PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Badong Vargas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stefan Leko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Vargas
vs
Leko

170 cm
19
140 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

187 cm
18
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Badong Vargas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Stefan Leko!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Hirohito Nitta and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Leko rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Vargas moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nice uppercut there from Vargas.
Leko lands a glancing blow to the side of Vargas's head.
Vargas keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Leko.
Vargas throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Leko's waist but Leko gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Vargas off to one side.
Vargas shoots in but no luck this time.
Vargas throws a combination that misses
and Leko counters with a good low kick that Vargas was not able to check.

Vargas is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Leko's half guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Leko tries to kick Vargas off but Vargas keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Vargas takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vargas not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Vargas thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Vargas lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Leko has hold of Vargas's hands but Vargas slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Leko really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Vargas. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Vargas throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leko has hold of Vargas's hands but Vargas slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Vargas working the head and body with strikes.
Vargas thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Vargas missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Vargas thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Leko's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vargas throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vargas missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Leko blocking the ground and pound attempt from Vargas.
Leko has hold of Vargas's hands but Vargas slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Vargas looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vargas looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leko wants to get back to his feet.
Leko blocking the ground and pound attempt from Vargas.
Vargas slips a nice elbow through Leko's hands, connecting with Leko's forehead.
Leko blocking the ground and pound attempt from Vargas.
Leko keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Vargas takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Leko blocking the ground and pound attempt from Vargas.
Vargas sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Leko defending well though.
Vargas lands strikes from half guard.
Vargas throwing shots but Leko is blocking nicely.
Vargas is nestled in close to Leko, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vargas working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Vargas working over Leko with some ground and pound. Leko looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Vargas lands a nice short elbow.
Leko keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Vargas has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Vargas missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Vargas scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Vargas throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Leko avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Vargas.
Nice strikes from Vargas there.
Leko taking some punishment here, with Vargas in his half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Vargas lands a nice short elbow.
Vargas sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Leko defending well though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vargas working the head and body with strikes.
Vargas missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Vargas lands strikes from half guard.
Vargas throwing shots but Leko is blocking nicely.
Vargas is nestled in close to Leko, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Leko has hold of Vargas's hands but Vargas slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Vargas takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Vargas postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Leko to stand up.
Vargas scores with a hook.
Leko slips under a jab from Vargas.
Vargas shoots in for a takedown but Leko shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Badong Vargas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vargas doesn't manage to clinch there - Leko circles away.
Stefan Leko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Leko misses with a few strikes there.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Vargas is defended easily by Leko.

Vargas has Leko up against the cage in a clinch.
Vargas tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Leko's elbow.
Vargas is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Leko gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Vargas keeps control of Leko as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Leko is trying to break free.
Leko is trying to force a seperation but Vargas has the dominant position.
Vargas drops down looking for an ankle pick but Leko pulls his leg out and moves away.
Vargas shoots in but no luck this time.

Vargas pushes Leko up against the cage in a clinch.
Leko scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Vargas goes for a takedown in the clinch but Leko prevents it.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Vargas wants a takedown.
Leko lands with a left to the head.
Leko has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Vargas tries to pull guard but Leko won't allow it.
Leko is looking to break free of the clinch but Vargas has double underhooks.
Leko looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Vargas breaks from the clinch.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Leko goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Vargas is defended easily by Leko.
Vargas misses with a double jab.
Leko scores with a jab. Vargas acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Vargas shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Vargas shoots in looking for a takedown. Leko tries to sprawl out of it but Vargas keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Leko manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Leko lands with an uppercut that bounces Vargas off the cage and back into rage.
Vargas tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Vargas drives through with a takedown into guard.
Vargas is looking to work some ground and pound but Leko has wrist control.
Vargas loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Leko utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Vargas loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Leko wants to get back to his feet but Vargas is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Vargas throwing strikes from guard but Leko blocks nicely.
Vargas working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Vargas content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Vargas throws a big right hand that misses.
Vargas is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vargas prevents Leko from getting back to his feet.
Vargas stands up over Leko, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Vargas is working Leko over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Leko avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Vargas thows a big elbow that misses.
Vargas scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Vargas content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Vargas postures up and lands a big shot to Leko's brow.
Vargas works over Leko with some ground and pound from guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Vargas accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Vargas keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Leko's head.
Vargas scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Vargas connects with a couple of short punches.
Leko working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Vargas.
Leko avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vargas content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Leko working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Vargas.
Vargas landing some decent shots from guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Badong Vargas dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Nice cross by Leko.
Vargas misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Vargas fails with a takedown attempt.
Leko is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Leko keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Badong Vargas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vargas takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Leko has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Leko lands with a slapping head kick.
Vargas shoots in looking for a takedown but Leko manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Vargas's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Vargas defending well as Leko loads up on a big left hand.
Vargas is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Leko can do to turn this around?
Leko throws a nice looking combination but Vargas bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Leko scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Leko lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leko defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Vargas.
Vargas tries to close the distance and clinch up but Leko swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Vargas fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Vargas tries a head kick but it misses.
Leko plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Vargas shoots in and drives through. Leko sprawls well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Vargas tries to close the distance and clinch up but Leko swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The fight stays on the outside here - Vargas looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Vargas.
Vargas shoots in for a double leg but Leko sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Vargas throws a wild body kick that Leko sees coming a mile off.
Badong Vargas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Leko circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Vargas with that takedown attempt.
Vargas is looking to clinch but Leko is avoiding it.
Vargas walks into a straight right hand from Leko.
Leko works the jab nicely.

Vargas drives through with a takedown into guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Vargas throws a big right hand that misses.
Vargas throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Leko works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Vargas won't allow Leko to get back to his feet.
Vargas postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Vargas thows a big elbow that misses.
Badong Vargas overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Vargas loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vargas lands a couple of digs.

Vargas stands up and waves to Leko to follow him.
Nice takedown defense from Leko. No joy for Vargas on that attempt.
Vargas is trying hard to land a takedown here. Leko sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Vargas fails in his attempt to clinch.
A lazy left from Leko finds it's target.
Leko might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Vargas tries to clinch but Leko moves out of range.

Vargas gets the takedown into side control.
Vargas lands an elbow.
The ground and pound from Vargas seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leko takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vargas grinds an elbow into Leko's temple.
Vargas landing a few strikes.
Vargas scores with a couple of short elbows.
Vargas connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Leko some visible discomfort.
Vargas is putting a hurting on Leko here, landing some big shots from side control.
Vargas working the ground and pound.
Vargas in side control lands a decent elbow.
Leko taking a bit of punishment here - Vargas scoring with strikes.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Vargas in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

Vargas decides to stand back up.
Leko bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Vargas's head.

Vargas clinches with his opponent.
Vargas works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A frustrated look appears on Leko's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Vargas fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Leko scores with a shoulder strike.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Vargas.
Vargas is working for takedown but Leko is calmly controlling the position for now.
Leko stops a takedown attempt from Vargas.
Vargas lands a nice shot to the body.
Leko lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Vargas has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Leko avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Leko tries to break the clinch but Vargas is controlling the position.
Leko lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Leko wants to break the clinch but can't.
Vargas has had enough of the clinch but Leko keeps him there for the moment.
Leko lands an uppercut.
Vargas tries to work over Leko's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Vargas tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Leko lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Leko tries to break free but Vargas pushes him back against the cage.
Vargas keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Leko's efforts to push away.
Leko wants to break free but Vargas has control.

Vargas successfully pulls guard.
Vargas is adopting a defensive guard.
Leko must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Badong Vargas wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Vargas tries to score a power double leg takedown but Leko sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Vargas somewhat.
Leko with a nice cross.
Leko lands a high kick!
Vargas avoids the head kick by Leko.
Leko misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Leko as Vargas shoots in.
Vargas misses with a straight left.
Vargas tries to clinch up but Leko circles away and keeps his distance.
Vargas throws a half hearted mid kick.
Leko stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Leko wants it to stay on the feet.
Leko misses with a series of wild punches.
Vargas wants to land a leg kick but Leko is out of range.
Vargas tries to clinch up.
Badong Vargas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Some wild striking there from Leko.
Leko fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Vargas on the side of the head.
Vargas shoots in and drives through. Leko sprawls well.
Leko keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Vargas tries to clinch but Leko is having none of it.
Stefan Leko seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Vargas shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Leko but Leko pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Vargas tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Leko manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Vargas misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Leko throws a right and a left that Vargas avoids nicely.
Vargas takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Horrible takedown by Vargas or perhaps it was just good defense by Leko which made him look bad.
Vargas doesn't manage to clinch there - Leko circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Leko connects with a leg kick. Vargas looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Vargas takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Stefan Leko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Badong Vargas is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Vargas fails to land the takedown.

And that's the end of the fight!
Badong Vargas showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Vargas has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Badong Vargas!
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Badong Vargas!
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight for Badong Vargas!

Badong Vargas wins by unanimous decision!