PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dave Sull (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roman Vilanova (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.

Sull
vs
Vilanova

179 cm
18
182 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
22
171 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

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 Hilo, Dave Sull!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Roman Vilanova!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sull throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Vilanova leaves Sull with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sull lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Vilanova takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Vilanova.
Sull is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Sull stops Vilanova from passing to mount.
Vilanova misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Vilanova cracks Sull with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vilanova working the ground and pound but Sull is defending the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sull is trying to get back to his feet.
Sull defending against the ground and pound.
Sull is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sull is breathing heavily.
Sull on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Vilanova has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Vilanova throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Sull works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Vilanova sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sull defending well though.
Vilanova is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Vilanova landing punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
BOOM! Vilanova connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Vilanova looking to finish Sull with some ground and pound. This is bad for Sull!
Vilanova misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Vilanova is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Sull can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Vilanova putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Vilanova with good strikes from the mount here!
Vilanova with shots to the head and body - Sull looks very uncomfortable down there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vilanova lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sull in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vilanova putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Vilanova working the ground and pound effectively.
Vilanova with shots to the head and body - Sull looks very uncomfortable down there.
Vilanova landing strikes, looking to finish!
A nice elbow there by Vilanova.
Vilanova lands a big elbow.
Vilanova looking to finish Sull with some ground and pound. This is bad for Sull!
Sull really wants to buck Vilanova off and get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vilanova working Sull over with strikes here.
Vilanova punishing his opponent with strikes.
A nice elbow there by Vilanova.
Vilanova lands a big elbow.
Vilanova raining down shots from the mount!
Sull holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Vilanova tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vilanova throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Vilanova looking to finish Sull with some ground and pound. This is bad for Sull!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roman Vilanova dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Sull misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sull shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Vilanova counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Vilanova.
Vilanova passes Sull's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Vilanova throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Sull wants to get back to his feet.
Vilanova lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Vilanova lands with a punch from half guard.
Vilanova looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sull pushes Vilanova off looking to stand but Vilanova dives back in and keeps control.
Vilanova thows a huge punch but Sull dodges it nicely.
Vilanova throwing shots but Sull is blocking nicely.
Sull keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Vilanova thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Vilanova uses his free foot to push down on Sull's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Sull.
You get the feeling that Sull really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Vilanova lands a nice shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Vilanova is landing with some decent strikes but Sull is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Vilanova lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
A nice elbow there by Vilanova.
Vilanova looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Vilanova looking to land elbow strikes but Sull uses the position to regain half guard.
Sull wants to get back to his feet.
Vilanova thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Sull to regain full guard.
Sull utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sull knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Vilanova on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vilanova is looking to work some ground and pound but Sull has wrist control.
Vilanova advances to half guard.
Sull keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Vilanova throws a strike but Sull avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Vilanova stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sull swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Vilanova is in close to Sull's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Vilanova wants to pass the guard but Sull is keeping the position.

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.
Vilanova trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Sull with a lazy takedown attempt

and Vilanova counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Vilanova slips nicely into half guard.
Sull avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Vilanova.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roman Vilanova showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Sull closes the distance looking to clinch

and Vilanova counters with a shoot takedown. Sull fights it but they end up in guard.
Vilanova throws a strike but Sull rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Vilanova utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Vilanova working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sull.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Vilanova has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Sull off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Vilanova shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vilanova looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Vilanova cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Vilanova throws a strike there. Sull manages to avoid it well and slips a leg under to get to half guard.
Vilanova not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Vilanova with the ground and pound but Sull uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Sull utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Vilanova in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Vilanova working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sull's head.
Vilanova postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sull avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sull working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Vilanova.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Sull throws a lazy head kick

and Vilanova counters with a takedown into side control.
Vilanova is trying to ground and pound but Sull uses the momentary lack of control by Vilanova to regain half guard.
Sull on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Sull tries to get out of the position.
Vilanova not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Vilanova throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sull wants to get back to his feet.
Vilanova takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Vilanova landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Sull regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Vilanova.
Vilanova trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Vilanova pushing down on Sull's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Vilanova thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sull's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Sull wants to get back to his feet.
Vilanova missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Vilanova throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Vilanova thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Sull to regain full guard.

Sull has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Vilanova off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Sull shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Vilanova counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vilanova throwing shots but Sull is blocking nicely.
Vilanova throwing shots but Sull is blocking nicely.
Dave Sull has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Roman Vilanova is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sull keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roman Vilanova comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Vilanova winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 27:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roman Vilanova!