PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bob Backlund (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leo Vieira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bob Backlund could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Leo Vieira's chin.

Backlund
vs
Vieira

189 cm
26
197 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

183 cm
37
194 lbs
18 - 28 - 1

Great wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Bad Man Clothing (Nothing Over $40)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Bob Backlund!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 28 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Leo Vieira!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Chris Saunders and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Backlund fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Vieira is out of range.
Backlund throws a head kick that misses.
Vieira defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Backlund.
Backlund throws a sloppy head kick and Vieira moves out of range easily.
Backlund misses with a leg kick

and Vieira counters with a shoot takedown. Backlund fights it but they end up in guard.
Backlund lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Vieira utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Backlund throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Backlund throwing strikes but missing.
Backlund wants to pass the guard but Vieira is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Backlund stands and throws Vieira's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Vieira sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Backlund is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Vieira sees it coming and defends easily.
Backlund is pressing down on Vieira's thigh, looking to free his foot. Vieira is holding on for now.
Backlund is working hard here to advance position.
Vieira blocking the ground and pound attempt from Backlund.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vieira trying to control here.
Backlund trying to advance position but Vieira counters by regaining guard.
Vieira preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Backlund passes Vieira's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Backlund is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Vieira wants to improve his position but Backlund is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backlund throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Backlund seems to be working for a kimura but Vieira defends the submission attempt.
Vieira is looking for a sweep. Backlund is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Backlund with the ground and pound but Vieira uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Vieira wants to sweep but no luck.

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.
Backlund slips nicely into half guard.
Vieira is looking for a sweep. Backlund is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Backlund works his foot free and advances to mount.
Vieira can't escape the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Backlund moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Vieira has worked his arm free - good work by Vieira!
Backlund tries to advance to mount but Vieira denies him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Backlund dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Backlund throws a head kick that misses.
Backlund throws a head kick but Vieira moves out of range.

Backlund shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Vieira's guard.
Backlund is looking to pass into half guard but Vieira pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Vieira is in guard.

A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Vieira accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

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

We've been hearing good reports from Backlund's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Vieira really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Backlund. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Backlund wants to pass the guard but Vieira is keeping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Backlund throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vieira utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Backlund stopping the sweep attempt from Vieira.
Vieira preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Backlund postures up.
Vieira is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Backlund passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Backlund misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

Backlund wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Vieira, who protects the arm well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Backlund tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Backlund has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Backlund is trying to get an arm triangle but Vieira is defending well.

Backlund working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Backlund passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Vieira!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backlund scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Vieira?

Backlund goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Vieira is on top in guard.
Backlund keeping moving, preventing Vieira from controlling successfully.

Vieira is posturing up here but Backlund has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Vieira tries to roll out but it's too tight and Vieira has to tap! Slick submission there by Backlund!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Bob Backlund!
Bob Backlund bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.