PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Marko Kraljevic II (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Art Vandelay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Kraljevic II
vs
Vandelay

186 cm
18
179 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
22
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Marko Kraljevic II!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Art Vandelay!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Vandelay scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Vandelay tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Vandelay has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Kraljevic II tries to improve position but can't.
Vandelay tries to stand but Kraljevic II is controlling his head.
Kraljevic II can't do much from the bottom here.
Kraljevic II manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Vandelay wants to get back to his feet.

Vandelay is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Kraljevic II pulls his head out easily.
Vandelay trying to control from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Vandelay swinging wilding here.
Art Vandelay seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vandelay fails to land the takedown.
Vandelay lands a nice looking body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vandelay misses with a body kick.
Kraljevic II attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Vandelay dodges the punch combination from Kraljevic II.
Vandelay throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kraljevic II's waist but Kraljevic II gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Vandelay off to one side.
Kraljevic II gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Vandelay.
Vandelay keeps Kraljevic II at a distance using the push kick.

Kraljevic II drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Kraljevic II tries to score with some ground and pound. Vandelay controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Vandelay is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Vandelay looks gassed!
Kraljevic II is looking to take a break and control but Vandelay is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Kraljevic II is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Vandelay knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kraljevic II throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Vandelay really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kraljevic II. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kraljevic II is looking to take a break and control but Vandelay is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Kraljevic II goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Vandelay has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Kraljevic II but great work by Vandelay.

Vandelay thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Vandelay advances nicely into full mount.
Kraljevic II tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kraljevic II regains half guard.
Vandelay tries to stand and escape but Kraljevic II is controlling the position.
Kraljevic II is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kraljevic II moves into full guard.
Vandelay stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kraljevic II swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Vandelay advances to half guard.

Kraljevic II is defending against the submission attempts here by Vandelay.
Vandelay wants to stand up but Kraljevic II is controlling the position.

Vandelay is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Vandelay lands with a punch from half guard.

Vandelay is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kraljevic II defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kraljevic II tries to roll over but Vandelay keeps him under control.

Vandelay seems to be working for a kimura but Kraljevic II defends the submission attempt.
Kraljevic II regains full guard. Nicely done.

Vandelay stands up from Kraljevic II's guard - Vandelay perhaps looking for a knockout.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Kraljevic II crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Vandelay - the referee stops the clock and Kraljevic II gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Vandelay. Kraljevic II manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Vandelay lands a jab-cross combination.
Some wild striking there from Vandelay.

Vandelay closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Kraljevic II is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Vandelay's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Vandelay's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Art Vandelay dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Vandelay tries to bum rush Kraljevic II with a series of wild strikes but Kraljevic II uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Vandelay.
Kraljevic II with a poor takedown
and Vandelay counters with a nice uppercut.
Kraljevic II tries to clinch but Vandelay moves out of range.
Vandelay misses with a kick to the body.
Kraljevic II showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Vandelay.
Vandelay scoring well with a low kick there.
Vandelay misses with a jab, cross combination.
Vandelay with a nice cross.
Kraljevic II tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Vandelay gets the takedown into side control.
Vandelay working away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Vandelay decides to stand back up. Vandelay steps back and let's Kraljevic II get back to his feet.
Kraljevic II stuffs the takedown.
Vandelay fails with a takedown attempt.
Marko Kraljevic II has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Art Vandelay.
Vandelay lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vandelay misses with a combination

and Kraljevic II counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Vandelay looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kraljevic II is one step ahead there.
Art Vandelay has got the better of the ground game so far.

Vandelay working for a triangle but Kraljevic II defends it easily.
Vandelay is trying to keep Kraljevic II in close.

Vandelay working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kraljevic II doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kraljevic II manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kraljevic II trying to control the position from guard on top but Vandelay is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vandelay wants to sweep but no luck.
Vandelay is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Vandelay is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Vandelay is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A good leg kick by Vandelay.

Vandelay scores with a takedown into Kraljevic II's guard.
Vandelay content to stall in guard here.

Vandelay stands up and waves to Kraljevic II to follow him.
Left hook, right uppercut from Vandelay.
Marko Kraljevic II is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body kick from Vandelay.
Vandelay slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Vandelay throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Vandelay will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Vandelay scores with a jab to the head.

Vandelay drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Kraljevic II is not content to let Vandelay control the position.

Vandelay is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kraljevic II has escaped the position, nice work there.

Vandelay wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kraljevic II, who protects the arm well.
Kraljevic II gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vandelay trying to control the action but Kraljevic II is working from the bottom.
Vandelay works his way into side control.
Vandelay wants to stand but Kraljevic II has his arm trapped.
You can see the frustration on Kraljevic II's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kraljevic II manages to work his way to half guard, despite Vandelay's best efforts.
Kraljevic II wants to get back to full guard.

Vandelay is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Kraljevic II to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
Vandelay must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vandelay wants to control from the top but Kraljevic II keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Art Vandelay showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Vandelay throws a low kick, looking for Kraljevic II's leg but Kraljevic II calmly moves out of range.
Vandelay fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kraljevic II tries for a takedown but Vandelay circles away easily
and Vandelay counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Vandelay moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Kraljevic II looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Vandelay!
BOOM! Kraljevic II connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Vandelay is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Vandelay is working to get back to half guard.
Kraljevic II controlling the pace for now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kraljevic II can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Vandelay is looking to escape.
Vandelay tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kraljevic II looking to control but Vandelay is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kraljevic II lands a heavy elbow.
Vandelay is trying to escape the mount.
Kraljevic II fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Vandelay is looking to get to half guard.
Kraljevic II lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Vandelay hang on?
Vandelay is trying desperately to improve position.

Kraljevic II is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Vandelay has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Vandelay manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kraljevic II perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Kraljevic II is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Vandelay trying to hold on to Kraljevic II's head to control him but Kraljevic II postures up.

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

Vandelay looking for submissions off his back.
Kraljevic II is looking to advance position but Vandelay won't allow it.
Vandelay is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kraljevic II frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Kraljevic II moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Vandelay has worked his arm free - good work by Vandelay!
Vandelay pushes Kraljevic II away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Kraljevic II gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Vandelay manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Kraljevic II gets full guard.
Vandelay wants to control from the top but Kraljevic II keeps moving.
Vandelay trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Vandelay tries to stand but Kraljevic II is controlling from the bottom.

Kraljevic II had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Vandelay is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Kraljevic II Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Vandelay's back instead.
Kraljevic II throwing sloppy strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vandelay looking very determined here, making life difficult for Kraljevic II.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Kraljevic II wants to control but Vandelay is keeping busy.

Kraljevic II is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Vandelay defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Vandelay breaks Kraljevic II's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

Vandelay decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Kraljevic II shoots in and drives through. Vandelay sprawls well.
Nice sprawl there from Vandelay as Kraljevic II shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marko Kraljevic II. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vandelay fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Marko Kraljevic II has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vandelay looks frusrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marko Kraljevic II showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Vandelay 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Art Vandelay!