PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Von Dodson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vejas Nupustas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vejas Nupustas is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Dodson
vs
Nupustas

216 cm
24
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
135 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Von Dodson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vejas Nupustas!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Illya Tyunina and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dodson misses with a series of wild punches.
Nupustas steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Dodson.
Dodson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nupustas lands a right hook to the body.
Dodson slaps away a takedown attempt from Nupustas, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Dodson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nupustas is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dodson fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Von Dodson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dodson shoots in for a takedown but Nupustas shows good takedown defense.
Dodson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Dodson wants it to stay on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Dodson.
Nupustas is looking to chop away at Dodson's legs.
Nupustas throws a body shot but no joy.
Nupustas shoots in looking for a takedown. Dodson tries to sprawl out of it but Nupustas keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Dodson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nupustas stuffs the takedown.
Nupustas throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Dodson stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Dodson with a poor takedown
and Nupustas counters with a straight right hand.

Nupustas gets caught napping as Dodson dives in and scores a takedown. Nupustas manages to retain guard.
Dodson with a flurry of punches that miss.

Nupustas is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Dodson defends well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nupustas wants to sweep here but Dodson controlling him for the moment.
Dodson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Dodson is in close to Nupustas's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Dodson being controlled here momentarily.
Dodson is looking to work some ground and pound but Nupustas has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dodson throws an elbow that misses. Nupustas uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Dodson's guard. Nice move by Nupustas!

Nupustas sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Dodson wants to stand but Nupustas is controlling the position.
Dodson is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Nupustas dives into side control.
Dodson is looking to reverse the position.
Nupustas controlling the position from side mount.
Dodson is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dodson tries to buck Nupustas off but Nupustas is having none of it.
Dodson pushes Nupustas away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Nupustas gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Nupustas controls the position from side control.
Dodson struggling a bit here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dodson tries to escape but Nupustas is in control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Dodson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vejas Nupustas dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Dodson is defended easily by Nupustas.
Nupustas leaves Dodson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Dodson stuffs the takedown.
Dodson fails with the takedown
and Nupustas counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Von Dodson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dodson fails with the takedown.
Nupustas feints the counter takedown.

Nupustas gets a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dodson pulls guard effortlessly.
Nupustas lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Dodson is rocked!
Nupustas sitting in guard here, content to control.
Oh Dodson is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Dodson looking for a sweep. Not yet Dodson, not yet.
Nupustas prevents Dodson from getting back to his feet.
Dodson seems to have got his legs back now.
Nupustas wants to stand but Dodson is controlling his posture from full guard.
Dodson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Nupustas is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nupustas 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.
Dodson is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nupustas has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Dodson scores with a nice body kick.

Nupustas forces Dodson back against the cage and clinches.
Dodson tries to pull guard but Nupustas won't allow it.
Nupustas tries to pull guard but Dodson forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Nupustas working for submissions but it's allowed Dodson to get to half guard.
Dodson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Dodson throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Nupustas trying to control here.
Dodson working the head and body with strikes.
Nupustas is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nupustas is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nupustas keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Dodson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Dodson lands strikes from half guard.
Nupustas trying to control here.
Nupustas is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Dodson's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Dodson's back!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Dodson wants to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vejas Nupustas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Dodson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Nupustas misses with a takedown attempt
and Dodson counters with a three punch combo that has Nupustas backing up. Nupustas nods at Dodson to acknowledge the strikes.
Dodson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Nupustas swivels and escapes.
Dodson looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nupustas with a lazy takedown attempt
and Dodson counters with a two punch combo.
Dodson shoots in for a takedown but Nupustas shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Von Dodson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nupustas has a takedown stuffed.
Dodson seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nupustas sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Horrible takedown attempt by Dodson or perhaps it was just good defense by Nupustas, which made it look bad.
Nupustas is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nupustas throws a sloppy head kick
and Dodson counters with a three punch combo that has Nupustas backing up. Nupustas nods at Dodson to acknowledge the strikes.
Nupustas takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nupustas shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Dodson defends it nicely.
Nupustas closes the distance and clinches up with Dodson, looking for a takedown. Nupustas pushes Dodson against the cage but Dodson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Dodson bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Dodson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Nupustas taking punishment in the form of punches.
Nupustas is looking to regain half guard here but Dodson keeps moving and retains side control.
Nupustas taking punishment in the form of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dodson is putting a hurting on Nupustas here, landing some big shots from side control.
Nupustas parries the strikes from Dodson easily there. Dodson is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Nupustas to escape.
Dodson in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Nupustas wants to control but Dodson postures up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dodson throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Dodson looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Nupustas is avoiding damage well.
Check out the look on Dodson's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Dodson working the ground and pound.
Dodson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Dodson tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dodson working the ground and pound but Nupustas is defending the strikes.
Dodson misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Dodson throws an elbow but Nupustas slips to the side and avoids it well.
Dodson misses with the ground and pound.
You can see the frustration on Nupustas's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Nupustas on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Nupustas has one of Dodson's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
The strikes coming from Dodson are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Von Dodson is winning the standup battle so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Dodson dives in and grabs Nupustas's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nupustas pushes down on Dodson's head and hops out.
Nupustas stuffs the takedown attempt from Dodson. Dodson gets slowly back to his feet.
Nupustas throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dodson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nupustas as he avoids it easily.
Dodson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nupustas throws a series of punches but Dodson avoids them all with ease.
Von Dodson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vejas Nupustas is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Nupustas closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Von Dodson showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Nupustas has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vejas Nupustas!