PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jamie Varner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rosen Strasser (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Varner
vs
Strasser

173 cm
25
156 lbs
10 - 8 - 0

192 cm
38
159 lbs
22 - 18 - 0

Good wrestling
Decent elbows
Very quick

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jamie Varner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rosen Strasser!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Paulo Santos and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Varner fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Strasser throws out a counter right but Varner avoids it with no problem.
Strasser throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Strasser swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Varner counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Strasser!
Varner controls the position from side control.
Varner tries to move to mount but Strasser blocks the move with his legs.
Strasser is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Strasser struggling a bit here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Strasser is looking to reverse the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strasser is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Who's going to make the next move?
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Strasser is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Varner is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Varner looking to control and managing it successfully.
Strasser tries to get back to half guard but can't.

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.
Strasser tries to hold on but Varner postures up.
Strasser prevents any damage by holding on tight.
Varner controlling his opponent.
Strasser working to try and regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varner controlling from mount.
Strasser tries to hold on but Varner postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Strasser might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Varner haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Varner controlling from mount.
Varner wants to control the pace but Strasser is squirming around nicely.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jamie Varner dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Varner showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Strasser.
Varner appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Strasser misses with a hook.
The fighters circle momentarily. Strasser darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Varner scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
You can see the frustration on Strasser's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Strasser tries to bench press Varner off him but Varner keeps the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Strasser can't do much from the bottom here.
Varner takes a little break here. Strasser wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Varner's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

Varner wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Strasser, who protects the arm well.
Varner tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Strasser gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Varner content just to control the position here.
Varner wants to control the pace but Strasser is squirming around nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strasser tries to lock up and control but Varner gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Strasser is in all sorts of trouble here.
Varner looking to control but Strasser is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Strasser wants to control but Varner is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Strasser can't escape the position.
Jamie Varner overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Strasser is squirming around, avoiding Varner's attempts to control the action.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Varner controlling from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jamie Varner dominated that second round.
That's time! Varner's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Varner throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Strasser's waist but Strasser gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Varner off to one side.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Strasser stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Strasser wants it to stay on the feet.
Strasser misses with a low kick.
Varner half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Strasser throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Strasser misses with a series of wild punches.
Strasser lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Varner tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Strasser defends well and Varner ends up having to push Strasser into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jamie Varner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Strasser tries to bum rush Varner with a series of wild strikes but Varner uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Varner has a takedown stuffed.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Strasser stuns Varner with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Strasser tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Varner is able to avoid easily.
Varner changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Strasser tries to avoid it but Varner manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Strasser to the ground. Strasser escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Varner has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Varner there as he acknowledges the shot.
Strasser scores with a head kick.
Strasser tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd cheers as Strasser lands an impressive looking overhand right. Varner doesn't seem phased though.
Varner changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Strasser tries to avoid it but Varner manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Strasser to the ground. Strasser escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Strasser doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

Varner looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Strasser is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Varner dives into side control.

Strasser tries to buck Varner off but Varner is having none of it.
Varner trying to control the action but Strasser is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strasser has one of Varner's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Varner wants to control but Strasser is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strasser is being controlled here.

Varner wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Strasser, who protects the arm well.
Strasser looking for a sweep but Varner has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Varner tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Varner has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Varner wants to control the pace but Strasser is squirming around nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Varner looking to control and managing it successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rosen Strasser comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Varner has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:28
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jamie Varner!
Jamie Varner thanked the fans post fight for their support.