PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Deja Vu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lope Bonafacio (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.

Vu
vs
Bonafacio

180 cm
19
210 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

180 cm
29
195 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ultimate Fighting Gear
Valhalla Q160 Nutrition

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Deja Vu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Lope Bonafacio!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Shirou Masuda and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vu swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bonafacio takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Bonafacio swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bonafacio is trying hard to land a takedown here. Vu sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Bonafacio is looking to chop away at Vu's legs.
Bonafacio throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Vu sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bonafacio swings for the body but Vu moves out of range.
Bonafacio tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Vu was well out of range. Poor timing from Bonafacio.
Good work by Vu as he checks the leg kick.
The fighters circling - Vu throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Vu misses with a low kick.
Vu looks to throw the jab but Bonafacio is out of range.

Bonafacio drives through with a takedown into Vu's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Bonafacio throwing strikes from guard but Vu blocks nicely.
Vu manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Bonafacio can't escape the position.
Vu could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vu has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Bonafacio's face.
Vu with good strikes from the mount here!
Bonafacio wants to hold on but Vu pushes him away.
Vu lands a big shot there that rocks Bonafacio but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

Vu has hold of Bonafacio's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Bonafacio manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Vu blocks Bonafacio's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Bonafacio is trying desperately to improve position.
Vu lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vu in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Vu trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Vu is really struggling to control Bonafacio but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Bonafacio is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bonafacio sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Vu thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Bonafacio's head.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Vu lands a nice short elbow.
Vu is trying to control. Bonafacio wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Vu tries to pass to full mount but Bonafacio defends it.
Vu trying to control from half guard but Bonafacio is working away.
Bonafacio keeping control of the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bonafacio misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Bonafacio misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Vu thows a huge punch but Bonafacio dodges it nicely.
Bonafacio manages to get to full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bonafacio is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bonafacio throws a big right hand that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vu trying to control the position.
Bonafacio scoring with some ground and pound.
Bonafacio slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Vu takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Vu tries to bench press Bonafacio off him but Bonafacio keeps the position.
Vu prevents Bonafacio from moving into mount.
Vu tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Vu is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Bonafacio's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Vu is pressing down on Bonafacio's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vu looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bonafacio is one step ahead there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vu preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Vu is trying to control the position from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bonafacio accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bonafacio accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bonafacio throws a big right hand that misses.
Vu is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Vu 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.
Bonafacio trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bonafacio postures up in Vu's guard and throws a big left but Vu blocks it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bonafacio throws a big elbow that misses.
Bonafacio throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bonafacio throws an elbow that misses. Vu uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bonafacio's guard. Nice move by Vu!
Bonafacio trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Deja Vu will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bonafacio misses with a body shot.
Bonafacio looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Lope Bonafacio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bonafacio throws a leg kick that misses.
Bonafacio swings away with a body shot that misses
and Vu counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Bonafacio thinking.
Vu misses with a head kick.
Vu checks a leg kick.
Bonafacio looks to score with a jab to the body but Vu is just out of range.
Bonafacio misses with a body shot.
Bonafacio fails to land the takedown.
Bonafacio looks to score with a jab to the body but Vu is just out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Vu. Bonafacio does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bonafacio just misses with a punch to the body.
Vu misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vu uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bonafacio.
Bonafacio misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vu.
Vu throws a nice looking combination but Bonafacio bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Vu swinging wildly here.
Bonafacio takes a swing at Vu's ribcage but misses.
Bonafacio misses with a looping left.
Bonafacio misses with a wild body shot.

Bonafacio fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Vu sprawls well initially but Bonafacio persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Bonafacio missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bonafacio is thwarting Vu's attempts to control the position.
Vu is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bonafacio thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Vu is pressing down on Bonafacio's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Bonafacio throwing strikes from guard but Vu blocks nicely.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Bonafacio working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Vu wants to stand up but Bonafacio is controlling him.
Bonafacio advances to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vu is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Bonafacio scores with a couple of nice shots.
Bonafacio thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Vu trying to control but Bonafacio postures up.
Vu is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Bonafacio's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Bonafacio's back!
Vu lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Bonafacio hold on?!
Bonafacio turns into Vu and is now in his guard.
Bonafacio distracts Vu with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Bonafacio wants to control from the top but Vu keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bonafacio won't allow Vu to get back to his feet.
Bonafacio throwing strikes but missing.
Bonafacio scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Bonafacio stopping the sweep attempt from Vu.
Bonafacio wants to control from the top but Vu keeps moving.
Vu preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bonafacio stopping the sweep attempt from Vu.
Bonafacio trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bonafacio content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Vu not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vu escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bonafacio gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Bonafacio won't allow Vu to sweep him here.
Bonafacio is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Bonafacio throws a big right hand that misses.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Bonafacio. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bonafacio loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bonafacio working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Vu looking for a guillotine here but Bonafacio defends easily.
Lope Bonafacio has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bonafacio throws a big elbow that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bonafacio wants to control from the top but Vu keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lope Bonafacio showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Vu fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Bonafacio closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Bonafacio lands in his opponent's guard.
Vu is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Bonafacio looking to sit in guard and control but Vu gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Bonafacio throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Bonafacio trying to strike off his back.
Vu cracks Bonafacio with a solid left hand.
Bonafacio throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Vu is in close to Bonafacio's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Bonafacio really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Vu. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Bonafacio looking to control.
Vu throwing strikes from guard but Bonafacio blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bonafacio tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bonafacio is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Bonafacio can't keep his opponent in guard - Vu advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Vu sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bonafacio defending well though.
Bonafacio manages to get to full guard.
Vu lands a couple of elbows.

Vu thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Vu trying to control but Bonafacio is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bonafacio working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Vu.
Vu throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bonafacio works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bonafacio 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.
Vu wants to control from the top but Bonafacio keeps moving.
Vu throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bonafacio works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bonafacio trying to keep a closed guard but Vu is proving a slippery customer.
Bonafacio keeping moving, preventing Vu from controlling successfully.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bonafacio is trying to control the position but Vu postures up.
Bonafacio trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Bonafacio punching to the body, from the bottom.
Vu pushes down on Bonafacio's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vu lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Vu throwing shots but Bonafacio is blocking nicely.
Bonafacio is on the bottom, trying to hold on to half guard. He's throwing a few small shots here, to keep his opponent honest.
Bonafacio is pressing down on Vu's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Vu wants to control from the top but Bonafacio keeps moving.
Bonafacio thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Vu with a nice head shot there.
Bonafacio tries to strike from the bottom.
Bonafacio trying to strike off his back.
Bonafacio trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Vu stands up over Bonafacio, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bonafacio keeping full guard, as Vu tries to pass.
Vu preventing the sweep.
Bonafacio utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bonafacio looking to control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bonafacio 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.
Vu controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Vu postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Bonafacio striking off his back but it's not causing Vu any problems.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bonafacio 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.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Bonafacio can do anything to dispel that myth.
Vu postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bonafacio wants to sweep but no luck.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Deja Vu.
I think Vu 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Deja Vu!