PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shaun Schwartz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rio Vargas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rio Vargas is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Schwartz
vs
Vargas

183 cm
24
279 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
25
250 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Inexperienced

Good wrestler
Brawler
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Shaun Schwartz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rio Vargas!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Ivan Kurochkin and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Schwartz drives through with a takedown into guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Vargas can do anything to dispel that myth.

Vargas has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Schwartz can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Schwartz avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Schwartz throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Vargas works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Vargas throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Vargas working for a triangle but Schwartz defends it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Vargas is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Schwartz is aware though and is defending well.

Vargas working for a triangle but Schwartz defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Schwartz 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.

Vargas looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Schwartz trying to control the position from guard on top but Vargas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Schwartz throws a big right hand that misses.

Vargas looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Schwartz avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Schwartz might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Vargas has his foot on Schwartz's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Schwartz works his way back into a safe position though.
Vargas looks winded!

Schwartz 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.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Vargas is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Schwartz defends well.
Schwartz wants to control from the top but Vargas keeps moving.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Schwartz could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Schwartz wants to stand but Vargas is controlling his posture from full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Schwartz shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vargas wants to stand back up but Schwartz manages to pass into side control.
Vargas is looking to reverse the position.
Vargas manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Schwartz looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vargas is looking to control Schwartz's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Vargas avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Vargas is trying to get back to full guard.

Schwartz is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Vargas has managed to free his arm - good work.
Schwartz throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Vargas is trying to control but Schwartz passes into side control!

Schwartz tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Schwartz gets caught napping as Vargas dives in and scores a takedown. Schwartz manages to retain guard.
Schwartz wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Vargas manages to pass to side control.

Schwartz is trying to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Well, if Vargas is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schwartz is looking to improve his position.
Vargas trying to mount his opponent but Schwartz defends it.
Still in half guard, Vargas seems content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Schwartz is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Schwartz is working hard here to advance position.
Vargas controlling the action here.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Schwartz actively working from the bottom here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vargas feints and as Schwartz raises his hands in defense, Vargas changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Vargas is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Vargas looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vargas is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vargas forces his way into half guard.
Vargas is taking a breather. Schwartz says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rio Vargas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Vargas closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Schwartz's guard.

Schwartz has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Vargas is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Schwartz.
Vargas is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Schwartz will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vargas passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Schwartz!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schwartz looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Vargas has good solid back control here.
Vargas is trying to stick to Schwartz's back but Schwartz is turning into Vargas. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Vargas's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Schwartz.

Schwartz avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Vargas working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Schwartz doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Schwartz manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vargas had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Schwartz defends it easily.
Vargas takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Schwartz 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.

Vargas has an active guard here but Schwartz has managed to pass into half guard.
Vargas is looking to control Schwartz's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Vargas avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vargas wants to get back to his feet.

Vargas is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Schwartz pulls his head out easily.

Schwartz is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Schwartz is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Vargas looking for submissions off his back.

Schwartz is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Vargas doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Schwartz.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Vargas trying to control from the bottom.

Vargas actively working from the bottom here.

Vargas looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Schwartz shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Vargas is trying to escape back to his feet but Schwartz uses the scramble to pass into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rio Vargas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rio Vargas!
Rio Vargas seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.