PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Art Vandelay (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nino Pagnotto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pagnotto comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Very Ape - Nirvana kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Art Vandelay is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Vandelay
vs
Pagnotto

182 cm
22
170 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

171 cm
19
179 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Improved boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Elite Nutrition Supplements

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Art Vandelay!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Nino Pagnotto!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Bruno Hogan and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vandelay swinging wilding here.
Pagnotto takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Vandelay fails with a takedown attempt.
No joy there for Vandelay, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Vandelay throws a right hand that Pagnotto ducks under and follows up with a left that Pagnotto also avoids with ease.
Vandelay scores with a leg kick.
Vandelay closes this distance looking for a takedown but Pagnotto circles away.
Vandelay lands a high kick!
Pagnotto avoids the head kick by Vandelay.
Vandelay lands with a hook. Pagnotto tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A head kick misses from Vandelay.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pagnotto stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Vandelay.
Pagnotto stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Art Vandelay. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vandelay swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Vandelay rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Pagnotto moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Pagnotto throws a head kick that misses.
Vandelay lets loose with a powerful body kick. Pagnotto will feel that in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vandelay throws a one two combo.
Pagnotto stuffs the takedown.
Vandelay fails to land with a series of punches.
Vandelay will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Vandelay misses with a kick to the body.
Vandelay slips a jab and a cross from Pagnotto.
Vandelay scores with a nice body kick.
Vandelay throws a sloppy head kick and Pagnotto moves out of range easily.
Vandelay connects with a looping right hand.
Vandelay blocks the body kick.
Pagnotto tries to land a leg kick but Vandelay saw it coming and moves away.
Pagnotto moves in looking to clinch but Vandelay pushes him off.
Pagnotto misses with a hook.
Vandelay fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Vandelay scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

Pagnotto closes the distance and clinches.
Vandelay is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Pagnotto stalling in the clinch.
Vandelay is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Pagnotto misses with a knee strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vandelay wants a takedown.
Pagnotto is leaning against Vandelay and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Pagnotto trying to land knees to the body.

Vandelay pulls guard effortlessly.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pagnotto sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Pagnotto trying to control the position from guard on top but Vandelay is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Vandelay is looking for a triangle but Pagnotto pushes his legs off easily.
Pagnotto wants to pass the guard but Vandelay is keeping the position.
Pagnotto controlling from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pagnotto wants to control from the top but Vandelay keeps moving.
Pagnotto slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Vandelay is looking for a triangle but Pagnotto pushes his legs off easily.
Pagnotto is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Despite being in the dominant position, Nino Pagnotto just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Vandelay scores with a body shot.

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.
Vandelay lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Vandelay.
Left hook, right uppercut from Vandelay.
Art Vandelay seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vandelay throws a lazy head kick
and Pagnotto counters with an outside leg kick.
Vandelay is breathing heavily.
Vandelay with a lazy takedown attempt

and Pagnotto decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Vandelay's guard.
Pagnotto must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Pagnotto stopping the sweep attempt from Vandelay.
Pagnotto controls from within his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pagnotto stands and throws Vandelay's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Pagnotto is putting a hurting on Vandelay here, landing some big shots from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nino Pagnotto dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Vandelay gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Pagnotto makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Vandelay tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Art Vandelay is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Pagnotto closes the distance and clinches.
Pagnotto just leaning against Vandelay, taking a breather.
Vandelay fails to pull guard.
Vandelay is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Vandelay wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Pagnotto stalling in the clinch.
Vandelay tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Pagnotto just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Art Vandelay. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pagnotto lands a nice elbow.
Pagnotto content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Pagnotto lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Art Vandelay has been cut.
Pagnotto lands an elbow inside.

Pagnotto breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Pagnotto closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Vandelay to the mat! Vandelay manages to get full guard.
Pagnotto showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Vandelay trying to keep a closed guard but Pagnotto is proving a slippery customer.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pagnotto advances position into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pagnotto controls the position.

Pagnotto looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Pagnotto content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Vandelay is looking for a sweep.

That's two 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.
Vandelay regains half guard.
Vandelay pushes Pagnotto off looking to stand but Pagnotto dives back in and keeps control.
Pagnotto looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Pagnotto is keen to just control but Vandelay is a slippery customer.
Pagnotto looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Despite being in the dominant position, Nino Pagnotto just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Good leg kick by Pagnotto there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Pagnotto throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Vandelay misses with a jab, cross combination.
Pagnotto tries to clinch but Vandelay is having none of it.

Pagnotto moves into range and clinches up with Vandelay.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pagnotto is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
A short right from Pagnotto on the inside.

Pagnotto breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pagnotto is looking to clinch.
Vandelay rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Pagnotto moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Pagnotto with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Vandelay to score with a decent uppercut.
Vandelay misses with a takedown

and Pagnotto counters by moving into the clinch.
Pagnotto keeps control of Vandelay as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Vandelay goes for a takedown in the clinch but Pagnotto prevents it.

Pagnotto breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Vandelay is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Pagnotto throws a hook to the side of Vandelay's head but Vandelay sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Pagnotto tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Vandelay paws at him with a jab and circles away.
No joy there for Vandelay, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Vandelay shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Pagnotto counters with a shoot takedown. Vandelay fights it but they end up in guard.
Pagnotto controlling from the top position.
Vandelay lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Pagnotto!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vandelay takes his opponent's back. Perhaps a chance to lock up a rear naked choke here.

Vandelay is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Vandelay is not going to allow Pagnotto to sit and survive in this position.
Vandelay controlling well, preventing Pagnotto from escaping the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Vandelay looking for the RNC.
Vandelay wants to control but Pagnotto manages to buck him off and is now in Vandelay's guard! Nice work there by Pagnotto!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nino Pagnotto showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Art Vandelay's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Vandelay throws a combination that misses

so Pagnotto counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Pagnotto trying to control but Vandelay is working from the bottom.
Nino Pagnotto has got the better of the ground game so far.
Vandelay has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Pagnotto has passed into side control.
Pagnotto wants to lay and pray for a moment but Vandelay keeps working.
Vandelay sneaks back into half guard.
Vandelay is looking for a sweep. Pagnotto is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Pagnotto is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Vandelay wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vandelay manages to get to full guard.
Pagnotto stops Vandelay from standing up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pagnotto advances to half guard.
Vandelay trying to control from the bottom.
Pagnotto lands strikes from half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Vandelay tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Pagnotto not doing much here.
Vandelay is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Pagnotto jumps into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pagnotto landing strikes.
Pagnotto wants to lay and pray for a moment but Vandelay keeps working.
Pagnotto has knee on belly and moves into mount.

Pagnotto is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Vandelay is surviving well by controlling Pagnotto's body position as best he can.
Pagnotto takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Let's hope that Pagnotto has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Pagnotto can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Vandelay is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vandelay can't escape the position.
Pagnotto lands a big elbow.
Pagnotto controlling from the full mount.
Vandelay really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Vandelay is working hard here to advance position.
Pagnotto controlling the position easily from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Despite being in the dominant position, Nino Pagnotto just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Pagnotto tries to clinch but Vandelay is having none of it.
Vandelay with a lazy takedown attempt
and Pagnotto counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Vandelay wants to get back to striking at distance but Pagnotto won't allow it.
Pagnotto connects with a nasty looking knee right to Vandelay's face.
Pagnotto lands an elbow just above Vandelay 's eye.
Pagnotto gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Vandelay.
Pagnotto will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Vandelay up against the cage.
Vandelay drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Art Vandelay. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pagnotto keeps control of Vandelay as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nino Pagnotto really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Art Vandelay's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Pagnotto avoids a punch combination nicely.
Pagnotto throws a right and a left that both miss.
Vandelay throws a right hand that Pagnotto ducks under and follows up with a left that Pagnotto also avoids with ease.
Pagnotto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Pagnotto looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Vandelay striking off his back, scoring a few points.
Vandelay wants to stand up but Pagnotto is controlling him.
Pagnotto trying to control the position from guard on top but Vandelay is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Vandelay has an active guard here but Pagnotto has managed to pass into half guard.
Vandelay is looking to get back to is feet but Pagnotto passes into side control.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pagnotto in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Pagnotto wants to lay and pray for a moment but Vandelay keeps working.
Pagnotto remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

Pagnotto wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Vandelay, who protects the arm well.
Vandelay regains half guard.
Pagnotto is taking a breather. Vandelay 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.
Pagnotto looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's two 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.
Pagnotto throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Pagnotto passes into side control, despite Vandelay's attempt to control the position.
Pagnotto takes a little break here. Vandelay wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Vandelay manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Vandelay is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Pagnotto's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Pagnotto's back!
Vandelay avoiding Pagnotto 's attempts to control his hands.
Vandelay wants to control but Pagnotto is keeping busy.

Pagnotto defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pagnotto is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Vandelay gets his way!

Vandelay is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Pagnotto has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Vandelay has the hooks in. Pagnotto is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Vandelay has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Vandelay is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Pagnotto is defending well though. Vandelay let's go of the attempt for now.
Pagnotto trying to get back to his feet but Vandelay is in full control for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vandelay working for a choke but Pagnotto is defending well.
Pagnotto rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Vandelay trying to pass the guard but Pagnotto defending well.
Vandelay is looking to take a break and control but Pagnotto is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are battling for position here. Pagnotto manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Art Vandelay will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Art Vandelay's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Vandelay with a lazy takedown attempt
and Pagnotto counters with a nice uppercut.
Pagnotto connects with a solid leg kick.
Pagnotto takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Vandelay lands a jab-cross combination.
Vandelay misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Pagnotto is looking to clinch.
Vandelay walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Pagnotto checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Vandelay throws a series of punches but Pagnotto moves out of range.
Vandelay looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Vandelay doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Pagnotto counters by moving into the clinch.
Vandelay tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Pagnotto smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Art Vandelay. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vandelay throws a nice looking combination but Pagnotto bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Vandelay takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Vandelay goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
A right-left combo lands from Vandelay.
Vandelay goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Vandelay goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vandelay circles away from the clinch attempt.
Vandelay misses with a takedown attempt

and Pagnotto counters by moving into the clinch.

Pagnotto breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pagnotto checks the leg kick nicely there.
Vandelay connects with a high kick.
Pagnotto moves out of range of the body kick.
Vandelay throws a right and a left that both miss.
Vandelay thows a body kick. Pagnotto tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Vandelay throws a right hand that Pagnotto ducks under and follows up with a left that Pagnotto also avoids with ease.
Vandelay shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Pagnotto holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Pagnotto takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Pagnotto manages to pull guard.
Pagnotto is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Vandelay wants to control from the top but Pagnotto keeps moving.
Vandelay stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Pagnotto swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vandelay will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Vandelay stands up from Pagnotto's guard - Vandelay perhaps looking for a knockout.
Vandelay shoots and misses

and Pagnotto counters by clinching up.
Vandelay tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Pagnotto smiles and moves away.
Pagnotto looking to land some kicks to the body here.
No joy there for Vandelay, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Vandelay throws a right hand that Pagnotto ducks under and follows up with a left that Pagnotto also avoids with ease.
Pagnotto throws a low kick, looking for Vandelay's leg but Vandelay calmly moves out of range.
Vandelay circles away from the clinch attempt.

Vandelay scores a takedown into full mount!
Pagnotto avoids a series of strikes thrown by Vandelay.
Vandelay looking to control but Pagnotto is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pagnotto slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Pagnotto tries to get to full guard but Vandelay has control of the leg.
Vandelay looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Vandelay is working for a kimura but Pagnotto is defending it quite comfortably.
The fighters are battling for position here. Pagnotto manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Vandelay drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Pagnotto manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Vandelay has Pagnotto in his guard.
Vandelay looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vandelay keeping moving, preventing Pagnotto from controlling successfully.

Vandelay looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Pagnotto has picked Vandelay up and slammed him! Vandelay can't keep hold of the triangle and Pagnotto manages to pass to side control!
Pagnotto prevents Vandelay from escaping the position.
Vandelay is trying to work for a sweep but Pagnotto has mounted him!
Vandelay can't escape the position.
Pagnotto content just to control the position here.
Art Vandelay has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vandelay really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Pagnotto controlling from the full mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nino Pagnotto comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Pagnotto has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 46:49
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 46:49
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nino Pagnotto!
Nino Pagnotto is the new welterweight champion!