PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Vince Bartone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hercule Poirot (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bartone comes to the cage accompanied by Toto Cotugno - L'italiano. Poirot has chosen Poirot Theme as his entrance music. Vince Bartone has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Bartone
vs
Poirot

182 cm
22
160 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

167 cm
27
162 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Good low kicks
Powerful

GMMA Reyn`s Laundering(156!!)
GMMA Reyn`s Laundering(156!!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vince Bartone!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hercule Poirot!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Ren Mimura and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Poirot motions for Bartone to come forward. Poirot throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Poirot throws a body kick that misses.
Poirot stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Poirot wants it to stay on the feet.
Poirot throws a push kick but Bartone slaps the foot to one side.
Bartone lands with a shot to the body.

Bartone shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Poirot is trying to defend but Bartone finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Bartone prevents Poirot from improving his position.

Bartone is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Bartone looks to land a strike but Poirot avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

Poirot is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Bartone is aware though and is defending well.
Bartone scoring with punches to the head and body.
Poirot preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bartone has gone for a leg lock! Poirot slips out almost immediately though and dives into Bartone's guard.
Poirot pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bartone is keeping the position for now.

Bartone looking for a guillotine here but Poirot defends easily.
Poirot pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bartone is keeping the position for now.
Bartone looking to hit a scissor sweep but Poirot is one step ahead there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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.
Poirot trying to control but Bartone is working from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.

Bartone is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Poirot stays in close to Bartone's body and controls the position.
Bartone bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Poirot's guard.
Poirot avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bartone stopping the sweep attempt from Poirot.
Bartone scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bartone with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bartone throws and elbow that misses. Poirot uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bartone's guard. Nice move by Poirot!

Bartone isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Poirot stacks Bartone on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Poirot!
Poirot trying to control the action but Bartone is working from the bottom.
Bartone is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Bartone manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Bartone throws a strike but Poirot avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Bartone is looking to work some ground and pound but Poirot has wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bartone in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bartone landing some decent shots from guard.
Bartone in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bartone throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Poirot works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bartone has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Bartone throwing strikes but missing.
Bartone wants to control from the top but Poirot keeps moving.
Poirot preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vince Bartone dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Bartone dives in and grabs Poirot's left leg, looking for a takedown. Poirot pushes down on Bartone's head and hops out.
Bartone shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Poirot pinned against the cage. Poirot gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bartone moves out of range as Poirot throws a body kick.
Bartone shoots in and drives through. Poirot sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vince Bartone. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bartone looks to land a combination. Poirot sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Poirot throws a head kick that misses.
Bartone chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Poirot can pounce on him.
Poirot throws a half hearted mid kick.
Vince Bartone seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Poirot pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bartone will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Bartone fails with a takedown attempt.
Bartone shoots in looking for a takedown but Poirot manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Bartone's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Bartone is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Poirot's half guard.
Bartone will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Poirot is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Bartone's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Bartone's back!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bartone rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Bartone is refusing to be controlled, as Poirot sits in half guard.
Bartone wants to improve his position but Poirot is controlling well.
Poirot trying to pass the guard but Bartone defending well.
Bartone gets full guard.
Bartone working a defensive guard here.

Bartone looking for a guillotine here but Poirot defends easily.

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.
Poirot slips nicely into half guard.
Bartone is looking for a sweep. Poirot is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Poirot is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Poirot controlling the pace for now.
Bartone prevents Poirot from taking his back.
Bartone tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Bartone looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
You can see the frustration on Bartone's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bartone showing good submission defense here.
Poirot tries to get the hooks in deep but Bartone pushed the leg off.
Bartone wants to escape the position.
Poirot doesn't have the hooks in and Bartone manages to turn into his guard.
Poirot trying to keep a closed guard but Bartone is proving a slippery customer.
Poirot might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Bartone kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Bartone throwing strikes from guard but Poirot blocks nicely.
Bartone being controlled here momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Poirot utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Poirot bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bartone's guard.

Bartone working for submissions but it's allowed Poirot to get to half guard.
Bartone has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Poirot is working away from the top position though.
Poirot passes the guard and advances to mount!
Vince Bartone overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bartone doing his best to control the position. Can he escape?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hercule Poirot 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!

Bartone fails with a takedown attempt.
Bartone shoots in for a takedown but Poirot shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Bartone decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Bartone missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Bartone missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Poirot slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Bartone throws a strike but Poirot rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Poirot trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bartone is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Bartone wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poirot trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bartone is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Poirot wants to control from the top but Bartone keeps moving.

Bartone working for a triangle but Poirot defends it easily.
Bartone lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Poirot!

Bartone moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Poirot has worked his arm free - good work by Poirot!

Bartone working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Poirot is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Bartone off and has taken his back!
Bartone is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Bartone is working hard here to advance position.
Bartone wants to control his opponent's hands but Poirot gets his hands free.
Bartone breaks Poirot's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

Bartone drops back, looking for a kneebar! Poirot looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Poirot looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Poirot!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bartone is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poirot wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bartone keeps working.
Bartone regains half guard.
Bartone is looking for a sweep. Poirot is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Poirot frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

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.
Bartone is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Poirot looking to control but Bartone is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Bartone tries to hold on but Poirot pushes him away.
Bartone is desperately trying to improve his position but Poirot has a good base and remains in mount.
Poirot controlling from the full mount.
Bartone is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, Poirot has taken his back.
Poirot trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Bartone doesn't escape.

Poirot working for the choke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bartone shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Poirot manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Bartone throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Poirot bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bartone's guard.
Bartone is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Bartone is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Poirot is aware though and is defending well.
Bartone wants to sweep but no luck.
Bartone controlling Poirot's posture.
Poirot wants to control from the top but Bartone keeps moving.
Poirot advances position into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bartone tries to improve position but can't.
Poirot works to advance to full mount. Bartone defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Poirot wants to take his opponent's back but Bartone doesn't allow it.
Poirot trying to control but Bartone is having none of it.
Bartone looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Poirot is trying to stick to Bartone's back but Bartone is turning into Poirot. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Poirot's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Bartone.
Bartone postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

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.
Bartone postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bartone trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Poirot manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Bartone manages to get himself to full guard.
Bartone is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Poirot looking to pass the guard.
Bartone keeping moving, preventing Poirot from controlling successfully.
Bartone manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Bartone lands a nice shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bartone with shots to the head and body - Poirot looks very uncomfortable down there.
Bartone lands a heavy elbow.
Bartone working Poirot over with strikes here.

Bartone goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Poirot turns into him and now he's in Bartone's guard.
Bartone wants to sweep here but Poirot controlling him for the moment.
Poirot trying to control but Bartone is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bartone working a defensive guard here.
Poirot tries to free his leg and advance position but Bartone is retaining full guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Bartone looking to hit a scissor sweep but Poirot is one step ahead there.
Poirot stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bartone swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Poirot pushes down on Bartone's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Bartone is refusing to be controlled, as Poirot sits in half guard.
Bartone gets full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vince Bartone had his way with Hercule Poirot in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Bartone fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Poirot avoids it really well and circles away.
Bartone tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Poirot swivels and escapes.
Bartone fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vince Bartone. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bartone fails with the takedown.
Poirot lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Poirot pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Poirot looks for the body kick but Bartone saw that one coming.
Poirot misses with a body kick.
Poirot tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bartone fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
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.
Bartone takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Bartone fails with a takedown attempt.
Hercule Poirot is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Poirot tries to land a front kick but Bartone steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poirot looking to land some kicks to the body here.

Poirot is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Bartone's half guard.

Bartone looking for submissions off his back.
Poirot has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Bartone prevents Poirot from taking his back.
Bartone tries to hold on but Poirot postures up.
Poirot is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Bartone is in real trouble.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bartone breaks Poirot's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Bartone with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bartone in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bartone trying to control the position from guard on top but Poirot is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bartone loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bartone content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Bartone thows a big elbow that misses.
Bartone throws a strike but Poirot rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Poirot sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poirot slips nicely into half guard.
Poirot wants to take a breather but Bartone is having none of it.
Bartone moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Bartone controls Poirot momentarily but Poirot frees himself.
Poirot trying to control the position from guard on top but Bartone is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bartone not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bartone is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Poirot is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Poirot got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bartone has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Poirot has managed to get both his arms back between Bartone's legs - danger averted.
Bartone wants to sweep but no luck.
Bartone is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Bartone looking to hit a scissor sweep but Poirot is one step ahead there.
Poirot tries to free his leg and advance position but Bartone is retaining full guard.
Bartone working a defensive guard here.

Bartone has an active guard here but Poirot has managed to pass into half guard.
Bartone is refusing to be controlled, as Poirot sits in half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hercule Poirot comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Poirot 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 47:48
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 47:48
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hercule Poirot!
Hercule Poirot is the new lightweight champion!