PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Filippo Di Vaio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Serafin Cuevas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Di Vaio
vs
Cuevas

176 cm
29
171 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

180 cm
34
180 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Powerful

Sydney BEAST Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Filippo Di Vaio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Serafin Cuevas!
The judges for this bout are Ben Hemmingworth, Ben Watson and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Cuevas misses.

Di Vaio closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Cuevas's guard.

Di Vaio drops back looking for a leg! Cuevas is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Cuevas manages to kick Di Vaio off! Di Vaio jumps back into Cuevas's guard.
Di Vaio content to stall in guard here.
Di Vaio trying to control the position from guard on top but Cuevas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Di Vaio is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Cuevas is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Di Vaio tries to free his leg and advance position but Cuevas is retaining full guard.
Di Vaio working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Di Vaio is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Di Vaio slips nicely into half guard.

Di Vaio is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Cuevas doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Di Vaio.
Di Vaio is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Di Vaio works his way into side control.
The ground and pound from Di Vaio seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

Di Vaio working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Di Vaio working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cuevas is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Di Vaio has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Di Vaio works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Di Vaio prevents Cuevas from escaping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Di Vaio wants to control but Cuevas is keeping him busy.
Cuevas is trying to get back to his feet.
Di Vaio has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Di Vaio tries for a kimura but Cuevas is defending well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cuevas is pushing Di Vaio's head away, looking to escape. Di Vaio manages to hold on to the position though.
Di Vaio throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Cuevas is trying to buck Di Vaio off.

Di Vaio is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Cuevas has escaped the position, nice work there.
Di Vaio wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cuevas keeps working.
Cuevas wants to get back to his feet but Di Vaio drags him back down.
Cuevas really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Di Vaio. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Cuevas wants to get back to his feet but Di Vaio is dominant here and he's now got Cuevas's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Di Vaio patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Cuevas is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Di Vaio off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Cuevas wants to get back to his feet.
Di Vaio just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Di Vaio lands shots from the back.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Di Vaio scores with punches to the body.
Cuevas has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

Di Vaio sinks in the hooks and is looking for the choke. He's got it! Cuevas taps out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Filippo Di Vaio!
An out of breath Filippo Di Vaio thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
The defeated Serafin Cuevas had this to say: 'There is something to celebrate with every victory and something to learn from every loss. I salute my opponent for a job well done. I wish him well in his future fights.'.