PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Aldo Nash (ranked 7147 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ian Joy Virtudazo (ranked 3936 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Nash
vs
Joy Virtudazo

200 cm
19
151 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

168 cm
25
155 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aldo Nash!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ian Joy Virtudazo!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Igor Prikhodko and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nash keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nash is looking for a counter combo.
Virtudazo doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Nash counters with a two punch combo.
Virtudazo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nash's waist but Nash gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Virtudazo off to one side.
Aldo Nash has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ian Joy Virtudazo.
Virtudazo doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Nash counters with a one-two to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Virtudazo doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Nash counters with a stiff right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Virtudazo is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Virtudazo wants to free his trapped foot but Nash is holding on for dear life with his legs.

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

Virtudazo is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Nash doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Virtudazo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nash is trying to stand up here but Virtudazo is controlling him well.
Virtudazo looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Virtudazo is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Nash is just riding it out for now. Virtudazo eventually gives up the hold.
Virtudazo sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Virtudazo looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Virtudazo seems to be working for a kimura but Nash defends the submission attempt.
Virtudazo is looking to advance position but Nash won't allow it.

That's four 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.
Still in half guard, Virtudazo seems content to control.

Virtudazo seems to be working for a kimura but Nash defends the submission attempt.
Virtudazo wants to take a breather but Nash is having none of it.
Virtudazo perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Virtudazo is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Virtudazo is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Virtudazo is looking to take a break and control but Nash is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Nash really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Virtudazo is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Nash still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Nash has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ian Joy Virtudazo will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Virtudazo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Virtudazo shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Nash's guard.
Virtudazo controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Nash is trying to control the position but Virtudazo postures up.
Virtudazo 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Virtudazo stops Nash from standing up.
Ian Joy Virtudazo has got the better of the ground game so far.

Virtudazo has gone for a leg lock! Nash slips out almost immediately though and dives into Virtudazo's guard.

Virtudazo is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Nash is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Virtudazo has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Nash off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Virtudazo shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Nash's guard.
Virtudazo looking to pass the guard.
Nash is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Virtudazo is controlling him.
Virtudazo wants to control from the top but Nash keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Virtudazo is looking to pass into half guard but Nash pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Nash is in guard.

Virtudazo wants to stand and escape but Nash is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Virtudazo is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Nash is standing up over Virtudazo. Virtudazo looks to escape but Nash dives into side control.
Virtudazo is trying to get back to his feet.
Nash is looking to take a break and control but Virtudazo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Virtudazo tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Virtudazo is trying to stand back up.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Virtudazo manages to escape to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virtudazo tries for a takedown but Nash sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nash is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Virtudazo.

Virtudazo shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Virtudazo showed some decent athleticism there.

Virtudazo is looking for a kimura here.
Virtudazo is looking to stall here but Nash recovers full guard.
Virtudazo is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Virtudazo looking to sit in guard and control but Nash gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Nash has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Virtudazo wants to stand and escape but Nash is having none of it.
Virtudazo keeping moving, preventing Nash from controlling successfully.
Virtudazo wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Nash manages to pass to side control.
Nash will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Nash not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Virtudazo is trying to stand back up but Nash is controlling him

Virtudazo kicks Nash off and gets back to his feet.

Virtudazo fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Nash sprawls well initially but Virtudazo persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
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!

Virtudazo is looking for a kimura here.

Virtudazo is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Nash sees it coming and defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ian Joy Virtudazo will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Virtudazo with a lazy takedown attempt
and Nash counters with a one-two to the body.

Virtudazo throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Nash was covering up waiting for the punch and Virtudazo finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Virtudazo trying to control but Nash is working from the bottom.
Virtudazo passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Virtudazo laying and praying for a moment but Nash takes advantage and regains half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Virtudazo is looking for a kimura but Nash is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Virtudazo to get the leverage.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virtudazo is pressing down on Nash's thigh, looking to free his foot. Nash is holding on for now.

Virtudazo is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Nash sees it coming and defends easily.
Virtudazo looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Virtudazo frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Virtudazo is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Nash has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Nash!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nash loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Virtudazo wriggles free and stands up.
Virtudazo has a takedown stuffed.
Virtudazo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Nash counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Aldo Nash has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ian Joy Virtudazo.

Virtudazo shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Virtudazo with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virtudazo passes the guard and advances to mount!

Virtudazo is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Nash has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Nash!
Nash trying to control but Virtudazo is working from the bottom.
Nash stops Virtudazo from standing up.
Virtudazo keeping moving, preventing Nash from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Virtudazo is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Nash is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nash's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Virtudazo is looking to stand up but Nash isn't so interested in that idea.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nash wants to control from the top but Virtudazo keeps moving.
Virtudazo wants to stand and escape but Nash is having none of it.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Virtudazo misses with a takedown attempt
and Nash counters with a left and a right that stings Virtudazo.
Aldo Nash has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Virtudazo fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Nash to the ground. Virtudazo is now in Nash's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ian Joy Virtudazo.
I've got Virtudazo winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 29:30
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ian Joy Virtudazo!