PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vasily Romanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tiago Nero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vasily Romanov is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Romanov
vs
Nero

184 cm
26
192 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

184 cm
25
201 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Voodoo Nutrition

KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vasily Romanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tiago Nero!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, David Schapiro and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The crowd cheers as Nero lands an impressive looking overhand right. Romanov doesn't seem phased though.

Romanov scores with a takedown into Nero's guard.
Nero throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Romanov preventing the sweep.
Nero trying to keep a closed guard but Romanov is proving a slippery customer.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nero wants to stand but Romanov is controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nero wants to sweep but no luck.
Romanov definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Nero bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Romanov's guard.

Nero trying to control the position from guard on top but Romanov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Nero 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nero throwing strikes but missing.
Romanov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Nero preventing the sweep.
Nero wants to control from the top but Romanov keeps moving.
Nero has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nero stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Romanov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Romanov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Nero's guard.

Nero working a defensive guard here.
Nero keeping moving, preventing Romanov from controlling successfully.
Nero manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Romanov manages to get himself to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romanov lands a couple of decent looking body shots there.
Nero wants to control from the top but Romanov keeps moving.
Romanov lands an upkick as Nero stands over him.
Nero chips away with some ground and pound.
Nero makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Romanov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Romanov tries to get out of the position.
Romanov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nero postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Nero connects with a couple of short punches.
Romanov doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Nero throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Romanov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Romanov scores with a couple of body punches from the bottom.
Nero working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Nero landing with the ground and pound.
Nero postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nero postures up and lands a big shot to Romanov's brow.
Nero throws a big elbow that misses.
Romanov wants to stand and escape but Nero is having none of it.
Nero passes Romanov's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Romanov regains full guard. Nicely done.

Nero avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Romanov keeping full guard, as Nero tries to pass.

Romanov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Nero is looking to work some ground and pound but Romanov has wrist control.
Romanov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nero is one step ahead there.
Romanov keeping moving, preventing Nero from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nero drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Nero jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Nero is looking to work some ground and pound but Romanov has wrist control.
Romanov striking off his back but it's not causing Nero any problems.
Romanov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Romanov wants to sweep here but Nero controlling him for the moment.
Nero postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nero makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Romanov keeping moving, preventing Nero from controlling successfully.

Romanov is working an open guard so Nero takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nero tries to bum rush Romanov with a series of wild strikes but Romanov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Vasily Romanov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nero throws a series of punches but Romanov moves out of range.
Nero lands with a cross.
Nero scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Tiago Nero seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nero lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

Nero gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Nero's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Romanov is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Nero.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nero throws a sloppy head kick and Romanov moves out of range easily.

Nero closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nero lands in his opponent's guard.
Nero missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romanov trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Nero with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nero looking to pass the guard.
Nero won't allow Romanov to sweep him here.

Nero drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Nero jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Nero trying to control the position from guard on top but Romanov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Romanov wants to sweep but no luck.
Romanov is working hard here to advance position.
Romanov punching from the bottom.
Nero has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nero with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nero lands a couple of digs.

That's two 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.
Nero trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Romanov is striking from the bottom but Nero uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
Romanov wants to get back to his feet.
Nero tries to stand and escape but Romanov is controlling the position.
Romanov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Romanov wants to improve his position but Nero is controlling well.
Romanov missing with punches from the bottom.
Romanov misses with some strikes from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Nero misses with a low kick.
Romanov ducks under a wild hook from Nero.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nero scores with a jab. Romanov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Nero closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Romanov's guard.
Romanov throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Romanov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Nero defends it easily.
Romanov throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Romanov throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Nero throwing strikes but missing.
Nero distracts Romanov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Romanov keeping full guard, as Nero tries to pass.
Nero in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nero tries to free his leg and advance position but Romanov is retaining full guard.
Romanov keeping moving, preventing Nero from controlling successfully.
Nero with a nice head shot there.
Romanov 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.

Nero drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Nero jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Nero trying to control but Romanov is working from the bottom.
Nero stopping the sweep attempt from Romanov.

Romanov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Nero is looking to work some ground and pound but Romanov has wrist control.
Romanov doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Nero stands up out of Romanov's guard for a moment - Romanov manages to land a nice upkick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tiago Nero showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Romanov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Nero connects with a single shot there.

Nero gets the takedown into side control.
Romanov throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.
Nero cracks Romanov with an elbow. That is naaassty.

Nero working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Romanov tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Nero presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Romanov is wriggling around trying to escape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nero lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Romanov hang on?
Romanov takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Nero lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Romanov really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nero lands a big elbow.
BOOM! Nero connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Romanov is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
Nero cracks Romanov with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Nero cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Romanov is trying desperately to improve position.

Nero has hold of Romanov's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Romanov manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Romanov is trying desperately to improve position.
Nero lands a couple of good shots and Romanov has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Tiago Nero has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Romanov's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Nero doesn't have the hooks in and Romanov manages to turn into his guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nero tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Nero is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Romanov defends well.
Nero utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nero controls Romanov momentarily but Romanov frees himself.
Romanov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Romanov postures up.
Nero looking for a sweep. Not yet Nero, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romanov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Nero's head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Romanov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nero throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

Nero is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Romanov defends well.
Nero takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nero is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Romanov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Nero is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Romanov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nero swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Nero 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.

Romanov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nero tries to strike from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Nero bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Romanov's guard.

Romanov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nero is one step ahead there.
Nero working some strikes from top position.
Vasily Romanov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nero scoring with punches to the head and body.
Romanov can't keep his opponent in guard - Nero advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Tiago Nero is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Romanov landing strikes from the bottom.
Romanov makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Romanov.
Nero is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tiago Nero comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nero 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tiago Nero!
Tiago Nero gave a mention to KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$) in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).