PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jasper Vargas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tuan Duc Van (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tuan Duc Van looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!

Vargas
vs
Duc Van

208 cm
20
214 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

180 cm
23
198 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jasper Vargas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tuan Duc Van!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Ben Watson and Ben Hemmingworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vargas shoots in for a takedown but Van shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Van stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Van wants it to stay on the feet.
Van misses with the combination.
Van will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Vargas chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Van can pounce on him.
Vargas really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Vargas keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Van lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Tuan Duc Van seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vargas slips a jab and a cross from Van.
Van throws a right and a left that both miss.
Van lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Van looks winded!
Van looks for the body kick but Vargas saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van tries to bum rush Vargas with a series of wild strikes but Vargas uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Van rushes Vargas and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Vargas tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jasper Vargas. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Van has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Vargas uses from the top position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Vargas accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Vargas in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Vargas throws a big right hand that misses.
Vargas throws a big right hand that misses.
Vargas is looking to stand up but Van won't let him.
Vargas is working Van over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vargas throwing strikes but missing.
Vargas throws a big elbow that misses.
Van avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Van is looking to stand up but Vargas isn't so interested in that idea.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Van wants to clinch

so Vargas counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Vargas postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Van wants to get back to his feet but Vargas is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
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.
Vargas is in close to Van's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Vargas stops Van from standing up.
Van preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Vargas throws an elbow that misses. Van uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Vargas's guard. Nice move by Van!

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Van won't allow Vargas to sweep him here.

Van stands and steps away. Vargas gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Van clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Vargas tries to break free but Van pushes him back against the cage.
Vargas is trying to break the clinch but Van has him pressed against the cage.
Vargas manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Van's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Vargas clinches up against the cage.

Vargas gets control of Van's arms and successfully pulls guard. Vargas will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Vargas working for a triangle but Van defends it easily.
Vargas working a defensive guard here.

Van stands and steps away. Vargas gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tuan Duc Van dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Van scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Vargas gets tackled into the cage by Van. Van maintains the clinch.
Van is pressed up against the cage. Vargas has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Van down to the mat. Van avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Van instigates a clinch.

Van pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Van has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Van falls off balance throwing a combination
and Vargas counters with a stiff right hand.

Van forces Vargas back against the cage and clinches.
Vargas goes for a takedown in the clinch but Van prevents it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Van is trying to pull guard but Vargas has him pressed against the cage.
Come on Vargas - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Van's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Van is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Van, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Vargas tries to counter by clinching up but Van breaks away and moves out of range.
Van slaps away a takedown attempt from Vargas, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jasper Vargas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Van is looking to score with low kicks.
Vargas swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Vargas dodges the punch combination from Van.
Van feints and then cracks Vargas's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Vargas down.
Van misses with a leg kick.
Vargas is looking to counter the offense by Van and move into the clinch.
Van tries to bum rush Vargas with a series of wild strikes but Vargas uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Vargas shoots in for a takedown but Van shows good takedown defense.
Van misses with the combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vargas shoots in for a takedown but Van shows good takedown defense.
Despite the aggression on Van's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Van leaves Vargas with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Van moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Vargas checks a low kick from Van.
As Van tries to get set, Vargas tries to push him back and clinch up but Van manages to avoid the attempt.

Van pushes Vargas up against the cage in a clinch.

Van breaks the clinch.
Van tries to work over Vargas's front leg with a kick but Vargas checks it.
Vargas half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Vargas shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Van but Van pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vargas tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Van defends well and Vargas ends up having to push Van into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Van looks to land a combination but Vargas avoids it well.
Crunch! Van slams his shin into Vargas's torso.
Tuan Duc Van is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Van throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Vargas.

Vargas gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Vargas is trying to drag Van to the mat but Van just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Van breaks the clinch.

Van clinches with his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vargas is trying to pull guard but Van turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Van drags the fight down to the ground.
Vargas in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Van is looking to stand up but Vargas isn't so interested in that idea.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vargas trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Vargas loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tuan Duc Van 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 avoids the body shot from Van.
Van misses with a straight left.
Vargas is looking to counter the offense by Van and move into the clinch.
Vargas fails with a takedown attempt.
Van tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Vargas paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Van lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Van.
Van tries to bum rush Vargas with a series of wild strikes but Vargas uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Vargas drops down looking for a counter takedown but Van sprawls and moves away.
Van tries to clinch up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vargas throws a right and a left that Van avoids nicely.
Vargas circles away from the clinch attempt.
Van takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Vargas avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vargas misses with a takedown attempt
and Van connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Vargas drives through and clinches with Van against the cage.
Van keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Vargas's efforts to push away.
Vargas has Van pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Van manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jasper Vargas. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Van breaks the clinch.

Van moves into the clinch.

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

Van moves into the clinch.
Vargas goes for a takedown in the clinch but Van prevents it.

Van breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Horrible takedown attempt by Vargas or perhaps it was just good defense by Van, which made it look bad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Van closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Vargas drags the fight down to the ground.

Vargas is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Vargas is looking for a triangle but Van pushes his legs off easily.

Van gets to his feet - Vargas follows without any prompting.

Van clinches up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Van breaks from the clinch.
Vargas takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Van swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vargas shoots in for a double leg but Van sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Van clinches up with Vargas and pushes him back against the cage.

Van breaks the clinch.
Van throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Vargas tries to counter with a takedown but Van is quick to defend against it.
Van throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Vargas tries to counter with a takedown but Van is quick to defend against it.
Vargas tries for a takedown but Van sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Van moves into range and clinches up with Vargas.

Van breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Vargas changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Van tries to avoid it but Vargas manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Van to the ground. Van escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Van. Vargas shrugs it off though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vargas shoots in looking for a takedown but Van manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Vargas's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Van rushes Vargas and presses him up against the cage.
Vargas jumps guard but Van turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Van lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Vargas tries to break the clinch but Van is controlling the position.

Van breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Van lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Vargas circles away quickly and effectively.
Van fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Vargas avoids a punch combination nicely.
Vargas tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Van manages to circle out of the way.
Van stuffs the takedown.
Jasper Vargas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tuan Duc Van is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Jasper Vargas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Vargas takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

And that's the end of the fight!
Tuan Duc Van comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Van winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tuan Duc Van!