PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Gustaf Lindback (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Vargas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vargas has chosen Strong Will Continue -- Damian Marley as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Lindback
vs
Vargas

170 cm
25
146 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

167 cm
28
145 lbs
27 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

QFClothing
Dynamic Nutrition $25 159 Recovery

XTREME PWNAGE: Down Under!
SPARTA FIGHTWARE-GTI

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Gustaf Lindback!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alex Vargas!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Andrew Berry and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lindback steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Vargas. That one must have hurt.
Vargas looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Vargas, right into the meat.
Vargas throws the kick towards the body but Lindback avoids it.
Gustaf Lindback seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vargas throws a hook to the side of Lindback's head but Lindback sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Vargas looks for a takedown but Lindback sprawls well.
Vargas avoids the head kick by Lindback.
Lindback stuffs the takedown attempt from Vargas. Vargas gets slowly back to his feet.
Lindback tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Vargas manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lindback misses with a kick to the body.
Lindback throws a hook to the side of Vargas's head but Vargas sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Lindback shoots in for a double leg but Vargas sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Vargas's corner calls for a 1-2. Vargas obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Lindback throws a sloppy head kick and Vargas moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lindback dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Vargas throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lindback swings for the body but Vargas moves out of range.
A good leg kick by Lindback.
Vargas tests Lindback's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Vargas loads up on a big right hand but Lindback slips the punch.
Vargas blocks a head kick by Lindback.
Lindback walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Vargas throws a leg kick but Lindback moved away.
Lindback throws a wild body kick that Vargas sees coming a mile off.

Vargas shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Vargas showed some decent athleticism there.
Ground and pound from Vargas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lindback has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Vargas is working away from the top position though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vargas is nestled in close to Lindback, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Vargas with the ground and pound but Lindback uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Vargas throws an elbow that misses. Lindback uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Vargas's guard. Nice move by Lindback!
Lindback tries to free his leg and advance position but Vargas is retaining full guard.
Vargas is pulling down on Lindback's head to control his posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lindback trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Lindback prevents Vargas from getting back to his feet.
Lindback trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Vargas tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Vargas working a defensive guard here.
Lindback throws a big elbow that misses.
Vargas trying to keep a closed guard but Lindback is proving a slippery customer.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Alex Vargas was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Lindback wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Lindback blocks the low kick.
Both fighters circling a little - Lindback finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

Lindback looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Vargas keeping full guard, as Lindback tries to pass.
Lindback throws a strike but Vargas rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Lindback 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.
Lindback is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Vargas dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Lindback lands a leg kick that knocks Vargas off balance momentarily.
Vargas waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lindback.
Lindback goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Vargas has a takedown stuffed.
Vargas does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Lindback blocks a leg kick.
Lindback doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Vargas counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Vargas ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Vargas misses with a takedown attempt - Lindback sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Vargas scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Vargas scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Vargas misses.
Vargas lands a slapping body shot.
Vargas takes a swing at Lindback's ribcage but misses.

Vargas scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Lindback is looking to reverse the position.
Vargas throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Lindback manages to work his way to half guard, despite Vargas's best efforts.
Vargas looks to land a strike but Lindback avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Vargas throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Lindback looking to hit a scissor sweep but Vargas is one step ahead there.

Vargas got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lindback has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Vargas has managed to get both his arms back between Lindback's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vargas throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Vargas trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Vargas with a nice head shot there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lindback lands a decent shot there.
Lindback trying to control the position here.
Vargas with a flurry of punches that miss.
Vargas must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Vargas throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lindback is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Vargas defends well.

Lindback is looking for a triangle but Vargas pushes his legs off easily.
Vargas throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lindback works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Vargas wants to control from the top but Lindback keeps moving.
Vargas throwing strikes but missing.
Vargas throws a big right hand that misses.
Vargas wants to control from the top but Lindback keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vargas postures up and lands a big shot to Lindback's brow.
Lindback trying to keep a closed guard but Vargas is proving a slippery customer.
Lindback utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Vargas throwing strikes but missing.
Vargas trying to control the position from guard on top but Lindback is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vargas is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lindback tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Lindback has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Vargas can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Vargas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Vargas fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lindback manages to avoid it.
Vargas blocks a leg kick.
Lindback throws a hook but Vargas blocks it.
Vargas looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Lindback takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Vargas lands with a thumping leg kick.
Lindback bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Lindback motions for Vargas to come forward. Lindback throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Lindback throws a low kick, looking for Vargas's leg but Vargas calmly moves out of range.
Vargas scores with a jab to the body.
Vargas throws a jab when Lindback was well out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Vargas 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 Lindback has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Lindback and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Vargas checks a leg kick.
Lindback has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Vargas.
Vargas misses with a body kick.
Lindback has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Lindback pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Vargas lands a leg kick that knocks Lindback off balance momentarily.
Lindback pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Vargas avoids the head kick by Lindback.
Vargas throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Vargas looks to land a combination but Lindback avoids it well.

Vargas gets the takedown into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lindback is looking to reverse the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lindback taking punishment in the form of punches.
Vargas working the ground and pound.
Vargas throws a strike aimed at the side of Lindback's head but Lindback avoids it well.
Lindback is trying to control Vargas's posture but Vargas avoids it.
Lindback tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Vargas wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Vargas throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Vargas looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Lindback is avoiding damage well.
Vargas landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Lindback wants to control but Vargas postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vargas wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lindback keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vargas throws an elbow but Lindback slips to the side and avoids it well.
Lindback taking a bit of punishment here - Vargas scoring with strikes.
Lindback tries to improve position but can't.
Vargas working the ground and pound but Lindback is defending the strikes.
Lindback avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Vargas.
Vargas trying to control the action but Lindback is working from the bottom.
Vargas scores with a couple of short elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vargas misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Lindback manages to get back to half guard.
Vargas tries to pass to full mount but Lindback defends it.
Vargas seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Lindback does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Vargas sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Lindback defending well though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vargas not landing any meaningful shots this time.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The fighters are battling for position here. Lindback manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Lindback is on top in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Lindback tries to score with a low kick but Vargas moves his leg out of the way.
Lindback ducks under a wild hook from Vargas.
Lindback shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Lindback fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Vargas has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Vargas fails with the takedown
and Lindback counters with a low kick, right behind Vargas 's knee.
Vargas moves into range and connects with a jab.
Lindback stuns Vargas with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Vargas wants to land a leg kick but Lindback is out of range.
Lindback with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Lindback walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Vargas checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Lindback throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lindback swings for the body but Vargas moves out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Vargas.
Lindback's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Vargas connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Lindback scrambles back to his feet.
Vargas misses the jab.
Lindback smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Vargas is trying hard to land a takedown here. Lindback sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Lindback lands a body shot.
A slapping leg kick lands for Vargas.
Lindback tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Vargas manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Alex Vargas seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Vargas misses with a jab, cross combination.
Lindback ducks under a wild hook from Vargas.
Vargas motions for Lindback to come forward. Vargas throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Lindback tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lindback misses with an uppercut.
Lindback misses with an attempted mid kick.
Vargas smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Lindback tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Vargas lands a body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vargas lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Lindback throws a hook but Vargas blocks it.
Vargas chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Vargas will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Vargas misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lindback.
Lindback slips under a jab.

Lindback shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Lindback showed some decent athleticism there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lindback throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Lindback is keen to just control but Vargas is a slippery customer.
Vargas wants to get back to his feet.
Lindback with the ground and pound but Vargas uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Lindback trying to control but Vargas is working from the bottom.
Alex Vargas has got the better of the ground game so far.
Vargas avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lindback trying to control the position from guard on top but Vargas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lindback looking to sit in guard and control but Vargas gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Lindback has control of Vargas's left arm, preventing Vargas from doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Vargas accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lindback looking for a sweep. Not yet Lindback, not yet.
Lindback keeping full guard, as Vargas tries to pass.

Lindback has an active guard here but Vargas has managed to pass into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Alex Vargas will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Lindback throws a wild body kick that Vargas sees coming a mile off.
Lindback misses with a wild body shot.
Lindback is trying hard to land a takedown here. Vargas sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Vargas with a nice cross.
A right-left combo lands from Vargas.
Lindback throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Vargas shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Vargas trying to control the position from guard on top but Lindback is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Vargas drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Lindback manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Vargas has Lindback in his guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Vargas is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lindback won't allow Vargas to sweep him here.
Lindback throwing strikes from guard but Vargas blocks nicely.
Lindback trying to control the position from guard on top but Vargas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lindback in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lindback wants to control from the top but Vargas keeps moving.
Vargas working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lindback.
Vargas is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Lindback is controlling him.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Lindback trying to move into half guard but instead Vargas has managed to sweep!
Lindback pulls Vargas in to control the position.
Vargas wants to control from the top but Lindback keeps moving.
Gustaf Lindback has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lindback controls Vargas momentarily but Vargas frees himself.
Lindback utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Alex Vargas is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Vargas trying to control the position from guard on top but Lindback is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vargas is in close to Lindback's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Lindback working a defensive guard here.
Lindback preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Lindback keeping moving, preventing Vargas from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lindback trying to strike off his back.

Lindback working for a triangle but Vargas defends it easily.
Vargas throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lindback works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Vargas trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vargas wants to control from the top but Lindback keeps moving.

Lindback has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Vargas can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Vargas comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Vargas 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 45:50
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 45:50
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Vargas!
Alex Vargas is the new bantamweight champion!
As Alex Vargas got his breath back, he grabbed the microphone and managed to blurt out the following: Pablo Soriano, you should've known better than to mess with the Phenom. The Phenom is just too much for the likes of you.'.