PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rigoberto Vargas (ranked 7811 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleider Leleman (ranked 6213 p4p, 0 weight class). Rigoberto Vargas has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Vargas
vs
Leleman

222 cm
20
177 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

198 cm
22
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Likes comics

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rigoberto Vargas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Aleider Leleman!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Alexandre Firmino and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Leleman drives through and clinches with Vargas against the cage.
Vargas leaning his opponent against the cage.
Vargas is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Leleman pulls him back up using the underhooks.

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

Leleman has managed to clinch.

Leleman pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Leleman throws a left and a right that both miss

and Vargas counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Leleman!

Leleman bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Leleman.
Vargas keeping his opponent close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Vargas's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Leleman wants to control but Vargas is keeping him busy.
You can see the frustration on Vargas's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Leleman looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Vargas is avoiding damage well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Leleman working away.
Vargas tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Leleman wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Leleman decides to stand up, so the ref orders Vargas to his feet.

Vargas forces Leleman back against the cage and clinches.
Vargas doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Leleman gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Leleman controlling from the top position.
Leleman throws an elbow that misses. Vargas uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Leleman's guard. Nice move by Vargas!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leleman utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Vargas prevents Leleman from getting back to his feet.
Vargas with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Vargas with a flurry of punches that miss.

Leleman looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Vargas scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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 postures up in Leleman's guard and throws a big left but Leleman blocks it.
Vargas throws an elbow that misses. Leleman uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Vargas's guard. Nice move by Leleman!

Leleman is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Leleman wants to control from the top but Vargas keeps moving.
Vargas is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Leleman trying to control the position from guard on top but Vargas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleider Leleman dominated that round.
That's time! Vargas's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nice body kick from Leleman.
Vargas misses with a wild body shot.

Leleman has Vargas up against the cage in a clinch.
Vargas is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Vargas looking to slow down the pace here.
Leleman softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leleman taking a breather.

Leleman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Leleman scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vargas controlling the position for now.
Leleman is pressing down on Vargas's thigh, looking to free his foot. Vargas is holding on for now.
Leleman blocks the strikes from Vargas.
Vargas regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Leleman.

Vargas looking for a guillotine here but Leleman defends easily.
Leleman tries to free his leg and advance position but Vargas is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Leleman not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Vargas keeping moving, preventing Leleman from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Leleman shoots in and bounces Vargas off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Vargas has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Leleman has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vargas is trying to stall.

Leleman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vargas looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Leleman bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Leleman is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Vargas is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Vargas tries to improve position but can't.

Leleman is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Vargas knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Leleman decides to stand back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleider Leleman 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!

Leleman bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Vargas wants to get back to his feet but Leleman is dominant here and he's now got Vargas's back!
Vargas trying to control the action but Leleman just sinks the hooks in.
Leleman wants to control but Vargas is keeping busy.
Leleman misses with punches from the back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leleman is not going to allow Vargas to sit and survive in this position.
Leleman has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leleman tries to keep control of the position but Vargas is staying busy.

Leleman looking to finish the fight with a rear naked choke. Vargas is controlling Leleman 's left arm and he spins nicely into guard.
Vargas postures up and lands a big shot to Leleman's brow.
Vargas postures up and lands a big shot to Leleman's brow.
Vargas throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leleman controls Vargas momentarily but Vargas frees himself.
Vargas is looking to work some ground and pound but Leleman has wrist control.
Vargas is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Vargas distracts Leleman with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Aleider Leleman has got the better of the ground game so far.
Leleman working a defensive guard but Vargas passes into half guard.
Vargas looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Nice strikes from Vargas there.
The fighters are battling for position here. Leleman manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vargas works over Leleman with some ground and pound from guard.
Vargas throws a big right hand that misses.
Vargas preventing the sweep.
Leleman is trying to control the position but Vargas postures up.
Leleman takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
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.
Leleman wants to hit a switch here but Vargas passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Leleman there!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leleman really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Vargas lands a big elbow.
Leleman wants to hold on but Vargas pushes him away.
Vargas working the ground and pound effectively.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Vargas is working for a guillotine from mount but Leleman frees his head quite easily.
Rigoberto Vargas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aleider Leleman is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Vargas raining down shots from the mount!

And that's the end of the fight!
Rigoberto Vargas showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Leleman has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 28:29
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aleider Leleman!