PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cain Velasquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dan Severn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dan Severn 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!

Velasquez
vs
Severn

185 cm
22
260 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

188 cm
29
270 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

BeastMode

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Cain Velasquez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Dan Severn!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Bruno Hogan and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Velasquez scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Velasquez seems to be working for a kimura but Severn defends the submission attempt.
Severn wants to control but Velasquez is keeping busy.

Severn actively working from the bottom here.

Velasquez seems to be looking for submissions.
Velasquez stalling.
Severn taking some punishment here, with Velasquez in his half guard.
Velasquez seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
We've been hearing that Velasquez has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Velasquez tries to pass the half guard into mount. Severn knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Severn is trying to control but can't.

Velasquez is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Severn defends it well.
Severn is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Velasquez is working for a kimura but Severn is defending it quite comfortably.

Severn is defending against the submission attempts here by Velasquez.

Severn looking for submissions off his back.
Severn is trying to get back to full guard.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Velasquez seems to be looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Velasquez is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Severn is just riding it out for now. Velasquez eventually gives up the hold.
Severn trying to control here.
Severn is pressing down on Velasquez's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Severn looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Velasquez throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Velasquez is looking to work some ground and pound but Severn has wrist control.
Velasquez passes Severn's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Velasquez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Severn scores with a few weak punches.

Velasquez trying to work for an americana but Severn has managed to regain full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Velasquez trying to control the position from guard on top but Severn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

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

Severn looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Velasquez drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Velasquez jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Velasquez drops back looking for a leg! Severn is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Severn manages to kick Velasquez off! Velasquez jumps back into Severn's guard.
Our spies down at at The Shield inform us that Severn has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Velasquez trying to control the position from guard on top but Severn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Severn had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Velasquez defends it easily.

Velasquez got a little sloppy there for a moment and Severn has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Velasquez has managed to get both his arms back between Severn's legs - danger averted.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Severn keeping moving, preventing Velasquez from controlling successfully.

Severn working for a triangle but Velasquez defends it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Velasquez is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Severn is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Severn has escaped and now he's on top!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cain Velasquez dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Velasquez looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Severn trying to control but Velasquez postures up.

Severn is defending against the submission attempts here by Velasquez.

Velasquez is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Severn trying to control but Velasquez postures up.

Velasquez is trying to work for a kimura but Severn is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velasquez wants to take a breather but Severn is having none of it.

Velasquez is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Velasquez is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Severn doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Velasquez.
Velasquez wants to take a breather but Severn is having none of it.
Velasquez sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Severn defending well though.

Velasquez is looking for a kimura but Severn is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Velasquez to get the leverage.

Velasquez is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Severn doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Velasquez.
Severn gets full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Severn is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Velasquez is aware though and is defending well.
Severn is trying to control the position but Velasquez postures up.

Severn has an active guard here but Velasquez has managed to pass into half guard.
Severn pushes Velasquez off looking to stand but Velasquez dives back in and keeps control.
Velasquez seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Severn looking for submissions off his back.
Severn is controlling Velasquez's position as best he can from this difficult position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Severn looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Velasquez is looking for a kimura here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Velasquez not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Severn looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Severn gets back to full guard.
Velasquez trying to control the position from guard on top but Severn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Velasquez lands a couple of digs.
Severn keeping moving, preventing Velasquez from controlling successfully.
Velasquez stopping the sweep attempt from Severn.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Severn had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Velasquez defends it easily.
Velasquez trying to control the position from guard on top but Severn is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Velasquez connects with a couple of short punches.

Severn is looking for a triangle but Velasquez pushes his legs off easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Severn had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Velasquez defends it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Velasquez is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Velasquez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cain Velasquez dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Velasquez scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Severn is trying to improve his position.

Velasquez is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Severn is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Velasquez tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Severn is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Velasquez off and has taken his back!
Severn scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Velasquez is looking for a way out.
Cain Velasquez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Velasquez just trying to survive but Severn is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Severn missing with strikes from the back.

Severn looking for the choke but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velasquez is trapped and Severn is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Velasquez trying to control the hands but Severn breaks the grip.
Severn keeps control of the position as Velasquez tries to break free.
Velasquez turns into Severn and is now in his guard.

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

Severn is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Velasquez is looking to work some ground and pound but Severn has wrist control.
Velasquez postures up in Severn's guard and throws a big left but Severn blocks it.
Velasquez landing some decent shots from guard.
Velasquez scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Velasquez wants to control from the top but Severn keeps moving.
Severn tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Velasquez landing with the ground and pound.
Severn wants to improve his position but instead Velasquez has moved into half guard.
Velasquez works his way into full mount!
Severn is looking to get to half guard.

Velasquez looking to secure an arm triangle but Severn defends it well.

Velasquez is giving the impression that he's looking to ground and pound but he switches suddenly into a beautiful far side armbar! Severn is forced to tap! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Cain Velasquez!
Our winner, Cain Velasquez, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.