PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Antony Vasquez (ranked 5070 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robert Gallagher (ranked 5261 p4p, 0 weight class). Robert Gallagher will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Vasquez
vs
Gallagher

156 cm
24
346 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

202 cm
25
300 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Antony Vasquez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Robert Gallagher!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Sam Margolis and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gallagher misses with a body shot

and Vasquez decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Gallagher's guard.
Vasquez really is a fat lump.
Vasquez slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Vasquez trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Vasquez prevents Gallagher from getting back to his feet.
Vasquez is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasquez seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Gallagher for as long as he can get away with.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Gallagher throws a left and a right that both miss

and Vasquez counters with a takedown into side control.
Vasquez throws an elbow but Gallagher slips to the side and avoids it well.
Gallagher is looking to get back to his feet here but Vasquez is keeping cool and he's managed to take Gallagher's back.
Gallagher trying to get back to his feet but Vasquez is in full control for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vasquez punches the canvas rather than the man.
Gallagher is trying to stand back up.
Vasquez trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Gallagher doesn't escape.
Gallagher wants to get back to his feet.
Gallagher avoids the strikes from Vasquez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasquez controlling the position well here. Gallagher rolled but Vasquez kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Vasquez 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.
Vasquez lands strikes to the head.
Vasquez is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

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.
Vasquez avoiding Gallagher 's attempts to control his hands.
Vasquez is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

Vasquez has his opponent's back but Gallagher is looking to stand. He manages to get to his feet and shakes off Vasquez.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antony Vasquez 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.

Gallagher throws a combination that misses

and Vasquez counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Vasquez.
Vasquez is struggling to control the position.

Gallagher's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gallagher misses with a double jab

so Vasquez counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Gallagher has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Vasquez has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gallagher falls off balance throwing a combination

and Vasquez counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Gallagher pushes Vasquez off and scrambles back to his feet.
Gallagher throws a right and a left that both miss.
Gallagher fails to land with a series of punches.
Gallagher misses with a body shot

and Vasquez decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Gallagher's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vasquez throwing strikes but missing.
Vasquez's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Gallagher manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Robert Gallagher seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vasquez tries for a takedown but Gallagher sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Gallagher throws a left and a right that both miss

and Vasquez counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Vasquez's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Vasquez is stalling in the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gallagher throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Vasquez slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's four 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.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Gallagher scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Vasquez is trying to get back to full guard.
Gallagher prevents Vasquez from standing back up.
Vasquez works his way to full guard. Good work.
Vasquez controlling Gallagher's posture.

Vasquez is looking for a triangle but Gallagher pushes his legs off easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gallagher trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Robert Gallagher will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Gallagher misses with a few strikes there.
Vasquez tries to score a power double leg takedown but Gallagher sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Vasquez somewhat.
Vasquez has a takedown stuffed.
Gallagher swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Vasquez holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vasquez is struggling to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasquez is trying to force a seperation but Gallagher has the dominant position.
Gallagher looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Vasquez holding his opponent close, against the cage.
The referee calls for Vasquez to work.

That's two 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.
Gallagher being controlled against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Antony Vasquez.
Gallagher misses with a combination

and Vasquez counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Antony Vasquez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The fighters are battling for position here. Gallagher manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Vasquez controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Gallagher wants to sweep here but Vasquez controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gallagher working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vasquez prevents Gallagher from getting back to his feet.
Vasquez looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Vasquez with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

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.

Gallagher closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Vasquez is looking to escape.
Vasquez trying to control but Gallagher postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gallagher missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Gallagher not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Gallagher throws a strike but Vasquez avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Gallagher wants to get up but he can't break Vasquez's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Gallagher postures up in Vasquez's guard and throws a big left but Vasquez blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Antony Vasquez.
I think Vasquez 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Antony Vasquez!