PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rastum Hendo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Israel Vazquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hendo
vs
Vazquez

180 cm
23
155 lbs
3 - 6 - 0

167 cm
25
153 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rastum Hendo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Israel Vazquez!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Alexandre Firmino and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vazquez scores with a nice head shot.

It looks like Rastum Hendo has been cut.
Hendo dives in for a single leg takedown but Vazquez sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.

Hendo drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hendo throws a big elbow that misses.
Vazquez wants to stand up but Hendo is controlling him.
Vazquez keeping moving, preventing Hendo from controlling successfully.
Vazquez throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Vazquez wants to stand but Hendo is controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vazquez trying to strike off his back.
Vazquez is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Hendo stands and throws Vazquez's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vazquez taking a bit of punishment here - Hendo scoring with strikes.
Hendo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Vazquez keeps working.
Hendo tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Hendo is looking to take a break and control but Vazquez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Vazquez tries to bench press Hendo off him but Hendo keeps the position.
Hendo wants to control but Vazquez is keeping him busy.
Vazquez is trying to get back to his feet.

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.
Hendo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Vazquez keeps working.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Vazquez shoots in but Hendo avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Hendo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Hendo darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Vazquez tries to roll over but Hendo keeps him under control.
Vazquez is still trying to improve position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hendo wants to take a breather but Vazquez is having none of it.
Hendo keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Hendo wants to take a breather but Vazquez is having none of it.
Vazquez is looking to improve his position.
Hendo tries to pass the half guard into mount. Vazquez knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Vazquez wants to control but Hendo is keeping busy and won't allow it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Vazquez looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hendo misses with a takedown attempt
and Vazquez counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Vazquez shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hendo sprawls well. Hendo wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Vazquez gets slowly back to his feet.
Rastum Hendo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Israel Vazquez.
Hendo throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Hendo shoots in for a takedown but Vazquez shows good takedown defense.

Vazquez clinches.
Vazquez tries to pull guard but Hendo forces him back to his feet, against the ropes.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Vazquez is looking to break free of the clinch but Hendo has double underhooks.
Vazquez wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hendo has him pressed against the ropes.
Hendo is pressed up against the ropes. Vazquez has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Hendo down to the mat. Hendo avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Vazquez throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Hendo tries for a takedown but Vazquez circles away easily
letting Vazquez counter with a right hand.
Vazquez throws a good cross that connects.

Vazquez clinches up with Hendo and pushes him back against the ropes.
Hendo is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Vazquez is defending well.
Vazquez is looking to take this one to the mat.
Vazquez wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hendo has him pressed against the ropes.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Vazquez is looking for a takedown up against the ropes. Hendo gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Hendo jumps guard.

Hendo is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Vazquez defends well.
Hendo tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Vazquez trying to control the position from guard on top but Hendo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Vazquez decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Hendo, up you get!
Vazquez displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hendo.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Hendo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Vazquez is fending him off so far but Hendo persists. Nope, Vazquez circles away and we're back to standing.

Vazquez moves into the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Vazquez.
Vazquez stops a takedown attempt from Hendo.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Vazquez just misses with a elbow thrown towards Hendo's brow.
Vazquez tries for a takedown but Hendo manages to get underhooks.
Hendo goes for a takedown attempt but Vazquez pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Hendo doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Vazquez counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Vazquez.
Hendo is breathing heavily.
Hendo drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hendo gets underhooks to prevent Vazquez's takedown attempt.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Hendo trying to control the position but instead, Vazquez has worked for underhooks and has pushed Hendo into the ropes.

Vazquez pulls guard successfully.
Vazquez wants to sweep here but Hendo controlling him for the moment.
Hendo is fighting to break Vazquez's control of his arms but Vazquez is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Vazquez had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hendo defends it easily.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Vazquez throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Hendo escapes and throws Vazquez's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Hendo wants to control but Vazquez is keeping him busy.
I wouldn't like to be where Vazquez is right now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Hendo is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Vazquez is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Hendo trying to control the position but Vazquez is working away.
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 Rastum Hendo will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Rastum Hendo's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Hendo tries to clinch but Vazquez is having none of it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Vazquez is defended easily by Hendo.
Nice sprawl there from Vazquez as Hendo shoots in.
Vazquez is looking to score with low kicks.
Hendo tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Vazquez manages to circle out of the way.
Vazquez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rastum Hendo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hendo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Vazquez throws out a counter right but Hendo avoids it with no problem.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vazquez tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hendo sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Vazquez somewhat.
Hendo fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hendo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Vazquez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Vazquez is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Vazquez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rastum Hendo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Israel Vazquez.
Hendo is trying hard to land a takedown here. Vazquez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Vazquez swats away the attempt to clinch by Hendo.
Vazquez tries to land a front kick but Hendo steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Hendo is looking for a counter combo.

Hendo gets tackled into the ropes by Vazquez. Vazquez maintains the clinch.
Hendo scores with a hook to the body.
Hendo jumps guard but Vazquez turns him against the ropes and keeps the fight standing.
Hendo creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Vazquez displaying some good clinch control by pressing Hendo up against the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hendo manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Hendo is trying to pull guard but Vazquez has him pressed against the ropes.

Hendo manages to break the clinch.

Vazquez moves into the clinch.
Vazquez misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hendo.
Hendo drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Vazquez gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Hendo is working for takedown but Vazquez is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vazquez is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Hendo wants to stall.
Vazquez is trying to force a seperation but Hendo has the dominant position.
A right handed body shot lands from Vazquez.
Vazquez tries to pull guard but Hendo won't allow it.
Hendo is trying to drag Vazquez to the mat but Vazquez just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Vazquez fails to pull guard.

That's four 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.
A head punch on the inside from Hendo fails to land.
Knees to the body from Hendo.
Vazquez tries to pull guard but Hendo forces him back to his feet, against the ropes.
Hendo throws a head punch that misses.
Vazquez jumps guard but Hendo turns him against the ropes and keeps the fight standing.
Vazquez is looking to break free of the clinch but Hendo has double underhooks.
Hendo is trying to drag Vazquez to the mat but Vazquez just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Vazquez drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hendo gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Hendo has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Vazquez uses from the top position.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Hendo wants to sweep here but Vazquez controlling him for the moment.
Vazquez wants to control from the top but Hendo keeps moving.
Hendo lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Vazquez trying to keep a closed guard but Hendo is proving a slippery customer.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hendo controlling from the top position.
Hendo stopping the sweep attempt from Vazquez.
Hendo postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Vazquez doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Hendo postures up.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Hendo wants to control from the top but Vazquez keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Israel Vazquez seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Vazquez has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hendo fails to pull the fight into his guard.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Vazquez just misses with a elbow thrown towards Hendo's brow.
Vazquez tries to stall but Hendo uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Vazquez blocks an uppercut.
Hendo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hendo fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hendo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Vazquez gets underhooks to prevent Hendo's takedown attempt.
Vazquez tries to break the clinch but Hendo is controlling the position.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Hendo has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Vazquez is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Hendo has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Vazquez avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Vazquez lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hendo lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Vazquez lands a body punch.
Vazquez is looking to break free of the clinch but Hendo has double underhooks.

Vazquez has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Hendo uses from the top position.
Vazquez is trying to control the position but Hendo postures up.
Hendo wants to control from the top but Vazquez keeps moving.
Hendo will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Vazquez wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Hendo prevents Vazquez from getting back to his feet.
Vazquez is controlling Hendo's posture.
Let's hope that Vazquez has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Vazquez keeping full guard, as Hendo tries to pass.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Vazquez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Israel Vazquez.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight for Rastum Hendo!
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight as a draw!
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight as a draw!

The fight ends as a draw!