PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Amadeo Vernetti (ranked 6515 p4p, 5267 weight class) and Khadis Ankalaev (ranked 595 p4p, 534 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Vernetti
vs
Ankalaev

170 cm
18
160
1 - 1 - 0

178 cm
18
155
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Can Moonwalk

Aloha Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Amadeo Vernetti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Khadis Ankalaev!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Wesley Smith and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ankalaev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Vernetti.

Ankalaev closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Vernetti quickly recovers to half guard.
Vernetti is holding on to half guard well.
Vernetti tries to roll over but Ankalaev keeps him under control.
Vernetti moves into full guard.
Vernetti looking for a sweep. Not yet Vernetti, not yet.
Ankalaev engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Vernetti holds on and takes a little breather.
Vernetti definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vernetti keeping full guard, as Ankalaev tries to pass.
Ankalaev wants to control from the top but Vernetti keeps moving.
Vernetti has Ankalaev pulled in close to control his posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ankalaev wants to control from the top but Vernetti keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vernetti trying to control the position here.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Decent striking displayed by Vernetti there.
Vernetti scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ankalaev throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Vernetti throws an overhand right that lands on Ankalaev's shoulder, as Ankalaev tries to avoid the shot.
Ankalaev drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Vernetti defends it well.
Ankalaev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Vernetti misses with a hook. Ankalaev ducked under it nicely.
Nice uppercut there from Vernetti.
Vernetti dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Vernetti stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
A slow jab from Vernetti misses its intended target.
Ankalaev wants to counter with a clinch but Vernetti pushes him away.
Ankalaev drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Ankalaev fails with a takedown attempt.
Ankalaev tries for a takedown but Vernetti sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Vernetti dips to his left and cracks Ankalaev with an uppercut!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vernetti lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Vernetti fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vernetti missing with a left hand there. Ankalaev was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ankalaev takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Ankalaev looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Vernetti works Ankalaev's body with a nice hook.
Vernetti wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Vernetti lands a lovely overhand right.
Ankalaev drops his hands momentarily and Vernetti takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A slow jab from Vernetti misses its intended target.
Vernetti loads up on a big right hand but Ankalaev slips the punch.
Ankalaev is looking for the big counter here.
Nice jab there from Vernetti.
Vernetti throws a hook but Ankalaev avoids it easily.
Ankalaev avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Vernetti connects with the punch.
Vernetti throws a lazy right hand but Ankalaev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Vernetti throws a shot from downtown. Ankalaev moves away and avoids it.
Vernetti fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Ankalaev looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's four 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!
Vernetti connects with a good right hand that stumbles Ankalaev. Ankalaev circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ankalaev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Vernetti comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Vernetti displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ankalaev.
Amadeo Vernetti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khadis Ankalaev.
Vernetti scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ankalaev doesn't seem bothered though.
A big right from Vernetti misses.
Ankalaev staying out of range there.
Vernetti is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Vernetti throws a shot to the body.
Vernetti misses with a straight left.
Vernetti sets himself, and Ankalaev steps forward looking for the clinch! Vernetti avoids it this time.
Nice uppercut lands for Vernetti. That snapped Ankalaev's head back.
Vernetti fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Amadeo Vernetti dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Vernetti throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Vernetti throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nice cross by Vernetti.
Vernetti lands a nice looking body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Vernetti. Ankalaev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Vernetti throws a big shot that misses.
The crowd cheers as Vernetti lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ankalaev doesn't seem phased though.
Amadeo Vernetti seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vernetti listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
A swing and a miss from Ankalaev.
Vernetti catches Ankalaev with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Vernetti throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ankalaev sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ankalaev ducks under a wild hook from Vernetti.
Ankalaev tries to counter by closing the distance.
Vernetti looks to land a right hand but Ankalaev moved out of range.
Vernetti scores with a punch to the head.
Vernetti misses with a hook.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vernetti throws a shot from downtown. Ankalaev moves away and avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ankalaev takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Vernetti avoids the head kick by Ankalaev.
Amadeo Vernetti is winning the standup battle so far.
A big right from Vernetti misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Vernetti. Ankalaev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Vernetti comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Khadis Ankalaev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ankalaev avoids the body shot from Vernetti.
Vernetti ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Ankalaev fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ankalaev changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Vernetti tries to avoid it but Ankalaev manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Vernetti to the ground. Vernetti escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Vernetti, as that shot connected.
Ankalaev takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Nice shot lands for Vernetti.
Vernetti lands a jab to the head.
Vernetti lands with a good body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vernetti clobbers Ankalaev with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Vernetti is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ankalaev can do to turn this around?
Vernetti misses with a looping right.
Vernetti fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Vernetti throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Vernetti scores with a nice head shot.
Vernetti throws a lazy uppercut

and Ankalaev counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Vernetti!

Vernetti bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Vernetti misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ankalaev.
Ankalaev bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A lazy left from Vernetti finds it's target.
Vernetti throws a lazy right hand but Ankalaev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Vernetti. Ankalaev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Vernetti misses with a straight left.
Ankalaev fails with a takedown attempt.
Amadeo Vernetti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khadis Ankalaev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ankalaev closes the distance and clinches up with Vernetti, looking for a takedown. Ankalaev pushes Vernetti against the cage but Vernetti circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Vernetti fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Ankalaev tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Vernetti swivels and escapes.
Vernetti lands a nice hook to Ankalaev's body. Ankalaev takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Vernetti fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Vernetti throws a lazy right hand but Ankalaev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A big left from Vernetti misses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ankalaev is defended easily by Vernetti.
The fighters circle momentarily. Vernetti darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Vernetti lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Ankalaev tries to clinch up but Vernetti circles away and keeps his distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vernetti changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Vernetti lands a nice hook to Ankalaev's body. Ankalaev takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Vernetti fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Ankalaev on the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ankalaev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Vernetti connects with a right hand. Ankalaev shakes it off.
Ankalaev staying out of range there.
Ankalaev takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Vernetti misses with a wild body shot.
Ankalaev doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Nice uppercut there from Vernetti.
Vernetti fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Ankalaev looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Vernetti fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Ankalaev on the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vernetti comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Vernetti connects with the punch.
Vernetti swings away with a body shot that misses
and Ankalaev counters with a left and a right that stings Vernetti.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Amadeo Vernetti dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Ankalaev takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Vernetti keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Vernetti swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Ankalaev.
Ankalaev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Vernetti throws a hook to the side of Ankalaev's head but Ankalaev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Vernetti lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Ankalaev shoots in for a takedown but Vernetti shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ankalaev fails with a takedown attempt.
Decent striking displayed by Vernetti there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ankalaev defending well as Vernetti loads up on a big left hand.
Vernetti misses with a wild body shot.
Ankalaev now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
A shot to the liver by Vernetti. Beautiful body shot.
Vernetti scores with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vernetti changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A swing and a miss from Vernetti.
Vernetti bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Ankalaev's head backwards.
Ankalaev closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Vernetti connects with a nice looking jab.
Vernetti misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ankalaev.
Vernetti scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Vernetti darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Ankalaev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ankalaev slips under a jab from Vernetti.

Ankalaev closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Vernetti's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vernetti has control of Ankalaev's left arm, preventing Ankalaev from doing any damage.
Vernetti wants to sweep but no luck.
Vernetti has Ankalaev pulled in close to control his posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ankalaev wants to pass the guard but Vernetti is keeping the position.
Vernetti wants to stand and escape but Ankalaev is having none of it.
Ankalaev trying to control the position from guard on top but Vernetti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Amadeo Vernetti overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Vernetti has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Ankalaev stopping the sweep attempt from Vernetti.
Ankalaev stays in close to Vernetti's body and controls the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Vernetti looks to throw the jab but Ankalaev is out of range.
Vernetti lands a really nice looking cross but Ankalaev seems unphased.
Ankalaev moves away from the strike by Vernetti.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vernetti dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ankalaev fails with the takedown.
Amadeo Vernetti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khadis Ankalaev.
Ankalaev has a takedown stuffed.
Vernetti getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Vernetti works Ankalaev's body with a nice hook.
Ankalaev steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Vernetti.

Ankalaev looking to score a takedown here. Vernetti is defending well but Ankalaev drives through and ends up in Vernetti's guard.
Ankalaev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ankalaev throws a big right hand that misses.
Vernetti looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ankalaev is one step ahead there.
Vernetti wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vernetti has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Ankalaev's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Ankalaev trying to control but Vernetti is working from the bottom.
Ankalaev is fighting to break Vernetti's control of his arms but Vernetti is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Vernetti scores with a body shot.
Khadis Ankalaev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Amadeo Vernetti is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Vernetti punishes Ankalaev's body with a nice straight punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Amadeo Vernetti showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Vernetti, 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Amadeo Vernetti!
Amadeo Vernetti decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.