PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Deviante Russell (ranked 1373 p4p, 1613 weight class) and Enzo Viticello (ranked 197 p4p, 228 weight class). Deviante Russell has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Russell
vs
Viticello

188 cm
30
206
12 - 6 - 0

185 cm
25
208
11 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Deviante Russell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Enzo Viticello!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Sosuke Kotani and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Russell closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Russell tries to pull guard but Viticello forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Russell is looking for a takedown.
Viticello tries for a takedown. No joy.

Viticello's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Russell misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Viticello to counter with a crisp jab.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Deviante Russell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Viticello stuffs the takedown attempt from Russell. Russell gets slowly back to his feet.

Viticello shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Russell manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Viticello is pushing down on Russell's leg trying to pass to half guard. Russell is fighting to maintain full guard but Viticello has managed to sneak the leg through.
Viticello is trying to control the action in half guard but Russell is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Viticello looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Russell looking for submissions off his back.
Viticello takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Let's hope that Viticello has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

Russell is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Viticello pulls his head out easily.

Russell looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Russell regains full guard. Nicely done.
Viticello slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Russell keeping moving, preventing Viticello from controlling successfully.

Russell has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Viticello can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Viticello looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Viticello trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Russell is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Viticello sitting in guard here, content to control.

Russell has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Viticello can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Viticello looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Russell is working an open guard so Viticello takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
A slow jab from Viticello misses its intended target.
Russell darts in looking for a takedown but Viticello gets double underhooks and turns Russell into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Viticello circles away from the clinch attempt.
Viticello rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Russell moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Russell fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nice takedown defense from Viticello. No joy for Russell on that attempt.
Viticello lands a really nice looking cross but Russell seems unphased.

It looks like Deviante Russell has been cut.
Russell tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Russell manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Viticello on his heels. He'll look to pass Viticello's guard now, I'm sure.
Russell advances position into side control!
Russell working away.
Viticello dodges the ground and pound from Russell.
Viticello is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Russell trying to control the action but Viticello is working from the bottom.
Viticello tries to improve position but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Viticello keeps trying to improve his position.
Viticello can't do much from the bottom here.
Viticello felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

Russell is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Viticello has escaped the position, nice work there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Viticello is trying to control Russell's posture but Russell avoids it.

Russell looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Enzo Viticello dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Deviante Russell's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Russell has his takedown stuffed

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

Viticello tightens his grip and picks Russell up, before dumping him to the ground. Russell manages to land in guard.
Russell throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Viticello looking to pass the guard.
Viticello wants to control from the top but Russell keeps moving.

Russell throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Viticello escapes and throws Russell's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Viticello trying to control the position but Russell is working away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Viticello wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Russell, who protects the arm well.
Russell manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russell is looking to stand up but he'll have to free his leg first. Instead, Viticello manages to get to full guard.
Russell tries to stand but Viticello is controlling from the bottom.
Russell throwing strikes from guard but Viticello blocks nicely.
Viticello looking for a sweep. Not yet Viticello, not yet.

Russell thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Russell wanted to stand there but Viticello had control of the position.
Russell postures up.
Viticello has a closed guard, preventing Russell from standing up.
Viticello seems keen to control Russell's posture.

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

Russell drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Russell jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Russell is looking to stand up but Viticello won't let him.
Viticello looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Viticello.
Viticello working a defensive guard here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Russell uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Viticello.
Russell moves to clinch but Viticello breaks away
and Viticello counters with a two punch combo.
Russell shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Viticello as he jumps to the side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Viticello.
Jab, jab by Russell - just one landing.
Viticello displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Russell throws out the jab.
Viticello throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Viticello has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Russell wants to clinch.
Russell lands with a hook. Viticello tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Russell tries to close the distance and clinch but Viticello swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Viticello tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Russell was well out of range. Poor timing from Viticello.

Russell has closed the distance and engaged Viticello in a clinch.
Russell tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Viticello smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Deviante Russell. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Russell gets a double leg takedown into Viticello's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Viticello controlling the position.
Russell would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Viticello is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Viticello pulls Russell in close to prevent any damage.
Viticello tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Russell wants to stand and escape but instead Viticello has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Viticello 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.

Russell is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Viticello defends well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Enzo Viticello will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Deviante Russell's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! 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.

Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Viticello!
Russell looks to clinch

so Viticello counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Russell is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Viticello defends well.
Viticello pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Russell is keeping the position for now.
Viticello slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Viticello looking to pass the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Russell had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Viticello defends it easily.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Russell throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Viticello avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Russell keeping moving, preventing Viticello from controlling successfully.
Russell being controlled here, momentarily.
Viticello trying to control but Russell is working from the bottom.
Russell can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Viticello controls the pace.
Deviante Russell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two 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.
Russell is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Viticello is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Deviante Russell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Russell, as that shot connected.

It looks like Enzo Viticello has been cut.
Viticello swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Russell shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Viticello sprawls well. Viticello wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Russell gets slowly back to his feet.
Enzo Viticello is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russell dives in and grabs Viticello's left leg, looking for a takedown. Viticello pushes down on Russell's head and hops out.
Viticello drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Russell defends it well.
Russell shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Russell avoids a punch combination nicely.
Russell shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Viticello but Viticello pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Deviante Russell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Russell steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Viticello.
A little feinted left hand from Russell on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Russell scores with a nice head shot.
Russell swings for the body but Viticello moves out of range.
Viticello drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Russell defends it well.
Viticello swings for the body but Russell moves out of range.

Russell manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Viticello on his heels. He'll look to pass Viticello's guard now, I'm sure.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Viticello pulls Russell in close to prevent any damage.
Viticello tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russell being controlled here momentarily.
Viticello trying to control the position.
Russell lands a couple of elbows.
Viticello is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Russell scoring with some ground and pound.
Viticello has Russell pulled in close to control his posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Russell content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Viticello has his hands on Russell's head, controlling the position.
Viticello bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Russell's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Enzo Viticello comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Viticello 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 28:30
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Enzo Viticello!