PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Ellison (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leo Vieira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ellison comes to the cage accompanied by im bad. 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.

Ellison
vs
Vieira

191 cm
35
281 lbs
15 - 10 - 0

183 cm
34
194 lbs
17 - 22 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Antonio Ellison!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 22 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Leo Vieira!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Micheangelo Fripello and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Vieira decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Vieira has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Brick Brawlers MMA. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.

Vieira is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ellison sees it coming and defends easily.

Vieira is looking for a kimura here.
Ellison makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Ellison.
Ellison tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Ellison is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Ellison has his foot on Vieira's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Vieira works his way back into a safe position though.
Vieira preventing the sweep.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Vieira accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ellison keeping moving, preventing Vieira from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ellison had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Vieira defends it easily.
Vieira throws a big right hand that misses.
Vieira trying to control the position from guard on top but Ellison is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Vieira has gone for a leg lock! Ellison slips out almost immediately though and dives into Vieira's guard.

Ellison gets to his feet. Vieira looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vieira tries to keep at a distance but Ellison has taken the fight into the clinch.

Vieira lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Vieira is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ellison has managed to free his arm - good work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vieira tries to pass to full mount but Ellison defends it.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Ellison is defending against the submission attempts here by Vieira.
Ellison wants to improve his position but Vieira is controlling well.

Vieira is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ellison is just riding it out for now. Vieira eventually gives up the hold.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ellison is trying to get back to full guard.

Vieira is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ellison defends it well.

Vieira is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ellison is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Vieira's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Vieira's back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ellison thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.

Ellison looking to finish the fight with a rear naked choke. Vieira is controlling Ellison 's left arm and he spins nicely into guard.

Vieira drops back, looking for a kneebar! Ellison looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Ellison looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Ellison!
Sloppy strikes there by Ellison.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Ellison is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Vieira is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
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 Antonio Ellison will probably get the nod.
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.

Vieira fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Ellison to the ground. Vieira is now in Ellison's guard.
Vieira looking to sit in guard and control but Ellison gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Ellison is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Ellison throwing strikes from guard but Vieira blocks nicely.
Ellison wants to control from the top but Vieira keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ellison is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Ellison has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Vieira is proving hard to escape from.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Antonio Ellison.

Ellison gets the takedown into side control.
Ellison throws an elbow but Vieira slips to the side and avoids it well.
Vieira looks to move to half guard but instead Ellison has passed into mount! Damn!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ellison is standing up, even though he is in mount.

Vieira has Ellison up against the cage in a clinch.

Vieira has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Ellison is trying to keep an underhook but Vieira manages to get the takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vieira blocks the strikes from Ellison.
Ellison is trying to stand.

Ellison has one foot on Vieira's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Vieira shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Ellison napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Ellison gets back to half guard.

Vieira seems to be looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vieira is looking for a kimura here.

Vieira 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.
Vieira is stalling here. Ellison is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Vieira seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Ellison has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Ellison wants to control but Vieira is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ellison scoring with punches and elbows.

Ellison goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Vieira has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Ellison but great work by Vieira.
Ellison regains half guard.
Vieira moves into full mount! Ellison won't be happy about that!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Vieira looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Vieira goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Ellison is on top in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Ellison dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! 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.

Vieira tries a head kick but it misses.

Vieira feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Vieira drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Ellison manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Vieira has Ellison in his guard.

Ellison gets to his feet - Vieira follows without any prompting.

Vieira drives through with a takedown into Ellison's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Vieira is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Ellison is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Ellison has escaped and now he's on top!
Vieira keeping full guard, as Ellison tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ellison stays in close to Vieira's body and controls the position.
Ellison stopping the sweep attempt from Vieira.
Vieira is trying to control the position but Ellison postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ellison throws a strike but Vieira rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Antonio Ellison overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Vieira drops back, looking for a kneebar! Ellison looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Ellison looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Ellison!
Ellison wants to stand but Vieira has his arm trapped.

Ellison working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ellison is trying to get an arm triangle but Vieira is defending well.
Ellison lands a few punches from side control.
Antonio Ellison is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ellison wants to stand but Vieira is controlling his arm.
Vieira sneaks back into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ellison throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ellison landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Ellison is just content to waste time from the top position. Vieira takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Ellison trying to control the position from guard on top but Vieira is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vieira utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Leo Vieira has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Ellison decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Vieira, up you get!

And that's the end of the fight!
Antonio Ellison showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ellison, 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 Chris Saunders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Antonio Ellison!