PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Byson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Vatali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Mike Byson has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Byson
vs
Vatali

180 cm
27
214 lbs
20 - 10 - 0

188 cm
30
210 lbs
25 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Charlie Wang's Tattered Rags & 95% Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mike Byson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joe Vatali!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Byson lands with a cross.

It looks like Joe Vatali has been cut.
Byson throws a big shot that misses.
Vatali fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

Vatali drives through with a takedown into guard.
Vatali throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Vatali postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Vatali wants to control from the top but Byson keeps moving.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Byson is looking to stand up but Vatali isn't so interested in that idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vatali loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Byson knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Vatali on the ground.
Byson is looking to stand up but Vatali isn't so interested in that idea.
Vatali in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Byson wants to get back to his feet but Vatali is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vatali working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Byson is looking to stand up but Vatali isn't so interested in that idea.
Byson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Vatali stops Byson from standing up.
Vatali postures up in Byson's guard and throws a big left but Byson blocks it.
Vatali has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Vatali cracks Byson with a solid left hand.
Vatali trying to control the position from guard on top but Byson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vatali with a flurry of punches that miss.
Vatali prevents Byson from getting back to his feet.
Vatali postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Vatali landing some decent shots from guard.
Byson is looking to stand up but Vatali isn't so interested in that idea.
Vatali slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Vatali lands a nice forearm strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Byson is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Vatali asserts his dominance and retains side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vatali wants to lay and pray for a moment but Byson keeps working.
Vatali in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Byson is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Byson is working to avoid the ground and pound but Vatali connects with a decent elbow.
Byson is pushing Vatali's head away, looking to escape. Vatali manages to hold on to the position though.
Byson takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Byson wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Vatali throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Vatali landing a few strikes.
Vatali tries to score with some ground and pound. Byson controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Byson is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Vatali is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vatali tries to score with some ground and pound. Byson controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Byson is pushing Vatali's head away, looking to escape. Vatali manages to hold on to the position though.
Vatali trying to control the action but Byson is working from the bottom.
Byson is working to avoid the ground and pound but Vatali connects with a decent elbow.
Byson takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Vatali is chipping away with strikes.
Vatali wants to control but Byson is keeping him busy.
Byson is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Vatali lands an elbow.
Byson wants to get back to his feet.
Vatali scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Byson to see if he's OK.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Byson defending against the ground and pound.
Byson on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vatali is chipping away with strikes.
Byson is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Byson is looking to get back to his feet here but Vatali is keeping cool and he's managed to take Byson's back.
Vatali lands strikes to the head.
Vatali just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Vatali lands shots from the back.
Vatali is punishing Byson with some ground and pound.
Byson has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Vatali scores with punches from the back.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vatali scores with punches and elbows.
Vatali loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Byson hold on?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Vatali dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joe Vatali's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Byson misses with a wild body shot.
Byson lands a jab.
A swing and a miss from Byson.
Byson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Vatali sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Vatali keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Byson.
Byson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Vatali avoids a punch combination nicely.
Byson gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Vatali connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Byson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Vatali connects with a body shot that sends Byson's belly button to the back.
Vatali cracks Byson with an open hand slap.
Vatali scores with a hook to the body. Byson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
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!
Nice defenses there by Vatali.
Byson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Vatali sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Byson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vatali.
Vatali bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Byson's head.
Byson scores with a jab.
Vatali takes one to the side of the head.
Byson throws a nice looking combination but Vatali bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mike Byson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Vatali throws out a loose jab but Byson uses good head movement to avoid it.

Vatali shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Vatali prevents Byson from standing back up.
Vatali sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Byson defending well though.
Byson is trying to stand up here but Vatali is controlling him well.
Vatali tries to pass the half guard into mount. Byson knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Vatali trying to control from half guard but Byson is working away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vatali working over Byson with some ground and pound. Byson looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Vatali prevents Byson from standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Byson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Vatali scores with a couple of nice shots.
Byson pushes Vatali off looking to stand but Vatali dives back in and keeps control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Byson is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Vatali scores with a couple of nice shots.
Vatali looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Vatali wants to free his trapped foot but Byson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Vatali missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Byson is trying to stand.
Vatali not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Vatali not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Vatali lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Byson is trying to stand up here but Vatali is controlling him well.
Vatali takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Byson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Vatali.
Vatali stalling.
Vatali prevents Byson from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vatali trying to control from half guard but Byson is working away.
Byson wants to get back to his feet.
Vatali seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Byson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Vatali working the head and body with strikes.
Vatali thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Vatali is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Vatali is nestled in close to Byson, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Byson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Vatali is looking to take a break and control but Byson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Byson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Vatali working over Byson with some ground and pound. Byson looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Byson tries to kick Vatali off but Vatali keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Vatali missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Byson wants to get back to his feet.
Joe Vatali has got the better of the ground game so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vatali wants to control but Byson is keeping him busy.
Vatali missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Vatali winds up and cracks Byson with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Byson wants to get back to his feet.
Vatali throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Vatali scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Vatali scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Well, if Vatali is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Vatali prevents Byson from standing back up.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vatali not doing much here.
Vatali thows a huge punch but Byson dodges it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Vatali showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Joe Vatali's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Byson sizes up Vatali with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Vatali shoots in for a takedown but Byson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Vatali fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Byson manages to avoid it.
Nice uppercut there from Byson.
Byson throws a big shot that misses.
Mike Byson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Byson paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Vatali shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Byson as he avoids it easily.
Byson throws an overhand right that lands on Vatali's shoulder, as Vatali tries to avoid the shot.
Vatali connects with a single shot there.
Mike Byson is winning the standup battle so far.
A chopping leg kick lands by Vatali.

Vatali closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vatali performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Byson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Vatali.
Byson tries to kick Vatali off but Vatali keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Vatali lands a nice short elbow.
Vatali takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Vatali is looking to take a break and control but Byson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Byson is trying to stand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Vatali wants to control but Byson is keeping him busy.
Vatali perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Byson wants to get back to his feet.
Vatali working Byson over with strikes.
Vatali is trying to control. Byson wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Byson is trying to stand back up but Vatali is controlling him
Vatali wants to control but Byson is keeping him busy.
Vatali drops an elbow to the side of Byson's head.
Byson is trying to stand back up but Vatali is controlling him
Vatali scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vatali thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Byson's head.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Vatali lands a nice short elbow.
Mike Byson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Joe Vatali is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Byson wants to get back to his feet.
Vatali slows the pace down in half guard.
Byson pushes Vatali off looking to stand but Vatali dives back in and keeps control.
Vatali keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Joe Vatali has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Vatali jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Vatali staying out of range there.
Byson needs to keep his hands up - Vatali had a free shot at his head there.
Byson just misses with a punch to the body.
Vatali tests Byson's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vatali slips under a jab from Byson.
Vatali jabs Byson right on the nose. Byson blinks but takes it well.
Byson scores with a one two! Vatali had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

That has opened up Joe Vatali's cut even more.
Byson shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Byson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Byson throws a series of punches but Vatali avoids them all with ease.
Byson is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Byson throws out a powerful jab.
Vatali moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Byson ducks right into an uppercut from Vatali.

Byson gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Vatali to score an easy takedown into full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vatali showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vatali prevents Byson from getting back to his feet.
Vatali is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Joe Vatali was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Vatali shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Byson's guard.
Vatali sitting in guard here, content to control.
Byson keeping full guard, as Vatali tries to pass.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vatali stops Byson from standing up.
Vatali slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Vatali comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Vatali 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Vatali!