PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Malcolm Dodson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cain Velasquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cain Velasquez has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Dodson
vs
Velasquez

196 cm
24
280 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

185 cm
25
255 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Good elbows
Very confident

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Malcolm Dodson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Cain Velasquez!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, James Atkins and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Dodson as Velasquez shoots in.
Cain Velasquez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dodson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Velasquez counters with a series of strikes that sends Dodson to the canvas! Velasquez follows down into guard, looking to finish the fight!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Dodson working for a triangle but Velasquez defends it easily.
Velasquez must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Dodson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Velasquez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Dodson keeping moving, preventing Velasquez from controlling successfully.

Dodson manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Dodson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Velasquez pulls his leg out and moves away.
Dodson has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Malcolm Dodson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Velasquez manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Dodson on his heels. He'll look to pass Dodson's guard now, I'm sure.
Velasquez wants to stand but Dodson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Velasquez slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Velasquez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Velasquez trying to control the position from guard on top but Dodson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dodson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Cain Velasquez wasn't active enough on the ground.
Velasquez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Dodson is fending him off so far but Velasquez persists. Nope, Dodson circles away and we're back to standing.
Dodson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Velasquez as he avoids it easily.
Dodson dives in and grabs Velasquez's left leg, looking for a takedown. Velasquez pushes down on Dodson's head and hops out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez fails with a takedown attempt.
Velasquez shoots for a takedown but Dodson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Velasquez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Dodson defends it nicely.
Dodson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Velasquez.
Velasquez looks winded!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Velasquez shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dodson as he jumps to the side.

Dodson takes the fight into the clinch.
Velasquez goes for a takedown attempt but Dodson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Velasquez. Dodson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Dodson throws a sloppy head kick and Velasquez moves out of range easily.
Velasquez tries to bum rush Dodson with a series of wild strikes but Dodson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Dodson shoots in looking for a takedown but Velasquez manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Dodson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Dodson looks for a takedown but Velasquez sprawls well.
Velasquez looks for the body kick but Dodson saw that one coming.
Velasquez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Dodson closes the distance and clinches.
Velasquez drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Velasquez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Dodson fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dodson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Velasquez defends it nicely.
Velasquez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Dodson tries to avoid it but Velasquez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Dodson to the ground. Dodson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Velasquez takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Dodson closes the distance and clinches up with Velasquez, looking for a takedown. Dodson pushes Velasquez against the cage but Velasquez circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Velasquez tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Dodson swivels and escapes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Dodson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Velasquez can't get the takedown.
Dodson looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cain Velasquez dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Dodson fails to land the takedown.
Dodson moves in looking to clinch but Velasquez pushes him off.
Velasquez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Dodson closes the distance and clinches up with Velasquez, looking for a takedown. Dodson pushes Velasquez against the cage but Velasquez circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
A right-left combo lands from Dodson.

Dodson rushes Velasquez and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Velasquez has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Dodson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Dodson working hard to break the clinch.

Dodson pulls guard effortlessly.
Dodson manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Velasquez can't escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velasquez regains half guard.
Dodson is thwarting Velasquez's attempts to control the position.
Velasquez tries to get to full guard but Dodson has control of the leg.
Dodson thows a huge punch but Velasquez dodges it nicely.
Velasquez wants to improve his position but Dodson is controlling well.
Velasquez trying to hold on to Dodson's head to control him but Dodson postures up.
Velasquez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dodson is trying to control the action in half guard but Velasquez is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Dodson is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Velasquez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Velasquez is breathing heavily.
Dodson prevents Velasquez from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Velasquez tries to get to full guard but Dodson has control of the leg.
Dodson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Velasquez makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Velasquez.
Velasquez looking for a sweep. Not yet Velasquez, not yet.

Velasquez working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Dodson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Dodson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Velasquez had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Dodson defends it easily.
Velasquez keeping moving, preventing Dodson from controlling successfully.
Velasquez wants to stand up but Dodson is controlling him.

Dodson stands and steps away. Velasquez gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dodson fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Malcolm Dodson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dodson wants to clinch up but Velasquez keeps it at a distance.
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 Malcolm Dodson will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Velasquez throws a leg kick but Dodson sees it coming and moves out of range.
Dodson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Dodson wants it to stay on the feet.
Dodson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Velasquez defends it nicely.
Velasquez fails with the takedown.
Velasquez stuffs the takedown attempt from Dodson. Dodson gets slowly back to his feet.
Velasquez leaves Dodson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Malcolm Dodson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Velasquez has a takedown stuffed.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Velasquez. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Velasquez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Velasquez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Malcolm Dodson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dodson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dodson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Velasquez as he avoids it easily.
Velasquez goes for a double leg but Dodson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Dodson continues to drive forward.
Velasquez is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Dodson pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Dodson is pressed up against the cage. Velasquez has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Dodson down to the mat. Dodson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Dodson slips under a jab from Velasquez.
Dodson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Dodson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Velasquez as he avoids it easily.
Velasquez shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Dodson as he avoids it easily.
Dodson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Velasquez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nice takedown defense from Velasquez. No joy for Dodson on that attempt.
Velasquez tries a head kick but it misses.

Velasquez drives through with a takedown into Dodson's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Velasquez's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Velasquez got a little sloppy there for a moment and Dodson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Velasquez has managed to get both his arms back between Dodson's legs - danger averted.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Velasquez passes easily into side control. Nice work.
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!
Velasquez trying to control the position but Dodson is working away.
Dodson regains half guard.

Velasquez wants to work for an arm triangle but Dodson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Velasquez thows a huge punch but Dodson dodges it nicely.
Dodson is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Dodson trying to hold on to Velasquez's head to control him but Velasquez postures up.
Velasquez is trying to control the action in half guard but Dodson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Velasquez is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Velasquez thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Dodson's head.

Velasquez wants to work for an arm triangle but Dodson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Dodson gets back to half guard.
Velasquez wants to pass the guard but Dodson is defending well.
Dodson wants to control but Velasquez is keeping busy.
Dodson moves into full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dodson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Velasquez is one step ahead there.
Velasquez throws a big elbow that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cain Velasquez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Velasquez has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Edwards scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cain Velasquez!
During a confident post fight interview, Cain Velasquez thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.