PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Denis Vrlinic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Christian Crespo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Vrlinic
vs
Crespo

185 cm
20
145 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

165 cm
25
137 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Denis Vrlinic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Christian Crespo!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Alan Glass and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Crespo lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Crespo throws a big shot that misses.
Vrlinic stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Crespo drives through with a takedown into Vrlinic's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Vrlinic pushes Crespo off and gets back to his feet.
Crespo fails with an attempt to clinch.
Crespo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Crespo! But no joy.
Crespo has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Crespo missing with a left hand there. Vrlinic was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vrlinic fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Vrlinic scores with a hook.
Crespo ducks under a wild hook from Vrlinic.
A slow jab from Vrlinic misses its intended target.
Crespo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Vrlinic paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Crespo lands a nice shot that snaps Vrlinic's head back.
Crespo fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Crespo misses the jab.
Christian Crespo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vrlinic moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Crespo gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Vrlinic misses with the head strike.
Vrlinic dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Crespo breaks the clinch.
No luck for Crespo with that takedown attempt.
Crespo wants to clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Vrlinic dives in for a single leg takedown but Crespo sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Crespo fails to land with a series of punches.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Vrlinic.
Vrlinic throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Crespo swings widly with a right hand
and Vrlinic counters with a stiff right hand.
Crespo swinging wildly here.
Crespo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Vrlinic really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Crespo clinches up with Vrlinic and pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Crespo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Vrlinic looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
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!
Vrlinic throwing strikes but missing.
Vrlinic wants to control from the top but Crespo keeps moving.
Vrlinic stays in close to Crespo's body and controls the position.
Vrlinic wants to pass the guard but Crespo is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vrlinic not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Vrlinic missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Vrlinic throws an elbow that misses. Crespo uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Vrlinic's guard. Nice move by Crespo!

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Vrlinic utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Vrlinic is pulling down on Crespo's head. It's preventing any offense from Crespo, at least for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

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

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vrlinic loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Vrlinic has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Vrlinic working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Vrlinic missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Vrlinic engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Vrlinic accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Denis Vrlinic will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Crespo defending well as Vrlinic loads up on a big left hand.
Crespo misses with a straight left.
Crespo misses with a head kick.
Denis Vrlinic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Crespo thows a left - swing and a miss!
Vrlinic lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Crespo tries to clinch up but Vrlinic circles away and keeps his distance.
Vrlinic tries to counter by clinching up but Crespo breaks away and moves out of range.
Crespo shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Vrlinic works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Vrlinic lands with a nice combination. Crespo backs away looking to recover.
Vrlinic tries to bum rush Crespo with a series of wild strikes but Crespo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
It seemed like Crespo was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A big right from Vrlinic misses.
Crespo scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vrlinic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Vrlinic slips a jab from Crespo.
Crespo misses with a left hand
and Vrlinic cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Crespo scores with a decent looking hook.
Crespo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Vrlinic as he jumps to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good exchange - Crespo coming out on top.
Crespo tries to clinch up
and Vrlinic counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Crespo avoids a punch combination nicely.
Crespo swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Crespo connects with a leg kick. Vrlinic looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Crespo misses with a two punch combination.
Crespo's corner calls for a 1-2. Crespo obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Crespo shoots in but no luck this time.
Crespo misses with a few strikes there.
Vrlinic is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Crespo shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Vrlinic is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

Crespo closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Crespo is breathing heavily.
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!
You can see the frustration on Vrlinic's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vrlinic is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Crespo wants to stand up but Vrlinic is controlling the position.
Vrlinic trying to control here.
Crespo landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Crespo trying to control from half guard but Vrlinic is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vrlinic regains full guard. Nicely done.
Crespo throws a big elbow that misses.
Vrlinic has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Crespo has passed into side control.
Vrlinic is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Crespo in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Vrlinic struggling a bit here.
Crespo scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Vrlinic to see if he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Crespo tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Crespo scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Vrlinic to see if he's OK.
The strikes coming from Crespo are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Crespo creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Crespo lands a nice forearm strike.
Crespo trying to control the action but Vrlinic is working from the bottom.
Crespo throwing shots but missing, from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Christian Crespo will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Vrlinic fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Crespo tries to move into range but Vrlinic moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Crespo throws a sloppy head kick and Vrlinic moves out of range easily.
Crespo shoots in looking for a takedown. Vrlinic tries to sprawl out of it but Crespo keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Vrlinic manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Crespo feints and as Vrlinic raises his hands in defense, Crespo changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Vrlinic uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Vrlinic is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Vrlinic uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Crespo has time to react.
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!
Vrlinic displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Crespo.
Vrlinic cracks Crespo with a right hand to the side of the head.
Crespo misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vrlinic cracks Crespo with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Vrlinic bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Crespo's head backwards.
Crespo misses with a takedown attempt
and Vrlinic counters with a three punch combo that has Crespo backing up. Crespo nods at Vrlinic to acknowledge the strikes.
Denis Vrlinic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Christian Crespo.
Crespo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nice defenses there by Crespo.
Denis Vrlinic is winning the standup battle so far.
Crespo falls off balance throwing a combination
and Vrlinic counters with a one-two to the body.
Vrlinic circles away from the clinch attempt
enabling Vrlinic to counter with a crisp jab.
Crespo tries to close the distance and clinch but Vrlinic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Vrlinic throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Crespo sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Crespo scores with a takedown into Vrlinic's guard.

Vrlinic is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vrlinic is looking to take this one to the mat.
The referee calls for Vrlinic to work.
Crespo misses with a short punch on the inside.

Vrlinic breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Vrlinic lands with a hook. Crespo tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Vrlinic lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Crespo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Vrlinic is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Crespo can do to turn this around?
Crespo is looking to clinch but Vrlinic is avoiding it.
A little feinted left hand from Vrlinic on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Crespo tries to clinch up but Vrlinic circles away and keeps his distance.
Vrlinic stalks Crespo and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Crespo's face. Crespo staggers backwards, shaken.
Crespo takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Crespo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crespo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Vrlinic looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Crespo displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Crespo instigates a clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Crespo creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Crespo misses with a short punch on the inside.
Vrlinic blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Crespo lands a body shot in the clinch.
Crespo has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

Crespo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Crespo misses with a left hand
and Vrlinic counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Vrlinic stuffs the takedown attempt from Crespo. Crespo gets slowly back to his feet.
Crespo throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Vrlinic counters with a two punch combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Crespo misses with a looping right.
Crespo is looking to clinch but Vrlinic is avoiding it.
Vrlinic connects with a jab.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Crespo is defended easily by Vrlinic.
The crowd cheers as Vrlinic lands an impressive looking overhand right. Crespo doesn't seem phased though.
Vrlinic fails to land with a series of punches.
Some wild striking there from Vrlinic.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A punch lands to the side of Vrlinic 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Crespo needs to keep his hands up - Vrlinic had a free shot at his head there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Denis Vrlinic showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Vrlinic has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Denis Vrlinic!
Denis Vrlinic got down on his knees post fight and begged the management for a title shot. 'Please, I want that title shot so bad! Give it to me!'