PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vern Black (ranked 5899 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mason Iron (ranked 5759 p4p, 0 weight class). Vern Black has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Black
vs
Iron

193 cm
18
278 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

182 cm
18
222 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Big heart

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Determined

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Vern Black!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mason Iron!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Sosuke Kotani and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Black pushes Iron up against the cage in a clinch.

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

Black is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Iron defends well.
Iron landing some decent shots from guard.
Black wants to sweep here but Iron controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Black is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Iron trying to control the position from guard on top but Black is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Iron connects with a couple of short punches.
Iron landing some decent shots from guard.
Iron is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Black had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Iron defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iron landing some decent shots from guard.
Black wants to sweep here but Iron controlling him for the moment.
Black could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Iron is looking to advance position but Black has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Iron really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Iron tries to hold on but Black pushes him away.

Black looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Black lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

Black is working for a guillotine from mount but Iron frees his head quite easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Black looking to control but Iron is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Black lands a couple of good shots and Iron has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Black throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Iron!
Black throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Iron is in bad spot here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Black avoiding Iron 's attempts to control his hands.
Even with his hooks in, Black manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Iron really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Black. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
You can see the frustration on Iron's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Black is looking for the choke from the back position but Iron is controlling his hands well.
Iron can't escape the position.
Black punches the canvas rather than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Black missing with strikes from the back.
Iron just trying to survive but Black is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

Black looking for the choke from the back.
Black throwing sloppy strikes.
Black keeps control of the position as Iron tries to break free.
Iron keeps trying to improve his position.

Black is looking for the choke from the back position but Iron is controlling his hands well.

Black is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Iron knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Iron for a finish.
Black misses with a punch to the head.
Iron can't escape the position.
Black gets his hands free as Iron looks to control.
Iron covering up well and avoiding damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Black lands punches and elbows.
Black tries to get the hooks in deep but Iron pushed the leg off.
Iron tries to break free.
Black struggling to land strikes to the head as Iron covers up.
Black throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Iron tries to break free.
Black punishes Iron with strikes from the back mount.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Black looking for the RNC.
Black scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Black will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Iron trying to control the hands but Black won't let him.
Black lands shots from the back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vern Black dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Black gets tackled into the cage by Iron. Iron maintains the clinch.

Black has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Iron uses from the top position.
Black looking to control.
Black is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Iron can do to turn this around?
Iron keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Black's head.

Iron got a little sloppy there for a moment and Black has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Iron has managed to get both his arms back between Black's legs - danger averted.
Black controls Iron momentarily but Iron frees himself.

Black is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Iron defends well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Black tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Iron must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Black is trying to keep Iron in close.
Iron stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Black swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iron won't allow Black to sweep him here.
Black keeping moving, preventing Iron from controlling successfully.

Black looking for a guillotine here but Iron defends easily.
Iron trying to control the position from guard on top but Black is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vern Black overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Iron landing some decent shots from guard.
Black has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Black working a defensive guard here.
Black on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Black tries to get out of the position.

Black had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Iron defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Iron working some strikes from top position.
Iron scoring with punches to the head and body.
Iron trying to control but Black is working from the bottom.
Iron postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Black has his foot on Iron's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Iron works his way back into a safe position though.
Iron scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Iron lands a couple of elbows.
Iron lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Iron content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Black lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Black won't allow Iron to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Black works over Iron with some ground and pound from guard.
Black postures up in Iron's guard and throws a big left but Iron blocks it.
Black with a flurry of punches that miss.
Iron keeping moving, preventing Black from controlling successfully.
Black is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Iron is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Iron looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Black passes into half guard.
Iron is staying active underneath Black, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Iron wants to improve his position but Black is controlling well.
Black seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Iron does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Iron avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Black.
Black throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Iron wants to control but Black is keeping busy.
Iron tries to roll over but Black keeps him under control.

Black is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Black sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Iron defending well though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Black is looking to advance position but Iron won't allow it.
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 Vern Black will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Black shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Iron but Iron pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Iron gets a clinch.

Black manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Black is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Iron tries to roll over but Black keeps him under control.
Black not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Iron tries to roll over but Black keeps him under control.
Black is thwarting Iron's attempts to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Black seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Iron does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Black not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Iron blocking the ground and pound attempt from Black.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Black thows a huge punch but Iron dodges it nicely.
Black wants to lay and pray for a moment but Iron keeps working.
Iron has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Black is working away from the top position though.
Black throwing shots but Iron is blocking nicely.
Iron is trying to maintain the position but Black is very close to passing his half guard.
Black sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Iron defending well though.
Black is thwarting Iron's attempts to control the position.
Iron is looking to improve his position.

Black is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Iron is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two 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.
Black wants to lay and pray for a moment but Iron keeps working.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Black thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Iron is trying is best to control the position here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Black closes the distance and pushes Iron back into the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Iron can't find room to land a body shot as Black controls the action.
Iron lands with a short shot to the head.
Iron tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Black's elbow.

Black jumps guard.
Iron cracks Black with a solid left hand.
Iron with a nice head shot there.
Iron makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Black looking to hit a scissor sweep but Iron is one step ahead there.
Black is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Black is pressing down on Iron's thigh, looking to free his foot. Iron is holding on for now.
Iron trying to hold on to Black's head to control him but Black postures up.
Vern Black is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Black perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Iron keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Iron is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Iron trying to control but Black postures up.
Black keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Mason Iron has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Black prevents Iron from improving his position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Black sitting and controlling from the half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vern Black showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Black, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Vern Black!
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight for Vern Black!
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight for Vern Black!

Vern Black wins by unanimous decision!