PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bart Contreras (ranked 8055 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sven Vassallo (ranked 5468 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Contreras
vs
Vassallo

151 cm
18
193 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

195 cm
19
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bart Contreras!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sven Vassallo!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Wesley Smith and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Contreras is defended easily by Vassallo.
Contreras could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Contreras shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Vassallo as he avoids it easily.

Contreras drives through and clinches with Vassallo against the cage.

Contreras breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice sprawl there from Vassallo as Contreras shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bart Contreras. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vassallo shoots in but no luck this time.

Contreras clinches up against the cage.

Contreras manages to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Contreras fails to land the takedown.
Vassallo tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Contreras stuffs the takedown.
Contreras looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Vassallo is fending him off so far but Contreras persists. Nope, Vassallo circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Contreras takes the fight into the clinch.
Contreras has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Vassallo tries to pull guard but Contreras holds him up against the cage and eventually Vassallo drops back down to his feet.

Vassallo ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Vassallo no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Vassallo is striking from the bottom but Contreras uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
Vassallo wants to control but Contreras passes into side.
Contreras working away.
The ground and pound from Contreras seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Contreras misses with the ground and pound.
Vassallo gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Vassallo trying to control but Contreras postures up.
Contreras lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Vassallo looks like he's trying to stand up.
Vassallo is looking to control Contreras's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Vassallo avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vassallo regains full guard. Nicely done.
Contreras won't allow Vassallo to sweep him here.
Contreras is fighting to break Vassallo's control of his arms but Vassallo is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Vassallo is trying to keep Contreras in close.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Vassallo has an active guard here but Contreras has managed to pass into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vassallo is trying to stand.

That's four 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.
Vassallo tries to get to full guard but Contreras has control of the leg.
Vassallo keeps trying to improve his position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Vassallo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Nice sprawl there from Contreras as Vassallo shoots in.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Vassallo misses with a few strikes there.
Vassallo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Contreras as he avoids it easily.
Vassallo looks winded!

Vassallo closes the distance and clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Vassallo tries to land a front kick but Contreras steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Vassallo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Contreras throwing a counter right hand but Vassallo manages to avoid it.

Contreras gets a clinch.

Contreras breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Vassallo moves into the clinch.
Vassallo has had enough of the clinch but Contreras keeps him there for the moment.

Contreras pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Vassallo shoots in looking for a takedown. Contreras tries to sprawl out of it but Vassallo keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Contreras manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Vassallo moves into range and clinches up with Contreras.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Vassallo drives through and clinches with Contreras against the cage.

Contreras breaks the clinch.
Vassallo shoots in but Contreras avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Contreras half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Bart Contreras has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sven Vassallo.

Contreras gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Vassallo just leaning against Contreras, taking a breather.

Contreras manages to break the clinch.
Vassallo lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Contreras backs up against the cage.

It looks like Bart Contreras has been cut.

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

Contreras looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Vassallo gets to his feet - Contreras follows without any prompting.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Contreras rushes Vassallo and presses him up against the cage.
Contreras jumps guard but Vassallo stands there with Contreras around his waist. Contreras gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Contreras blocking some punches.

Contreras escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vassallo shoots in for a takedown but Contreras shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sven Vassallo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vassallo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Contreras's waist but Contreras gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Vassallo off to one side.
Contreras appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Bart Contreras is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Vassallo is breathing heavily.
Vassallo has a takedown stuffed.
It looked like Contreras wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

Contreras looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Vassallo!
Vassallo tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Contreras looking to finish with strikes here!
Contreras misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Vassallo is working to get back to half guard.
Vassallo tries to hold on but Contreras postures up.
Vassallo is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Contreras won't let Vassallo get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Vassallo is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Vassallo is looking to improve his position but Contreras isn't that keen on the idea.
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 Bart Contreras will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Bart Contreras's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Vassallo throws a series of punches but Contreras moves out of range.
Vassallo thows a body kick. Contreras tries to catch it but that hurt him.

Vassallo gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Contreras will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Vassallo up against the cage.

Contreras breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Vassallo closes the distance and clinches.
Vassallo being controlled against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vassallo is looking to break free of the clinch but Contreras has double underhooks.
Contreras is trying to break the clinch but Vassallo has him pressed against the cage.
Vassallo is trying to pull guard but Contreras has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Contreras as Vassallo tries to tie him up.
Vassallo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Contreras blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Vassallo drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Contreras gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Contreras creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Vassallo's defenses.

It looks like Sven Vassallo has been cut.

Contreras breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bart Contreras is winning the standup battle so far.
Contreras tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Vassallo swivels and escapes.
Vassallo misses with a takedown attempt - Contreras sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Bart Contreras has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sven Vassallo.
Vassallo defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Contreras.
Vassallo wants to counter with a clinch but Contreras pushes him away.
Nice sprawl there from Contreras as Vassallo shoots in.
Vassallo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vassallo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Contreras clinches.

Contreras breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Vassallo tries to sprawl but Contreras drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Vassallo has one foot on Contreras's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vassallo dives in for a single leg takedown but Contreras sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Contreras seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Contreras fails with the takedown.
Vassallo tries to counter by closing the distance.

Vassallo gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Contreras breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Vassallo stuffs the takedown.
Vassallo steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Contreras dives in for a single leg takedown but Vassallo sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Vassallo forces Contreras back against the cage and clinches.
Contreras tries to pull guard but Vassallo forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Vassallo tries to circle away but Contreras has him pinned against the cage.
Bart Contreras has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Contreras throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Vassallo avoiding damage as Contreras throws knees to the body.
Vassallo is trying to pull guard but Contreras turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Contreras breaks the clinch.
Vassallo misses with a takedown attempt - Contreras sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
As Vassallo looks to move away, Contreras throws a big counter combo but Vassallo just gets out of the way.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Contreras shoots in but no luck this time.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Vassallo.
Vassallo goes for a double leg but Contreras avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Contreras continues to drive forward.
Contreras defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Vassallo.
Contreras looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Vassallo is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Contreras moves into range and clinches up with Vassallo.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Sven Vassallo.
I think Contreras 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bart Contreras!