viss's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Vasil taking a breather here.
Vasil is looking to take a break and control but Viss is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vasil advances to full mount.
Jacob Viss has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cray Vasil is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vasil controlling his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jacob Viss.
I think Vasil has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!