PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Al Bartlett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dev Vasilios (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vasilios is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Cant be touched!. 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?

Bartlett
vs
Vasilios

172 cm
23
144 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

160 cm
28
138 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Al Bartlett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Dev Vasilios!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Micheangelo Fripello and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bartlett ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Bartlett misses with a double jab.
Vasilios slips a jab from Bartlett.
Bartlett thuds his right hand into Vasilios's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Vasilios uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bartlett.
Bartlett cracks Vasilios with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Bartlett throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bartlett checks a leg kick nicely.
Vasilios throws a hook but Bartlett avoids it easily.
Bartlett bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Al Bartlett seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bartlett scores with a hook.
Bartlett throws a good cross that connects.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bartlett misses the jab.

Bartlett clinches with his opponent.

Bartlett breaks from the clinch.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Bartlett.
Bartlett misses with a series of wild punches.
Vasilios tries to clinch there but Bartlett circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bartlett closes the distance and clinches.
Bartlett is trying to push Vasilios away but Vasilios has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Bartlett breaks from the clinch.
Bartlett loads up on a big right hand but Vasilios slips the punch.
Bartlett misses with a straight left.
Bartlett scores with a punch to the head.
A big right from Vasilios misses.
Bartlett is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Vasilios defending well as Bartlett loads up on a big left hand.
Bartlett throws a lazy right hand but Vasilios sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bartlett steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Vasilios.
Bartlett avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Vasilios takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Vasilios showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bartlett.
Bartlett throws the left hand but Vasilios avoids the punch easily.
Bartlett loads up on a big right hand but Vasilios slips the punch.
Bartlett looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bartlett lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Vasilios circles away quickly and effectively.
Bartlett misses with a two punch combination.
Bartlett throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Vasilios showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bartlett.
Bartlett jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bartlett misses with a double jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bartlett uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Vasilios.
Vasilios uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bartlett.
Vasilios bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bartlett swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Vasilios swings for the body but Bartlett moves out of range.
Al Bartlett is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Vasilios has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Vasilios there as he acknowledges the shot.
Vasilios takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Vasilios connects with a looping right hand.
Bartlett is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Bartlett connects with the punch.
Vasilios displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bartlett throws out the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bartlett throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Vasilios stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Vasilios throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bartlett misses with a hook

and Vasilios counters with a nice double leg into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Vasilios controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Vasilios stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bartlett swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Vasilios wants to control from the top but Bartlett keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Dev Vasilios hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Vasilios moves out of range as Bartlett strikes.
Bartlett is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Vasilios.
Vasilios throws a jab when Bartlett was well out of range.
Vasilios keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bartlett.
Bartlett throws a series of punches but Vasilios avoids them all with ease.
Vasilios is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vasilios throws a body punch but Bartlett moves out of range.
Vasilios ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Vasilios avoids a punch combination nicely.
Vasilios misses with a looping right.
Bartlett misses with a hook. Vasilios ducked under it nicely.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bartlett misses with a hook. Vasilios ducked under it nicely.
Vasilios lands a jab to the nose.
Bartlett throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Bartlett has closed the distance and engaged Vasilios in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Al Bartlett dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bartlett throws a looping overhand right but Vasilios ducks down to avoid it.
Bartlett misses with a two punch combination.
Bartlett misses with a looping left.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Bartlett's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bartlett throws out a loose jab but Vasilios uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jab from Bartlett.
Bartlett jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bartlett misses with an uppercut.
Bartlett cracks Vasilios with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Vasilios throws a hook but Bartlett avoids it easily.
Vasilios steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bartlett.
Bartlett throws a jab but it's blocked by Vasilios.
Bartlett is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Vasilios.
Vasilios misses with a wild body shot.
Bartlett swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Vasilios.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bartlett jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bartlett stuns Vasilios with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Bartlett rushes Vasilios and presses him up against the cage.
Bartlett is looking to break free of the clinch but Vasilios has double underhooks.
Vasilios fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Vasilios jumps guard but Bartlett stands there with Vasilios around his waist. Vasilios gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Vasilios trying to control the position but instead, Bartlett has worked for underhooks and has pushed Vasilios into the cage.
Vasilios stalling in the clinch.
The crowd are getting on Vasilios's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.

Bartlett breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bartlett lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's two 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 jab from Bartlett misses.
The fighters circling - Vasilios throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Vasilios bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bartlett uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Vasilios.
Bartlett misses with a hook. Vasilios ducked under it nicely.
Vasilios misses with a looping left.
A left lands for Bartlett.
Bartlett blocks a jab.
Vasilios is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jab, jab by Bartlett - just one landing.
Vasilios avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bartlett throws a right and a left that both miss.
Vasilios tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Bartlett is able to avoid easily.
Vasilios misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bartlett.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bartlett misses with a wild body shot.
Bartlett misses the shot to the body.
Bartlett is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Bartlett fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Vasilios ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bartlett moves away.
Vasilios tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bartlett was well out of range. Poor timing from Vasilios.
A decent looking cross lands there for Vasilios.
Bartlett takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Bartlett lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Vasilios at a distance.
Bartlett misses with a looping right.
Vasilios displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bartlett throws out the jab.
Vasilios bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bartlett keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Vasilios looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Al Bartlett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dev Vasilios.
Bartlett slips a straight right by Vasilios.

Vasilios darts in and clinches Bartlett up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vasilios is trying to pull guard but Bartlett has him pressed against the cage.

Bartlett breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bartlett scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Bartlett closes the distance and clinches.
A bit of stalling here from Vasilios.
Bartlett has had enough of the clinch but Vasilios keeps him there for the moment.

Bartlett breaks the clinch.
Vasilios misses with a wild body shot.
Al Bartlett is winning the standup battle so far.
Bartlett looks to land a right hand but Vasilios moved out of range.
Vasilios takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bartlett fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Bartlett comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Vasilios misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bartlett.
Vasilios bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Al Bartlett dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Bartlett smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Bartlett paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Bartlett connects with a right hand. Vasilios shakes it off.
Bartlett throws a jab but it's blocked by Vasilios.
A jab from Bartlett misses.
Bartlett looks to land a right hand but Vasilios moved out of range.
Jab, jab by Bartlett - just one landing.
Vasilios moves into range and connects with a jab.
Bartlett checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

Bartlett has Vasilios up against the cage in a clinch.

Bartlett manages to break the clinch.
Vasilios throws a low kick but it's checked well by Bartlett.
Vasilios throws a hook to the side of Bartlett's head but Bartlett sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Vasilios throws a head kick that misses.
Bartlett throws a right hand that Vasilios ducks under and follows up with a left that Vasilios also avoids with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bartlett moves into range and connects with a jab.
Bartlett closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Vasilios staying out of range there.
Nice defenses there by Vasilios.
Bartlett swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Vasilios throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bartlett connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Vasilios slips a straight right by Bartlett.
Vasilios throws a hook but Bartlett blocks it.
Vasilios is looking to clinch.

Bartlett tries to keep at a distance but Vasilios has taken the fight into the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Bartlett looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Vasilios jumps guard but Bartlett stands there with Vasilios around his waist. Vasilios gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vasilios working aggressively here.
Bartlett looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Vasilios tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Bartlett breaks from the clinch.
Bartlett rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

so Vasilios counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
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!
Vasilios trying to control the position from guard on top but Bartlett is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vasilios stops Bartlett from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasilios pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bartlett is keeping the position for now.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Bartlett controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Al Bartlett wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Vasilios throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bartlett throws a shot from downtown. Vasilios moves away and avoids it.
Vasilios uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bartlett.
Bartlett throws a shot from downtown. Vasilios moves away and avoids it.
Bartlett rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Vasilios moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bartlett ducks under a wild hook from Vasilios.
Vasilios ducks under a wild hook from Bartlett.
Bartlett ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Bartlett throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Vasilios on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Bartlett lands with a straight right. Vasilios didn't see that one coming.
Vasilios tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Bartlett manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Bartlett smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Vasilios throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Vasilios throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Vasilios closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Dev Vasilios has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vasilios ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bartlett moves away.
Vasilios slips a straight right by Bartlett.
Bartlett lands a nice looking body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bartlett throws the left hand but Vasilios avoids the punch easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bartlett checks the leg kick.
Vasilios tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bartlett was well out of range. Poor timing from Vasilios.
Al Bartlett is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Vasilios fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bartlett manages to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Al Bartlett showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bartlett, 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 30:27
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Al Bartlett!
A relieved looking Al Bartlett thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.