PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Calixto Cardona (ranked 441 p4p, 459 weight class) and Action Bastard (ranked 50 p4p, 52 weight class). Bastard is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Japanese And Lovely - Jucifer. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Cardona
vs
Bastard

170 cm
32
149
23 - 14 - 0

169 cm
35
150
24 - 13 - 3

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Urban Fighter

Voodoo Nutrition
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 23 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Calixto Cardona!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 13 - 3, fighting out of Los Angeles, Action Bastard!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Illya Tyunina and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cardona catches Bastard with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Bastard connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Cardona momentarily.
Cardona missing with a left hand there. Bastard was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bastard doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Bastard scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Cardona takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Bastard fails to land the takedown.
Bastard's coach down at Torcida MMA was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Bastard's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Bastard pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Cardona was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Bastard ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Cardona misses with an uppercut.
Bastard takes a swing at Cardona's ribcage but misses.
Cardona throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Bastard on the side of the head.

Cardona moves into range and clinches up with Bastard.
Bastard throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
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!
Cardona blocks an uppercut.
Cardona blocking some punches.

Bastard pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Bastard takes one to the side of the head.
Cardona tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Bastard is able to avoid easily.
Bastard gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Cardona uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bastard.
Bastard swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A quick step to the side and Cardona tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice shot lands for Cardona.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cardona lands a slapping body shot.
Bastard changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cardona tries to avoid it but Bastard manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cardona to the ground. Cardona escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Bastard ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Cardona fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Calixto Cardona is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cardona misses with a looping right.
Cardona throws a shot from downtown. Bastard moves away and avoids it.
Bastard slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Bastard swings for the body but Cardona moves out of range.
Bastard misses with a body punch
and Cardona counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Cardona avoids the body shot from Bastard.

Cardona gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bastard seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Bastard prevents Cardona from getting back to his feet.
Bastard passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bastard is trying to ground and pound but Cardona uses the momentary lack of control by Bastard to regain half guard.
Cardona wants to get back to his feet.

Bastard is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Bastard drops an elbow to the side of Cardona's head.
Bastard missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Bastard throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Cardona to regain full guard.
Bastard trying to control but Cardona is working from the bottom.
Bastard postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bastard forces his way into half guard.
Bastard trying to control from half guard but Cardona is working away.
Bastard looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Cardona on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Bastard controlling the pace.
Cardona is trying to stand.
Bastard thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cardona's head.
Bastard stops Cardona from getting back to his feet.
Bastard content to control rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cardona is not content to let Bastard control the position.
Cardona keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Cardona tries to kick Bastard off but Bastard keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Bastard misses with a body shot.
Bastard fails to land the takedown.
Calixto Cardona has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Action Bastard.
Cardona throws a lazy right hand but Bastard sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bastard tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
The fighters circling - Cardona throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bastard scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Cardona doesn't seem bothered though.
Bastard checks a leg kick nicely.
Bastard doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Cardona defending well as Bastard loads up on a big left hand.
Cardona waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bastard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Action Bastard will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Cardona staying out of range there.
A counter left hand to the body from Cardona misses its target.
Calixto Cardona is winning the standup battle so far.
Bastard misses with a jab to the body
and Cardona counters with an outside leg kick.
Bastard is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Cardona rather than just go for the knockout.
Bastard connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Bastard bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nice defenses there by Cardona.
An attempted straight right counter from Cardona misses the target.
Bastard misses with a double jab.
Bastard throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cardona connects with a good right hand that stumbles Bastard. Bastard circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Bastard takes a shot right to the bread basket.
A combination from Cardona does no damage.
Cardona misses with the combination.
It seemed like Bastard was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Cardona avoids the body shot from Bastard.
Bastard looks to score with a jab to the body but Cardona is just out of range.
Action Bastard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice body punch from Bastard.
Bastard scores with a nice right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cardona fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bastard looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Cardona lands with a shot to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Bastard misses the target.
Bastard misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cardona lands a really nice looking cross but Bastard seems unphased.
Bastard takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Bastard ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Cardona misses with an uppercut. Bastard saw that one coming.
Bastard pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Cardona wants to clinch.
Cardona ducks under a wild hook from Bastard.
Bastard takes a swing at Cardona's ribcage but misses.
Bastard connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Cardona momentarily.
Bastard chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Cardona can pounce on him.
Cardona listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Bastard takes one on the button.
Bastard on the wrong end of a nice hook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bastard bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cardona goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Bastard misses with a straight right.
Cardona throws a body kick that misses.
Cardona avoids the body shot from Bastard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cardona misses with a straight right.
Bastard throws a shot to the body.
Cardona lands a nice looking body shot.
Cardona misses the jab.
Bastard tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cardona was well out of range. Poor timing from Bastard.
Cardona misses with a body shot.

Cardona clinches up against the cage.
Cardona softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Bastard changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Cardona fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Bastard throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Bastard dives in and scores a takedown into Cardona's guard.
Bastard has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Bastard throws a strike but Cardona rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Bastard keeping moving, preventing Cardona from controlling successfully.
Bastard pulls Cardona in close to prevent any damage.
Bastard trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bastard has control of Cardona's left arm, preventing Cardona from doing any damage.

Bastard working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Cardona doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Cardona manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Cardona looking to sit in guard and control but Bastard gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Cardona working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bastard.
Bastard stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cardona swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cardona wants to stand up but Bastard is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Bastard's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Bastard trying to control but Cardona is working from the bottom.
Bastard throws a big right hand that misses.
Bastard cracks Cardona with a solid left hand.
Cardona keeping full guard, as Bastard tries to pass.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Calixto Cardona will probably get the nod.
That's time! Cardona's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Cardona dodges the punch combination from Bastard.
Cardona throws a nice head kick!
Bastard just misses with a punch to the body.
Bastard tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Bastard on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Bastard jabs at Cardona's body.
Bastard blocks the body kick.
Nice shot by Bastard.
Cardona swings for the body but Bastard moves out of range.
Bastard tests Cardona's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Cardona displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bastard throws out the jab.
Bastard misses with a wild body shot.
A slow jab from Bastard misses its intended target.
Bastard blocks a head kick by Cardona.
Nice straight punches there by Cardona. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Cardona.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bastard takes a swing at Cardona's ribcage but misses.
Cardona tries to clinch up.
Bastard takes one to the chin there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cardona throws a looping overhand right but Bastard ducks down to avoid it.
Bastard digs a good body shot into Cardona's ribs.
Cardona takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Bastard throws a body shot but no joy.
Cardona tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bastard swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Cardona fails in his attempt to clinch.
That kick from Cardona tenderised Bastard's leg. Bastard is trying to keep his angry face on.
Cardona moves out of range of the strikes.
Bastard moves out of range of the body kick.
Bastard throws a hook to the side of Cardona's head but Cardona sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Cardona darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Bastard swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Bastard decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Bastard is looking for a kimura here.
Bastard with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bastard trying to pass the guard but Cardona defending well.
Cardona tries to kick Bastard off but Bastard keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Bastard trying to pass the guard but Cardona defending well.
Bastard throwing shots but Cardona is blocking nicely.
Bastard scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Cardona is trying to stand.

Cardona has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Bastard is on him like a limpet, forcing Cardona back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bastard lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Cardona or not.
Cardona misses with a punch to the body.

Bastard gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Bastard seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Cardona does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Bastard missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Cardona is looking to escape.
Bastard throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Bastard controlling the pace.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Bastard throwing shots but Cardona is blocking nicely.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bastard digs a good body shot into Cardona's ribs.

Cardona clinches up against the cage.
Bastard throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Cardonas head.
A nice left hand lands by Cardona.
A shot in the inside from Bastard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bastard goes for a takedown in the clinch but Cardona prevents it.
Bastard misses with a punch to the body.

Cardona breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bastard stuns Cardona with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Cardona pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bastard lands with an overhand left.
Bastard throws a hook but Cardona blocks it.
Cardona thinks about countering with a head kick.
Bastard misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cardona.
Bastard takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Cardona misses with a right hand
and Bastard counters with a left to the body.
Nice cross by Cardona.

And that's the end of the fight!
Action Bastard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Bastard 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:29
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Action Bastard!
After winning the bout, Action Bastard thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.