PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Christian Vera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alistair Overeem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Vera
vs
Overeem

215 cm
23
270 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

195 cm
22
250 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Christian Vera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Alistair Overeem!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vera walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Overeem checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

Overeem moves into the clinch.
Vera misses with a knee strike.
Overeem wants a takedown.
Vera misses with a punch on the inside.
Overeem has Vera pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Vera manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Overeem jumps guard but Vera stands there with Overeem around his waist. Overeem gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Christian Vera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alistair Overeem.
Vera looking to throw knees to the head but Overeem is blocking nicely.
Overeem takes a knee right on the jaw!
Vera scores a nice knee to the body.
Overeem tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Vera lands a knee to the body.
Overeem looks gassed!
Vera doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Vera with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Vera lands a nice knee to the body.
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!
Vera landing knees to the head.
Vera misses with a knee strike.
Overeem takes a knee right on the jaw!
Vera using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Vera landing knees to the head.
Vera with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Vera with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Vera connects with a knee to the head.
Vera landing knees to the head.
Vera stalling in the clinch.
Vera lands a nice knee to the body.
Overeem tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Vera smiles and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vera throws a leg kick which misses Overeem's front leg but catches the back leg as Overeem tries to avoid it.
Overeem takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Vera pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Vera lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Vera lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Vera lands a 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!
Vera chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Overeem takes a kick to the side of the head.
Christian Vera seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vera lands a head kick!
Overeem avoids the head kick by Vera.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vera clinches.
Vera lands a knee to the body.
Vera scores with a knee to the head.
Vera lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Vera scores with a knee to the head.
Overeem wants to break free but Vera has control.
Vera with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Vera.
Vera landing knees to the head.
Vera using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Vera lands a knee to the body.
Vera throws a knee to the head but misses.
Vera tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Overeem tries to pull guard but Vera holds him up against the cage and eventually Overeem drops back down to his feet.
Vera crunches a lovely knee into Overeem's ribcage.
Vera lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Overeem stalling in the clinch.
Vera looking to throw knees to the head but Overeem is blocking nicely.
Vera manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Overeem is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Overeem has Vera pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Vera manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Vera connects with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Vera.
Vera lands a knee to the body.
Vera with a knee to the head.
Overeem works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A knee to the head by Vera.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Vera takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Vera scores a nice knee to the body.
Vera stops a takedown attempt from Overeem.
Vera connects with a knee to the head.
Vera connects with a knee to the head.
Vera tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Vera tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Overeem has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Vera is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Vera is working for takedown but Overeem is calmly controlling the position for now.
Vera misses with a knee to the head.
Vera tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Vera trying to stall but Overeem improves his position.
Overeem tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Vera just stands there and leans against the cage.

Overeem gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Overeem wanted to stand there but Vera had control of the position.
Vera has Overeem pulled in close to control his posture.
Vera wants to sweep but no luck.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vera has a closed guard, preventing Overeem from standing up.
Vera 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christian Vera dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Vera lands a head kick. Overeem smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Vera lands a head kick. Overeem smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Overeem tries to clinch up
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

Vera moves into the clinch successfully.
Vera connects with a knee to the head.
Vera with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Vera connects with a nasty looking knee right to Overeem's face.
Vera scores with a knee to the head.
Vera landing knees to the head.
Vera landing knees to the body.
Vera lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vera lands a knee to the body.
Vera lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Overeem takes a knee right on the jaw!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Overeem has Vera pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Vera manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Vera lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vera tries to land a knee to the head but Overeem blocks with his arms.
Christian Vera has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Overeem looking for a takedown.
Vera crunches a lovely knee into Overeem's ribcage.
Overeem takes a knee right on the jaw!
Vera misses with a knee strike.
Vera looking to stall.
Vera throws a knee to the head but misses.
Vera with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Overeem gets control of Vera's arms and successfully pulls guard. Overeem will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Overeem controls Vera momentarily but Vera frees himself.
Vera prevents Overeem from getting back to his feet.
Overeem trying to control the position.

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.

Vera avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Overeem is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Vera showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Vera knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Overeem on the ground.
Vera's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Overeem had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Vera is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Overeem Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Vera's back instead.
Vera is trying to stand back up.

Overeem looking for the choke from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Vera really must keep his cool here. He's controlling one of Overeem's hands and whilst he does that, he's got a chance of escaping the position.
Vera is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Overeem can do to turn this around?
Vera tries to escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Christian Vera dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Overeem takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Overeem stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Vera.

Vera forces Overeem back against the cage and clinches.
Vera connects with a knee to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Vera.
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!
Vera with a knee to the head.
Vera using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Vera stalling in the clinch.
Vera tries a knee to the head but Overeem blocks it.
Vera lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Vera tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Vera connects with a knee to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Vera.
Vera with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Vera looking to throw knees to the head but Overeem is blocking nicely.
Vera scores with a knee to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Vera using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Overeem has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Vera tries to land a knee to the head but Overeem blocks with his arms.
Vera with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Vera tries a knee to the head but Overeem blocks it.
Vera connects with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vera connects with a knee to the head.
Overeem blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Vera tries a knee to the head but Overeem blocks it.
Vera tries to land a knee to the head but Overeem blocks with his arms.
Overeem has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Vera is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Overeem misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Vera lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Overeem tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Vera landing knees to the body.
Vera scores a nice knee to the body.
Vera landing knees to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Vera.
Vera stops a takedown attempt from Overeem.
Christian Vera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alistair Overeem.
Overeem goes for a takedown attempt but Vera pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Overeem takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Christian Vera is winning the standup battle so far.
Overeem looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Vera is fending him off so far but Overeem persists. Nope, Vera circles away and we're back to standing.
Overeem stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Vera.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vera goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Vera plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Vera throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

Vera has closed the distance and engaged Overeem in a clinch.
Vera connects with a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from Vera.
Vera tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Vera landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Vera misses with a knee to the head.
Overeem has Vera pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Vera manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Vera lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Vera landing knees to the head.
Overeem tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Vera just stands there and leans against the cage.
Vera lands a knee to the head.
Vera with a knee to the head.
Vera throws a knee to the head but misses.
Knees to the body from Vera.
Vera tries a knee to the head but Overeem blocks it.
Vera looking to throw knees to the head but Overeem is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Overeem fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Vera unloads a knee to the mid-section. Overeem lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Overeem jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Vera walks away with a smile on his face. Overeem gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Vera gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Vera connects with a nasty looking knee right to Overeem's face.
Vera connects with a nasty looking knee right to Overeem's face.
Vera with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Overeem is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Vera pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Vera landing knees to the head.
Overeem looking to stall.
Vera throws a knee to the head but misses.
A knee to the head by Vera.
Vera looking to throw knees to the head but Overeem is blocking nicely.
Vera throws a head punch that misses.
Overeem has Vera pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Vera manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Overeem pulls guard successfully.
Overeem working a defensive guard but Vera manages to pass into side control anyway.
Overeem tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Alistair Overeem has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Overeem looking for a sweep but Vera has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Overeem wants to control but Vera is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vera controlling from the full mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Christian Vera showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Vera, 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:26
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:26
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Christian Vera!