PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Artie DeVanzo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mats Söderlund (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

DeVanzo
vs
Söderlund

182 cm
21
181 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

185 cm
24
181 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Granite chin

Modern Wear Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Artie DeVanzo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mats Söderlund!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Paul Tew and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
DeVanzo's jab looks to have found its range, popping Söderlund under the eye.
Söderlund misses with a looping left.
DeVanzo waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Söderlund.
DeVanzo lands a nice shot to the body.
Söderlund misses with a right hand
and DeVanzo counters with a nice leg kick.
Söderlund throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
DeVanzo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Söderlund.
DeVanzo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Söderlund.
Söderlund looks to land a right hand but DeVanzo moved out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from DeVanzo.
DeVanzo scores with a nice head shot.
DeVanzo turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Söderlund misses with a right hand
and DeVanzo counters with a low kick, right behind Söderlund 's knee.
DeVanzo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Söderlund jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Söderlund misses with a body shot
and DeVanzo counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Söderlund looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Söderlund missing with a left hand there. DeVanzo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
DeVanzo connects with a high kick.

It looks like Mats Söderlund has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Söderlund keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
DeVanzo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Söderlund manages to avoid it.
Söderlund throws a shot from downtown. DeVanzo moves away and avoids it.
DeVanzo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Söderlund.
An inside leg kick lands from Söderlund.
Söderlund misses with a body shot.
Söderlund bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Söderlund blocks a head kick by DeVanzo.
DeVanzo scores with a hook to the body. Söderlund takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Söderlund scores with a sloppy right hand. DeVanzo should have avoided that one.
Söderlund misses with a right hand
and DeVanzo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
DeVanzo throws a leg kick which misses Söderlund's front leg but catches the back leg as Söderlund tries to avoid it.
We've been hearing reports that DeVanzo has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
DeVanzo thows a left - swing and a miss!
DeVanzo on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Söderlund throws a jab but it's blocked by DeVanzo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
DeVanzo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Söderlund.

Söderlund gets caught flat footed, as DeVanzo shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DeVanzo controlling from the top position.

Söderlund has an active guard here but DeVanzo has managed to pass into half guard.
DeVanzo thows a huge punch but Söderlund dodges it nicely.

Söderlund looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and DeVanzo pushes past his half guard into mount!
Söderlund bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Söderlund throwing strikes from guard but DeVanzo blocks nicely.
DeVanzo is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Söderlund throws a big right hand that misses.
DeVanzo trying to keep a closed guard but Söderlund is proving a slippery customer.
DeVanzo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Söderlund throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as DeVanzo works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Söderlund wants to get up but he can't break DeVanzo's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Söderlund throwing strikes from guard but DeVanzo blocks nicely.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Söderlund accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Söderlund missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Söderlund wants to stand but DeVanzo is controlling his posture from full guard.
DeVanzo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Söderlund.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Söderlund stopping the sweep attempt from DeVanzo.
DeVanzo manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Söderlund manages to get himself to full guard.

DeVanzo won't allow Söderlund to sweep him here.
Our spies down at at Black Widow Gym inform us that Söderlund has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Söderlund keeps trying to improve his position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Söderlund is on top in guard.

Söderlund advances to half guard.
Söderlund throwing shots but DeVanzo is blocking nicely.
DeVanzo won't allow Söderlund to pass to mount.
DeVanzo works his way to full guard. Good work.
Söderlund in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
DeVanzo has his hands on Söderlund's head, controlling the position.
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 Artie DeVanzo will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mats Söderlund's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A nice leg kick lands there from Söderlund.
DeVanzo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Söderlund.
DeVanzo checks a low kick from Söderlund.
Mats Söderlund seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
DeVanzo ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Söderlund moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Söderlund throws a wild body kick that DeVanzo sees coming a mile off.
Söderlund slips a jab and a cross from DeVanzo.
Söderlund attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Söderlund looks to throw the jab but DeVanzo is out of range.
DeVanzo gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Söderlund fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. DeVanzo looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Söderlund throws a shot to the body.
Söderlund connects with a looping right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Söderlund misses with a hook.
Some wild striking there from Söderlund.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Söderlund scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Söderlund thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mats Söderlund seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Söderlund throws a series of punches but DeVanzo avoids them all with ease.
Söderlund throws a leg kick that is checked
and DeVanzo counters with a right hand to the body.
DeVanzo is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
DeVanzo drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
DeVanzo scores with a jab to the body.
A jab lands there for DeVanzo.
Söderlund swings widly with a right hand
and DeVanzo makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
The fighters circling - Söderlund throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Söderlund slips under a jab from DeVanzo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Söderlund throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Söderlund avoids the head kick by DeVanzo.
Söderlund moves out of range of the body kick from DeVanzo.
Söderlund fakes high and swings low for a body shot but DeVanzo manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Söderlund does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
DeVanzo blocks a low kick nicely.
Söderlund misses with a hook
and DeVanzo counters with a straight right hand.
Söderlund takes a shot to the body in his stride.
DeVanzo connects with a solid leg kick.

DeVanzo throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Söderlund was covering up waiting for the punch and DeVanzo finishes the takedown easily into guard.
DeVanzo trying to control but Söderlund is working from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Söderlund is on top in guard.

Söderlund throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as DeVanzo works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Söderlund won't allow DeVanzo to sweep him here.
Söderlund loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Söderlund postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Söderlund throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as DeVanzo works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Söderlund is looking to work some ground and pound but DeVanzo has wrist control.
DeVanzo looking to hit a scissor sweep but Söderlund is one step ahead there.
DeVanzo preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now DeVanzo is on top in guard.

DeVanzo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Söderlund looking for a sweep. Not yet Söderlund, not yet.
Söderlund has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but DeVanzo has passed into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Söderlund tries to improve position but can't.
Söderlund is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Söderlund taking a bit of punishment here - DeVanzo scoring with strikes.
Check out the look on DeVanzo's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Söderlund is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Söderlund tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Söderlund manages to work his way to half guard, despite DeVanzo's best efforts.
Söderlund wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Artie DeVanzo will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mats Söderlund's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Söderlund throws a leg kick but DeVanzo moved away.
Söderlund throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Söderlund throws a jab when DeVanzo was well out of range.
Söderlund misses with a lunging right hand

and DeVanzo counters with a shoot takedown. Söderlund fights it but they end up in guard.
Söderlund is striking from the bottom but DeVanzo uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
DeVanzo prevents Söderlund from improving his position.
Söderlund regains full guard. Nicely done.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Söderlund striking off his back but it's not causing DeVanzo any problems.

Söderlund working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because DeVanzo has passed into half guard!

Söderlund actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DeVanzo lands with a punch from half guard.
Söderlund tries to roll over but DeVanzo keeps him under control.

Söderlund looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
DeVanzo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Söderlund keeps working.
Söderlund is trying to get back to full guard.
Söderlund is pressing down on DeVanzo's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
DeVanzo postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Söderlund is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst DeVanzo is controlling him.
DeVanzo's corner is telling him to maintain position.
DeVanzo stops Söderlund from standing up.

Söderlund is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
DeVanzo trying to control but Söderlund is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Mats Söderlund has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
DeVanzo defending well as Söderlund loads up on a big left hand.
DeVanzo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Söderlund misses with a right hand

so DeVanzo counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Artie DeVanzo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
DeVanzo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Söderlund is keeping the position for now.
DeVanzo lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Söderlund looking to hit a scissor sweep but DeVanzo is one step ahead there.
DeVanzo throwing strikes from guard but Söderlund blocks nicely.
Söderlund wants to hit a switch here but DeVanzo passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Söderlund there!
Söderlund throwing hammer fists to the chest of DeVanzo. What's that going to do exactly?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Söderlund tries to reverse the position but DeVanzo maintains control.
DeVanzo looking to control but Söderlund is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Söderlund is looking to get to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
DeVanzo landing shots from mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Artie DeVanzo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for DeVanzo, 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:28
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Artie DeVanzo!
Artie DeVanzo looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'Hey, are we done here? 'Cause I'm losing my buzz. '.