PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Scott Ian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cain Velasquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Ian
vs
Velasquez

195 cm
26
270 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

186 cm
25
254 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Scott Ian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Cain Velasquez!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ian misses with a hook
enabling Velasquez to counter with a crisp jab.
Velasquez lands a glancing blow to the side of Ian's head.
Ian takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Velasquez lands a nice looking body shot.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Velasquez, as that shot connected.
Ian on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Ian tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Velasquez scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ian doesn't seem bothered though.
Velasquez lands a jab to Ian's midsection.
Ian is breathing heavily.
Velasquez bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ian's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ian throws a head kick but Velasquez moves out of range.
Velasquez fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Ian with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Velasquez to score with a decent uppercut.
Velasquez shoots in for a takedown but Ian shows good takedown defense.
Velasquez scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Ian has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Velasquez finds it's way round the side to connect with Ian's head.
Velasquez bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ian's head.
Velasquez stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ian takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Scott Ian seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ian gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Velasquez scores with a hook.
Velasquez lands a jab to Ian's midsection.
Ian misses with a head kick.
Velasquez fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Ian looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Nice shot by Velasquez.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ian takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Velasquez lands a lovely overhand right.
Velasquez wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Velasquez is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ian sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ian walks into a straight right hand from Velasquez.
No luck for Velasquez with that takedown attempt.
Scott Ian has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cain Velasquez.
Velasquez comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Velasquez with a nice cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez shoots in but no luck this time.
Ian drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Velasquez throws a one two combo.
Nice shot by Velasquez.
Velasquez looks for a takedown but Ian sprawls well.

Velasquez clinches up with Ian and pushes him back against the cage.
Ian is pressed up against the cage. Velasquez has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Ian down to the mat. Ian avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Velasquez throws a good cross that connects.
Ian slaps away a takedown attempt from Velasquez, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ian drops his hands momentarily and Velasquez takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Velasquez blocks a head kick by Ian.
Ian is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Velasquez with a nice cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez fails with a takedown attempt.
Ian walks into a straight right hand from Velasquez.
Velasquez lands with a nice body punch.
Velasquez lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Velasquez.
Velasquez looks for a takedown but Ian sprawls well.
Ian gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
A shot to the liver by Velasquez. Beautiful body shot.
Scott Ian is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Velasquez shoots in for a double leg but Ian sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Velasquez lands with a nice body punch.
Velasquez scores with a hook to the body. Ian takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Velasquez dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez throws a wild body kick that Ian sees coming a mile off.
A jab from Velasquez finds it's way through Ian's defenses.
Nice body punch from Velasquez.
Velasquez scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Velasquez gets a clinch.
Ian stops a takedown attempt from Velasquez.
Velasquez drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ian pulls his leg out and moves away.
Velasquez throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Velasquez scores with the left hand. Ian knows he should have avoided that one.
Velasquez fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Velasquez lands a glancing blow to the side of Ian's head.
Velasquez connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cain Velasquez dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Velasquez cracks Ian with a right hand to the side of the head.
A jab from Velasquez finds it's way through Ian's defenses.
Ian walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Velasquez avoids the head kick by Ian.
Ian throws a head kick that misses.
A lazy left from Velasquez finds it's target.
Velasquez swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Ian.
Velasquez fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Ian looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Velasquez connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Ian blocks the body kick.
Velasquez lands with a shot to the body.
Ian stuffs the takedown attempt from Velasquez. Velasquez gets slowly back to his feet.
Velasquez shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ian as he avoids it easily.
Velasquez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Velasquez finds it's way through Ian's defenses.
Velasquez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Velasquez throws a leg kick but Ian moved away.
Nice takedown defense from Ian. No joy for Velasquez on that attempt.
Scott Ian has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cain Velasquez.
A left lands for Velasquez.
Ian takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Velasquez is defended easily by Ian.
Ian closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Ian takes one on the button.
Velasquez shoots in looking for a takedown but Ian manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Velasquez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Velasquez works the jab nicely.
Velasquez scores with a sloppy right hand. Ian should have avoided that one.
Velasquez lands with a straight right. Ian didn't see that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Ian on the side of the head.
Velasquez lands a nice shot that snaps Ian's head back.
Velasquez connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Velasquez connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Cain Velasquez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Velasquez fails with a takedown attempt.
Velasquez lands a head shot.
Ian has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Velasquez finds it's way round the side to connect with Ian's head.
Velasquez throws out a powerful jab.
Velasquez bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Ian's head backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A jab from Velasquez does it's job there.
A shot to the liver by Velasquez. Beautiful body shot.
Velasquez clobbers Ian with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Velasquez connects with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Velasquez scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Velasquez moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Velasquez misses with a takedown attempt - Ian sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ian takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Velasquez connects with a crisp jab.
The crowd cheers as Velasquez lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ian doesn't seem phased though.
Velasquez fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Ian looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Velasquez. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
A decent looking cross lands there for Velasquez.
Velasquez shoots in looking for a takedown but Ian manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Velasquez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Velasquez lands an overhand right.
Velasquez scores with a jab.
Ian walks into a straight right hand from Velasquez.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Velasquez connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Ian gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Good exchange - Velasquez coming out on top.

Velasquez darts in and clinches Ian up against the cage.
Velasquez is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ian gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Velasquez is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ian gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Ian gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Velasquez.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Velasquez dodges an elbow strike from Ian.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Velasquez has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ian is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Velasquez drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Velasquez avoids a wild elbow strike from Ian.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cain Velasquez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Velasquez tries for a takedown but Ian sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nice jab there from Velasquez.
Velasquez shoots for a takedown but Ian saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Velasquez checks a leg kick.
Velasquez blocks a head kick by Ian.
Velasquez slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Ian 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 shot to the liver by Velasquez. Beautiful body shot.
Jab by Velasquez.
Velasquez connects with a single shot there.
Ian tries a head kick but it misses.
Velasquez shoots in but Ian avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Scott Ian has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cain Velasquez.
Velasquez scores with a sloppy right hand. Ian should have avoided that one.
Velasquez slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ian is looking to clinch.
Velasquez goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Ian misses with a double jab
and Velasquez counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Velasquez lands a really nice looking cross but Ian seems unphased.
Ian takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Ian defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Velasquez.
Velasquez fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ian avoids it really well and circles away.
A decent looking cross lands there for Velasquez.
Ian takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Velasquez's corner calls for a 1-2. Velasquez obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Velasquez is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Cain Velasquez is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ian checks the leg kick nicely there.
Ian takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Velasquez lands a really nice looking cross but Ian seems unphased.
Velasquez connects with a nice looking jab.
Ian stuffs the takedown.
A lazy left from Velasquez finds it's target.
Ian takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Velasquez connects with the punch.
Velasquez scores with a sloppy right hand. Ian should have avoided that one.
Velasquez shoots in looking for a takedown but Ian manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Velasquez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Velasquez scores with a jab. Ian acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Ian throws a head kick but Velasquez moves out of range.
Velasquez fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ian has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Velasquez finds it's way round the side to connect with Ian's head.
Velasquez with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ian walks into a straight right hand from Velasquez.
Ian throws a head kick that misses.
Ian takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Velasquez forces Ian back against the cage and clinches.
Ian pushes off an throws an elbow but Velasquez leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Ian with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Velasquez wants a takedown.
Velasquez wants a takedown but no success here.
Velasquez has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ian is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Ian tries to land a knee to the head but Velasquez blocks with his arms.
Ian looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Velasquez dodges an elbow strike from Ian.
Ian misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ian wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ian using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Velasquez has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Ian.
Ian throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Ian with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Velasquez tries for a takedown but Ian manages to get underhooks.
Scott Ian has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Velasquez drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ian gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Ian throws a knee to the head but misses.
Ian lands an elbow inside.
Velasquez has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ian is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Velasquez blocks the elbow strike.
Ian with a knee to the head.
Ian throws an elbow that misses.
Ian gets underhooks to prevent Velasquez's takedown attempt.
Nice elbow from Ian.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cain Velasquez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Velasquez 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 26:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 26:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cain Velasquez!