PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jose Vargas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sub Zero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Vargas
vs
Zero

200 cm
19
280 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

193 cm
21
277 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jose Vargas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Sub Zero!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice uppercut lands for Vargas. That snapped Zero's head back.

Zero darts in and clinches Vargas up against the cage.

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

Zero pushes Vargas up against the cage in a clinch.
Zero dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Vargas tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Vargas jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Zero walks away with a smile on his face. Vargas gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Zero ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Vargas moves away.
Vargas on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A swing and a miss from Zero.
Vargas is looking to clinch but Zero is avoiding it.
Zero lands a body shot.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vargas rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Zero moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zero avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Zero gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Zero's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Jose Vargas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zero showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Vargas.
Vargas tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Zero counters with a right hand to the body.
Vargas tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Zero connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Zero rushes Vargas and presses him up against the cage.

Zero has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Vargas uses from the top position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Vargas throws and elbow that misses. Zero uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Vargas's guard. Nice move by Zero!

Zero stands and steps away. Vargas gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Vargas looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Vargas lands with a nice combination. Zero backs away looking to recover.
Sub Zero seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Zero drives through and clinches with Vargas against the cage.

Zero manages to break the clinch.
Zero fails with a takedown attempt.
Zero scores with a sloppy right hand. Vargas should have avoided that one.
Zero works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Zero avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Zero moves into the clinch.

Zero escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vargas tries to bum rush Zero with a series of wild strikes but Zero uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
No joy there for Vargas, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Zero has closed the distance and engaged Vargas in a clinch.
Good body shot from Vargas.
Zero tries to land knees in the clinch but Vargas avoids the damage to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zero breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Vargas moves into range and clinches up with Zero.
Vargas looking to slow down the pace here.

Zero pulls Vargas into guard.
Zero keeping moving, preventing Vargas from controlling successfully.

Zero wriggles free and stands up.
Vargas gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Vargas moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Sub Zero has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zero shoots for a double leg takedown but Vargas sprawls well. He's pushed Zero's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zero fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Vargas, pushing him back against the cage.

Vargas jumps guard.

Zero stands up and waves to Vargas to follow him.
Vargas on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Zero's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Zero duly obliges.
Zero dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Zero scores with a hook to the body. Vargas takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Vargas is breathing heavily.
Vargas throws a right and a left that Zero avoids nicely.

Zero shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Vargas napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Zero decides to take the fight back to the feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vargas misses with a wild combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sub Zero dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sub Zero's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Zero scores with a hook.
Sub Zero seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Vargas displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Zero.
Zero dives in and grabs Vargas's left leg, looking for a takedown. Vargas pushes down on Zero's head and hops out.
Zero circles away from the clinch attempt.

Zero feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Zero gets to his feet - Vargas follows without any prompting.
Vargas fails with an attempt to clinch.
Zero lands a jab-cross combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zero stuns Vargas with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Vargas throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Vargas swings for the body but Zero moves out of range.

Zero darts in and clinches Vargas up against the cage.
Vargas is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Vargas tries for a takedown but Zero manages to get underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vargas's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zero punishes Vargas's body with a nice straight punch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zero wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Zero throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Zero fails with the takedown.
Jose Vargas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sub Zero.
Zero lands a jab to Vargas's midsection.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zero connects with a looping right hand.
Zero changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Zero cracks Vargas with a right hand to the side of the head.
Zero has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Zero rushes Vargas and presses him up against the cage.
Zero will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Vargas up against the cage.
Zero throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zero pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Vargas is looking to clinch.

Zero has taken the fight to the clinch.

Zero pulls guard successfully.
Vargas wants to stand and escape but instead Zero has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Zero stands and steps away. Vargas gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Zero forces Vargas back against the cage and clinches.
Zero is pressed up against the cage. Vargas has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Zero down to the mat. Zero avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Vargas is looking to clinch but Zero is avoiding it.

Vargas tries to keep at a distance but Zero has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zero gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Vargas.
Zero avoiding damage as Vargas throws knees to the body.

Zero decides to pull guard.
Zero wants to stand but Vargas is controlling the position.
Vargas looking to sit in guard and control but Zero gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Zero stands and steps away. Vargas gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vargas gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Vargas trying to control the position.
Zero preventing the sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sub Zero showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Sub Zero's cut.
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!

Zero digs a good body shot into Vargas's ribs.

Zero moves into the clinch.
Vargas tries to throw a body punch but Zero avoids it by throwing Vargas back against the cage.

Zero manages to break the clinch.
A lazy left from Zero finds it's target.

Zero gets a clinch.

Zero breaks from the clinch.
Zero looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Vargas is fending him off so far but Zero persists. Nope, Vargas circles away and we're back to standing.
Zero tests Vargas's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Vargas tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Zero forces Vargas back against the cage and clinches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Zero gets control of Vargas's arms and successfully pulls guard. Zero will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Vargas looking to pass the guard.

Zero wriggles free and stands up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vargas moves away from the strike by Zero.
Vargas misses with a series of wild punches.
Vargas doesn't manage to clinch there - Zero circles away.
Zero looks to land a combination. Vargas sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Zero throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Vargas stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Zero lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vargas takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Zero is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Vargas rather than just go for the knockout.
Vargas looks to clinch
and Zero cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Zero pushes Vargas up against the cage in a clinch.

Zero ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Zero no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Zero is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zero breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Vargas ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Zero moves away.
Vargas's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Zero connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Vargas scrambles back to his feet.
Zero scores with a shot to the body.
Zero circles away from the clinch attempt
and Zero counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Vargas thinking.
Zero closes the distance and clinches up with Vargas, looking for a takedown. Zero pushes Vargas against the cage but Vargas circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Zero shoots for a double leg takedown but Vargas sprawls well. He's pushed Zero's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Jose Vargas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sub Zero.
Zero throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Vargas throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Zero counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Zero fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Vargas sprawls well initially but Zero persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Zero stands up out of the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zero ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Zero punishes Vargas's body with a nice straight punch.
Nice uppercut lands for Zero. That snapped Vargas's head back.
Zero ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Vargas leaves Zero with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Zero gets a clinch.
Sub Zero seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Zero.
Vargas is working for takedown but Zero is calmly controlling the position for now.

Zero breaks the clinch.
Nice body punch from Zero.
Zero digs a good body shot into Vargas's ribs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vargas tries to clinch but Zero moves away
and Vargas takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Zero lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Zero.
Vargas tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Zero manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vargas tries to clinch up.
Jose Vargas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zero fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Vargas looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Zero connects with a body shot that sends Vargas's belly button to the back.
Vargas keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Zero shoots in looking for a takedown but Vargas manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Zero's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Vargas takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Zero swats away the attempt to clinch by Vargas.
Vargas tries to clinch up.
Vargas takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Zero lands a nice looking body shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vargas throws a head kick but Zero moves out of range.
Zero darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Nice straight punches there by Zero. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Zero.
Sub Zero is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Zero with a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sub Zero comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Zero 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sub Zero!
A relieved looking Sub Zero thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.