PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kel Varnsen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Travis Richards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Varnsen
vs
Richards

167 cm
23
276 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

199 cm
23
265 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kel Varnsen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Travis Richards!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, John Mangel and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Varnsen decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Varnsen trying to control the action but Richards is working from the bottom.
Richards controlling the position well.
Richards tries to roll over but Varnsen keeps him under control.
Richards tries to kick Varnsen off but Varnsen keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Varnsen prevents Richards from improving his position.
Richards desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Varnsen content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Varnsen darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richards controlling the position well.
Varnsen tries to pass to full mount but Richards defends it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Well, if Varnsen is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Varnsen wants to control but Richards is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richards is trying to stand back up but Varnsen is controlling him
Richards tries to roll over but Varnsen keeps him under control.
Richards is concentrating on defense, preventing Varnsen from advancing position.

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

Varnsen closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Varnsen throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Richards is concentrating on defense, preventing Varnsen from advancing position.
Still in half guard, Varnsen seems content to control.
Varnsen has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Varnsen landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Varnsen really is a fat lump.
Varnsen wants to take a breather but Richards is having none of it.
Richards trying to control from the bottom.
Varnsen thows a huge punch but Richards dodges it nicely.
Richards is trying to control but can't.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Richards wants to get back to full guard.
Richards is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Varnsen scores with a couple of nice shots.
Varnsen with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Richards is looking to control Varnsen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Richards avoid being mounted?
Varnsen trying to pass the guard but Richards defending well.
Richards is refusing to be controlled, as Varnsen sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Varnsen has a takedown stuffed.
Richards tries to score a power double leg takedown but Varnsen sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Richards somewhat.
Richards wants to clinch but Varnsen slips to the side

and Varnsen counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Richards's guard now.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Richards can't keep his opponent in guard - Varnsen advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Varnsen trying to control from half guard but Richards is working away.
Varnsen looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Richards with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kel Varnsen dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Richards fails in his attempt to clinch.
Richards misses with a takedown attempt

and Varnsen decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Richards's guard.
Varnsen is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Varnsen trying to control but Richards is working from the bottom.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Varnsen stopping the sweep attempt from Richards.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Richards is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Kel Varnsen just wasn't active enough.

Varnsen shoots in and bounces Richards off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Varnsen throwing strikes from guard but Richards blocks nicely.
Varnsen content to stall in guard here.
Varnsen looking to pass the guard.
Richards tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Varnsen tries to free his leg and advance position but Richards is retaining full guard.
Varnsen wants to control from the top but Richards keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Kel Varnsen just wasn't active enough.

Richards shoots in and bounces Varnsen off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Richards has gone for a leg lock! Varnsen slips out almost immediately though and dives into Richards's guard.
Varnsen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varnsen's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Varnsen with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Richards is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kel Varnsen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Varnsen wants to control from the top but Richards keeps moving.
Varnsen is really struggling to control Richards but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Richards looking to hit a scissor sweep but Varnsen is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richards manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Varnsen wants to hold on but Richards pushes him away.
Richards throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Varnsen because Richards loaded up on that one.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Varnsen is looking to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kel Varnsen dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Varnsen bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Richards is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Richards is trying to control Varnsen's posture but Varnsen avoids it.
Richards is letting Varnsen control him for a moment.
Varnsen working the head and body with strikes.
Varnsen is looking to take a break and control but Richards is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Varnsen controlling the position.
Varnsen trying to control the action but Richards is working from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
You can see the frustration on Richards's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Richards is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Varnsen asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Varnsen wants to control but Richards is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Varnsen just content to control the position.

Kel Varnsen has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Varnsen gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Richards to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Richards looking to pass the guard.
Varnsen is trying to control the position but Richards postures up.

Richards drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Varnsen manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Richards has Varnsen in his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varnsen looking to pass the guard.
Richards not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Varnsen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Varnsen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Varnsen stands and throws Richards's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Varnsen is trying to ground and pound but Richards uses the momentary lack of control by Varnsen to regain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richards misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Varnsen sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Richards defending well though.

Richards makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Varnsen closes this distance looking for a takedown but Richards circles away.
Richards darts in trying to clinch

and Varnsen decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Richards's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Richards working for a triangle but Varnsen defends it easily.
Varnsen makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kel Varnsen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Varnsen, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Summer Carpenter scores the fight for Kel Varnsen!
Judge John Mangel scores the fight for Kel Varnsen!
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight for Kel Varnsen!

Kel Varnsen wins by unanimous decision!
A victorious Kel Varnsen thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.