PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kova Paska (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dominic Vera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vera is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Romper Stomper. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Paska
vs
Vera

185 cm
27
221 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

188 cm
23
202 lbs
9 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

Lightning Fight Gear
Lightning Fight Gear

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 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kova Paska!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Dominic Vera!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Bruno Hogan and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Paska shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Vera keeping full guard, as Paska tries to pass.
Paska trying to control the position from guard on top but Vera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vera is trying to control the position but Paska postures up.

Paska avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Vera has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Paska can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Paska tries to free his leg and advance position but Vera is retaining full guard.

Vera is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Paska is aware though and is defending well.
Paska stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Vera swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vera throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Paska trying to control the position from guard on top but Vera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Paska pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Vera is keeping the position for now.

Vera has his feet on Paska's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Vera waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Paska.
A jab from Vera misses.
Dominic Vera is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Vera throws a sloppy head kick and Paska moves out of range easily.
Vera throws a big shot that misses.
Paska shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Vera defends it nicely.
Vera tests Paska's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Paska blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Vera with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Paska tries to score a body lock takedown but Vera shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Vera breaks from the clinch.
Vera throws a head kick but Paska moves out of range.
Vera bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Paska avoids the body shot from Vera.
Vera lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Vera.
Paska tries to close the distance and clinch but Vera swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Paska takes a jab right on the kisser.
Vera fails with an attempt to clinch.
Paska is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Paska fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Vera sprawls well initially but Paska persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vera wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paska looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Vera looking for submissions off his back.
Paska wants to free his trapped foot but Vera is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Vera is trying to stand.
Paska passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Vera!
Paska unloading with bombs!
Vera's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Vera tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four 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.
Paska can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Vera is looking to escape.
Vera is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Paska lands a nice shot to the head.
You get the feeling that Vera really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Vera manages to regain half guard. Good work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vera is trying to stand.
Paska wants to pass to mount but Vera is defending the position.

Vera looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dominic Vera dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Vera thows a body shot but no joy.
Paska throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Vera's waist but Vera gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Paska off to one side.
Paska takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Paska fails to land the takedown.

Vera rushes Paska and presses him up against the cage.
Paska managing to block the knees to the body from Vera.
Paska can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kova Paska. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Paska is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Vera gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Paska gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Vera slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Vera is looking to stand up but Paska isn't so interested in that idea.

Vera scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Vera fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paska takes one to the side of the head.
Vera thuds a left hand into Paska's body.
Vera stuffs the takedown.
Vera closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Vera lands a jab.

Vera gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Vera pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Paska misses with a takedown attempt - Vera sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Vera lands a jab to the head.
Vera throws a combination. Paska tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Kova Paska is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Vera scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Vera lands with a kick to the temple. Paska shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
This has been an exciting period of action!
No joy there for Vera, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Vera closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Vera breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vera lands a jab to the nose.
Paska shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Paska takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Vera uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Paska has time to react.
Dominic Vera seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Paska clinches but Vera breaks the clinch
and Paska takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Vera throws a right hand that Paska ducks under and follows up with a left that Paska also avoids with ease.
Nice shot lands for Vera.

Vera moves into the clinch.
Paska is trying to break the clinch but Vera has him pressed against the cage.

Vera breaks from the clinch.
Paska with a poor takedown
and Vera counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Vera throws a head kick that misses.
Vera thuds his right hand into Paska's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Vera lands with a nice body punch.
Nice body punch from Vera.

Vera clinches up against the cage.

Vera pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paska takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Vera throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Vera tries a head kick but it misses.
Vera stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Vera breaks from the clinch.
Paska takes one to the side of the head.
Vera throws a head kick but Paska moves out of range.
Vera works over Paska's head and body with a nice combination.
Vera dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A right-left combo lands from Vera.
A head kick misses from Vera.
Paska takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Paska looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Nice jab there from Vera.
Paska takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Jab, jab by Vera - just one landing.
Vera lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vera throws a nice head kick!
Vera throws a head kick but Paska moves out of range.
Paska misses with a takedown
and Vera counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Vera works Paska's body with a nice hook.

Vera forces Paska back against the cage and clinches.

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

Paska bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Vera can't do much from the bottom here.
Vera is trying to get back to his feet.
Vera is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vera is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Paska off and has taken his back!
Vera lands strikes to the head.
Vera is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Vera gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Vera gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Vera apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Vera closes the distance and lands a one-two.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dominic Vera showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Vera throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Paska stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Paska walks into a straight right hand from Vera.
Vera tries to clinch but Paska moves out of range.
Paska tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Paska wants to clinch but Vera slips to the side
and Vera counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Vera will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Paska misses with a takedown attempt
and Vera counters with a low kick, right behind Paska 's knee.
Vera misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Paska on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Paska tries to move into range but Vera moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Vera scores with a decent looking hook.
Paska misses with a takedown
and Vera counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Vera has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Paska blocks a head kick by Vera.

Vera moves into the clinch successfully.
Vera putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Paska in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Vera pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Vera fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paska on the wrong end of a nice hook.

Vera drives through and clinches with Paska against the cage.
Paska has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Vera avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kova Paska. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vera connects with a knee to the head.

It looks like Kova Paska has been cut.

Vera breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Vera misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Vera throws a sloppy head kick and Paska moves out of range easily.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Vera.
Paska takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Vera works over Paska's head and body with a nice combination.
Paska shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

Vera clinches up against the cage.
Vera working hard to break the clinch.
Vera trying to land knees to the body.
Vera lands a nice knee to the body.
Paska scores with a shoulder strike.
Vera lands an elbow inside.

Vera breaks from the clinch.
Paska closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Paska fails with the takedown

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paska avoiding damage as Vera throws knees to the body.
Paska wants a takedown.

Vera breaks from the clinch.

Vera instigates a clinch.

Vera escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vera looks to clinch

so Paska counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Vera has his foot on Paska's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Paska works his way back into a safe position though.
Vera manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Paska can't escape the position.
Vera controlling from mount.
Vera wants to control the pace but Paska is squirming around nicely.
Kova Paska has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paska tries to reverse the position but Vera maintains control.

Vera has hold of Paska's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Paska manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Vera unloading with bombs!
Vera looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Vera lands a nice shot to the head.
Paska is in all sorts of trouble here.
Vera landing strikes from the mount.
Paska wants to hold on but Vera pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vera with good strikes from the mount here!
BOOM! Vera connects with a massive shot to the dome!

Vera working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Vera landing shots from mount.
Vera fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Vera punishing his opponent with strikes.
Kova Paska overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Vera working away from the top, dropping strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Paska tries to lock up and control but Vera gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Vera has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Paska's face.
Vera fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Dominic Vera is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Vera pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dominic Vera comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Vera 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dominic Vera!