PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marko Versace (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Russell Bell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Versace comes to the cage accompanied by Sweep the Leg. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Versace
vs
Bell

180 cm
20
202 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

185 cm
23
218 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Combat Pro Formula

FUEL
Golden Lilium

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Marko Versace!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Russell Bell!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Vladimir Khabensky and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Versace throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Bell ducks under a wild hook from Versace.
Bell keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Versace.
Versace tries a head kick but it misses.
Versace jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Versace throws the left hand but Bell avoids the punch easily.
Bell moves out of range of the strikes.
Bell slips under a jab from Versace.
Versace swinging wilding here.
Versace ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bell moves away.
Versace lands a nice shot that snaps Bell's head back.
A combination from Versace does no damage.
Versace throws a series of punches but Bell moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head kick misses from Versace.
Bell slips under a jab from Versace.
Bell avoids the body shot from Versace.
Versace misses with a looping left.
Bell dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Versace. That did some damage!
Versace just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Versace waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Bell.
Versace throws a series of punches but Bell avoids them all with ease.
Marko Versace seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bell lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

Bell decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Versace won't allow Bell to pass to mount.
Versace tries to kick Bell off but Bell keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Versace is breathing heavily.
Versace is in trouble now - Bell has advanced to mount!
Bell looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Bell looking to control and managing it successfully.
Bell is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Bell is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Versace can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bell tries to control but Versace wriggling away.
Versace wants to get back to his feet.
Versace is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Versace is working hard here to advance position.
Versace tries to lock up and control but Bell gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Bell trying to control but Versace is having none of it.
Versace is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Versace is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Versace wants to hold on but Bell pushes him away.
Bell landing strikes from the mount.
Bell with shots to the head and body - Versace looks very uncomfortable down there.
Bell has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Versace's face.
Bell raining down shots from the mount!
Bell lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

Versace is rocked!
Versace wants to hold on but Bell pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Versace is squirming around, avoiding Bell's attempts to control the action.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Bell is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Versace is surviving well by controlling Bell's body position as best he can.
Bell with the ground and pound from mount.
Versace is bucking up trying to escape but Bell cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Bell prevents Versace from getting the reversal.
Bell fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

Bell has control of Versace's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Versace regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Bell punching from mount but Versace doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Bell avoids the attempt from Versace to control.
Bell tries to control but Versace wriggling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Versace is trying to stand but he's just given Bell his back.
Will Bell go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Versace holding both Bell 's hands and preventing any damage.

Bell looking for the RNC.
Versace controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Bell working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Russell Bell dominated that round.
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.

Bell moves away from the strike by Versace.
Versace misses with the combination.
Versace throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Versace throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Versace throws a lazy right hand but Bell sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Versace lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Versace lands the left hand.
Bell moves out of range of the strikes.
Nice body punch from Bell.
Versace tries a head kick but it misses.
Versace misses with a head kick.
Russell Bell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Versace pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bell lands a two punch combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Versace connects with the punch.
A chopping leg kick lands by Bell.
Versace throws a head kick that misses.
Versace misses with a double jab

and Bell decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Versace's guard.
Versace is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bell is controlling him.
Bell wants to control from the top but Versace keeps moving.
Versace working a defensive guard here.
Versace working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bell.
Bell postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bell throws a big right hand that misses.
Bell wants to control from the top but Versace keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bell moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

It looks like Marko Versace has been cut.
Versace throws a lazy head kick

and Bell counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Versace!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bell scores with a couple of good head shots there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Bell wants to finish this one by submission but Versace is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Bell.
Versace is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Versace tries to lock up and control but Bell gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Bell wants to take his opponent's back but Versace doesn't allow it.
Versace is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Bell sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

Bell is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Versace has managed to escape the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You get the feeling that Versace really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Versace is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Bell unloads with some shots from mount but Versace bucks and avoids them well.
Bell has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Versace wants to control but Bell is having none of it.
Versace in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Versace is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Versace defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Bell.
Bell throws some wild stikes that Versace manages to avoid easily.

Versace somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Versace thows a left - swing and a miss!
Versace looks to land a right hand but Bell moved out of range.
Versace loads up on a big right hand but Bell slips the punch.
Bell throws a leg kick which misses Versace's front leg but catches the back leg as Versace tries to avoid it.
Bell on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Bell slips under a jab from Versace.
Bell scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Versace misses with a straight left.
Bell throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Versace ducks right into an uppercut from Bell.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Versace throws out a loose jab but Bell uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bell connects with a looping right hand.
Marko Versace is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Versace throws a head kick that misses.
Versace missing with a left hand there. Bell was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Russell Bell showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Marko Versace's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Versace pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Versace falls off balance throwing a combination
and Bell counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Versace thinking.
Nice defenses there by Bell.
Versace misses with a combination
and Bell counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Versace looks to land a left hand but Bell moved out of range nicely.
Versace is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Versace swings away with a body shot that misses
and Bell counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Versace throws a head kick that misses

and Bell counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Bell tries to pass to full mount but Versace defends it.

Bell looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bell is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Bell connects with a nice short shot to Versace's temple.
Bell seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Versace does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Versace is defending against the submission attempts here by Bell.
Bell seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Versace does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Bell wants to pass to mount but Versace is defending the position.
Versace manages to get to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Versace wants to stand and escape but Bell is having none of it.
Bell trying to control the position from guard on top but Versace is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Versace pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Versace throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bell steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Versace.
Versace pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bell moves away from the strike by Versace.
Bell throws a head kick that Versace semi-blocks.
Versace throws a lazy right hand but Bell sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bell scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Versace throws the left hand but Bell avoids the punch easily.
Versace throws an overhand right that lands on Bell's shoulder, as Bell tries to avoid the shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Versace throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Good shot there by Bell.
Versace throws a sloppy head kick
and Bell counters with a right hand to the body.
Versace takes one to the chin there.
Versace throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jab from Bell.
Versace has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Versace there as he acknowledges the shot.
Versace takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A left lands for Bell.

Bell drives through and clinches with Versace against the cage.
A body shot lands from Bell.

Bell is trying to trip Versace. He has hold of a leg but Versace is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Bell persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Versace trying to keep a closed guard but Bell is proving a slippery customer.

Versace isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Bell stacks Versace on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Bell!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bell lands a few punches from side control.
Bell working away.
Bell tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Bell has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Bell is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Versace has escaped the position, nice work there.
Russell Bell has got the better of the ground game so far.
Versace wants to get back to his feet but Bell drags him back down.
Versace tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Bell wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
This fight is sponsored by Chainsaw 7. More blood and guts and stuff like that, in cinemas everywhere now!
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!
Versace is looking to reverse the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Russell Bell really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Marko Versace's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Bell lands the left hand.
Versace throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Versace is looking to chop away at Bell's legs.
Versace throws a head kick that misses
and Bell counters with a stiff right hand.
Bell slips under a jab.
Versace throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bell sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Versace throws a left and a right that both miss
and Bell makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Bell works over Versace's head and body with a nice combination.
Bell moves out of range of the strikes.
Versace on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Oh Versace is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Bell throws a nice outside leg kick.
Versace seems to have got his legs back now.
Bell moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Bell looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bell stops Versace from standing up.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bell trying to control but Versace is working from the bottom.
Bell stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Versace swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Versace is trying to control the position but Bell postures up.
Versace wants to control but Bell passes easily into half guard.
Bell is keen to just control but Versace is a slippery customer.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nice defenses there by Bell.
Versace loads up on a big right hand but Bell slips the punch.
Versace throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Bell counters with a stiff right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Bell lands a jab-cross combination.
Versace throws a lazy head kick

and Bell holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Versace creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Bell makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Bell has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Versace clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Bell is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Versace trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

Bell is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Versace is defending well though. Bell let's go of the attempt for now.
Versace looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

Bell patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Versace rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Versace makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Versace.
Versace trying to control the position.
Bell sitting in guard here, content to control.
Versace is trying to control the position but Bell postures up.

Versace working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bell doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bell manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Bell pushes down on Versace's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Versace is in trouble now - Bell has advanced to mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bell looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Bell throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Versace really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Versace is trying to reverse the position but instead Bell has taken his back - oops!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Bell looking for the choke from the back.
Versace breaks Bell's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Bell is trying to keep Versace in close.
Versace controlling from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Russell Bell dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Marko Versace's cut.
That's time! Versace's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Versace misses with a hook.
A big right from Versace misses.
A shot to the body from Versace misses
and Bell makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Bell displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Versace throws out the jab.
Bell uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Versace.
Versace misses with a body shot

and Bell counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Bell pushes down on Versace's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Versace is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Bell scores with a couple of nice shots.
Versace has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Bell is working away from the top position though.
Versace wants to get back to his feet.
Versace wants to stand back up but Bell manages to pass into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Versace takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Bell trying to control the position but Versace is working away.

Bell tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Versace tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Versace pushes Bell away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Bell gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Bell working the ground and pound.
Versace tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Bell wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Versace prevents Bell from improving position.
Bell misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Versace misses with a shot to the body
and Bell counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bell lands a two punch combo.
Versace throws a head kick that misses.
Versace throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Bell changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Versace looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Versace is looking for a sweep.
Versace is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Bell is controlling him well.
Versace tries to bench press Bell off him but Bell keeps the position.

Bell working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Versace is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bell tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Versace is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Bell's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Bell throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Bell is working for a kimura but Versace is defending it quite comfortably.

Bell is trying to work for a kimura but Versace is defending well.
Bell is thwarting Versace's attempts to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Versace is trying to stand up here but Bell is controlling him well.
Bell trying to control the action but Versace is working from the bottom.
Bell thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A slow jab from Versace misses its intended target.
Bell scores with a nice head shot.
Versace tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Versace swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A low kick from Versace misses
and Bell counters with a right hand to the body.
Bell steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Versace.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Versace crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Bell - the referee stops the clock and Versace gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Bell. Versace manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Marko Versace has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Versace has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

And that's the end of the fight!
Russell Bell comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bell has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 45:50
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 45:50
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Russell Bell!
Russell Bell is the new light heavyweight champion!