PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bob Sapp (ranked 24149 p4p, 3545 weight class) and Keaton Vega (ranked 214 p4p, 50 weight class). The key to victory for Bob Sapp has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Sapp
vs
Vega

195 cm
19
300
1 - 3 - 0

188 cm
19
248
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bob Sapp!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Keaton Vega!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Wesley Smith and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sapp has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Vega.
Sapp tries to close the distance and clinch up but Vega swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sapp goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Vega misses with a low kick as Sapp jumps back.
Sapp throws a counter high kick but Vega was just alert enough to avoid it.
Sapp tries to clinch up but Vega circles away and keeps his distance.
Keaton Vega seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Sapp forces Vega back against the cage and clinches.

Vega breaks from the clinch.
Sapp looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A chopping leg kick lands by Vega.
Vega swats away the attempt to clinch by Sapp.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vega delivers a nice body kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sapp looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vega tries to score with a low kick but Sapp moves his leg out of the way.
Sapp throws a head kick but Vega moves out of range.
Sapp tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Vega counters with a nice body shot.
Vega has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
That kick from Vega tenderised Sapp's leg. Sapp is trying to keep his angry face on.
Sapp changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Vega tries to avoid it but Sapp manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Vega to the ground. Vega escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Vega circles away from the clinch attempt.
Vega keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bob Sapp. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sapp fails with a takedown attempt.
Sapp looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Sapp takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

Sapp has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vega breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Vega buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Vega scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sapp thuds his right hand into Vega's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Sapp blocks a jab.
Sapp tries to counter with a takedown but Vega is quick to defend against it.
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!
Vega throws a front kick that sends Sapp stumbling back into the cage.
Sapp misses with a series of wild punches.
Vega lands with a thumping leg kick.
Sapp fails to land with a series of punches.
Sapp scores with a three punch combo!
Vega is looking to slow Sapp down with leg kicks.
An inside leg kick lands from Vega.
Vega is looking to slow Sapp down with leg kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sapp moves into the clinch.
Sapp looking for a takedown.

Vega breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Vega connects with a leg kick.
Vega lands with a nice body punch.
Sapp misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Vega avoids a punch combination nicely.
Vega lands a jab to the head.
A slow jab from Sapp misses its intended target.
Sapp is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Vega swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sapp is looking to clinch but Vega is avoiding it.
Vega throws a hook but Sapp blocks it.
Sapp ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Vega.
Vega fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sapp manages to avoid it.
Sapp uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Vega.
Vega pivots, looking for a leg kick but Sapp is out of range and Vega settles back down.
Vega throws a body punch but Sapp moves out of range.
Sapp has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Vega.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sapp tries to clinch but Vega moves out of range.
A shot to the body from Sapp misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Vega lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Vega blocks a head kick by Sapp.
Vega tries a quick counter leg kick but Sapp is wise to it.
Sapp goes for a double leg but Vega avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Vega continues to drive forward.
A right hook to the body lands for Vega.
Vega is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Nice elbow from Vega.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Keaton Vega dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sapp tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Vega defends well and Sapp ends up having to push Vega into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Vega's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sapp on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Sapp shoots in but Vega avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Vega lands a jab to the head.
Vega has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A nice leg kick lands there from Vega.
Sapp falls off balance throwing a combination
and Vega counters with a good low kick that Sapp was not able to check.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sapp stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Vega.
Keaton Vega seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sapp changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Vega tries to avoid it but Sapp manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Vega to the ground. Vega escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bob Sapp. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vega defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sapp.
Vega throws out a loose jab but Sapp uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sapp seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Bob Sapp is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Vega moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sapp tries to clinch but Vega moves out of range.
Vega feints a counter leg kick.
Vega with the inside leg kick.
Sapp takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A low kick lands for Vega.
Vega throws a nice outside leg kick.
Sapp on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Vega fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sapp.
Vega connects with a leg kick.
Sapp throws a leg kick that is checked

and Vega moves into the clinch.
Sapp is trying to pull guard but Vega turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Vega takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Vega escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sapp takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sapp slips a jab and a cross from Vega.
A chopping leg kick lands by Vega.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Vega, as that shot connected.

Vega forces Sapp back against the cage and clinches.
Vega has Sapp pressed against the cage.
Sapp is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Vega breaks the clinch.
Vega thumps Sapp with a low kick.
Vega scores with a jab to the body.
Nice takedown defense from Vega. No joy for Sapp on that attempt.
Sapp slips under a jab.
Vega looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vega throws a shot from downtown. Sapp moves away and avoids it.
The fighters circling - Vega throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Vega lands with a thumping leg kick.
Nice takedown defense from Vega. No joy for Sapp on that attempt.
Sapp throws a leg kick that is checked
and Vega counters with an inside leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sapp looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Vega moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Sapp misses with a takedown attempt - Vega sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A chopping leg kick lands by Vega.
Sapp on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Vega. Vega obviously looking to wear him down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vega closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Sapp jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Vega walks away with a smile on his face. Sapp gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Keaton Vega is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sapp rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Vega moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Vega lands a leg kick that knocks Sapp off balance momentarily.
A chopping leg kick lands by Vega.
Vega pivots, looking for a leg kick but Sapp is out of range and Vega settles back down.
Vega scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Sapp closes the distance and clinches.

Vega breaks the clinch.
Vega throws a quick inside leg kick.
Vega looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Vega throws out a leg kick but Sapp moves out of range and Vega only half commits.
Vega lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Vega defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Sapp.
Vega throws a nice inside leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Keaton Vega showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Vega lands a body shot.
Vega with a nice calf kick.
Nice defenses there by Vega.
Sapp keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sapp bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sapp is looking to counter with head kicks.
A jab from Vega misses.
Sapp shoots for a double leg takedown but Vega sprawls well. He's pushed Sapp's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Vega scores with a jab to the body.
Sapp wants to clinch
and Vega counters with an outside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vega misses with a leg kick.
Sapp has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Vega.
Sapp wants to clinch
and Vega counters with an outside leg kick.
Sapp shoots for a takedown but Vega saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Vega wants to counter the offense by Sapp and move into the clinch position.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Vega in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vega scoring well with a low kick there.
Vega throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sapp is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Sapp avoids the body shot from Vega.
Sapp tries to counter with a takedown but Vega is quick to defend against it.
Sapp fails with an attempt to clinch.
Vega lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sapp at a distance.
Vega throws a quick inside leg kick.
Vega connects with an inside leg kick.
Vega connects with a solid leg kick.
Vega lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Sapp throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Vega makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Vega with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Sapp tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Vega paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sapp will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Vega doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bob Sapp. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sapp shoots in for a double leg but Vega sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Vega lands with a thumping leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Sapp.
Vega throws a nice outside leg kick.
Sapp misses with a wild combination.
Vega scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sapp darts in trying to clinch
and Vega counters with a good, hard body kick but Sapp shrugs it off.
Vega throws a nice inside leg kick.
Vega thumps Sapp with a low kick.
A low kick lands for Vega.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vega turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Sapp on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Sapp takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Sapp avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sapp is looking for a counter combo.
Vega looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Vega misses with a wild body shot.
Vega misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sapp.
Vega's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Sapp connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Vega scrambles back to his feet.
Sapp fails to land the takedown.
Vega moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Sapp is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Vega is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Sapp rather than just go for the knockout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vega is looking to slow Sapp down with leg kicks.
Vega connects with a solid leg kick.
Keaton Vega is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Vega throws a nice inside leg kick.
Vega lands a head kick. Sapp smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vega circles away from the clinch attempt.
Vega swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sapp tries to counter by clinching up but Vega breaks away and moves out of range.
Vega looks to score with a jab to the body but Sapp is just out of range.
Vega throws a quick inside leg kick.
Vega throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Sapp is looking to clinch.
Vega misses the jab.
Bob Sapp has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sapp wants to clinch
and Vega counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

And that's the end of the fight!
Keaton Vega comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Vega has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 25:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 25:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Keaton Vega!
An out of breath Keaton Vega thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.