PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between BJ Styles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chad Bugasto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chad Bugasto has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Styles
vs
Bugasto

188 cm
25
185 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
21
195 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Prefers standup

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, BJ Styles!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Chad Bugasto!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, John Mangel and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Styles moves into range and clinches up with Bugasto.
A bit of stalling here from Bugasto.
Bugasto lands a knee to the body.
Bugasto lands a damaging elbow.

It looks like BJ Styles has been cut.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Styles looking to throw knees to the head but Bugasto is blocking nicely.
Styles on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Bugasto lands a knee to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stalling in the clinch from Bugasto.
Bugasto lands a nice knee to the body.
Styles is breathing heavily.
Styles tries to break the clinch but Bugasto is controlling the position.
Bugasto using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Bugasto lands an elbow just above Styles 's eye.
Bugasto landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Bugasto with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from Bugasto.
Bugasto is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Bugasto connects with a nasty looking knee right to Styles's face.
Bugasto landing knees to the body.
The referee calls for Bugasto to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Styles has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Bugasto is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Bugasto content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Bugasto lands an elbow inside that Styles shrugs off.
Bugasto unloads a knee to the mid-section. Styles lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Styles takes a knee right on the jaw!
Bugasto landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Bugasto lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Bugasto comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Bugasto holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Bugasto landing knees to the body.
Bugasto landing knees to the head.
Bugasto lands a nice elbow.
Styles wants a takedown.
Bugasto landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Styles takes a knee to the side of the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Bugasto obliges.
Knees in the clinch landing for Bugasto.
Bugasto content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Bugasto with a knee to the head.
Bugasto lands a good knee to the midsection. Styles won't want to take too many of those.
Bugasto connects with a nasty looking knee right to Styles's face.
Bugasto lands an elbow just above Styles 's eye.
Bugasto landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Come on Bugasto - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Styles takes a knee to the side of the body.
Bugasto stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Styles can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for BJ Styles. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bugasto comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Knees to the body from Bugasto.
A knee to the head by Bugasto.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bugasto lands a damaging elbow.
Bugasto unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Bugasto stalls.
Bugasto has Styles pressed against the cage, preventing Styles from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Styles avoiding damage as Bugasto throws knees to the body.
Bugasto misses with a knee strike.
Styles wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bugasto has him pressed against the cage.
Bugasto gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Bugasto with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Bugasto unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Styles on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Styles avoiding damage as Bugasto throws knees to the body.
Styles has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Styles tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Styles looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Bugasto slows down the pace here.
Styles is looking to control Bugasto's arms but Bugasto gets an underhook and turns him. Now Styles has his back to the cage.
Bugasto with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Bugasto pressing his opponent against the cage.
Bugasto stops a takedown attempt from Styles.
Styles tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Bugasto obliges.
Bugasto lands a good knee to the midsection. Styles won't want to take too many of those.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Knees in the clinch landing for Bugasto.
The referee is keeping an eye on Bugasto - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chad Bugasto dominated that round.
The cut man is working on BJ Styles's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Horrible takedown by Styles or perhaps it was just good defense by Bugasto which made him look bad.

Styles has Bugasto up against the cage in a clinch.
Styles is trying to break the clinch but Bugasto has him pressed against the cage.
Styles tries to pull guard but Bugasto holds him up against the cage and eventually Styles drops back down to his feet.
A knee to the head by Bugasto.
Bugasto managing to block the knees to the body from Styles.
Bugasto unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Styles takes a knee to the side of the body.
Nice elbow from Bugasto.
Bugasto is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Styles has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Bugasto avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for BJ Styles. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bugasto lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Bugasto lands a knee to the body.
Bugasto landing knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bugasto crunches a lovely knee into Styles's ribcage.
Bugasto lands a knee to the head.
Bugasto landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Bugasto lands a knee to the body.
Bugasto with a knee to the head.
Bugasto landing knees to the head.
Bugasto using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
With the fighters up against the cage, Bugasto throws an elbow but misses.
Styles looking to stall.
Bugasto lands a damaging elbow.
Bugasto utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Bugasto with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Bugasto takes a shot to the head.
Styles drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Bugasto gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Bugasto lands a good knee to the midsection. Styles won't want to take too many of those.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Bugasto.
Styles looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Bugasto lands a knee to the body.
The referee calls for Bugasto to work.
Styles jumps guard but Bugasto stands there with Styles around his waist. Styles gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Bugasto just leaning against Styles, taking a breather.
Styles managing to block the knees to the body from Bugasto.
Styles is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Bugasto throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Styles blocks it with crossed arms.
Bugasto with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Styles misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bugasto.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Styles blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Bugasto missing with knees to the body.
Styles pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Styles tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Styles misses with a knee strike.
Knees to the body from Bugasto.
Bugasto lands an elbow inside.
Styles is trying to break the clinch but Bugasto is controlling him.
Bugasto dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
The crowd are getting on Bugasto's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Bugasto gets underhooks to prevent Styles's takedown attempt.
Bugasto taking a breather.
Bugasto using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Styles wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bugasto has him pressed against the cage.
Bugasto creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Styles's defenses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Bugasto is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Styles is defending well for now.
Bugasto is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Chad Bugasto seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Styles is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Bugasto is keeping busy.
Styles tries to break the clinch but Bugasto is controlling the position.
Styles blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Bugasto using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Styles has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Styles throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Styles has had enough of the clinch but Bugasto keeps him there for the moment.
Bugasto lands a knee to the head.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Styles.
Bugasto lands an elbow just above Styles 's eye.
Styles tries to pull guard but Bugasto holds him up against the cage and eventually Styles drops back down to his feet.
Bugasto is stalling here.
Knees in the clinch landing for Bugasto.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chad Bugasto showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on BJ Styles's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Styles lands with a slapping head kick.
Styles with a poor takedown
and Bugasto counters with a nice uppercut.

Bugasto darts in and clinches Styles up against the cage.
Bugasto is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Styles has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Bugasto avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Bugasto unloads a knee to the mid-section. Styles lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Bugasto lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Bugasto lands a nice elbow.
Bugasto working Styles over with knees to the body.
Bugasto landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Bugasto utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Bugasto landing knees to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bugasto unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Knees to the body from Bugasto.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Bugasto.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Bugasto has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bugasto stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Bugasto tries a knee to the head but Styles blocks it.
Styles takes a knee to the side of the body.
Styles tries to score a body lock takedown but Bugasto shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for BJ Styles. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bugasto is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Bugasto looking to throw knees to the head but Styles is blocking nicely.
Bugasto lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Bugasto stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Styles jumps guard but Bugasto stands there with Styles around his waist. Styles gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Bugasto comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Bugasto comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Nice elbow from Bugasto.
Bugasto lands an elbow that stopped Styles in his tracks for a moment.
Bugasto lands a knee to the body.

That's two 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.
Bugasto is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Styles is defending well for now.
Bugasto taking a breather.
Bugasto gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Styles.
Bugasto unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Styles blocks the elbow strike.
Bugasto lands a nice knee to the body.
Styles avoiding damage as Bugasto throws knees to the body.
Bugasto tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Styles avoids it.
Bugasto misses with a knee to the head.
Bugasto tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Styles avoids it.
Bugasto prevents the takedown attempt.
Bugasto lands a nice knee to the body.
Bugasto lands a nice knee to the body.
Bugasto is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Styles is defending well for now.
Bugasto is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Styles is defending well for now.
Styles misses with a knee strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Styles blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Knees to the body from Bugasto.
Bugasto tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Bugasto.
Bugasto is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Styles goes for a takedown attempt but Bugasto pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Bugasto closes the distance and clinches.
Bugasto stalls.
Bugasto utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

Styles jumps into guard, dragging Bugasto to the mat.
Bugasto wants to stand but Styles has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bugasto wants to stand and escape but instead Styles has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Bugasto is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Styles is controlling him.
Styles is standing up over Bugasto. Bugasto looks to escape but Styles dives into side control.

Bugasto is trying to stand and escape here. He's got onto all fours but that's just let Styles take his back! Uh oh - Styles has got a rear naked choke here! Bugasto is forced to tap! It's all over! One monent is all it takes in this sport!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:46 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). BJ Styles!