PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cain Velasquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tiny Tim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Velasquez's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Kryptonite. Tim is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Hot In Herre - Nelly. Tiny Tim has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Velasquez
vs
Tim

185 cm
25
260 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

225 cm
25
270 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

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 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Cain Velasquez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Tiny Tim!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Jeff Smith and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tim fails with an attempt to clinch.

Tim pushes Velasquez up against the cage in a clinch.
Velasquez misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Velasquez.
Velasquez misses with a hook to the ribs.
Velasquez lands a body punch.
Velasquez can't break the clinch.
Tim throws a punch but it's blocked by Velasquez.
Tim tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Velasquez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tim fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tim scores with a head kick.

It looks like Cain Velasquez has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Velasquez misses the shot to the body.
Tiny Tim seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tim tries to clinch but Velasquez moves out of range.
Tim fails with the takedown.
Tim doesn't manage to clinch there - Velasquez circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tim fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tim takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Tim has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Tim doesn't manage to clinch there - Velasquez circles away.

Velasquez shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Tim napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Velasquez throws an elbow but Tim slips to the side and avoids it well.
Velasquez trying to control the position but Tim is working away.

Velasquez working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Velasquez is looking to take a break and control but Tim is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tim managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Velasquez.
Tim manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Velasquez might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Velasquez is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Tim is working for a submission of some sort.
Velasquez regains full guard. Nicely done.
Velasquez wants to stand and escape but Tim is having none of it.
Tim lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Tim trying to control but Velasquez is working from the bottom.

Velasquez throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Tim trying to control the position from guard on top but Velasquez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tim stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Velasquez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Velasquez can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Tim controls the pace.
Velasquez looking for a sweep. Not yet Velasquez, not yet.
Velasquez throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Tim won't allow Velasquez to sweep him here.
Tim must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Tim content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Tim got a little sloppy there for a moment and Velasquez has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tim has managed to get both his arms back between Velasquez's legs - danger averted.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Velasquez is on top in guard.
Tim wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Velasquez is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tim keeping full guard, as Velasquez tries to pass.
Tim avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Velasquez postures up in Tim's guard and throws a big left but Tim blocks it.
Tim working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Velasquez.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tim keeping moving, preventing Velasquez from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Velasquez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Velasquez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tim works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Velasquez seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Velasquez on the wrong end of a nice jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cain Velasquez dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Cain Velasquez's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Tim tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Velasquez manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Velasquez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Velasquez throws a hook to the side of Tim's head but Tim sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Velasquez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Tim avoids the body shot from Velasquez.
Velasquez lands the left hand.
Tim wants to clinch but Velasquez slips to the side
and Velasquez connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Tim scores with a takedown into Velasquez's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Velasquez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Tim trying to control the position from guard on top but Velasquez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Velasquez had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tim defends it easily.
Cain Velasquez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tim stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Velasquez swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velasquez tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tim postures up in Velasquez's guard and throws a big left but Velasquez blocks it.
Velasquez manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Velasquez throwing strikes here but Tim is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Velasquez avoids the attempt from Tim to control.
Tim really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Tim is squirming around, avoiding Velasquez's attempts to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez lands with some strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Velasquez can't control as he wanted to and Tim manages to get the fight back to his half guard.
Tim is trying to control but can't.
Velasquez is looking to take a break and control but Tim is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Tim wants to improve his position but Velasquez is controlling well.
Tim gets back to full guard.
Velasquez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tim keeping moving, preventing Velasquez from controlling successfully.
Velasquez tries to free his leg and advance position but Tim is retaining full guard.
Tim is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Tim managing to control the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Velasquez slips a jab from Tim.
Velasquez swats away the attempt to clinch by Tim.
Velasquez darts in looking for a takedown but Tim gets double underhooks and turns Velasquez into the cage.
Tim tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tim lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Velasquez.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Tim on the inside.
Tim lands a nice shot to the body.
Tim tries to work over Velasquez's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Velasquez blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Velasquez struggles to land a body shot inside as Tim controls his hands.
Tim lands with a short shot to the head.
Tim throws a head punch that misses.
Tim misses with a punch to the body.
Velasquez blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Velasquez.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tim misses with some punches.
Velasquez misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tim tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Velasquez's elbow.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tim makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Tim lands with a right to the head.
Velasquez tries to work over Tim's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Velasquez misses with a body punch.
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 Cain Velasquez will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Cain Velasquez's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Tim tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Tim tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Tim has taken the fight to the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Tim fails to land.
Tim lands a right hand that snaps the head of Velasquez backwards.
Tim doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Velasquez blocks an uppercut.
Velasquez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tim misses with a short punch on the inside.
Velasquez tries to throw a body punch but Tim avoids it by throwing Velasquez back against the cage.
Velasquez digs a right hand into Tim's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Tim's gas tank.
I was talking to Velasquez's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Velasquez can't find room to land a body shot as Tim controls the action.
Velasquez taking a breather.
Velasquez has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Tim stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Velasquez tries to work over Tim's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Velasquez tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tim's elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tim working aggressively here.
Velasquez lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tim backwards.
Velasquez prevents a body shot from Tim.
Velasquez pushes Tim back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Velasquez can't find room to land a body shot as Tim controls the action.

Velasquez's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Velasquez throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Tim.
Tim is looking to clinch but Velasquez is avoiding it.
Tim lets loose with a powerful body kick. Velasquez will feel that in the morning.
Tim throws a nice head kick!
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 manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Tim on his heels. He'll look to pass Tim's guard now, I'm sure.
Velasquez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tim swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Velasquez wants to control from the top but Tim keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tim works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tim is trying to control the position but Velasquez postures up.
Velasquez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Velasquez wants to control from the top but Tim keeps moving.
Tim seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Tim keeping moving, preventing Velasquez from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tim looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez misses with a wild body shot.
Tiny Tim has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tim tries a head kick but it misses.
Velasquez blocks a head kick by Tim.

Velasquez looking to score a takedown here. Tim is defending well but Velasquez drives through and ends up in Tim's guard.
Velasquez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Velasquez 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.
Velasquez wants to control from the top but Tim keeps moving.
Tim is looking to stand up but Velasquez isn't so interested in that idea.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tim controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez throws a big right hand that misses.
Tim has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Tiny Tim.
Tim is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Velasquez shoots in for a takedown but Tim shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Tim looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Velasquez!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Velasquez is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Velasquez is trying to improve his position.
Tim tries to advance to mount but Velasquez denies him.

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 Cain Velasquez.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Velasquez, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Roger Salmon scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 30:27

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.