PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dominic Vera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xavier Armstrong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vera comes to the cage accompanied by call to prayer. Armstrong has chosen "Bullet Soul" Switchfoot as his entrance music. Xavier Armstrong told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Vera
vs
Armstrong

188 cm
24
202 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

191 cm
21
223 lbs
7 - 1 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Powerful

Ka-POW Clothing

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 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Dominic Vera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Xavier Armstrong!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, John Mangel and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vera shoots in but Armstrong avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Vera tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Vera on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Armstrong connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Armstrong throws a nice outside leg kick.
Armstrong misses with a leg kick.
Armstrong misses with a low kick.
Armstrong ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Vera is breathing heavily.
Armstrong swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Vera takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Dominic Vera has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A kick lands to the mid section there for Armstrong.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Armstrong.
Vera on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Armstrong throws a head kick that Vera semi-blocks.
Vera walks forward, straight into a front kick from Armstrong.
A clash of legs there as Vera blocks the low kick.
Armstrong misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Armstrong slips under a jab.
Vera shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Armstrong but Armstrong pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A head kick misses from Armstrong.
Armstrong swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Armstrong.
Armstrong scores with a jab. Vera acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Armstrong lands with a kick to the ribs.
Vera blocks a head kick by Armstrong.
No joy there for Vera, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Armstrong tries to bum rush Vera with a series of wild strikes but Vera uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Vera will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Armstrong throws a nice inside leg kick.
Vera takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Armstrong!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Armstrong misses with a body kick.
Vera misses with a looping left.
Vera takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Vera drops his hands momentarily and Armstrong takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Armstrong tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A left and a right from Armstrong both land. Nice combination.

Vera is rocked!
Armstrong fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Vera has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Armstrong doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Armstrong lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Armstrong lands a leg kick that knocks Vera off balance momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Vera crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Armstrong - the referee stops the clock and Vera gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Armstrong. Vera manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Armstrong moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Armstrong misses with a kick to the body.
Armstrong moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Armstrong dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Vera. That did some damage!
Armstrong throws a sloppy head kick and Vera moves out of range easily.
A decent looking cross lands there for Armstrong.
Armstrong scores with a kick to the midsection.
Armstrong feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Vera's calf.
Armstrong throws a leg kick which misses Vera's front leg but catches the back leg as Vera tries to avoid it.
Armstrong looks to score with a jab to the body but Vera is just out of range.
Armstrong throws a hook to the side of Vera's head but Vera sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Armstrong keeps Vera at a distance using the push kick.
Armstrong fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Vera has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Vera is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Vera takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Armstrong jabs Vera to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Armstrong throws a head kick but Vera moves out of range.
A punch combination from Armstrong misses.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Armstrong.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vera checks a low kick from Armstrong.
Armstrong throws a combination that misses

and Vera counters with a shoot takedown. Armstrong fights it but they end up in guard.
Armstrong 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.
Armstrong has control of Vera's left arm, preventing Vera from doing any damage.
Vera working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Armstrong managing to control the position.
Vera throws a strike but Armstrong rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vera trying to control the position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Vera has Armstrong pulled in close to control his posture.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Armstrong misses with a looping left.
Nice body kick from Armstrong.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Armstrong uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Vera.
Vera lands with a shot to the body.
Armstrong tries a head kick but it misses.
Vera moves out of range of the body kick from Armstrong.
Armstrong throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Armstrong dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dominic Vera's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Armstrong throws a push kick but Vera slaps the foot to one side.
Vera tests Armstrong's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Armstrong lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Vera has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Vera and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Armstrong misses the body punch
and Vera makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Armstrong slaps away a takedown attempt from Vera, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Armstrong takes one to the side of the head.
Armstrong throws the kick towards the body but Vera avoids it.
Armstrong misses with the body kick
and Vera counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Armstrong thinking.
Armstrong avoids the body shot from Vera.
Armstrong takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Armstrong misses with a straight right.
Armstrong misses with a combination
and Vera counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Vera throws a head kick that misses.
Armstrong looks for the body kick but Vera saw that one coming.
That kick from Vera tenderised Armstrong's leg. Armstrong is trying to keep his angry face on.
Vera thows a leg kick but Armstrong checks it
and Armstrong counters with a thumping low kick.
Armstrong misses with a two punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Armstrong looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Armstrong throws a hook but Vera avoids it easily.
Some bone on bone action there as Vera checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Armstrong throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Armstrong takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Vera lands a leg kick that knocks Armstrong off balance momentarily.
Vera blocks a head kick by Armstrong.
Armstrong is breathing heavily.
Vera moves out of range of the body kick from Armstrong.
Armstrong throws a lazy body kick
and Vera counters with a left and a right that stings Armstrong.
A good leg kick by Vera.
Vera scores with a jab.
Vera comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Armstrong gets caught flat footed, as Vera shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Vera trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Vera content to stall in guard here.
Armstrong looking to hit a scissor sweep but Vera is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vera in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Vera trying to control but Armstrong is working from the bottom.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Vera thows a big elbow that misses.
Vera preventing the sweep.
Vera postures up in Armstrong's guard and throws a big left but Armstrong blocks it.
Vera in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vera gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Armstrong takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Vera fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Xavier Armstrong seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A punch lands to the side of Armstrong 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Armstrong throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Vera lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Vera throws a sloppy head kick
and Armstrong counters with a flying knee. Nice.
A jab from Vera finds it's way through Armstrong's defenses.
Nice shot by Vera.
Armstrong misses with a head kick.
Armstrong tries a low kick but Vera avoids it.
Xavier Armstrong is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Vera blocks a head kick by Armstrong.
Vera takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Armstrong is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Vera ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Xavier Armstrong is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Vera slips a jab from Armstrong.
Vera connects with a solid leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Armstrong gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Vera to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Vera with a flurry of punches that miss.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Armstrong looking for a sweep. Not yet Armstrong, not yet.
Vera throwing strikes but missing.
Armstrong wants to sweep here but Vera controlling him for the moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vera stands up over Armstrong, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Vera working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dominic Vera dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Dominic Vera's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Armstrong needs to keep his hands up - Vera had a free shot at his head there.
Vera cracks Armstrong with a good jab.
Vera thuds a left hand into Armstrong's body.
Vera checks the leg kick.
Some wild striking there from Vera.
Armstrong takes one to the side of the head.
A head kick misses from Armstrong.
Armstrong throws a head kick that misses.
Vera closes the distance and lands a one-two.
A slow jab from Vera misses its intended target.
Armstrong closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Armstrong looks to land a body kick but Vera moved away.
Armstrong staying out of range there.
Armstrong throws out a leg kick but Vera moves out of range and Armstrong only half commits.
Armstrong has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Vera shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Armstrong but Armstrong pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Vera misses the shot to the body.
Armstrong lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Armstrong takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Vera checks a low kick from Armstrong.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vera throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Vera connects with a right hand. Armstrong shakes it off.
Armstrong looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Vera throws a hook but Armstrong blocks it.
Vera with a jab.
Vera uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Armstrong has time to react.
Armstrong walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Armstrong misses with a kick to the body
and Vera cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Vera lands a glancing blow to the side of Armstrong's head.
Vera lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
A head kick misses from Armstrong.
Vera takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Vera.
Vera tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Armstrong was well out of range. Poor timing from Vera.
Vera connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Vera looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Armstrong!

Vera goes for an armbar but Armstrong turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Armstrong.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong wants to stand but Vera has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Armstrong won't allow Vera to get back to his feet.
Vera is trying to control the position but Armstrong postures up.
Vera has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Vera is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Armstrong is aware though and is defending well.
Armstrong wants to stand but Vera has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Vera has his foot on Armstrong's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Armstrong works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong is fighting to break Vera's control of his arms but Vera is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Armstrong passes Vera's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Armstrong stalling away here and it's allowed Vera to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Armstrong stopping the sweep attempt from Vera.

Armstrong stands up from Vera's guard - Armstrong perhaps looking for a knockout.
Vera gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vera throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Vera throws a hook but Armstrong blocks it.
Vera feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Armstrong's calf.
Vera fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Armstrong throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Vera connects with a jab.
Vera scores with a crisp jab that stopped Armstrong in his tracks.
Armstrong throws a nice head kick!
Armstrong chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Vera can pounce on him.
Vera throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Armstrong has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A head kick misses from Armstrong.
Armstrong defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Vera.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dominic Vera. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A big right from Vera misses.
Armstrong lands a leg kick that knocks Vera off balance momentarily.
Armstrong swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Armstrong dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Vera. That did some damage!

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Dominic Vera.
I think Vera has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight 28:28
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 28:29
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 28:28

The fight is ruled a majority draw!