PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Clay Morrow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jonah Varce (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Clay Morrow has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Morrow
vs
Varce

190 cm
25
258 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

157 cm
25
268 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Powerful

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 Los Angeles, Clay Morrow!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jonah Varce!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Paulsen Ambrosius and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Varce drives through with a takedown into Morrow's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Varce throws a big right hand that misses.

Varce has gone for a leg lock! Morrow slips out almost immediately though and dives into Varce's guard.

Morrow has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Varce trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Varce wants to sweep here but Morrow controlling him for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Morrow postures up in Varce's guard and throws a big left but Varce blocks it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Morrow works over Varce with some ground and pound from guard.
Morrow trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morrow wanted to stand there but Varce had control of the position.
Varce wants to sweep here but Morrow controlling him for the moment.
Varce is still trying to improve position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Varce can do anything to dispel that myth.
Varce working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Morrow.
Varce trying to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Varce has a takedown stuffed.
Morrow throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Varce.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Varce avoids a punch combination nicely.
Varce looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Morrow cracks Varce with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Varce throws a shot from downtown. Morrow moves away and avoids it.
Varce connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Morrow misses with a series of wild punches.
Morrow lands with a straight right. Varce didn't see that one coming.
Varce showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Morrow.

Varce decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Morrow is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Varce misses with a head shot. Morrow uses the momentum to regain guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morrow working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Varce.
Varce throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Morrow works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Varce accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Varce has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Morrow keeping moving, preventing Varce from controlling successfully.
Varce throwing strikes but missing.
Varce is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

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.
Morrow keeping full guard, as Varce tries to pass.
Morrow avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Varce distracts Morrow with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Varce throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Morrow works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Varce trying to control the position from guard on top but Morrow is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Varce fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Morrow to the ground. Varce is now in Morrow's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Varce wants to pass the guard but Morrow is keeping the position.
Varce is looking to work some ground and pound but Morrow has wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jonah Varce will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A combination from Morrow does no damage.
Morrow throws a series of punches but Varce moves out of range.
Morrow misses with a series of wild punches.
Morrow misses the jab.

Varce fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Morrow sprawls well initially but Varce persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Varce throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Morrow avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Varce.
Varce stalling away here and it's allowed Morrow to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Morrow preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Varce throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Varce keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Morrow's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Varce stops Morrow from standing up.
Morrow will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Varce missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Varce postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Morrow has momentary wrist control but Varce slips an elbow through the middle.
Morrow preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Jonah Varce has got the better of the ground game so far.
Varce is looking to advance position but Morrow has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Varce manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Varce gets full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Varce lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Varce is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Varce advances position into side control!

Varce is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Morrow has escaped the position, nice work there.
Morrow taking punishment in the form of punches.
Varce in side control lands a decent elbow.
Varce tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varce creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Morrow sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Varce postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Morrow avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Varce.
Varce misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Varce is chipping away with strikes.
Varce looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Morrow is avoiding damage well.
Varce throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Varce throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Varce tries to move to mount but Morrow blocks the move with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Varce lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Varce working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Varce throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Varce lands an elbow.
Varce looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Morrow is avoiding damage well.
Morrow takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The ground and pound from Varce seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Varce lands an elbow.
Varce tries to advance to mount but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonah Varce showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Morrow misses with a hook.
Morrow scores with a jab to the jaw.
Morrow just misses with a punch to the body.
Morrow defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Varce.
Varce has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
No joy there for Morrow, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Varce scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Morrow on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

Varce decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Morrow takes a swing at Varce's ribcage but misses.

Varce clinches up against the cage.
Varce doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Varce misses with a hook to the ribs.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Varce can't find room to land a body shot as Morrow controls the action.
Varce struggles to land a body shot inside as Morrow controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Varce drops down looking for an ankle pick but Morrow pulls his leg out and moves away.
Morrow throws a leg kick but Varce checks it.
Varce drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Morrow defends it well.
Morrow just misses with a punch to the body.

Varce gets a double leg takedown into Morrow's guard.
Varce throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Morrow works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Varce is looking to work some ground and pound but Morrow has wrist control.
Varce tries to free his leg and advance position but Morrow is retaining full guard.
Morrow working a defensive guard here.

Varce is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Morrow is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Morrow has escaped and now he's on top!

Varce looking for a sweep. Not yet Varce, not yet.
Jonah Varce is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Varce is pulling down on Morrow's head to control his posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A big left from Morrow misses.
Varce with the counter takedown but Morrow avoids it easily.
Morrow misses with a combination

and Varce counters with a nice double leg into side control. Morrow won't be happy with that.
Clay Morrow has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Morrow is trying to escape the position but Varce is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Varce wants to control but Morrow is keeping him busy.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jonah Varce comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Varce winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jonah Varce!
An out of breath Jonah Varce thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.