PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Luciano Vargas (ranked 8801 p4p, 0 weight class) and High Row (ranked 5928 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Vargas
vs
Row

175 cm
24
140 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

167 cm
21
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Likes comics

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Luciano Vargas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, High Row!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Row has Vargas up against the cage in a clinch.
Row throws an elbow but it misses.

Vargas breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Row throws a body kick that misses

and Vargas counters with a takedown into side control.
Row is working to avoid the ground and pound but Vargas connects with a decent elbow.
Row is trying to control Vargas's posture but Vargas avoids it.
Row tries to improve position but can't.
Vargas in side control lands a decent elbow.
Row is trying to control Vargas's posture but Vargas avoids it.

Vargas tries for a kimura but Row is defending well.
Vargas sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Row is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Row tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Vargas wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Row is still trying to improve position.
Vargas working the ground and pound from side control.
Row tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Vargas presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Vargas cracks Row with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Row is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
Vargas moves to take his opponent's back.

Vargas looking to break Row's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Row remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Vargas will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Row tries to escape but Vargas has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vargas is punishing Row with some ground and pound.
Row can't escape the position.
Vargas loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Row hold on?
Row tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Vargas lands with some strikes.
A nice elbow there by Vargas.
Row is looking to improve his position but Vargas isn't that keen on the idea.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Row sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Vargas is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Row taking some punishment here, with Vargas in his half guard.
Row is pressing down on Vargas's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Row has his foot on Vargas's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Vargas works his way back into a safe position though.
Vargas working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Row's head.
Vargas working some strikes from top position.
Vargas scoring with punches to the head and body.
Vargas postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Vargas stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Row tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Vargas drives through with a takedown into Row's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Row uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Row looks winded!
Row connects with a good right hand that stumbles Vargas. Vargas circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vargas misses with a few strikes there.
Row throws a right hand that Vargas ducks under and follows up with a left that Vargas also avoids with ease.
Row lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Vargas circles away quickly and effectively.

Row has Vargas up against the cage in a clinch.
The referee calls for Vargas to work.
Row wants a takedown.
Row missing with knees to the body.

Vargas jumps guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luciano Vargas dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Vargas avoids the head kick by Row.
Vargas seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Row rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Vargas counters with a big head kick but Row shrugs it off.

Vargas drives through with a takedown into Row's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Row is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

Vargas gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vargas is in close to Row's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Vargas chips away with some ground and pound.
Row not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Vargas is working Row over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Row looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Vargas trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Row manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Vargas manages to get himself to full guard.

Row lands a couple of elbows.
Row postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Row with a nice head shot there.

Row postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Vargas is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Row, into his guard.

Row is breathing heavily.

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

Vargas decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
High Row seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Row blocks a head kick by Vargas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vargas scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Vargas decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Vargas throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Row.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Row moves into the clinch.
Vargas effectively controlling the action here.
Row wants to take the fight to the mat but Vargas manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Vargas wants the takedown. Row is fighting it off but Vargas persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Row's guard against the cage.
Row throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Row is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Vargas is aware though and is defending well.
Vargas postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Vargas avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Vargas keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Row's head.
Vargas working some strikes from top position.

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

Row gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Row trying to keep a closed guard but Vargas is proving a slippery customer.

Vargas stands up from Row's guard - Vargas perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vargas stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Vargas wants it to stay on the feet.
Vargas tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Row manages to circle out of the way.
Vargas blocks a head kick by Row.

Vargas scores with a takedown into Row's guard.

Row looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Vargas passes into half guard.

Vargas decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

Row tries to sprawl but Vargas drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Vargas slips a nice elbow through Row's hands, connecting with Row's forehead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luciano Vargas dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Row throws the left hand but Vargas avoids the punch easily.
Vargas went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Luciano Vargas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Row.
Row tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Row throws an elbow but Vargas slips to the side and avoids it well.
Vargas regains half guard there - taking advantage of Row's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Vargas is controlling Row's position as best he can from this difficult position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Row landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Row throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Vargas to regain full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Row working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Row takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Vargas trying to control the position.

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

Vargas feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Vargas stands and steps away. Row gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
A right-left combo lands from Vargas.
A shot to the liver by Row. Beautiful body shot.
Vargas dodges the punch combination from Row.

Vargas gets a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vargas gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Row is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Vargas frees his head nicely. Oh but Row has switched to an armbar! Vargas is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:32 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). High Row!