PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Vrajesh Ponnaganti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brian Fantana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fantana has chosen You! Me! Dancing! as his entrance music. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Ponnaganti
vs
Fantana

171 cm
23
156 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

168 cm
25
153 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vrajesh Ponnaganti!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Brian Fantana!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Franklyn Lucas and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Ponnaganti looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Fantana walks forward, straight into a front kick from Ponnaganti.
Ponnaganti is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Fantana throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ponnaganti throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Ponnaganti misses with a body shot.
Ponnaganti throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Vrajesh Ponnaganti seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fantana blocks a low kick nicely.
Fantana avoids a kick to the body.
Ponnaganti is looking to clinch.
Ponnaganti throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Fantana throws an overhand right that lands on Ponnaganti's shoulder, as Ponnaganti tries to avoid the shot.
Ponnaganti throws a shot from downtown. Fantana moves away and avoids it.
Ponnaganti looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Fantana connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Fantana looks to land a combination. Ponnaganti sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Ponnaganti misses with a head kick.
Ponnaganti misses the jab.
Ponnaganti scoring well with a low kick there.
Ponnaganti scores with a crisp jab that stopped Fantana in his tracks.
Fantana swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fantana needs to keep his hands up - Ponnaganti had a free shot at his head there.
Ponnaganti thows a body shot but no joy.
Fantana changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Fantana ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ponnaganti moves away.
Ponnaganti delivers a nice body kick.
Fantana lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Ponnaganti avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Fantana scores with a sloppy right hand. Ponnaganti should have avoided that one.
Ponnaganti throws a jab when Fantana was well out of range.
Ponnaganti misses with a shot to the body
and Ponnaganti takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Ponnaganti is rocked!
Fantana blocks a head kick by Ponnaganti.
Oh Ponnaganti is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Fantana misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ponnaganti.
Ponnaganti seems to have got his legs back now.
Ponnaganti misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Fantana misses with an uppercut. Ponnaganti saw that one coming.
Fantana moves out of range of the body kick.

Fantana drops Ponnaganti with a beautiful combination! Ponnaganti stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Fantana is looking for the KO!

It looks like Vrajesh Ponnaganti has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fantana scores with a shot to the body.
Ponnaganti is breathing heavily.
Fantana displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ponnaganti.
Fantana throws a body punch but Ponnaganti moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ponnaganti throws a low kick but it's checked well by Fantana.

Fantana catches Ponnaganti napping and connects with a big right hand that sends Ponnaganti to the canvas!
Fantana trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Fantana 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.
Ponnaganti trying to control the position.
Fantana lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Ponnaganti trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Fantana keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ponnaganti's head.
Ponnaganti looking for a sweep. Not yet Ponnaganti, not yet.
Fantana keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ponnaganti's head.
Fantana scoring with punches to the head and body.
Ponnaganti is trying to keep Fantana in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fantana with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ponnaganti keeping moving, preventing Fantana from controlling successfully.
Fantana tries to free his leg and advance position but Ponnaganti is retaining full guard.
Ponnaganti is controlling Fantana's posture.
Ponnaganti working a defensive guard here.
Fantana pushing down on Ponnaganti's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Fantana scoring with strikes to the body and head.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Fantana is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ponnaganti defends it well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fantana sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ponnaganti defending well though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Fantana throws a strike but Ponnaganti avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Fantana controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Ponnaganti trying to keep a closed guard but Fantana is proving a slippery customer.
Ponnaganti has Fantana pulled in close to control his posture.
Fantana scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Fantana passes Ponnaganti's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Ponnaganti works his way to full guard. Good work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fantana postures up and lands a big shot to Ponnaganti's brow.
Fantana postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Fantana dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Vrajesh Ponnaganti's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Fantana fails to land the takedown.
Fantana with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ponnaganti misses with a wild body shot.
Ponnaganti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fantana.
Fantana misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ponnaganti.
Fantana ducks under a wild hook from Ponnaganti.
Fantana throws a right hand that Ponnaganti ducks under and follows up with a left that Ponnaganti also avoids with ease.
Fantana slaps away a takedown attempt from Ponnaganti, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Fantana defending well as Ponnaganti loads up on a big left hand.
Brian Fantana seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The crowd cheers as Ponnaganti lands an impressive looking overhand right. Fantana doesn't seem phased though.
Fantana fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fantana looks to score with a jab to the body but Ponnaganti is just out of range.
Fantana comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Fantana looks to score with a jab to the body but Ponnaganti is just out of range.
Ponnaganti takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A big right from Fantana misses.
Ponnaganti ducks under a wild hook from Fantana.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fantana digs a good body shot into Ponnaganti's ribs.
Fantana is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Ponnaganti rather than just go for the knockout.
Fantana thows a body shot but no joy.
Fantana scores with a hook.
Good work by Fantana as he checks the leg kick.
Fantana fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ponnaganti manages to avoid it.
Ponnaganti takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Fantana throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fantana fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ponnaganti avoids it really well and circles away.
Ponnaganti tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ponnaganti throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Ponnaganti looks to land a right hand but Fantana moved out of range.
Fantana swings for the body but Ponnaganti moves out of range.
Ponnaganti lands a right hook to the body.
Ponnaganti takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Fantana waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ponnaganti.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantana throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ponnaganti.
Ponnaganti looks to score with a jab to the body but Fantana is just out of range.
Ponnaganti misses with a looping right.
Fantana swings for the body but Ponnaganti moves out of range.
Fantana swings for the body but Ponnaganti moves out of range.
Ponnaganti cracks the inside of Fantana's front leg.
Ponnaganti lands a nice shot to the body.
Ponnaganti jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Fantana punishes Ponnaganti's body with a nice straight punch.
Fantana shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ponnaganti but Ponnaganti pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Vrajesh Ponnaganti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brian Fantana.
Fantana connects with a body shot.
Fantana connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fantana swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Fantana shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Ponnaganti's guard.
Ponnaganti looking for a sweep. Not yet Ponnaganti, not yet.
Ponnaganti looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fantana pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ponnaganti is keeping the position for now.
Ponnaganti is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ponnaganti trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Fantana wants to control from the top but Ponnaganti keeps moving.
Fantana lands a couple of digs.
Ponnaganti keeping full guard, as Fantana tries to pass.
Fantana has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Fantana misses with a few strikes there.
Fantana jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Fantana throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ponnaganti takes a swing at Fantana's ribcage but misses.

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.

Fantana changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ponnaganti looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Ponnaganti tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Check out the look on Fantana's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
You can see the frustration on Ponnaganti's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fantana trying to control the action but Ponnaganti is working from the bottom.
Ponnaganti is looking for a sweep.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fantana wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ponnaganti keeps working.
Fantana is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Fantana showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Vrajesh Ponnaganti's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ponnaganti connects with a right hand. Fantana shakes it off.
Fantana uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ponnaganti.
Fantana connects with a looping right hand.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Fantana is defended easily by Ponnaganti.
Ponnaganti lands a head kick!
Fantana blocks a head kick by Ponnaganti.
Fantana swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Fantana takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Fantana misses with a wild combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice sprawl there from Ponnaganti as Fantana shoots in.
Fantana takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fantana steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ponnaganti.
Ponnaganti misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ponnaganti slips a jab and a cross from Fantana.
Ponnaganti ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fantana rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ponnaganti moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Fantana misses the jab.
Ponnaganti looks to clinch
and Fantana counters with a straight right hand.
A shot to the body from Fantana misses
and Ponnaganti counters with a low kick, right behind Fantana 's knee.
Fantana misses the shot to the body.

Fantana shoots in and bounces Ponnaganti off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Fantana wants to control from the top but Ponnaganti keeps moving.
Ponnaganti avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ponnaganti trying to control the position.
Ponnaganti is controlling Fantana's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantana wants to pass the guard but Ponnaganti is keeping the position.
Fantana throwing strikes from guard but Ponnaganti blocks nicely.
Fantana throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ponnaganti bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Fantana's guard.
Fantana avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ponnaganti postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Fantana looking to control.
Fantana tries to strike from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ponnaganti accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ponnaganti trying to control the position from guard on top but Fantana is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ponnaganti working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Fantana's head.
Ponnaganti postures up and lands a big shot to Fantana's brow.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Fantana scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Fantana is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ponnaganti.

Ponnaganti moves into range and clinches up with Fantana.
Fantana trying to control the position but instead, Ponnaganti has worked for underhooks and has pushed Fantana into the cage.
Ponnaganti putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Fantana in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Fantana softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ponnaganti's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ponnaganti unloads a knee to the mid-section.

Fantana breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ponnaganti takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Fantana looks to land a right hand but Ponnaganti moved out of range.
Ponnaganti gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Ponnaganti throws a sloppy head kick and Fantana moves out of range easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ponnaganti slips a jab from Fantana.
Fantana misses with a two punch combination.
Ponnaganti wants to clinch
and Fantana counters with a stiff right hand.
Fantana lands a nice hook to Ponnaganti's body. Ponnaganti takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ponnaganti showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Fantana.
Fantana wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Ponnaganti attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Fantana changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ponnaganti tries to avoid it but Fantana manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ponnaganti to the ground. Ponnaganti escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Vrajesh Ponnaganti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brian Fantana.
Fantana connects with a right hand. Ponnaganti shakes it off.
A head kick misses from Ponnaganti.
Fantana misses the shot to the body.
Ponnaganti takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ponnaganti takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Ponnaganti throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Fantana really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Vrajesh Ponnaganti's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Fantana displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ponnaganti throws out the jab.
Ponnaganti tries a head kick but it misses.
Fantana thuds a left hand into Ponnaganti's body.
Ponnaganti tries to bum rush Fantana with a series of wild strikes but Fantana uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ponnaganti avoids the body shot from Fantana.
Fantana scores with a jab.
Ponnaganti slips under a jab from Fantana.
Fantana lands a right hook to the body.
Fantana will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ponnaganti swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Fantana counters with a left to the body.
Fantana lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Fantana connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Fantana throws a right and a left that Ponnaganti avoids nicely.
Fantana looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Ponnaganti throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ponnaganti throws a lazy head kick
and Fantana counters with a right hand to the body.
Fantana scores with a nice head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fantana ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Some wild striking there from Fantana.
Fantana has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fantana scores with a three punch combo!
Ponnaganti misses the shot to the body.
Ponnaganti misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fantana.
Fantana ducks under a wild hook from Ponnaganti.
Ponnaganti tries a head kick but it misses.
Ponnaganti is looking to score with low kicks.
Fantana misses with a wild body shot.
Ponnaganti looks to clinch
enabling Fantana to counter with a crisp jab.
Left hook, right uppercut from Fantana.
Fantana avoids the head kick by Ponnaganti.
Ponnaganti feints and then cracks Fantana's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Fantana down.
Fantana scores with a shot to the body.
Fantana connects with a looping right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Fantana, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ponnaganti wants to clinch but Fantana slips to the side
and Fantana counters with a left to the body.
A shot to de liver by Fantana. Beautiful body shot.
Fantana throws a body punch but Ponnaganti moves out of range.
Ponnaganti fails with the takedown
and Fantana counters with a left to the body.
Fantana misses with a takedown attempt - Ponnaganti sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Fantana on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ponnaganti. Ponnaganti obviously looking to wear him down.

Ponnaganti rushes Fantana and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ponnaganti blocks a body shot from Fantana.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Fantana.
Ponnaganti displaying some good clinch control by pressing Fantana up against the cage.
Ponnaganti takes a shot to the head.
Fantana on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Fantana pushes Ponnaganti back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Ponnaganti can't find room to land a body shot as Fantana controls the action.
Ponnaganti being controlled against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Fantana - that landed with a thud.
Ponnaganti looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
A body shot lands from Fantana.
Fantana blocks an uppercut.
Ponnaganti tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Fantana working hard to break the clinch.

Fantana breaks from the clinch.

Fantana gets a takedown into half guard.
Ponnaganti is trying to control but Fantana passes into side control!
Ponnaganti tries to contro but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
Fantana controlling his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantana working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Fantana tries to control but Ponnaganti wriggling away.
Ponnaganti is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Fantana in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

Fantana working from mount. He moves in close and looks like he might be going for an arm triangle... He's hopped off to the side and he's transitioned into an Anaconda choke. Ponnaganti turning a nasty shade of purple. He's refusing to tap but he's gone! He's out! The ref rips Fantana off and cradles Ponnaganti's limp body as Fantana celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:54 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Anaconda Choke). Brian Fantana!
Brian Fantana is the new featherweight champion!