PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Boydy Blue (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jorik Vartanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jorik Vartanov told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Blue
vs
Vartanov

195 cm
20
265 lbs
1 - 9 - 0

190 cm
32
258 lbs
10 - 20 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
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 1 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Boydy Blue!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jorik Vartanov!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vartanov lands a nice looking kick to the body. Blue takes a step back to recover.
Blue looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Vartanov doesn't manage to clinch there - Blue circles away.
Vartanov bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Blue could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Vartanov gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Vartanov stands up out of the half guard.
Vartanov wants to clinch up but Blue keeps it at a distance.
A slapping leg kick lands for Vartanov.
Vartanov misses with a kick to the body.
Vartanov throws a head kick but Blue moves out of range.
Vartanov closes the distance and lands a one-two.

It looks like Boydy Blue has been cut.
Vartanov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Boydy Blue seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vartanov with a jab.
Vartanov throws a nice looking combination but Blue bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vartanov lands with a nice combination. Blue backs away looking to recover.

Vartanov closes the distance and clinches.

Vartanov ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Vartanov no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Vartanov pushes Blue off and gets back to his feet.
Vartanov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Blue shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Vartanov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Vartanov takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Blue is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Vartanov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Vartanov gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Blue regains guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Vartanov gets to his feet. Blue looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Vartanov looks for the body kick but Blue saw that one coming.

Vartanov moves into the clinch successfully.
Blue avoiding damage as Vartanov throws knees to the body.

Vartanov gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Blue looking for a guillotine here but Vartanov defends easily.

Blue throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Vartanov escapes and throws Blue's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Vartanov has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vartanov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Jorik Vartanov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sloppy strikes from Vartanov. Those never looked like landing.
Vartanov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Vartanov has Blue up against the cage in a clinch.
Vartanov wants to break the clinch but can't.

Vartanov gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Blue is working an open guard so Vartanov takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Vartanov pivots, looking for a leg kick but Blue is out of range and Vartanov settles back down.
Blue moves out of range as Vartanov throws a body kick.
Blue doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Vartanov counters with a stiff right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Boydy Blue. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vartanov instigates a clinch.

Vartanov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vartanov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
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!
Vartanov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Blue checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Vartanov moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Blue fails with the takedown

and Vartanov counters by clinching up.
Vartanov tries to circle away but Blue has him pinned against the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Vartanov jumps guard.

Blue is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Vartanov is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Vartanov has escaped and now he's on top!

Vartanov stands up from Blue's guard - Vartanov perhaps looking for a knockout.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jorik Vartanov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Boydy Blue's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Blue moves out of range as Vartanov throws a body kick.
Vartanov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Vartanov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Vartanov misses with a body kick.
Vartanov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Blue blocks a leg kick.
Blue throws a leg kick that is checked
and Vartanov counters with a three punch combo that has Blue backing up. Blue nods at Vartanov to acknowledge the strikes.
Vartanov tries to clinch but Blue moves out of range.
Vartanov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Vartanov clinches with his opponent.
Vartanov is trying to break the clinch but Blue has him pressed against the cage.
Vartanov is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Vartanov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vartanov moves in looking to clinch but Blue pushes him off.

Blue gets tackled into the cage by Vartanov. Vartanov maintains the clinch.

Vartanov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Vartanov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Vartanov has Blue up against the cage in a clinch.

Vartanov has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Blue uses from the top position.

Blue has gone for a leg lock! Vartanov slips out almost immediately though and dives into Blue's guard.

Vartanov gets to his feet. Blue looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Vartanov closes the distance and clinches.

Vartanov jumps into guard, dragging Blue to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vartanov has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Blue off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Vartanov closes the distance and pushes Blue back into the cage.
Vartanov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Blue or not.

Vartanov has clasped his hands together around Blue's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Blue wants to get back to his feet but Vartanov is dominant here and he's now got Blue's back!
Blue is trying to stand back up.

Vartanov has decided that he can't make progress quickly enough from the back position and has rather unusually decided to stand up from the dominant position. Obviously he's going to be looking for the knockout on the feet here!
Blue is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Vartanov.
Blue walks forward, straight into a front kick from Vartanov.
Jorik Vartanov seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blue has his takedown stuffed
and Vartanov counters with a series of strikes. Blue will be more careful next time no doubt.

Vartanov darts in and clinches Blue up against the cage.

Vartanov is trying to trip Blue. He has hold of a leg but Blue is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Vartanov persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Blue not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Blue is striking off his back. Vartanov thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Blue wants to sweep but Vartanov has passed to side control!
Jorik Vartanov has got the better of the ground game so far.

Vartanov decides to stand back up. Vartanov steps back and let's Blue get back to his feet.
Vartanov goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Vartanov tried to score with a low kick but Blue checks it.
Blue showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Vartanov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vartanov throws a chopping leg kick but Blue manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Blue shoots and misses
and Vartanov counters with a left and a right that stings Blue.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Boydy Blue. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vartanov throws a head kick that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Vartanov fails to land with a series of punches.

Blue shoots in and bounces Vartanov off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Blue drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Vartanov dives on top into guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Blue is working an open guard so Vartanov takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Vartanov throws a push kick but Blue slaps the foot to one side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jorik Vartanov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Boydy Blue's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Vartanov tries to clinch but Blue moves out of range.

Vartanov moves into the clinch.
Vartanov wants to break free but Blue has control.

Blue manages to pull guard.

Blue is working an open guard so Vartanov takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Vartanov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Vartanov tries to bum rush Blue with a series of wild strikes but Blue uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Vartanov moves into the clinch.
Vartanov lands a body shot in the clinch.

Vartanov has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Blue uses from the top position.
Blue has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Blue drops back, looking for a kneebar! Vartanov looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Vartanov looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Vartanov!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Vartanov has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blue slips a jab and a cross from Vartanov.
Blue avoids a kick to the body.
Vartanov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Vartanov clinches.

Vartanov pulls guard.

Vartanov has his feet on Blue's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Vartanov sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Blue feints and then cracks Vartanov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Vartanov down.
Blue has his takedown stuffed
and Vartanov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some bone on bone action there as Blue checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

Vartanov moves into range and clinches up with Blue.

Vartanov manages to pull guard.

Blue has gone for a leg lock! Vartanov slips out almost immediately though and dives into Blue's guard.

Vartanov gets to his feet. Blue looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Blue tries to score a power double leg takedown but Vartanov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Blue somewhat.
Blue keeps the fight on the outside.

Vartanov gets a clinch.
Vartanov is trying to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vartanov pulls guard successfully.
Blue is looking to pass into half guard but Vartanov pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Vartanov is in guard.
Blue is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Vartanov dives into side control.
Blue bucks up and tries to throw Vartanov off but instead Vartanov has got his back!
Blue wants to get back to his feet.

Vartanov darts in and clinches Blue up against the cage.
Vartanov misses with an elbow over the top.

Vartanov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crunch! Vartanov slams his shin into Blue's torso.
Vartanov shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Blue eats them both and turns towards Vartanov to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Blue takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Blue takes one to the chin there.

Vartanov moves into range and clinches up with Blue.

Vartanov pulls guard successfully.

Blue postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Vartanov is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Blue, into his guard.

Blue looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Vartanov passes into side control.
Boydy Blue has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jorik Vartanov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Blue striking from the bottom but nothing landed.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jorik Vartanov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Vartanov 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 26:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 26:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jorik Vartanov!