PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Craig David (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brandon Vandrax (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). David comes to the cage accompanied by Craig David - Rise and Fall. Craig David had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

David
vs
Vandrax

179 cm
29
203 lbs
13 - 15 - 0

185 cm
23
190 lbs
7 - 9 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Craig David!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Brandon Vandrax!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

David shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
David misses with a head shot. Vandrax uses the momentum to regain guard.
David lands a couple of decent looking shots.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
David postures up in Vandrax's guard and throws a big left but Vandrax blocks it.
David pushing down on Vandrax's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
David tries to pass to full mount but Vandrax defends it.
David is keen to just control but Vandrax is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
David seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Vandrax wants to get back to full guard.
David tries to pass the half guard into mount. Vandrax knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
David lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
David is figuring out what he wants to do next.
David landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
David is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
David not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

David is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Vandrax has managed to free his arm - good work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Vandrax is trying to defend against the ground and pound but David scores with a couple of nice shots.
Vandrax is staying active underneath David, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
David seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Vandrax on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
David lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Vandrax is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of David's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take David's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
David turns into Vandrax and is now in his guard.
David throws a strike but Vandrax rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

David is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Vandrax is aware though and is defending well.
David 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.

Vandrax got a little sloppy there for a moment and David has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Vandrax has managed to get both his arms back between David's legs - danger averted.
Vandrax advances position into side control!
David tries to improve position but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vandrax has knee on belly momentarily but David bucks him off and regains half guard.

David is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Vandrax pulls his head out easily.

Vandrax is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Vandrax is trying to work for a kimura but David is defending well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vandrax seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but David does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig David dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

David blocks a head kick by Vandrax.
Vandrax wants to clinch but David slips to the side

and David decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Vandrax's guard.
David throws a big right hand that misses.
David works a leg free and moves into half guard.
David wants to take a breather but Vandrax is having none of it.
Vandrax regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from David.
David keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Vandrax's head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
David is looking to work some ground and pound but Vandrax has wrist control.

David is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Vandrax is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Vandrax has escaped and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
David keeping moving, preventing Vandrax from controlling successfully.

Vandrax drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but David manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Vandrax has David in his guard.
Vandrax preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Vandrax avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
David trying to control but Vandrax is working from the bottom.
David postures up in Vandrax's guard and throws a big left but Vandrax blocks it.
David makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
David chips away with some ground and pound.
David landing with the ground and pound.
David postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
David lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
David trying to control the position from guard on top but Vandrax is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
David throws a big right hand that misses.
Vandrax wants to stand and escape but David is having none of it.
David tries to free his leg and advance position but Vandrax is retaining full guard.
David is in close to Vandrax's body, working some short punches and elbows.
David trying to control the position from guard on top but Vandrax is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as David accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
David's corner is telling him to maintain position.
David in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Vandrax looking for submissions from the bottom but instead David passes into side control.
Vandrax is breathing heavily.
David lands a few punches from side control.
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!

David is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Vandrax is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
David in side control lands a decent elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig David dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

David stuffs the takedown.
David avoids the head kick by Vandrax.
Vandrax looks to throw a body kick

so David counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
David stands up over Vandrax, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
David is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Vandrax can do to turn this around?
David trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
David postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
David postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
David stands up over Vandrax, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
David cracks Vandrax with a solid left hand.
Vandrax takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
David landing some decent shots from guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vandrax preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Vandrax utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
David throwing strikes but missing.
David scoring with some ground and pound.
David pushes down on Vandrax's leg and manages to get into half guard.
David drops an elbow to the side of Vandrax's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
David thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
David sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Vandrax defending well though.
Craig David overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
David with the ground and pound but Vandrax uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells David's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
David postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
David cracks Vandrax with a solid left hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as David accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
David passes Vandrax's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
David trying to mount his opponent but Vandrax defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
David throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Vandrax to regain full guard.
David scoring with some ground and pound.
David wants to control from the top but Vandrax keeps moving.
Vandrax avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
David scoring with punches to the head and body.
David trying to control the position from guard on top but Vandrax is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
David makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

David stands up from Vandrax's guard - David perhaps looking for a knockout.
Brandon Vandrax seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

David looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Brandon Vandrax has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
David distracts Vandrax with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
David throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
David working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Vandrax's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Craig David showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for David, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:26
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:26
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Craig David!
A relieved looking Craig David thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.