PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alejandro Vasquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Diego Costa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Vasquez
vs
Costa

190 cm
26
200 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

185 cm
22
202 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
KO power

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Spartan Nutrition
Mohito Fightwear

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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Alejandro Vasquez!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Diego Costa!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Chris Edwards and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vasquez throws a body punch but Costa moves out of range.
Costa changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Vasquez tries to avoid it but Costa manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Vasquez to the ground. Vasquez escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Costa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Costa takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Costa shoots in for a takedown but Vasquez shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Vasquez appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Costa shoots for a double leg takedown but Vasquez sprawls well. He's pushed Costa's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Vasquez appears to be looking for a big counter.
Alejandro Vasquez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Diego Costa.
Vasquez jabs at Costa's body.
Costa tries for a takedown but Vasquez circles away easily
and Vasquez counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A jab from Vasquez finds it's way through Costa's defenses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Costa has taken the fight to the clinch.
Costa has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Vasquez after a bit of a struggle.
Costa scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Costa misses with a punch to the body.
Vasquez blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Costa misses with a body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Vasquez working hard to break the clinch.
Vasquez tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Costa's elbow.

Vasquez breaks the clinch.
Vasquez swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Costa fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Vasquez misses with a straight left.
Vasquez throws a jab but it's blocked by Costa.
Costa has his takedown stuffed
letting Vasquez counter with a right hand.
Alejandro Vasquez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Vasquez scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Costa tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Vasquez defends well and Costa ends up having to push Vasquez into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Costa misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Costa shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Vasquez as he avoids it easily.
Costa dodges the punch combination from Vasquez.

Costa closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Vasquez to the mat! Vasquez manages to get full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vasquez wants to stand but Costa is controlling the position.
Costa controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Vasquez on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Vasquez tries to get out of the position.
Costa with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Costa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Vasquez swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Costa's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Vasquez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Costa showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Vasquez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Costa.
Costa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Vasquez.
Costa throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Vasquez's waist but Vasquez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Costa off to one side.
Costa looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Costa tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Vasquez defends well and Costa ends up having to push Vasquez into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Vasquez is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Vasquez swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Costa gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Vasquez counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vasquez pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nice sprawl there from Vasquez as Costa shoots in.
Vasquez cracks Costa with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Vasquez takes a swing at Costa's ribcage but misses.
Costa tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Costa rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Vasquez cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
It looks like Vasquez has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Costa shoots and misses
and Costa takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Costa shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Vasquez defends it nicely.
Vasquez seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Costa is trying hard to land a takedown here. Vasquez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Costa gets cracked there but stands up to it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Costa slips a jab and a cross from Vasquez.
Costa pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Vasquez throwing a counter right hand but Costa manages to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alejandro Vasquez dominated that round.
That's time! Vasquez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Costa shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Vasquez counters with a left to the body.
Costa ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Vasquez throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Costa looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Costa tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Vasquez defends well and Costa ends up having to push Vasquez into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
It looked like Vasquez wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Vasquez takes a swing at Costa's ribcage but misses.
Costa fails to land the takedown.
Alejandro Vasquez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Diego Costa.

Costa closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Vasquez to the mat! Vasquez manages to get full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Costa postures up in Vasquez's guard and throws a big left but Vasquez blocks it.

Costa drops back looking for a leg! Vasquez is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Vasquez manages to kick Costa off! Costa jumps back into Vasquez's guard.
Costa pushes down on Vasquez's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Costa wants to pass the guard but Vasquez is defending well.
Vasquez keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Costa is keen to just control but Vasquez is a slippery customer.
Vasquez is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Costa can do to turn this around?
Costa is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Costa not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

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.
Costa throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Costa thows a huge punch but Vasquez dodges it nicely.
Costa sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Vasquez defending well though.
Costa thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Vasquez's head.
Costa content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Costa trying to control the action but Vasquez is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Costa moves in looking to clinch but Vasquez pushes him off.
Costa tries to close the distance and clinch but Vasquez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nice sprawl there from Vasquez as Costa shoots in.
Diego Costa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Costa fails with the takedown
and Vasquez counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Alejandro Vasquez is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasquez stuffs the takedown.
Vasquez throws a series of punches but Costa avoids them all with ease.
Alejandro Vasquez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Vasquez circles away from the clinch attempt.
Costa shoots in for a double leg but Vasquez sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Vasquez jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Vasquez throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Costa sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Vasquez displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Vasquez leaves Costa with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Vasquez stuffs the takedown.
Vasquez fails to land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Costa tries to close the distance and clinch but Vasquez swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Vasquez throwing a counter right hand but Costa manages to avoid it.

Costa drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Costa has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Costa is putting a hurting on Vasquez here, landing some big shots from side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Costa looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Vasquez is avoiding damage well.
Costa landing strikes.
Costa in side control lands a decent elbow.
Costa wants to control but Vasquez is keeping him busy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Costa staying calm.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Diego Costa will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Costa shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Vasquez counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Vasquez misses with a hook.

Costa looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Vasquez is not content to let Costa control the position.
Costa trying to control the pace.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vasquez is refusing to be controlled, as Costa sits in half guard.
Diego Costa has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Costa is trying to work for a kimura but Vasquez is defending well.

Costa is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Costa throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Costa thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Vasquez's head.

Costa is working for a submission of some sort.

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.
Vasquez is looking to improve his position.
Vasquez is trying to stand up here but Costa is controlling him well.
Costa trying to control the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Vasquez works the jab nicely.
Costa looks to land a right hand but Vasquez moved out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Costa doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Vasquez counter with a right hand.
Costa takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Nice takedown defense from Vasquez. No joy for Costa on that attempt.
Alejandro Vasquez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Diego Costa.
Good exchange - Vasquez coming out on top.
Costa blocks a jab.
Costa with a lazy takedown attempt
and Vasquez connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Vasquez swings for the body but Costa moves out of range.
Costa drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Vasquez defends it well.
Costa tries to clinch up.
Vasquez throws a body punch but Costa moves out of range.
Costa is looking to clinch.

Costa is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Vasquez's half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vasquez won't allow Costa to pass to mount.
Costa is looking to take a break and control but Vasquez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Costa wants to work for an arm triangle but Vasquez is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Costa is nestled in close to Vasquez, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
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!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vasquez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Diego Costa just about did enough to take it.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Vasquez swinging wildly here.
Costa avoids the body shot from Vasquez.
Vasquez throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Costa darts in looking for a takedown but Vasquez gets double underhooks and turns Costa into the cage.
Vasquez swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Costa shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Vasquez as he avoids it easily.
Costa defending well as Vasquez loads up on a big left hand.
Vasquez fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Costa on the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Costa shoots for a double leg takedown but Vasquez sprawls well. He's pushed Costa's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Alejandro Vasquez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Diego Costa.
Costa misses with a takedown attempt - Vasquez sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Costa is defended easily by Vasquez.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Costa shoots in but Vasquez avoids the takedown attempt easily.
It looked like Vasquez was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Vasquez lands a nice hook to Costa's body. Costa takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Horrible takedown attempt by Costa or perhaps it was just good defense by Vasquez, which made it look bad.
Vasquez was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Costa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Vasquez paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A counter left hand to the body from Vasquez misses its target.
Nice uppercut lands for Vasquez. That snapped Costa's head back.
Vasquez misses with a double jab.
Costa fails with the takedown
and Vasquez connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vasquez throws a shot from downtown. Costa moves away and avoids it.
Nice sprawl there from Vasquez as Costa shoots in.
An attempted straight right counter from Vasquez misses the target.

Costa closes the distance and clinches.
A hook to the body from Vasquez.
Costa is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Costa drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Vasquez gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Vasquez stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Costa wants a takedown.
A hook to the body from Vasquez.
Vasquez misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Vasquez managing to block the knees to the body from Costa.
A right handed body shot lands from Vasquez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Costa is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Vasquez misses with a hook to the ribs.

Vasquez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Vasquez works Costa's body with a nice hook.
Vasquez scores with a nice right hand.
Costa with a lazy takedown attempt
and Vasquez counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Costa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Vasquez.
Costa changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Vasquez misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
And Costa tries to counter it with a takedown but Vasquez pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Costa takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Costa shoots and misses
and Vasquez counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Vasquez lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Costa has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Costa there as he acknowledges the shot.
Vasquez tries to bum rush Costa with a series of wild strikes but Costa uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vasquez darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Costa will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Costa closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Vasquez's guard.
Costa trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Costa trying to control the position from guard on top but Vasquez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Costa won't allow Vasquez to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Costa wants to control from the top but Vasquez keeps moving.
Costa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Vasquez is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alejandro Vasquez had his way with Diego Costa in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Costa misses with a takedown
and Vasquez counters with a stiff right hand.
Costa has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Nice sprawl there from Vasquez as Costa shoots in.
Vasquez throws a series of punches but Costa avoids them all with ease.
Costa misses with a takedown attempt - Vasquez sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Alejandro Vasquez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Diego Costa.
Costa tries to clinch but Vasquez moves out of range.
Costa wants to clinch
and Vasquez counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Costa thinking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Costa has his takedown stuffed
and Vasquez counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Costa tries to clinch up but Vasquez circles away and keeps his distance.
Vasquez swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Costa shoots and misses
and Vasquez makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Costa is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Nice sprawl there from Vasquez as Costa shoots in.
Vasquez fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Costa looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Decent striking displayed by Vasquez there.
Vasquez circles away from the clinch attempt
and Vasquez counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Costa dodges the punch combination from Vasquez.
Costa shoots and misses
enabling Vasquez to counter with a crisp jab.
Costa takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Vasquez throws a looping overhand right but Costa ducks down to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left and a right from Vasquez both land. Nice combination.

Costa gets a double leg takedown into Vasquez's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Costa distracts Vasquez with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Vasquez wants to sweep here but Costa controlling him for the moment.
Costa pushes down on Vasquez's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Costa is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Costa slows the pace down in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Costa is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Vasquez is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Costa scores with a couple of nice shots.
Costa throwing shots but Vasquez is blocking nicely.
Costa thows a huge punch but Vasquez dodges it nicely.

Costa is working for a kimura but Vasquez is defending it quite comfortably.

Costa is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Costa thows a huge punch but Vasquez dodges it nicely.
Costa throwing shots but Vasquez is blocking nicely.
Vasquez knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Costa on the ground.
Costa throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Vasquez is refusing to be controlled, as Costa sits in half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Costa seems to be looking for submissions.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alejandro Vasquez showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Vasquez has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 49:47
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 48:47
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 50:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alejandro Vasquez!
Alejandro Vasquez retains his light heavyweight title!
Alejandro Vasquez took some time post fight to say the following; 'This guy was really in a title fight? Well, I guess that mean they are just handling title fights to everyone. Praise your new champion.'.