PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Antione Acosta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vinnie Paz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Acosta
vs
Paz

220 cm
18
177 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

188 cm
23
180 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Antione Acosta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Vinnie Paz!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Ian Loll and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paz closes the distance and clinches up with Acosta, looking for a takedown. Paz pushes Acosta against the cage but Acosta circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Acosta tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A head kick misses from Paz.
Paz fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Acosta fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Paz avoids it really well and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paz checks a low kick from Acosta.
Acosta dives in and grabs Paz's left leg, looking for a takedown. Paz pushes down on Acosta's head and hops out.

Acosta clinches up with Paz and pushes him back against the cage.

Acosta breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Paz.
Antione Acosta has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vinnie Paz.
Paz shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Acosta defends it nicely.

Acosta forces Paz back against the cage and clinches.
Acosta really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Acosta breaks from the clinch.
Acosta is trying hard to land a takedown here. Paz sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Acosta shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Paz is trying to defend but Acosta finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paz is holding on to half guard well.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Paz trying to hold on to Acosta's head to control him but Acosta postures up.
Paz is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Paz with the active half guard here but Acosta passes nicely into side control.
Acosta working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Paz manages to get back to half guard.
Paz is trying to maintain the position but Acosta is very close to passing his half guard.
Paz is trying to get back to full guard.

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.
Paz wants to control but Acosta is keeping busy.
Acosta will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Paz is looking for a sweep. Acosta is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Paz rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Acosta moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Paz works over Acosta's head and body with a nice combination.
Paz throws a body shot but no joy.
Acosta tries to counter by clinching up but Paz breaks away and moves out of range.
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 Antione Acosta will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Acosta throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

Paz closes the distance and clinches.
Paz fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Acosta tries for a takedown but Paz manages to get underhooks.
A bit of stalling here from Paz.

Paz pulls Acosta into guard.
Paz wants to sweep here but Acosta controlling him for the moment.
Paz controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Acosta stopping the sweep attempt from Paz.
Acosta postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Acosta stopping the sweep attempt from Paz.

Paz has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Acosta off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Acosta wants to clinch.
Paz throws a leg kick
and Acosta counters with a solid body kick.

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

Acosta breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Paz tries to close the distance and clinch but Acosta swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Acosta dips to his left and cracks Paz with an uppercut!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paz closes this distance looking for a takedown but Acosta circles away.
Acosta is looking to clinch.
A leg kick checked by Paz.
Acosta lands with a thumping leg kick.
Paz looking to land some kicks to the body here.

Paz drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Acosta working a defensive guard but Paz manages to pass into side control anyway.
Acosta is looking to regain half guard here but Paz keeps moving and retains side control.
Paz has control of an arm but Acosta manages to advance to Paz's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paz breaks Acosta's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

Acosta had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Paz defends it easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Paz gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Paz instigates a clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Nice elbow from Paz.

It looks like Antione Acosta has been cut.
Acosta goes for a takedown in the clinch but Paz prevents it.
Paz taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Paz manages to break the clinch.
Paz tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Acosta defends well and Paz ends up having to push Acosta into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Acosta seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Antione Acosta has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vinnie Paz.
Horrible takedown attempt by Paz or perhaps it was just good defense by Acosta, which made it look bad.

Paz gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Acosta escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vinnie Paz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Acosta darts in looking for a takedown but Paz gets double underhooks and turns Acosta into the cage.

Paz drives through and clinches with Acosta against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vinnie Paz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Antione Acosta's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Paz fails with the takedown
and Acosta counters with a left to the body.
Paz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Acosta tries to counter by clinching up but Paz breaks away and moves out of range.
Good exchange - Paz coming out on top.
Paz swats away the attempt to clinch by Acosta.
Despite the aggression on Paz's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Acosta goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Acosta avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Paz throws a front kick aimed at Acosta's knee but Acosta avoids it well.
Acosta seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Paz doesn't manage to clinch there - Acosta circles away.
Paz shoots and misses

and Acosta counters by clinching up.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

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

Paz closes the distance and clinches.
Paz is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Acosta to keep the fight standing.
Antione Acosta has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vinnie Paz.

Acosta breaks the clinch.
A jab from Paz misses.
Paz thumps Acosta with a low kick.

Acosta drives through and clinches with Paz against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Acosta tries to stall but Paz uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Acosta manages to break the clinch.
Paz lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Acosta circles away quickly and effectively.
Paz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Acosta moves into the clinch.

Acosta's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Paz shoots in but no luck this time.
Paz circles away from the clinch attempt.
Paz tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
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!
Acosta walks into a straight right hand from Paz.
Acosta keeps the fight on the outside.
Acosta appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Acosta avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paz shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Acosta but Acosta pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Acosta seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Acosta digs a good hook to Paz's body.
Paz misses with a takedown attempt

and Acosta counters by clinching up.
Vinnie Paz seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Paz lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Stalling in the clinch from Acosta.
Acosta trying to stall but Paz improves his position.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Acosta looking to slow down the pace here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Acosta breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Acosta clinches up against the cage.

Acosta pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Paz displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Acosta.
Acosta connects with a high kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Paz closes the distance and pushes Acosta back into the cage.

Paz has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Acosta uses from the top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Antione Acosta showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Acosta 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 William Peck scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Antione Acosta!