PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rodrigo Verson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Areeno (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Verson
vs
Areeno

173 cm
29
150 lbs
21 - 12 - 0

175 cm
29
155 lbs
17 - 13 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Black Hand Fight Gear & Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rodrigo Verson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Steve Areeno!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Areeno rushes Verson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Areeno lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Verson tries to score a body lock takedown but Areeno shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Verson wants to take the fight to the mat but Areeno manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Areeno with a knee to the head.

It looks like Rodrigo Verson has been cut.
Verson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rodrigo Verson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Verson is breathing heavily.
Verson takes an elbow to the forehead.
Verson looking for a takedown.
Areeno putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Verson in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Verson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Areeno gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Areeno lands a damaging elbow.
Areeno lands a damaging elbow.
Areeno tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Areeno lands with a light punch inside.
Verson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Areeno avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Verson takes a knee to the side of the body.
Areeno misses with a knee strike.
Areeno creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Verson's defenses.
Areeno lands an elbow that stopped Verson in his tracks for a moment.
Areeno with a knee to the head.

Rodrigo Verson's cut is getting worse.
Areeno with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Nice elbow from Areeno.
Areeno scores with a knee to the head.
Areeno lands an elbow just above Verson 's eye.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Areeno throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Verson blocks it with crossed arms.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Areeno.
Areeno utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Areeno tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Areeno connects with a nasty looking knee right to Verson's face.

Verson is rocked!
A short uppercut from Areeno.
Oh Verson is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Areeno misses with a knee to the head.
Verson seems to have got his legs back now.
A knee to the head by Areeno.
Areeno throws a knee to the head but misses.
Verson blocks an elbow strike.
Verson takes a knee to the side of the body.
Areeno unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Verson takes a shot to the head.
Areeno using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Verson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Areeno throws a knee to the head but misses.
Areeno lands a good knee to the midsection. Verson won't want to take too many of those.
Verson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Areeno throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Areeno comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Areeno lands an elbow inside.
Areeno with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Areeno tries to land a knee to the head but Verson blocks with his arms.

Verson gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Areeno trying to control here.
Areeno regains full guard. Nicely done.
Areeno trying to control the position.

Verson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Areeno has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Verson has managed to get both his arms back between Areeno's legs - danger averted.

Areeno is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Verson drops back looking for a leg! Areeno is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Areeno manages to kick Verson off! Verson jumps back into Areeno's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verson keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Areeno's head.
Verson postures up.

Areeno throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Areeno working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Verson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Verson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Areeno is looking to sinch up a triangle. Verson throws the leg off to one side though and gets in tight to Areeno's body to avoid the submission. Areeno has instead reached around Verson's neck and now has a guillotine! Oh, this is biiiig trouble! Areeno arches his back and squeezes and forces the tap from his hapless opponent.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Steve Areeno!
Steve Areeno thanked the fans post fight for their support.