PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Juares Dea (ranked 3664 p4p, 4456 weight class) and Vlakan Targa (ranked 465 p4p, 547 weight class). Vlakan Targa has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Juares Dea's chin.

Dea
vs
Targa

190 cm
23
206
5 - 6 - 0

193 cm
27
213
8 - 10 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

REDEMPTION ink

Undead Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Juares Dea!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vlakan Targa!
The judges for this bout are Francis DeMontford, Skip Squint and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dea gets caught flat footed, as Targa shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Dea has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Targa is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Dea lands with a short shot to the head.

Dea gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dea trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Targa manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Dea is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at MY YARD™️ 'RESURRECT' that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Targa stays in close to Dea's body and controls the position.
Targa pushes down on Dea's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Targa is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Dea defends it well.
Dea is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Dea is trying to stand back up but Targa is controlling him

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dea missing with punches from the bottom.
Targa is stalling here. Dea is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Targa seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Dea has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Dea knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Targa on the ground.
Targa manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Dea is controlling Targa's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Targa thows a huge punch but Dea dodges it nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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

Targa is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Dea doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Targa.
Dea is not content to let Targa control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Targa looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Dea is looking to escape.
Dea is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Targa content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Targa is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Dea has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Targa postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Dea to stand up.
Dea goes for a double leg but Targa avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Targa continues to drive forward.
Dea misses with an elbow strike.
Dea lands a hook that snaps the head of Targa backwards.
Dea throws an elbow that misses.
Dea using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Targa has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Dea pulls guard successfully.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Targa working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.

Targa 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.
Dea wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Targa manages to pass to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Targa is working for a kimura but Dea is defending it quite comfortably.
Targa lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

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

Targa is looking for a kimura here.
Targa wants to control but Dea is keeping him busy.
Dea wants to control but Targa is keeping busy and won't allow it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Vlakan Targa will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Targa dives in and grabs Dea's left leg, looking for a takedown. Dea pushes down on Targa's head and hops out.
Dea changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Targa displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Dea.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Dea is defended easily by Targa.
Targa misses with a two punch combination.
A head kick misses from Targa.
Targa lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Sloppy strikes from Targa. Those never looked like landing.
Dea seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Dea misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Targa.
Dea defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Targa.
Dea drops down looking for a counter takedown but Targa sprawls and moves away.
Juares Dea is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Targa tries to score a power double leg takedown but Dea sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Targa somewhat.
Juares Dea has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vlakan Targa.
Dea wants to clinch up but Targa keeps it at a distance.
Dea slaps away a takedown attempt from Targa, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Targa with a lazy takedown attempt

and Dea counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Dea.
Targa managing to block the knees to the body from Dea.

Dea breaks from the clinch.
Dea tries to close the distance and clinch up but Targa swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Targa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Dea.

Dea shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Targa manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Targa is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Targa's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Targa being controlled here, momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Targa is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Dea wants to pass the guard but Targa is keeping the position.
Dea has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Targa avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Targa looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Dea wants to pass the guard but Targa is keeping the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Targa closes this distance looking for a takedown but Dea circles away.
Targa tries to clinch up.
No luck for Targa with that takedown attempt.
Dea dives in for a single leg takedown but Targa sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Dea gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Targa.
Targa drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A short body shot lands from Dea as the two fighters clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Targa breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Dea throws a right hand that Targa ducks under and follows up with a left that Targa also avoids with ease.

Dea moves into the clinch.
Dea throws an elbow that misses.
Dea avoiding damage as Targa throws knees to the body.
Dea just leaning against Targa, taking a breather.
Dea slowing the pace effectively.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dea.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dea is leaning against Targa and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Dea tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Targa stalling.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Juares Dea dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Targa looking to score a takedown here. Dea is defending well but Targa drives through and ends up in Dea's guard.
Targa stopping the sweep attempt from Dea.
Dea is looking to stand up but Targa isn't so interested in that idea.
Vlakan Targa has got the better of the ground game so far.
Targa missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Targa trying to control but Dea is working from the bottom.
Targa is looking to work some ground and pound but Dea has wrist control.
Targa sitting in guard here, content to control.
Targa pushing down on Dea's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dea trying to control from the bottom.

Targa is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Dea is trying to control but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Targa is trying to control. Dea wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Targa scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Targa working over Dea with some ground and pound. Dea looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Targa is keen to just control but Dea is a slippery customer.

Targa is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Dea defends it well.
Targa is trying to control. Dea wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Targa is working for a submission of some sort.
Targa thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Targa decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Dea changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Targa tries to avoid it but Dea manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Targa to the ground. Targa escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Targa dives in for a single leg takedown but Dea sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Dea takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Dea shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Targa as he jumps to the side.
Dea tries to clinch up.
Targa throws a counter combo.
Targa will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Targa pushes Dea up against the cage in a clinch.
Dea is struggling to control the position.
Targa prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juares Dea. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The referee calls for Dea to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dea blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Dea manages to break the clinch.
Dea keeps the fight on the outside.
A punch combination from Targa misses.

Targa gets caught napping as Dea dives in and scores a takedown. Targa manages to retain guard.
Targa trying to keep a closed guard but Dea is proving a slippery customer.
Dea controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Dea looking to pass the guard.
Targa looking to hit a scissor sweep but Dea is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Targa is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Dea presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Dea has Targa pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Targa manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Targa drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Dea gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Dea displaying some good clinch control by pressing Targa up against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vlakan Targa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Targa has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Francis DeMontford scores the fight 28:29
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vlakan Targa!
The defeated Juares Dea had this to say: 'Mentally, I'm feeling more like myself again.'.