PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marko Versace (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richard Head (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Versace kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Sweep the Leg. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Versace
vs
Head

180 cm
21
202 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

190 cm
23
215 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

NATURAL BEAST
SPARTAN FIGHTWARE

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Marko Versace!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Richard Head!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Dmitry Maklakov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Head has closed the distance and engaged Versace in a clinch.
Head lands a hook to the side of the head.
Versace prevents Head from breaking the clinch.
Head lands with a light punch inside.
A left hand lands to the body for Head.

Head breaks from the clinch.
Versace looks to land a left hand but Head moved out of range nicely.
Head scores with the left hand. Versace knows he should have avoided that one.
Versace tries to bum rush Head with a series of wild strikes but Head uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Versace swats away the attempt to clinch by Head.
Head lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Versace circles away quickly and effectively.
Versace throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Head misses with a hook.
Versace defending well as Head loads up on a big left hand.
Versace pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Versace misses with a double jab.
Versace throws a left and a right that both miss

and Head holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Head works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Head pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Head is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Versace thows a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Head is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Versace blocks a jab.
Versace throws a hook to the side of Head's head but Head sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Versace throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Head throws a hook but Versace blocks it.

Head darts in and clinches Versace up against the cage.
Versace is trying to force a seperation but Head has the dominant position.
A frustrated look appears on Head's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Versace wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Head is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Head misses with a hook from the clinch.
Head prevents Versace from breaking the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Head creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Versace blocks an uppercut.
Versace blocks a body shot from Head.
Versace wants to get back to striking at distance but Head won't allow it.
Head lands a nice uppercut.
A short right from Head on the inside.

Head breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

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.
Versace keeps the fight on the outside.
Head moves away from the strike by Versace.
Head misses with a looping right.
A punch lands to the side of Head 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Head wants to clinch.
Head moves in looking to clinch but Versace pushes him off.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Versace misses with a few strikes there.
Versace misses with a wild combination.
Head fails with an attempt to clinch.
Some wild striking there from Versace.
Head defending well as Versace loads up on a big left hand.
Head staying out of range there.
Versace is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Versace's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Head is looking to score with low kicks.
Head tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Versace paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Versace throws an overhand right that lands on Head's shoulder, as Head tries to avoid the shot.
Head tries to close the distance and clinch but Versace swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Head throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Versace avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Versace throws a shot to the body.
Versace lands the left hand.
Versace uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Head.
Versace misses with a double jab.
Head takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Head looks gassed!
Both fighters circling a little - Versace finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Versace fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Versace is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Head.
Versace throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
The crowd cheers as Versace lands an impressive looking overhand right. Head doesn't seem phased though.
Versace swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Head counters with a nice uppercut.
Head displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Versace throws out the jab.
Versace connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Nice uppercut there from Versace.
Versace throws a series of punches but Head avoids them all with ease.
Versace is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Head avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Versace slips under a jab from Head.
Head gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Head avoids a punch combination nicely.
Head blocks a head kick by Versace.
Versace looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
No joy there for Versace, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Head scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Head throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Head tries to clinch but Versace moves out of range.
Versace dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Versace stalks Head and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Head's face. Head staggers backwards, shaken.
Versace lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Head backs up against the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Head fails with an attempt to clinch.
Head moves out of range of the strikes.
Head lands with a cross.
Versace slips a jab from Head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marko Versace dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Versace lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Head backs up against the cage.
Nice jab there from Head.
Marko Versace is winning the standup battle so far.
Versace misses with a double jab
and Head counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Head lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Head.

It looks like Marko Versace has been cut.
Head tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Versace paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Head is looking to clinch.
Versace steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Head.
Head slips a straight right by Versace.
Head moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Head dodges the punch combination from Versace.
Head has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Head lands a jab-cross combination.
Head wants to clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Versace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Head tries to circle away but Versace has him pinned against the cage.

Versace breaks from the clinch.
Versace throws a sloppy head kick and Head moves out of range easily.
Versace comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A swing and a miss from Versace.
Head wants to clinch up but Versace keeps it at a distance.
Versace throws a head kick that misses.
Head moves out of range of the strikes.
A head kick by Head misses
enabling Versace to counter with a crisp jab.
Head moves out of range as Versace strikes.
Versace throws a jab but it's blocked by Head.
Versace digs a good body shot into Head's ribs.
Head is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Versace throws a right and a left that both miss.
Head might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Versace throws an overhand right that lands on Head's shoulder, as Head tries to avoid the shot.
Versace paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Versace lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Head circles away quickly and effectively.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Head moves out of range of the strikes.
Versace tries a head kick but it misses.

Head gets a clinch.
Head lands with a left to the head.
Versace keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Head's efforts to push away.
Head swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Head has Versace pressed against the cage, preventing Versace from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Versace lands a damaging elbow.
Head is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Versace is keeping busy.
Head keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Versace's efforts to push away.
Head looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Versace breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A jab from Versace misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Head.
Head tries to clinch there but Versace circles away.
Versace fails to land with a series of punches.
Head avoids the head kick by Versace.
Head doesn't manage to clinch there - Versace circles away.
Versace looks to land a right hand but Head moved out of range.
Head tries to clinch but Versace is having none of it.
Versace looks to throw the jab but Head is out of range.
Versace loads up on a big right hand but Head slips the punch.
Head keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A swing and a miss from Versace.
Head rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Versace moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Versace throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Head counters with a nice uppercut.
Versace throws a series of punches but Head avoids them all with ease.
Versace throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Head digs a good body shot into Versace's ribs.
Head doesn't manage to clinch there - Versace circles away.
Versace tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Head gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Head presses Versace against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

Head escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Versace throws a lazy right hand but Head sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Head cracks a nice hook into Versace's ribs.

Head closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Head lands with a left to the head.
Head is struggling to control the position.
Versace blocks an uppercut.
Head looking to stall.

Versace breaks the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Head fails with an attempt to clinch.
Versace misses with a straight left.
Versace stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Marko Versace will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Marko Versace's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Head uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Versace.
A slow jab from Head misses its intended target.
Versace misses with a head kick.
Head uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Versace.

Head closes the distance and pushes Versace back into the cage.
Versace has had enough of the clinch but Head keeps him there for the moment.
Head tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Versace blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Head's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Head wants to clinch up but Versace keeps it at a distance.
Versace misses with the combination.
Good shot there by Versace.
Head throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Versace lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Versace misses with a jab to the body
and Head counters with a one-two to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Head is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Versace scores with a one two! Head had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

It looks like Richard Head has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Versace misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Head takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Versace swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Head doesn't manage to clinch there - Versace circles away.
Versace thows a left - swing and a miss!
Head with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Head avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Versace misses with a wild combination.
Marko Versace is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Head lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Versace showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Head.
Versace throws a hook to the side of Head's head but Head sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Versace throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Versace tries to bum rush Head with a series of wild strikes but Head uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Head tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Versace paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Versace throws a hook but Head avoids it easily.

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.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Head!
Nice straight punches there by Versace. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Versace.
Versace falls off balance throwing a combination
and Head counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Versace thinking.
Versace misses with a hook. Head ducked under it nicely.
Versace takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Versace throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Head sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Head lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Head.
A big left from Versace misses.
Versace looks to score with a jab to the body but Head is just out of range.
Versace with a jab.
Versace fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Head manages to avoid it.
Head is looking to clinch but Versace is avoiding it.
Head wants to clinch.
Versace throws a jab but it's blocked by Head.
Versace tries a head kick but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Head tries to clinch but Versace moves out of range.
Head tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Versace cracks Head with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Head tries to grapple but his opponent circles
letting Versace counter with a right hand.
Head doesn't manage to clinch there - Versace circles away.
Versace thuds his right hand into Head's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Head with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Versace to score with a decent uppercut.
Versace lands with a nice combination. Head backs away looking to recover.
Head throws a looping overhand right but Versace ducks down to avoid it.
Head slips a jab and a cross from Versace.

Head moves into the clinch successfully.
Versace is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Head.
Richard Head has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Head has a couple of punches blocked by Versace.
Versace missing with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Versace's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Versace misses with a double jab.
Head doesn't manage to clinch there - Versace circles away.
Head has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Head throws an overhand right that lands on Versace's shoulder, as Versace tries to avoid the shot.
Versace keeps the fight on the outside.
Head on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Versace scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Versace rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Head moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Versace throws a nice looking combination but Head bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Head throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Head showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Versace.
Versace throws a jab when Head was well out of range.
Marko Versace is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A swing and a miss from Head.
Head displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Versace throws out the jab.
Head has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
A left and a right from Head both land. Nice combination.
Head throws a hook but Versace blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marko Versace showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Versace, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marko Versace!