PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Royal Vasquez (ranked 25096 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Tong (ranked 5259 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Vasquez
vs
Tong

189 cm
19
278 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

190 cm
25
220 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Royal Vasquez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ben Tong!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Colin Fray and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tong closes the distance and clinches.
Tong has Vasquez pressed against the cage.
Tong stalling in the clinch.
The crowd are getting on Tong's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Tong tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Vasquez avoids it.
A frustrated look appears on Tong's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Tong content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Vasquez prevents a body shot from Tong.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tong has clasped his hands together around Vasquez's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Vasquez could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
You can see the frustration on Vasquez's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Tong trying to control the action but Vasquez is working from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on Vasquez's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tong wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Vasquez, who protects the arm well.
Tong is looking to take a break and control but Vasquez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Vasquez tries to buck Tong off but Tong is having none of it.
Tong advances to full mount.
Tong sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

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.
Tong throws some wild stikes that Vasquez manages to avoid easily.
Tong trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Tong takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Vasquez sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Tong trying to control from half guard but Vasquez is working away.
Vasquez knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Tong on the ground.

Tong is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Vasquez defends it well.
Tong is keen to just control but Vasquez is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tong is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Vasquez doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Tong.
Vasquez wants to control but Tong is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Vasquez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Tong.
Tong is pressing down on Vasquez's thigh, looking to free his foot. Vasquez is holding on for now.
Tong trying to control from half guard but Vasquez is working away.
Tong trying to pass the guard but Vasquez defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Tong not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Vasquez tries to roll over but Tong keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tong content to control rather than advance.

Tong is trying to work for a kimura but Vasquez is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tong seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Vasquez does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Tong dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Tong shoots in and gets a takedown into Vasquez's guard.
Vasquez not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We've been informed that Tong has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Vasquez is really struggling to control Tong but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Tong controlling from the top position.
Vasquez utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vasquez working a defensive guard here.
Tong engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Tong won't allow Vasquez to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tong trying to control the position from guard on top but Vasquez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Tong has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Tong moves into range and clinches up with Vasquez.
Vasquez lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Vasquez tries to stall but Tong uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Tong is pushing Vasquez up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Tong stalls.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vasquez content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Tong pressing his opponent against the cage.

Vasquez manages to break the clinch.

Tong closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Vasquez quickly recovers to half guard.
Tong wants to stand up but Vasquez has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Tong throwing shots but Vasquez is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tong is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Tong wants to lay and pray for a moment but Vasquez keeps working.

Tong wants to work for an arm triangle but Vasquez is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Vasquez trying to control from the bottom.
Tong prevents Vasquez from improving his position.
Tong looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Vasquez is refusing to be controlled, as Tong sits in half guard.
Vasquez trying to control but Tong postures up.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Tong trying to pass the guard but Vasquez defending well.
Tong keeps trying to improve his position.
Tong passes to full mount!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Tong working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Tong showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Vasquez gets tackled into the cage by Tong. Tong maintains the clinch.
Vasquez throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tong blocks it with crossed arms.

Tong has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Vasquez is trying to keep an underhook but Tong manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Vasquez trying to hold on to Tong's head to control him but Tong postures up.
Vasquez is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vasquez is not content to let Tong control the position.
Vasquez tries to roll over but Tong keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tong wants to control but Vasquez is keeping him busy.
Vasquez trying to control from the bottom.
Tong trying to mount his opponent but Vasquez defends it.
Tong is looking to take a break and control but Vasquez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Tong is trying to work for a kimura but Vasquez is defending well.
Vasquez is trying to maintain the position but Tong is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Tong is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Vasquez trying to control from the bottom.
Still in half guard, Tong seems content to control.
Tong sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Vasquez defending well though.
Ben Tong has got the better of the ground game so far.

Tong is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Vasquez manages to get to full guard.

Tong stands up from Vasquez's guard - Tong perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tong fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Vasquez to the ground. Tong is now in Vasquez's guard.
Tong missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Vasquez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tong trying to control the position from guard on top but Vasquez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tong 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.
Vasquez keeping moving, preventing Tong from controlling successfully.
Vasquez is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Tong stands up and waves to Vasquez to follow him.
Ben Tong is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

Vasquez fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Tong, pushing him back against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ben Tong comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Tong 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 Josh West scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ben Tong!