PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Collin Minus (ranked 3367 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dexter Varela (ranked 2646 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Minus
vs
Varela

175 cm
25
155 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

175 cm
25
155 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Collin Minus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Dexter Varela !
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, David Hoff and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Varela shoots for a takedown but Minus saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Varela avoids the body shot from Minus.
Varela moves in looking to clinch but Minus pushes him off.
Minus feinted with a counter takedown.
Varela 's corner calls for a 1-2. Varela obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Minus looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nice takedown defense from Minus. No joy for Varela on that attempt.
Minus scores with the left hand. Varela knows he should have avoided that one.

Minus closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Varela did well to prevent Minus getting side control.
Varela is trying to control but can't.
Varela works his way to full guard. Good work.
Varela is trying to keep Minus in close.
Minus sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minus tries to stand but Varela is controlling from the bottom.
Minus seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Varela has a closed guard, preventing Minus from standing up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Varela takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Varela is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Nice body punch from Minus.

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.
Varela takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Varela displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Minus.
Minus blocks a head kick by Varela .
Varela moves out of range as Minus throws a body kick.
Minus fails in his attempt to clinch.
Varela shoots in but no luck this time.
Collin Minus has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dexter Varela .
Varela doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Minus holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Minus jumps guard but Varela stands there with Minus around his waist. Minus gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Minus gets control of Varela 's arms and successfully pulls guard. Minus will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Varela trying to control but Minus is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varela pushing down on Minus's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Varela is keen to just control but Minus is a slippery customer.
Minus tries to get to full guard but Varela has control of the leg.
Minus preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

Varela is working for a submission of some sort.
Varela stops Minus from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Varela is looking to take a break and control but Minus is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Minus is trying to stand.
Varela thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Varela not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Varela wants to take a breather but Minus is having none of it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Varela changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Minus tries to avoid it but Varela manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Minus to the ground. Minus escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Minus gets the takedown into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Collin Minus dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

No luck with that takedown attempt from Varela .
Varela shoots in looking for a takedown. Minus tries to sprawl out of it but Varela keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Minus manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Varela circles away from the clinch attempt.
Varela fails with the takedown.
Collin Minus has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dexter Varela .
A head kick misses from Minus.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Minus closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
A control attempt from Varela but he's now mounted!

Minus working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minus looking to control but Varela is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Minus with a couple of short strikes.
Minus controlling the position easily from mount.
Varela sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Varela is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Varela regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Minus.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Varela is looking to sweep but instead, Minus has passed into half guard.

Varela is defending against the submission attempts here by Minus.

Minus is working for a kimura but Varela is defending it quite comfortably.
Varela is looking for a sweep. Minus is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minus is taking a breather. Varela says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Varela wants to improve his position but Minus is controlling well.
Minus tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Varela .
Varela is pressing down on Minus's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

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.
Varela not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Varela being controlled here, momentarily.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Varela darts in looking for a takedown but Minus gets double underhooks and turns Varela into the cage.
Varela shoots and misses
and Minus counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Varela thinking.
Varela darts in looking for a takedown but Minus gets double underhooks and turns Varela into the cage.
Varela is breathing heavily.
Minus goes for a double leg but Varela avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Varela continues to drive forward.
Varela dives in for a single leg takedown but Minus sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Minus misses with a wild combination.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Minus tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Varela paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Minus defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Varela .
Minus wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Minus fails with an attempt to clinch.
Varela changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Collin Minus dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Minus shoots for a takedown but Varela saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Minus tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Varela is looking for the big counter here.
Minus avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Varela keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Minus sets himself, and Varela steps forward looking for the clinch! Minus avoids it this time.
Varela fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Minus avoids it really well and circles away.
Varela fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Varela fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Collin Minus has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dexter Varela .
Nice sprawl there from Varela as Minus shoots in.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Minus moves into the clinch.
Varela tries to break free but Minus pushes him back against the cage.
Varela is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Minus to keep the fight standing.
Varela letting Minus take a breather here.
Varela can't get the takedown.
Varela takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Minus pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Varela shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Minus defends it nicely.
Varela throws a head kick that misses.

Minus shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Varela is trying to defend but Minus finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Minus is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Varela can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Varela is trying to get back to full guard.
Minus slips a nice elbow through Varela 's hands, connecting with Varela 's forehead.
Minus sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Minus is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Minus prevents Varela from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minus is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Varela regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Minus.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Minus controls from within his opponent's guard.
Varela is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Minus trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

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.
Varela trying to control the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Minus will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Varela tries to counter by closing the distance.
Varela shoots in for a takedown but Minus shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Minus is looking for a counter combo.
Sloppy strikes from Varela . Those never looked like landing.

Varela gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Minus to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Minus controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Dexter Varela has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Collin Minus is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Minus throws a strike but Varela rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

And that's the end of the fight!
Collin Minus showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Minus has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 30:27
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Collin Minus!