PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul Velaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bill Goldberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Velaz
vs
Goldberg

195 cm
20
263 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

193 cm
22
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Paul Velaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bill Goldberg!
The judges for this bout are , and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Velaz shoots in and drives through. Goldberg sprawls well.
Velaz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Velaz shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Goldberg as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paul Velaz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Goldberg looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nice takedown defense from Goldberg. No joy for Velaz on that attempt.
Goldberg is looking to clinch but Velaz is avoiding it.
Goldberg misses with a takedown attempt

and Velaz holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Velaz lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Goldberg trying to control from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Velaz is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Goldberg is trying to stand.

Velaz is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Goldberg tries to get to full guard but Velaz has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Velaz is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Velaz is breathing heavily.

Goldberg is defending against the submission attempts here by Velaz.
Goldberg trying to control but Velaz postures up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Velaz misses with a takedown attempt

and Goldberg counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Velaz!
Goldberg controlling from the full mount.
Velaz manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Velaz has hold of Goldberg's hands but Goldberg slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Goldberg looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Velaz looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Goldberg drops an elbow to the side of Velaz's head.
Velaz is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Velaz looking for submissions off his back.
Goldberg slows the pace down in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goldberg wants to take a breather but Velaz is having none of it.

Velaz looking for submissions off his back.

Velaz actively working from the bottom here.

Velaz looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Goldberg misses with a takedown

and Velaz counters with a takedown into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Goldberg can't do much from the bottom here.

Velaz goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Goldberg rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Velaz's guard! Nice work there by Goldberg!
Goldberg is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Velaz has his foot on Goldberg's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Goldberg works his way back into a safe position though.

Velaz is looking for a triangle here but Goldberg uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

Goldberg is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Velaz knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Bill Goldberg will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Goldberg gets the takedown into side control.
Velaz tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Goldberg wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Velaz is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Goldberg's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Goldberg prevents Velaz from improving his position.
Velaz gets full guard.
Goldberg stays in close to Velaz's body and controls the position.

Velaz looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Velaz working for a triangle but Goldberg defends it easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Velaz escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Goldberg gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Goldberg trying to control the position from guard on top but Velaz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Goldberg slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Goldberg stands up and waves to Velaz to follow him.
Bill Goldberg seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two 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.
Goldberg fails in his attempt to clinch.
Velaz tries for a takedown but Goldberg circles away easily
and Goldberg counters with a two punch combo.
Goldberg misses with a takedown attempt

and Velaz counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Paul Velaz overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Velaz looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Goldberg is trying to stand up here but Velaz is controlling him well.

Velaz is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Velaz is looking for a kimura here.
Goldberg gets full guard.
Velaz tries to free his leg and advance position but Goldberg is retaining full guard.
Goldberg wants to sweep but no luck.
Velaz passes Goldberg's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Goldberg is trying to control but can't.

Velaz is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Goldberg defends it well.

Velaz is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Goldberg doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Velaz.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Velaz is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Goldberg wants to get back to his feet.

Velaz seems to be looking for submissions.
Goldberg trying to control but Velaz postures up.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Goldberg can do anything to dispel that myth.

Velaz is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Paul Velaz will probably get the nod.
That's time! Velaz's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Goldberg looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Goldberg wants to control from the top but Velaz keeps moving.
Goldberg preventing the sweep.

Velaz had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Goldberg is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Velaz Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Goldberg's back instead.
Goldberg trying to control the position but Velaz manages to sink in the hooks.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Goldberg preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Velaz.

Velaz working for the choke.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velaz doesn't have the hooks in and Goldberg manages to turn into his guard.
Goldberg seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Goldberg forces his way into half guard.

Velaz actively working from the bottom here.
Goldberg wants to lay and pray for a moment but Velaz keeps working.

Velaz actively working from the bottom here.

That's two 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.
Velaz is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Goldberg is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Velaz moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Goldberg avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Velaz looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Velaz working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Goldberg doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Goldberg manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goldberg stopping the sweep attempt from Velaz.
Goldberg content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Goldberg wants to get up but he can't break Velaz's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Velaz bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Goldberg's guard.

Velaz thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Velaz is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Goldberg is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Goldberg has escaped and now he's on top!
Goldberg wants to pass the guard but Velaz is keeping the position.

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.

Velaz patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Velaz is looking for the choke from the back position but Goldberg is controlling his hands well.
Velaz not allowing Goldberg to control his hands.

Velaz is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Goldberg defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Goldberg trying to control the position but Velaz manages to sink in the hooks.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Velaz showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Velaz 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 Suge Night scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paul Velaz!