PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight kickboxing rules bout between George Russel (ranked 4692 p4p, 231 weight class) and Carlos Vela (ranked 24132 p4p, 292 weight class). Carlos Vela struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 137.1lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the ring.

Russel
vs
Vela

170 cm
25
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Excellent MT
Intelligent

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, George Russel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Carlos Vela!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Luis Engracia and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Russel moves into range and clinches up with Vela.
Russel prevents Vela from breaking the clinch.
Vela wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Vela is trying to break the clinch but Russel has him pressed against the ropes.
Vela can't break the clinch.

Russel breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Russel staying out of range there.
Vela misses with a hook.
As Vela backs away, Russel returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Vela throws a hook but Russel blocks it.

Russel drives through and clinches with Vela against the ropes.
A bit of stalling here from Russel.
Vela wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Russel has him pressed against the ropes.

Russel pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Russel uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Vela.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big left from Vela misses.
Russel misses the shot to the body.
Vela swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

Russel drives through and clinches with Vela against the ropes.

Russel's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A slow jab from Vela misses its intended target.
Vela throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vela swings widly with a right hand
and Russel counters with a stiff right hand.
Vela throws a hook but Russel avoids it easily.

Russel forces Vela back against the ropes and clinches.

Russel manages to break the clinch.
Vela throws a looping overhand right but Russel ducks down to avoid it.
Russel was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

Russel gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Vela is trying to break the clinch but Russel is controlling him.
Russel lands with a left to the head.
Vela has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Russel breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Russel blocks a jab.
Russel is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Vela.
Russel displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Vela throws out the jab.
Russel steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Vela.

Russel darts in and clinches Vela up against the ropes.
Vela wants to break free but Russel has control.
Vela wants to break free but Russel has control.
Russel has Vela pressed against the ropes, preventing Vela from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Russel throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Velas head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vela is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Russel stalling against the ropes.
Vela is looking to break free of the clinch but Russel has double underhooks.
Vela is trying to force a seperation but Russel has the dominant position.
Russel missing with knees to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Russel breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Russel slips a jab from Vela.
Nice defenses there by Russel.
Vela throws a good cross that connects.
Russel takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Vela missing with a left hand there. Russel was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Vela misses with a hook. Russel ducked under it nicely.
Russel tries a head kick but it misses.
Russel throws a head kick that misses.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Vela.

Russel takes the fight into the clinch.

Russel breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Russel instigates a clinch.
Vela tries to circle away but Russel has him pinned against the ropes.
Vela has had enough of the clinch but Russel keeps him there for the moment.
A frustrated look appears on Vela's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Russel keeps control of Vela as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Russel breaks from the clinch.
Russel defending well as Vela loads up on a big left hand.
The fighters circling - Vela throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Russel ducks under a wild hook from Vela.
Russel ducks under a wild hook from Vela.

Russel moves into the clinch.
Russel keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Vela's efforts to push away.
Vela looks winded!
Vela is trying to break the clinch but Russel has him pressed against the ropes.
Vela working hard to break the clinch.
Vela wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Come on Russel - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Vela wants to get back to striking at distance but Russel won't allow it.

Russel breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Vela misses with a right hand
and Russel counters with a nice uppercut.
Russel ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Vela throws an overhand right that lands on Russel's shoulder, as Russel tries to avoid the shot.
Vela rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Russel counters with a nice uppercut.

Vela is rocked!
Russel misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sloppy strikes from Russel. Those never looked like landing.

Russel rushes Vela and presses him up against the ropes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vela tries to circle away but Russel has him pinned against the ropes.

Russel breaks the clinch.
Russel pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

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

Russel breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Russel misses with a straight right.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Russel has taken the fight to the clinch.

Russel breaks the clinch.
Vela throws a shot from downtown. Russel moves away and avoids it.
Russel slips under a jab from Vela.

Russel gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Russel is pushing Vela up against the ropes, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Vela wants to get back to striking at distance but Russel won't allow it.
Russel is working Vela over against the ropes.
Vela can't break the clinch.
Russel stalls.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vela wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Russel stalling in the clinch.

Russel's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
George Russel is winning the standup battle so far.

Russel has Vela up against the ropes in a clinch.

Russel escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vela misses with a right hand

and Russel counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Russel.
Vela wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Vela looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Russel breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Vela thows a left - swing and a miss!

Russel gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Russel holding his opponent close, against the ropes.

Russel's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Vela throws an off balance right hand

and Russel moves into the clinch.

Russel breaks from the clinch.
A swing and a miss from Vela.
George Russel is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Vela avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Russel clinches up against the ropes.
Vela has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vela can't break the clinch.
Vela tries to circle away but Russel has him pinned against the ropes.

Russel breaks the clinch.
Vela takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

Russel pushes Vela up against the ropes in a clinch.

Russel breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Russel moves out of range of the strikes.
Russel throws a head kick that misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Russel slips a jab from Vela.
Russel keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Vela.
Russel throws a series of punches but Vela avoids them all with ease.
Russel tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Vela manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Vela blocks a head kick by Russel.
Russel closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Russel is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Vela can do to turn this around?
A cross from Vela lands.
Vela misses with a hook. Russel ducked under it nicely.
Russel throws a big counter combination but Vela scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Vela is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Russel darts in and clinches Vela up against the ropes.
Vela is trying to break the clinch but Russel is controlling him.
Russel prevents Vela from breaking the clinch.
Vela is trying to push Russel away but Russel has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Vela tries to break the clinch but Russel is controlling the position.
Russel stalling against the ropes.
Russel stalls.
Vela letting Russel take a breather here.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Russel for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Vela wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Russel misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Vela.
Vela wants to break the clinch but can't.
Vela has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Russel's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

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.
Vela is looking to break free of the clinch but Russel has double underhooks.
George Russel has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Russel has Vela pressed against the ropes, preventing Vela from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Russel breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
No joy there for Russel, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Vela clobbers Russel with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Vela misses with a straight right.
Russel throws a big counter combination but Vela scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Russel lands a nice shot that snaps Vela's head back.
Vela is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Russel.
Russel blocks a jab.
Carlos Vela is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Russel takes the fight into the clinch.
Russel dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the ropes.
Vela has had enough of the clinch but Russel keeps him there for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Russel dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Russel avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Vela waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Russel.

Russel gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Vela has had enough of the clinch but Russel keeps him there for the moment.
Vela is looking to break free of the clinch but Russel has double underhooks.
Vela can't break the clinch.

Russel breaks from the clinch.
Vela misses with a looping right.
Russel moves away from the strike by Vela.

Russel clinches with his opponent.
Vela has had enough of the clinch but Russel keeps him there for the moment.

Russel pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big right from Vela misses.
Russel tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Vela manages to circle out of the way.
Russel tests Vela's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Vela pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Russel misses with a low kick.
Vela misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russel tries a head kick but it misses.
Vela throws out a counter right but Russel avoids it with no problem.
Vela jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A counter left hand to the body from Russel misses its target.
The fighters circling - Vela throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Vela takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Vela throws a hook but Russel blocks it.
Vela ducks right into an uppercut from Russel.
Russel is looking to land body kicks.

Russel closes the distance and clinches.
Vela wants to get back to striking at distance but Russel won't allow it.
Vela being controlled against the ropes.
Russel displaying some good clinch control by pressing Vela up against the ropes.
Russel scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A short left from Russel.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vela tries to break the clinch but Russel is controlling the position.

Russel manages to break the clinch.

Russel rushes Vela and presses him up against the ropes.

Russel breaks from the clinch.
Vela looks to land a right hand but Russel moved out of range.
Russel ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
As Vela tries to get set, Russel tries to push him back and clinch up but Vela manages to avoid the attempt.
Russel looks to land a combination but Vela avoids it well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vela looks to land a left hand but Russel moved out of range nicely.
Vela throws a jab when Russel was well out of range.
Vela throws a shot from downtown. Russel moves away and avoids it.

Vela gets tackled into the ropes by Russel. Russel maintains the clinch.

Russel breaks the clinch.
Vela is the more experienced fighter here and he's going to need to draw on some of that experience if he's going to pull this one out the bag.

Russel moves into the clinch.
Russel taking a breather.
Vela is trying to force a seperation but Russel has the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vela can't break the clinch.
Vela wants to break the clinch but can't.
A frustrated look appears on Vela's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Russel escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A clash of legs there as Vela blocks the low kick.
A jab from Vela does it's job there.
Russel slips a jab from Vela.
Russel moves out of range as Vela strikes.
Carlos Vela seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Russel throws out a leg kick but Vela moves out of range and Russel only half commits.

Russel clinches.

Russel pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Russel uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Vela.
Russel tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Vela manages to circle out of the way.
Russel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
It seemed like Vela was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Vela swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Russel misses with a jab, cross combination.
Russel blocks a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russel lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Vela circles away quickly and effectively.
Vela throws out a counter right but Russel avoids it with no problem.
A big right from Vela misses.

Russel has managed to clinch.
Russel taking a breather.
Russel lands a hook that snaps the head of Vela backwards.
Russel stalls.
Vela wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Russel has him pressed against the ropes.
Vela is trying to break the clinch but Russel has him pressed against the ropes.

Russel breaks the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vela throws a looping overhand right but Russel ducks down to avoid it.

Russel moves into the clinch.

Russel manages to break the clinch.
Carlos Vela has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
George Russel is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Russel gets a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
George Russel showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Russel has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight for George Russel!
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight for George Russel!
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight for George Russel!

George Russel wins by unanimous decision!
Carlos Vela was interviewed post fight and said 'Fuck you all'.