PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Apollo Cottonwood (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Danny Vista (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Danny Vista is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Cottonwood
vs
Vista

182 cm
22
205 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

185 cm
21
204 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Apollo Cottonwood!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Danny Vista!
The judges for this bout are , and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Vista gets the takedown into side control.
Cottonwood is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Vista off and has taken his back!
Cottonwood missing with strikes from the back.

Vista is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Cottonwood working for a choke but Vista is defending well.
Cottonwood keeps control of the position as Vista tries to break free.
Cottonwood avoiding Vista 's attempts to control his hands.
Vista tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Cottonwood lands a big elbow.
Vista can't escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cottonwood jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Vista is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Vista and Cottonwood has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Cottonwood is looking to take a break and control but Vista is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Cottonwood thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
You can see the frustration on Vista's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Cottonwood is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Vista has escaped the position, nice work there.
Cottonwood is breathing heavily.
Vista is trying to improve his position.

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.

Cottonwood goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Vista has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Cottonwood but great work by Vista.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Vista working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Cottonwood is pushing Vista's head away, looking to escape. Vista manages to hold on to the position though.

Vista wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Cottonwood, who protects the arm well.
Cottonwood is letting Vista control him for a moment.

Vista is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Cottonwood has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vista working away.

Vista decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Vista throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Apollo Cottonwood seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cottonwood with a poor takedown

and Vista moves into the clinch.
Vista is trying to break the clinch but Cottonwood is controlling him.
Cottonwood drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Vista gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Vista using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Cottonwood has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Vista pressing his opponent against the cage.
Vista prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Apollo Cottonwood. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Vista manages to break the clinch.
Cottonwood gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Vista counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Vista seems to be working for a kimura but Cottonwood defends the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Danny Vista dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Cottonwood swats away the attempt to clinch by Vista.
Apollo Cottonwood is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Cottonwood feints and as Vista raises his hands in defense, Cottonwood changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Cottonwood stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Vista swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cottonwood preventing the sweep.
Vista trying to control the position here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cottonwood stops Vista from standing up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cottonwood tries to free his leg and advance position but Vista is retaining full guard.
Vista can't keep his opponent in guard - Cottonwood advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Cottonwood is looking to stall here but Vista recovers full guard.
Cottonwood preventing the sweep.
Cottonwood wants to pass the guard but Vista is keeping the position.
Vista trying to control the position.
Cottonwood stopping the sweep attempt from Vista.
Vista is controlling Cottonwood's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Cottonwood has gone for a leg lock! Vista slips out almost immediately though and dives into Cottonwood's guard.
Vista passes Cottonwood's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Cottonwood has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Vista escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Vista!
Vista wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cottonwood keeps working.
You can see the frustration on Cottonwood's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vista wants to control but Cottonwood is keeping him busy.

Vista working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Vista decides to stand up, so the ref orders Cottonwood to his feet.

Vista fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cottonwood, pushing him back against the cage.
Vista controlling the action here for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vista gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Cottonwood.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stalling in the clinch from Vista.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Danny Vista showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Cottonwood shoots and misses

and Vista counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Vista stands up and waves to Cottonwood to follow him.

Vista shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Cottonwood's guard.

Cottonwood is looking for a triangle but Vista pushes his legs off easily.
Vista looking to pass the guard.
Vista slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Cottonwood is trying to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Vista tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vista tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Cottonwood is not content to let Vista control the position.
Cottonwood is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Vista is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Cottonwood is wriggling around trying to escape.
Vista trying to control but Cottonwood is having none of it.
Cottonwood is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Vista trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Vista takes Cottonwood's back.
Cottonwood is really stuck here.
Vista trying to control momentarily.
Cottonwood can't escape the position.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Vista's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

Cottonwood showing good submission defense here.
Cottonwood rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cottonwood is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Cottonwood is working hard here to advance position.
Cottonwood trying to hold on to Vista's head to control him but Vista postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Vista shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Cottonwood throws his legs up looking for a submission but Vista uses it to pass to side control.

Vista tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Vista has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Cottonwood is trying to improve his position.
Vista is looking to take a break and control but Cottonwood is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Danny Vista comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Vista 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Danny Vista!