PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Roman Vitali (ranked 3644 p4p, 3291 weight class) and Elix Juarez (ranked 397 p4p, 360 weight class). Vitali comes to the cage accompanied by ULKENDER - Machenskii. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Vitali
vs
Juarez

180 cm
26
180
3 - 5 - 0

180 cm
26
170
4 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Powerful

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 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Roman Vitali!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Elix Juarez!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Santiago Holmes and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Vitali clinches.

Vitali successfully pulls guard.
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.
Juarez won't allow Vitali to sweep him here.
Vitali has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Vitali has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Vitali keeping moving, preventing Juarez from controlling successfully.

Juarez drops back looking for a leg! Vitali is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Vitali manages to kick Juarez off! Juarez jumps back into Vitali's guard.
Juarez trying to control the position from guard on top but Vitali is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Juarez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Juarez trying to control the position from guard on top but Vitali is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Juarez drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Juarez jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Juarez passes Vitali's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Juarez is working for a kimura but Vitali is defending it quite comfortably.
Juarez is keen to just control but Vitali is a slippery customer.
Juarez has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Freaky Fight Club. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.

That's two 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.

Vitali is defending against the submission attempts here by Juarez.
Vitali is doing well to control the position and prevent Juarez from advancing to side control.

Juarez is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Vitali to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Juarez trying to control but Vitali is working from the bottom.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Vitali holds on and takes a little breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Juarez controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Vitali darts in and clinches Juarez up against the cage.

Juarez gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Juarez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Vitali keeping moving, preventing Juarez from controlling successfully.
Juarez might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Vitali haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Vitali controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Juarez drops back looking for a leg! Vitali is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Vitali manages to kick Juarez off! Juarez jumps back into Vitali's guard.
Vitali knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Juarez on the ground.

Juarez has gone for a leg lock! Vitali slips out almost immediately though and dives into Juarez's guard.

Juarez had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Vitali defends it easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Juarez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Elix Juarez will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Vitali drives through and clinches with Juarez against the cage.

Vitali ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Vitali no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Juarez wants to control from the top but Vitali keeps moving.
Vitali looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Juarez puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Vitali is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Vitali won't allow Juarez to pass to mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

Juarez is trying to work for a kimura but Vitali is defending well.

Juarez is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Juarez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Vitali keeps working.
Vitali is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Vitali is working hard here to advance position.

Juarez is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Vitali is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Juarez is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Vitali is just riding it out for now. Juarez eventually gives up the hold.
Vitali is trying to control but can't.
Juarez prevents Vitali from improving his position.

Juarez is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Vitali is just riding it out for now. Juarez eventually gives up the hold.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Juarez is looking for a kimura here.
Juarez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Vitali keeps working.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Vitali takes the fight into the clinch.

Juarez has Vitali pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Juarez pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Vitali tumbling to the mat - Juarez dives into Vitali's guard.
Vitali looking for a sweep. Not yet Vitali, not yet.
Vitali managing to control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Vitali continues to stall.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Elix Juarez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Vitali closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Juarez's guard.
Juarez controls Vitali momentarily but Vitali frees himself.
Vitali lands a couple of digs.

Juarez is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Vitali is aware though and is defending well.
Vitali working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vitali looking to sit in guard and control but Juarez gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Vitali seems keen to control Juarez's posture.
Juarez passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vitali is positioning himself well to prevent Juarez advancing to mount.
Vitali on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Vitali tries to get out of the position.
Juarez is thwarting Vitali's attempts to control the position.
Vitali is holding on to half guard well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are battling for position here. Vitali manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Vitali is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Juarez is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Vitali is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Vitali has escaped and now he's on top!

Vitali keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Juarez's head.

Juarez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Vitali showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Juarez working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Vitali has passed into half guard!
Juarez is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Vitali scores with a couple of nice shots.
Vitali is taking a breather. Juarez says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Juarez looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Vitali is looking to stall here but Juarez recovers full guard.
Vitali wants to control from the top but Juarez keeps moving.

Vitali got a little sloppy there for a moment and Juarez has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Vitali has managed to get both his arms back between Juarez's legs - danger averted.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Vitali sitting in guard doing not very much at all here. Juarez doesn't need a second invitation though! He's locked up a guillotine and he's squeezing tight! That is tiiiiiiiiight! Vitali paying the price for stalling here - he's pushing hard on the arm trying to free himself but it's no use! He's tapped! WOW, quick submission from Juarez - great work!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Elix Juarez!