PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Victor Mordino (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rhea Garcia Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Mordino
vs
Garcia Jr

187 cm
18
180 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

175 cm
26
160 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

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 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Victor Mordino!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rhea Garcia Jr!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Dirk Anderson and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Mordino shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Mordino trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Garcia Jr manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mordino looking to hit a scissor sweep but Garcia Jr is one step ahead there.
Garcia Jr throwing strikes but missing.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mordino controlling the position.
Garcia Jr stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mordino swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Garcia Jr wants to control from the top but Mordino keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mordino has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Garcia Jr is looking to work some ground and pound but Mordino has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garcia Jr trying to control but Mordino is working from the bottom.
Garcia Jr throwing strikes but missing.
Mordino seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Garcia Jr looking to pass the guard.
Garcia Jr postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Garcia Jr postures up in Mordino's guard and throws a big left but Mordino blocks it.
Mordino wants to stand but Garcia Jr is controlling the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Nice takedown defense from Garcia Jr. No joy for Mordino on that attempt.

Garcia Jr moves into the clinch.
Mordino is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Garcia Jr pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Garcia Jr pulls guard.
Mordino sitting in guard here, content to control.
Mordino slips nicely into half guard.
Mordino prevents Garcia Jr from standing back up.

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

Mordino wants to work for an arm triangle but Garcia Jr is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Garcia Jr really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Mordino. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mordino is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Garcia Jr doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Mordino.
Garcia Jr gets back to full guard.
Mordino engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Mordino is pushing down on Garcia Jr's leg trying to pass to half guard. Garcia Jr is fighting to maintain full guard but Mordino has managed to sneak the leg through.
Garcia Jr is looking to escape.
Mordino controlling the pace.

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.

Garcia Jr is defending against the submission attempts here by Mordino.

Mordino is working for a submission of some sort.

Mordino is trying to work for a kimura but Garcia Jr is defending well.

Mordino seems to be working for a kimura but Garcia Jr defends the submission attempt.
Mordino will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Mordino is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
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 Victor Mordino will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Mordino closes this distance looking for a takedown but Garcia Jr circles away.

Garcia Jr takes the fight into the clinch.
Mordino has been working on his balance at Island Top Team, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Garcia Jr.

Garcia Jr pulls guard effortlessly.

Garcia Jr pushes Mordino off and scrambles back to his feet.
Garcia Jr misses with a body shot.

Garcia Jr pushes Mordino up against the cage in a clinch.
Mordino is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Garcia Jr pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Garcia Jr breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Garcia Jr stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Victor Mordino. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Garcia Jr closes the distance and clinches.

Garcia Jr pulls guard effortlessly.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mordino trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Garcia Jr has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Garcia Jr wants to pass the guard but Mordino is keeping the position.
Garcia Jr throws a big elbow that misses.
Garcia Jr postures up in Mordino's guard and throws a big left but Mordino blocks it.
Garcia Jr tries to free his leg and advance position but Mordino is retaining full guard.
Garcia Jr is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Garcia Jr postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Garcia Jr must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Mordino keeping moving, preventing Garcia Jr from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garcia Jr throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Mordino wants to stand and escape but Garcia Jr is having none of it.
Mordino managing to control the position.
Garcia Jr preventing the sweep.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garcia Jr throws a right and a left that both miss.

Garcia Jr instigates a clinch.
Mordino has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Garcia Jr is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Garcia Jr breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mordino with a poor takedown
and Garcia Jr counters with a one-two to the body.
Victor Mordino is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mordino shoots in for a double leg but Garcia Jr sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Garcia Jr defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mordino.
Garcia Jr looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Garcia Jr pushes Mordino up against the cage in a clinch.
Mordino is looking for a takedown.
Mordino tries for a takedown but Garcia Jr manages to get underhooks.
Mordino wants a takedown but no success here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Garcia Jr successfully pulls guard.
Garcia Jr is pulling down on Mordino's head to control his posture.
Garcia Jr trying to control the position.
Mordino stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Garcia Jr swivels though and keeps the full guard.

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

Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Garcia Jr being controlled here momentarily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mordino tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rhea Garcia Jr showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Garcia Jr lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Garcia Jr.

It looks like Victor Mordino has been cut.
Rhea Garcia Jr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Garcia Jr drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Garcia Jr missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Mordino has his hands on Garcia Jr's head, controlling the position.
Garcia Jr throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mordino works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mordino is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mordino keeping full guard, as Garcia Jr tries to pass.
Mordino is pulling down on Garcia Jr's head. It's preventing any offense from Garcia Jr, at least for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garcia Jr throwing strikes from guard but Mordino blocks nicely.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Mordino shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Garcia Jr manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Mordino is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mordino seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Garcia Jr for as long as he can get away with.
Garcia Jr keeping moving, preventing Mordino from controlling successfully.
Mordino not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Mordino stops Garcia Jr from standing up.
Mordino wants to pass the guard but Garcia Jr is keeping the position.
Mordino sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Mordino stands and throws Garcia Jr's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mordino trying to control the position but Garcia Jr is working away.
Garcia Jr tries to improve position but can't.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Garcia Jr. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Mordino staying calm.
Mordino is looking to take a break and control but Garcia Jr is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Mordino remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mordino wants to lay and pray for a moment but Garcia Jr keeps working.
Mordino controlling the position from side mount.

Mordino working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
You can see the frustration on Garcia Jr's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Garcia Jr prevents Mordino from moving into mount.
Garcia Jr is not content to let Mordino control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Victor Mordino.
I think Mordino 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 28:28
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 28:28
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 28:28

The fight is ruled a draw!