PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marcellus Vaughan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Simon Tufeksi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tufeksi comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Welcome Home kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Simon Tufeksi is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Vaughan
vs
Tufeksi

154 cm
24
215 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

187 cm
25
205 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Prefers standup

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Marcellus Vaughan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Simon Tufeksi!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Summer Carpenter and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vaughan throws a sloppy head kick and Tufeksi moves out of range easily.
Tufeksi sizes up Vaughan with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Tufeksi connects with a nice looking jab.
Vaughan could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Vaughan keeps the fight on the outside.

Tufeksi shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Vaughan might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Vaughan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tufeksi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Vaughan works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Vaughan has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Tufeksi is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Vaughan.
Tufeksi throws an elbow but Vaughan slips to the side and avoids it well.
Vaughan wants to control but Tufeksi postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vaughan prevents Tufeksi from improving position.
Tufeksi working the ground and pound from side control.
Tufeksi trying to control the position but Vaughan is working away.
Vaughan is looking for a sweep.
Vaughan prevents Tufeksi from moving into mount.
Tufeksi cracks Vaughan with a big elbow.
Tufeksi lands a few punches from side control.
Tufeksi taking a break here but Vaughan is having none of it and regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vaughan is looking to control Tufeksi's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Vaughan avoid being mounted?
Vaughan is trying to stand.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Tufeksi is keen to just control but Vaughan is a slippery customer.
Tufeksi thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Tufeksi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Vaughan keeps working.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Simon Tufeksi.

Tufeksi shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Tufeksi really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Vaughan. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Tufeksi wants to control but Vaughan is keeping him busy.
Tufeksi misses with a head shot. Vaughan uses the momentum to regain guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tufeksi trying to control but Vaughan is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Vaughan is on top in guard.
Tufeksi is trying to keep Vaughan in close.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Simon Tufeksi hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Tufeksi tries to close the distance and clinch up but Vaughan swats him away and circles back towards the center.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Tufeksi gets a double leg takedown into Vaughan's guard.
Vaughan keeping moving, preventing Tufeksi from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Simon Tufeksi dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Tufeksi bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Tufeksi trying to control the position but Vaughan is working away.
Simon Tufeksi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tufeksi creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Vaughan sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Tufeksi trying to control the action but Vaughan is working from the bottom.
Tufeksi is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Tufeksi tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Vaughan is not content to let Tufeksi control the position.
Tufeksi tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Tufeksi advances to mount.
Tufeksi controlling from mount.
Tufeksi with shots to the head and body - Vaughan looks very uncomfortable down there.
Tufeksi has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Vaughan's face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tufeksi tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Tufeksi is stalling here but it's allowed Vaughan to get half guard.
Tufeksi perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Vaughan tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Tufeksi is keen to just control but Vaughan is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Simon Tufeksi wasn't active enough on the ground.

Tufeksi looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Vaughan!
Vaughan manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Vaughan tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Tufeksi.
Tufeksi is trying to stand back up but Vaughan is controlling him
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vaughan prevents Tufeksi from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Simon Tufeksi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Tufeksi dives in and scores a takedown into Vaughan's guard.
Vaughan 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.
Tufeksi wants to pass the guard but Vaughan is keeping the position.
Tufeksi is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Vaughan working a defensive guard here.
Vaughan keeping moving, preventing Tufeksi from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Vaughan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tufeksi paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Tufeksi looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Vaughan trying to control from the bottom.
Tufeksi is keen to just control but Vaughan is a slippery customer.

Tufeksi seems to be looking for submissions.
Tufeksi wants to control but Vaughan is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tufeksi is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Tufeksi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tufeksi is looking to stall here but Vaughan recovers full guard.
Vaughan is trying to keep Tufeksi in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vaughan is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Tufeksi trying to control the position from guard on top but Vaughan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vaughan controlling the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Marcellus Vaughan wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Vaughan tries to clinch but Tufeksi moves out of range.
Vaughan has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tufeksi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Tufeksi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Tufeksi drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Simon Tufeksi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Vaughan is looking to reverse the position.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

Tufeksi stands up.
Marcellus Vaughan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tufeksi jabs at Vaughan's body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Simon Tufeksi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tufeksi 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Simon Tufeksi!
A determined Simon Tufeksi didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!