PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shelton Ramirez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Saro Fassapella (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shelton Ramirez had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Ramirez
vs
Fassapella

172 cm
18
278 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
19
235 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Shelton Ramirez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Saro Fassapella!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Steven Brown and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ramirez.
Ramirez shoots for a double leg takedown but Fassapella sprawls well. He's pushed Ramirez's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Fassapella shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Ramirez's guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Ramirez pulls Fassapella in close to his closed guard and prevents Fassapella from doing any damage or advancing position.
Ramirez really is a fat lump.
Fassapella throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ramirez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Fassapella pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ramirez is keeping the position for now.
Fassapella's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Ramirez trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fassapella is looking to stand up but Ramirez won't let him.
Ramirez might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Ramirez trying to keep a closed guard but Fassapella is proving a slippery customer.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Fassapella feints and as Ramirez raises his hands in defense, Fassapella changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Fassapella is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Ramirez is adopting a defensive guard.
Fassapella is stalling in the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fassapella wants to stand but Ramirez has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Saro Fassapella was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Fassapella gets a double leg takedown into Ramirez's guard.
Fassapella is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ramirez looking to control.
Fassapella stopping the sweep attempt from Ramirez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez being controlled here, momentarily.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Saro Fassapella hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Fassapella shoots in and bounces Ramirez off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Fassapella postures up.
Fassapella pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ramirez is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fassapella throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ramirez is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Fassapella is controlling him.
Fassapella wants to stand but Ramirez is controlling his posture from full guard.
Fassapella wants to control from the top but Ramirez keeps moving.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Saro Fassapella hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Fassapella closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saro Fassapella dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Fassapella scores with a takedown into Ramirez's guard.
Fassapella must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ramirez working a defensive guard here.
Fassapella sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Fassapella wants to stand but Ramirez is controlling his posture from full guard.
Fassapella throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ramirez looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Shelton Ramirez wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Fassapella misses with a wild body shot.
Ramirez fails with the takedown

and Fassapella counters by moving into the clinch.
Ramirez tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Fassapella smiles and moves away.

Fassapella gets a double leg takedown into Ramirez's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fassapella sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ramirez is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Fassapella forces his way into half guard.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Fassapella.
Ramirez keeping hold of Fassapella's head, controlling as best he can.
Fassapella throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ramirez is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fassapella wants to control but Ramirez is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ramirez is trying to maintain the position but Fassapella is very close to passing his half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Shelton Ramirez.
Ramirez slips a jab and a cross from Fassapella.
Ramirez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fassapella.
Ramirez fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shelton Ramirez. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Fassapella closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ramirez is trying to control Fassapella's posture but Fassapella avoids it.
Ramirez is not content to let Fassapella control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Saro Fassapella showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Fassapella swings for the body but Ramirez moves out of range.

Fassapella drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Fassapella is trying to get an arm triangle but Ramirez is defending well.

Fassapella tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Fassapella goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Ramirez rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Fassapella's guard! Nice work there by Ramirez!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ramirez is in close to Fassapella's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Ramirez stands up over Fassapella, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Fassapella can do anything to dispel that myth.
Ramirez would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Fassapella controlling Ramirez's posture.
Ramirez landing some decent shots from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fassapella is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Fassapella is trying to keep Ramirez in close.
Fassapella is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Fassapella preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Fassapella. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

Saro Fassapella has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Ramirez gets a takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Ramirez.
Ramirez working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Ramirez not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ramirez slips a nice elbow through Fassapella's hands, connecting with Fassapella's forehead.
Ramirez sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Fassapella defending well though.
Ramirez throwing shots but Fassapella is blocking nicely.
Fassapella is looking to improve his position.
Ramirez stalling.
Fassapella is staying active underneath Ramirez, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fassapella is looking for a sweep. Ramirez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

We're going to have a standup here because Shelton Ramirez wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ramirez is defended easily by Fassapella.
Ramirez moves out of range of the body kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Fassapella has Ramirez up against the cage in a clinch.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Shelton Ramirez.
Well Fassapella 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Saro Fassapella!