PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Denis Vrlinic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Krzysztof Bak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Denis Vrlinic has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Vrlinic
vs
Bak

185 cm
21
145 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

187 cm
23
200 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Krzysztof Bak!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Chris Saunders and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vrlinic misses the jab.
Bak looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Bak lands a jab to the head.
Vrlinic takes one to the side of the head.
Bak misses with a looping right.
Vrlinic moves out of range as Bak strikes.
Good shot there by Bak.
Vrlinic shoots for a double leg takedown but Bak sprawls well. He's pushed Vrlinic's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Vrlinic misses with a looping left.
Vrlinic swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Vrlinic shoots in but no luck this time.
Bak looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Bak throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Vrlinic slips under a jab from Bak.
Bak throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Vrlinic sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bak slips under a jab.
Vrlinic needs to keep his hands up - Bak had a free shot at his head there.
Bak slips under a jab from Vrlinic.
It seemed like Bak was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Vrlinic slips under a jab from Bak.
Vrlinic misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bak lands with an overhand left.
A big left from Bak misses.
Bak slips under a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vrlinic bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nice shot by Vrlinic.
Krzysztof Bak is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bak connects with a jab.
Bak blocks a jab.
Vrlinic has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Vrlinic there as he acknowledges the shot.
Bak might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Bak catches Vrlinic with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Bak is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Vrlinic.
Bak darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A left lands for Bak.
Vrlinic fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Denis Vrlinic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bak catches Vrlinic with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Vrlinic moves out of range as Bak strikes.
Bak moves into range and connects with a jab.
Bak's coach down at was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Bak's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bak cracks Vrlinic with a good jab.
Vrlinic getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Vrlinic takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Vrlinic misses with a looping right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bak misses with a hook. Vrlinic ducked under it nicely.
Vrlinic defending well as Bak loads up on a big left hand.
Bak slips a jab and a cross from Vrlinic.
Vrlinic walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
The fighters circling - Bak throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Vrlinic uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bak.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Bak, as that shot connected.
Bak connects with the punch.
Bak stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Vrlinic is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bak.
Bak lands with a straight right. Vrlinic didn't see that one coming.
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.
Vrlinic takes a jab right on the kisser.
Bak misses with a hook
and Vrlinic counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bak slips a jab from Vrlinic.
It seemed like Bak was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Vrlinic looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bak throws a hook to the side of Vrlinic's head but Vrlinic sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bak leaves Vrlinic with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bak loads up on a big right hand but Vrlinic slips the punch.
Bak lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Vrlinic looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Bak stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Vrlinic looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Vrlinic gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Bak.
Bak misses with a looping left.
Vrlinic walks into a stiff left hand from Bak.
Vrlinic uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bak.
Bak bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Vrlinic's head backwards.
Bak lands a glancing blow to the side of Vrlinic's head.
Vrlinic throws the left hand but Bak avoids the punch easily.
Vrlinic misses with a hook. Bak ducked under it nicely.
Bak throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Vrlinic sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bak misses with a looping left.
Bak smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vrlinic darts in looking for a takedown but Bak gets double underhooks and turns Vrlinic into the cage.
Bak misses with a straight left.
Bak bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Vrlinic's head backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bak dodges the punch combination from Vrlinic.
Bak lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Bak's corner calls for a 1-2. Bak obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Bak misses with a hook. Vrlinic ducked under it nicely.
A decent looking cross lands there for Bak.
Vrlinic stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Krzysztof Bak seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vrlinic takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Vrlinic scores with a jab. Bak acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Vrlinic uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bak.
Vrlinic ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Vrlinic takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vrlinic gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Bak moves away from the strike by Vrlinic.
Bak jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Vrlinic uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bak.
A little feinted left hand from Vrlinic on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Vrlinic throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Krzysztof Bak dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bak loads up on a big right hand but Vrlinic slips the punch.
A telegraphed right hand from Bak misses the target.
Vrlinic displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bak throws out the jab.
Vrlinic on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Nice defenses there by Vrlinic.
A little feinted left hand from Vrlinic on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Bak moves out of range of the strikes.
Bak avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Vrlinic throws a lazy right hand but Bak sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Vrlinic shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bak as he avoids it easily.
Bak takes one to the side of the head.
Nice uppercut lands for Bak. That snapped Vrlinic's head back.
Vrlinic with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Bak to score with a decent uppercut.
Bak connects with a single shot there.
Krzysztof Bak seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bak listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Bak uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bak connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Vrlinic's hands.
Bak lands a head shot.
Vrlinic staying out of range there.
Vrlinic waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bak.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bak connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Bak throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bak throws out a loose jab but Vrlinic uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vrlinic slips a jab from Bak.
The fighters circling - Bak throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Vrlinic blocks a jab.
Vrlinic is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Bak.
Bak showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Vrlinic.
Bak bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bak tests Vrlinic's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Vrlinic bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bak misses with a right hand
and Vrlinic counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bak ducks under a wild hook from Vrlinic.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
A telegraphed right hand from Bak misses the target.
Bak bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bak works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Bak lands a nice shot that snaps Vrlinic's head back.
Vrlinic lands an overhand right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bak dodges the punch combination from Vrlinic.
A jab from Bak misses.
Bak has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A big left from Bak misses.
Vrlinic appears to be looking for a big counter.
Vrlinic slips under a jab.
Vrlinic will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Bak looks to land a right hand but Vrlinic moved out of range.
Vrlinic swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Vrlinic throws a looping overhand right but Bak ducks down to avoid it.
Denis Vrlinic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A slow jab from Bak misses its intended target.
Bak throws a lazy right hand but Vrlinic sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bak is breathing heavily.
A big right from Bak misses.
Vrlinic throwing a counter right hand but Bak manages to avoid it.
Vrlinic takes one to the chin there.
Vrlinic bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Vrlinic pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Vrlinic misses with a takedown attempt - Bak sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Denis Vrlinic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bak showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Vrlinic.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vrlinic looks to land a right hand but Bak moved out of range.
Bak uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Bak looks to land a left hand but Vrlinic moved out of range nicely.
Decent striking displayed by Bak there.
Vrlinic misses with a series of wild punches.
Bak fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Vrlinic on the side of the head.
A slow jab from Bak misses its intended target.
Vrlinic slips under a jab.
Bak with a hook.
Bak misses with a straight right.
Vrlinic slips under a jab from Bak.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Vrlinic. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Bak throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bak's jab looks to have found its range, popping Vrlinic under the eye.
A lazy left from Vrlinic finds it's target.
Vrlinic throws a combination. Bak tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Nice defenses there by Vrlinic.
Bak scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Bak dodges the punch combination from Vrlinic.
Bak misses with a right hand
and Vrlinic counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Bak uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Vrlinic.
Vrlinic misses with a hook.
Nice uppercut there from Bak.
Vrlinic has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Vrlinic there as he acknowledges the shot.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Vrlinic might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Bak throws a good cross that connects.
Vrlinic throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Bak on the side of the head.
Bak uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Vrlinic.
Bak lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bak waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Vrlinic.
Vrlinic misses with a looping left.
Vrlinic ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bak's jab looks to have found its range, popping Vrlinic under the eye.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Krzysztof Bak showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Vrlinic shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Bak eats them both and turns towards Vrlinic to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Vrlinic defending well as Bak loads up on a big left hand.
Vrlinic moves out of range as Bak strikes.
Vrlinic ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Vrlinic steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bak.
Vrlinic thows a left - swing and a miss!
Bak throws a hook but Vrlinic avoids it easily.
Bak lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Bak throws a poor cross that misses
and Vrlinic connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Vrlinic throws a jab when Bak was well out of range.
Vrlinic shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Bak showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Vrlinic.
Vrlinic swinging wildly here.
Bak slips a jab and a cross from Vrlinic.
Vrlinic defending well as Bak loads up on a big left hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bak walks into a left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vrlinic closes the distance and clinches up with Bak, looking for a takedown. Vrlinic pushes Bak against the cage but Bak circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Vrlinic takes one to the chin there.
Vrlinic's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Bak connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Vrlinic scrambles back to his feet.
Vrlinic changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bak tries to avoid it but Vrlinic manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bak to the ground. Bak escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nice shot lands for Bak.
Vrlinic uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bak.
Bak getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Nice shot lands for Bak.
Bak throws out a loose jab but Vrlinic uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vrlinic throws a big counter combination but Bak scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
A jab from Bak misses.
Bak connects with the punch.
Vrlinic takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Bak looks to land a right hand but Vrlinic moved out of range.
Bak misses with a lunging right hand
and Vrlinic counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bak connects with a single shot there.
Vrlinic throws a series of punches but Bak moves out of range.
It seemed like Bak was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Vrlinic ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bak jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bak throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Vrlinic sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Vrlinic fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Bak on the side of the head.
Vrlinic shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bak as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Denis Vrlinic. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bak ducks under a wild hook from Vrlinic.
Bak throws a hook to the side of Vrlinic's head but Vrlinic sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bak uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Vrlinic.
Bak works the jab nicely.
A jab from Vrlinic misses.
Bak feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Vrlinics jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Bak scores with a sloppy right hand. Vrlinic should have avoided that one.
Vrlinic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bak throws a jab but it's blocked by Vrlinic.
Bak slips a straight right by Vrlinic.
Bak bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Vrlinic's head backwards.
Bak bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Bak connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Vrlinic momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vrlinic misses with a wild combination.
Bak throws a hook but Vrlinic blocks it.
Bak connects with a right hand. Vrlinic shakes it off.
Bak with a hook.
Bak connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Vrlinic's hands.
Bak misses with an uppercut.
Vrlinic jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Good standup being displayed there by Bak as he connects with a hook.
The fighters circle momentarily. Vrlinic darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
The fighters circle momentarily. Bak darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Bak throws a hook but Vrlinic avoids it easily.
Vrlinic gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Bak.
Nice jab there from Bak.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vrlinic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bak.
A telegraphed right hand from Bak misses the target.
A big right from Bak misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vrlinic moves out of range of the strikes.
Bak ducks under a wild hook from Vrlinic.
Vrlinic throws a right hand that Bak ducks under and follows up with a left that Bak also avoids with ease.
Denis Vrlinic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bak throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Vrlinic sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bak missing with a left hand there. Vrlinic was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Vrlinic scores with a jab to the head.
Bak is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Decent striking displayed by Bak there.
Vrlinic misses with a hook.
Bak throws a hook to the side of Vrlinic's head but Vrlinic sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bak throws the left hand but Vrlinic avoids the punch easily.
Bak scores with a nice strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The fighters circling - Vrlinic throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bak misses the jab.
Vrlinic rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bak moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bak misses with a looping left.

And that's the end of the fight!
Krzysztof Bak comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bak 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 Jeff Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Krzysztof Bak!