PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cain Velasquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jary Bazu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jary Bazu looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!

Velasquez
vs
Bazu

188 cm
20
255 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

198 cm
20
250 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Cain Velasquez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jary Bazu!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Aleksandr Martynov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Velasquez drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Velasquez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bazu is keeping the position for now.

Bazu had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Velasquez defends it easily.
Bazu keeping busy, throwing shots from the bottom.
Velasquez could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Velasquez tries to stand but Bazu is controlling from the bottom.
Velasquez with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Velasquez wants to pass the guard but Bazu is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bazu throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Velasquez working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Velasquez stands up over Bazu, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Bazu keeping full guard, as Velasquez tries to pass.
Bazu tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Velasquez wants to stand but Bazu has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Velasquez working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Velasquez scoring with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velasquez working some strikes from top position.
Velasquez scoring with punches to the head and body.
Velasquez would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Bazu throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Bazu looks gassed!
Bazu has a closed guard, preventing Velasquez from standing up.
Bazu striking off his back but it's not causing Velasquez any problems.
Bazu keeping full guard, as Velasquez tries to pass.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Velasquez connects with a couple of short punches.
Velasquez scoring with some ground and pound.
Velasquez scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Bazu looking for a guillotine here but Velasquez defends easily.
Velasquez wanted to stand there but Bazu had control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Bazu has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Velasquez scoring with punches to the head and body.
Velasquez chips away with some ground and pound.
Velasquez is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Velasquez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Velasquez with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Velasquez keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bazu's head.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Velasquez's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Bazu has a closed guard, preventing Velasquez from standing up.
Velasquez postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Velasquez content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Velasquez working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Bazu's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Velasquez looking to pass the guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Velasquez's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Velasquez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bazu swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Velasquez chips away with some ground and pound.

Bazu is looking for a triangle but Velasquez pushes his legs off easily.
Velasquez is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Velasquez decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Bazu, up you get!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Velasquez.
Velasquez lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Bazu takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Velasquez lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Velasquez lands a nice forearm strike.

Velasquez decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Velasquez drives through with a takedown into guard.
Velasquez postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Velasquez postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Velasquez working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Bazu's head.
Velasquez lands a couple of elbows.
Velasquez is looking to stand up but Bazu won't let him.
Velasquez postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Velasquez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Velasquez postures up and lands a big shot to Bazu's brow.
Velasquez content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Velasquez lands a couple of digs.
Bazu keeping moving, preventing Velasquez from controlling successfully.

Bazu escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Velasquez gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Velasquez decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Velasquez knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Bazu on the ground.
Velasquez prevents Bazu from standing back up.
Velasquez working Bazu over with strikes.
Ground and pound from Velasquez.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Velasquez lands a nice short elbow.
Cain Velasquez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Velasquez tries to pass the half guard into mount. Bazu knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Bazu on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Velasquez seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Velasquez blocks the strikes from Bazu.
Bazu is breathing heavily.
Bazu has hold of Velasquez's hands but Velasquez slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Nice strikes from Velasquez there.
Velasquez lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Bazu taking some punishment here, with Velasquez in his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velasquez is taking a breather. Bazu says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Velasquez slips a nice elbow through Bazu's hands, connecting with Bazu's forehead.
Nice strikes from Velasquez there.
Velasquez tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Bazu.
Bazu is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Velasquez scores with a couple of nice shots.
Velasquez lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Velasquez looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Velasquez slips a nice elbow through Bazu's hands, connecting with Bazu's forehead.
Velasquez working the head and body with strikes.
Velasquez tries to stand and escape but Bazu is controlling the position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Velasquez lands a nice short elbow.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Velasquez connects with a nice short shot to Bazu's temple.
Bazu won't allow Velasquez to pass to mount.
Velasquez looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Velasquez looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Bazu with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez working Bazu over with strikes.
Bazu punching from the bottom.
Velasquez is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bazu can do to turn this around?
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Velasquez connects with a nice short shot to Bazu's temple.
Velasquez seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Velasquez lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Velasquez wants to free his trapped foot but Bazu is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Velasquez takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Bazu looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Velasquez scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
It looks like Velasquez is going to stand back up.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bazu misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Velasquez working Bazu over with strikes.
Bazu is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Velasquez scores with a couple of nice shots.
Velasquez is pressing down on Bazu's thigh, looking to free his foot. Bazu is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez working Bazu over with strikes.
Velasquez drops an elbow to the side of Bazu's head.
Velasquez seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Velasquez lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Velasquez scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Velasquez postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Bazu to stand up.

Velasquez looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Velasquez connects with a nice short shot to Bazu's temple.
Nice strikes from Velasquez there.
Velasquez scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Velasquez wants to control but Bazu is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Bazu throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Bazu taking some punishment here, with Velasquez in his half guard.
Velasquez working Bazu over with strikes.
Velasquez working over Bazu with some ground and pound. Bazu looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Velasquez takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Velasquez working the head and body with strikes.
Velasquez looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Bazu pushes Velasquez off looking to stand but Velasquez dives back in and keeps control.
Velasquez lands with a punch from half guard.
Bazu wants to improve his position but Velasquez is controlling well.
Velasquez working the head and body with strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bazu is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Velasquez scores with a couple of nice shots.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Velasquez lands a nice short elbow.
Velasquez working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Velasquez takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Bazu taking some punishment here, with Velasquez in his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cain Velasquez dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Velasquez decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Velasquez tries to pass the half guard into mount. Bazu knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Velasquez trying to control from half guard but Bazu is working away.

Bazu looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Bazu wants to improve his position but Velasquez is controlling well.
Velasquez seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Velasquez tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Bazu.
Velasquez lands strikes from half guard.
Velasquez scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Velasquez tries to pass to full mount but Bazu defends it.
Bazu taking some punishment here, with Velasquez in his half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velasquez winds up and cracks Bazu with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Velasquez working over Bazu with some ground and pound. Bazu looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Velasquez connects with a nice short shot to Bazu's temple.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Velasquez lands a nice short elbow.
Velasquez looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Bazu looks like he's trying to stand up.
Bazu on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Velasquez lands with a punch from half guard.
Ground and pound from Velasquez.
Velasquez blocks the strikes from Bazu.
Bazu wants to get back to his feet.
Velasquez lands with a punch from half guard.
Velasquez looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Bazu flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Velasquez working Bazu over with strikes.
Cain Velasquez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Velasquez is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Velasquez stalling.
Velasquez wants to free his trapped foot but Bazu is holding on for dear life with his legs.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Velasquez perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Cain Velasquez wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Bazu is looking to clinch but Velasquez is avoiding it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Velasquez bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Velasquez takes a little break here. Bazu wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Velasquez has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Velasquez scores with punches from side control.
Velasquez landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Bazu tries to strike but it doesn't land.
Jary Bazu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bazu tries to improve position but can't.
Bazu is trying to escape the position but Velasquez is controlling the position.
Velasquez prevents Bazu from escaping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Velasquez controls the position.

We're going to have a standup here because Cain Velasquez wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Velasquez bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Velasquez is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Bazu will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Bazu wants to get back to his feet.
Velasquez controlling the position from side mount.
Velasquez seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Bazu for as long as he can get away with.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Velasquez scores with a couple of short elbows.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cain Velasquez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Velasquez has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:25
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:25
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cain Velasquez!