PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Steve Vega (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frankie Russo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Vega
vs
Russo

178 cm
29
169 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

169 cm
39
165 lbs
22 - 18 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Steve Vega!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Frankie Russo!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Bruno Hogan and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vega connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

It looks like Frankie Russo has been cut.
Vega swings for the body but Russo moves out of range.
Russo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Russo cracks Vega with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Vega misses with an uppercut
and Russo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Russo throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Vega counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Vega throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Vega throws the left hand but Russo avoids the punch easily.
Russo lands a jab to Vega's midsection.
Russo misses the jab.
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!
Russo throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Russo misses with a jab, cross combination.
A swing and a miss from Vega.

Vega dives in and scores a takedown into Russo's guard.
Vega wants to pass the guard but Russo is keeping the position.
Vega advances to half guard.
Vega tries to pass the half guard into mount. Russo knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vega passes the guard and advances to mount!

Vega moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Russo has worked his arm free - good work by Russo!

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

Vega escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Russo gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Russo avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russo preventing the sweep.
Vega keeping moving, preventing Russo from controlling successfully.
Vega looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Russo scoring with punches to the head and body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Russo stopping the sweep attempt from Vega.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Vega is on top in guard.
Vega forces his way into half guard.
Vega is pressing down on Russo's thigh, looking to free his foot. Russo is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vega is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Russo!

Vega is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Russo has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Russo!
Vega wants to sweep but no luck.
Russo trying to control the position from guard on top but Vega is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russo trying to control the position from guard on top but Vega is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Vega escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Russo gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Russo advances to half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vega is looking for a sweep. Russo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Vega moves into full guard.
Vega keeping moving, preventing Russo from controlling successfully.

Vega throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Vega manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Russo manages to get himself to full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Russo holds on and takes a little breather.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Vega dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Frankie Russo's cut.
That's time! Vega's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Russo moves out of range as Vega strikes.

Vega tries to sprawl but Russo drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Russo working the head and body with strikes.
Vega tries to get to full guard but Russo has control of the leg.
Russo wants to control but Vega is keeping him busy.
Vega moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Russo is working Vega over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Vega wants to sweep but no luck.
Vega is working hard here to advance position.
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!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russo lands a couple of elbows.
Vega looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We've been hearing good reports from Vega's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Russo is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Vega wants to improve his position but instead Russo has moved into half guard.
Vega is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Russo scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Vega is looking to improve his position.
Vega is trying to control but can't.
Vega wants to get back to full guard.

Vega looking for submissions off his back.
Russo looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russo slips a nice elbow through Vega's hands, connecting with Vega's forehead.
Russo wants to control but Vega is keeping him busy.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vega wants to improve his position but Russo is controlling well.
Russo working Vega over with strikes.
Russo not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Russo prevents Vega from improving his position.
Vega manages to get to full guard.

Vega is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Vega lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Russo!

Vega goes for an armbar but Russo turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Russo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Vega wants to sweep here but Russo controlling him for the moment.
Russo throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Vega works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Russo loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Vega is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Vega tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Russo lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Russo must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Vega looking for a sweep. Not yet Vega, not yet.
Russo trying to control the position from guard on top but Vega is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vega looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russo is working Vega over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Vega working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Russo doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Russo manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Russo stopping the sweep attempt from Vega.
Russo landing with the ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vega keeping moving, preventing Russo from controlling successfully.
Vega looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Russo puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Russo working Vega over with strikes.
Steve Vega overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Vega wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Frankie Russo will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Frankie Russo's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Russo lands with a shot to the body.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Russo!
Russo shoots in looking for a takedown but Vega manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Russo's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A combination from Russo does no damage.
Russo moves out of range as Vega strikes.
Vega misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nice sprawl there from Russo as Vega shoots in.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Russo!
Vega tries to close the distance and clinch up but Russo swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Russo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Vega.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vega moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Russo has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Russo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Vega pushes Russo up against the cage in a clinch.
Vega tries to work over Russo's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Vega lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vega tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Russo's elbow.
Russo prevents a takedown attempt there.
Vega misses with a punch on the inside.
Russo looking for a takedown.
Russo wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Vega has him pressed against the cage.
Russo avoids the elbow strike from Vega, against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Vega just misses with a elbow thrown towards Russo's brow.
Russo tries to circle away but Vega has him pinned against the cage.
Russo avoids the elbow strike from Vega, against the cage.

Russo lands a takedown into guard.
Vega is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Russo's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vega looking to hit a scissor sweep but Russo is one step ahead there.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Vega is on top in guard.
Vega is pushing down on Russo's leg trying to pass to half guard. Russo is fighting to maintain full guard but Vega has managed to sneak the leg through.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vega wants to pass the guard but Russo is defending well.

Vega is working for a submission of some sort.
Vega tries to pass to full mount but Russo defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vega works his foot free and advances to mount.

Vega swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Russo is now in Vega's guard. A big mistake from Vega there, giving up the dominant position!
Vega tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russo postures up and lands a big shot to Vega's brow.
Vega wants to sweep but no luck.
Russo is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Vega looking to hit a scissor sweep but Russo is one step ahead there.
Russo keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Vega's head.
Vega wants to sweep but no luck.
Vega bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Russo's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vega pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Russo is keeping the position for now.
Vega trying to move into half guard but instead Russo has managed to sweep!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vega looking to hit a scissor sweep but Russo is one step ahead there.
Russo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Vega is keeping the position for now.

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 Steve Vega.
I think Vega has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 29:29
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 29:29
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a majority draw!