PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Xame Dollars (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cain Vitali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vitali has chosen Cain's entrance theme as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Dollars
vs
Vitali

188 cm
22
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

187 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Daily Grind
Daily Grind

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Xame Dollars!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Cain Vitali!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Matheus Silva and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dollars clinches.
Dollars lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Vitali swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Dollars pulls guard effortlessly.
Vitali is looking to stand up but Dollars won't let him.
Vitali must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Dollars working a defensive guard here.
Vitali is looking to stand up but Dollars won't let him.
Dollars controls Vitali momentarily but Vitali frees himself.
Vitali tries to stand but Dollars is controlling from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vitali wants to stand and escape but instead Dollars has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vitali wants to stand but Dollars is controlling the position.
Dollars trying to control but Vitali is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Vitali looks to land a combination but Dollars avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dollars looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Vitali throws a right hand that Dollars ducks under and follows up with a left that Dollars also avoids with ease.
Vitali lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Dollars circles away quickly and effectively.
Vitali rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dollars moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Dollars has Vitali up against the cage in a clinch.
Vitali wants to get back to striking at distance but Dollars won't allow it.

Dollars's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Vitali throws a right and a left that Dollars avoids nicely.
Dollars shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Vitali defends it nicely.
Vitali throws a series of punches but Dollars moves out of range.
Vitali looks gassed!
Vitali throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Dollars sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Vitali looks to land a combination but Dollars avoids it well.
Dollars shoots for a takedown but Vitali saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xame Dollars. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vitali throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Dollars takes the fight into the clinch.
Dollars lands an elbow that stopped Vitali in his tracks for a moment.
Vitali tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dollars pulls guard effortlessly.

Dollars uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Vitali keeps the fight on the outside.

Dollars closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Dollars throws an elbow but it misses.
Dollars goes for a takedown in the clinch but Vitali prevents it.
Dollars stalling against the cage.
Dollars goes for a takedown in the clinch but Vitali prevents it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Vitali.

Dollars decides to pull guard.

Dollars pushes Vitali off and gets back to his feet.
Dollars tries to clinch up.
Vitali throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Dollars sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Vitali swinging wilding here.
Dollars shoots for a double leg takedown but Vitali sprawls well. He's pushed Dollars's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dollars tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Dollars tries to clinch but Vitali is having none of it.

Dollars drives through and clinches with Vitali against the cage.
Dollars lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Dollars has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Vitali is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Dollars tries to score a body lock takedown but Vitali shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Vitali is looking to break free of the clinch but Dollars has double underhooks.

Dollars breaks the clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Dollars.
Dollars tries to close the distance and clinch up but Vitali swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Dollars showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Vitali.
Dollars misses with a takedown attempt - Vitali sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Vitali stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Vitali wants it to stay on the feet.
Vitali misses with a two punch combination.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Dollars.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dollars gets a clinch.
Dollars comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Dollars drops down looking for an ankle pick but Vitali pulls his leg out and moves away.
Left hook, right uppercut from Vitali.
A left and a right from Vitali both land. Nice combination.
Dollars tries to clinch but Vitali is having none of it.
Dollars closes the distance and clinches up with Vitali, looking for a takedown. Dollars pushes Vitali against the cage but Vitali circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Vitali swats away the attempt to clinch by Dollars.
Vitali misses with a wild combination.
Some wild striking there from Vitali.

Dollars moves into the clinch.
Dollars fails to pull guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xame Dollars dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Dollars tries to score a power double leg takedown but Vitali sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Dollars somewhat.
Vitali lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Dollars circles away quickly and effectively.
Dollars shoots in for a takedown but Vitali shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Dollars showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Vitali.
Dollars shoots for a takedown but Vitali saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xame Dollars. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vitali misses with a series of wild punches.

Dollars gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Vitali misses with a hook from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Dollars decides to pull guard.
Vitali wants to stand but Dollars has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vitali is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

Dollars has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Vitali off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Dollars throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Vitali's waist but Vitali gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Dollars off to one side.
Dollars tries to clinch but Vitali is having none of it.
Dollars is looking to clinch but Vitali is avoiding it.
Dollars looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Vitali is fending him off so far but Dollars persists. Nope, Vitali circles away and we're back to standing.
Dollars looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Vitali is fending him off so far but Dollars persists. Nope, Vitali circles away and we're back to standing.
Vitali throws a one two combo.
Vitali looks to land a combination but Dollars avoids it well.

Dollars clinches with his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dollars tries to score a body lock takedown but Vitali shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Vitali throws a head punch that misses.
Vitali avoids the elbow strike from Dollars, against the cage.
Vitali has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Dollars goes for a takedown in the clinch but Vitali prevents it.
Dollars blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Vitali dodges an elbow strike from Dollars.
Dollars fails to pull guard.
Dollars is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Vitali pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Dollars drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Dollars misses with a knee strike.
Vitali looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Vitali is pressed up against the cage. Dollars has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Vitali down to the mat. Vitali avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Dollars tries to clinch but Vitali is having none of it.
Vitali rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dollars moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Vitali defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Dollars.
Vitali fails to land with a series of punches.
Dollars shoots in looking for a takedown. Vitali tries to sprawl out of it but Dollars keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Vitali manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Cain Vitali is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Dollars shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cain Vitali is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vitali closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Dollars fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Vitali avoids it really well and circles away.
Vitali throws a series of punches but Dollars moves out of range.

Dollars has Vitali up against the cage in a clinch.
Vitali prevents a takedown attempt there.
Vitali prevents a takedown attempt there.
Dollars has Vitali pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Vitali manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Vitali wants to break free but Dollars has control.
Dollars drops down looking for an ankle pick but Vitali pulls his leg out and moves away.
Vitali misses with the combination.

Dollars darts in and clinches Vitali up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dollars keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Vitali's efforts to push away.
Dollars is working for takedown but Vitali is calmly controlling the position for now.
Dollars lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Dollars keeps control of Vitali as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Dollars has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Vitali is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Dollars tries for a takedown but Vitali manages to get underhooks.
Dollars blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Vitali has a couple of punches blocked by Dollars.

Dollars turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Dollars manages to end up in side control.
Dollars controlling the position.
Vitali is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dollars blocks the strikes from Vitali.
Vitali is looking to get back to his feet here but Dollars is keeping cool and he's managed to take Vitali's back.
Dollars is landing with strikes from the back.
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 Xame Dollars will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Vitali keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Dollars closes the distance and clinches up with Vitali, looking for a takedown. Dollars pushes Vitali against the cage but Vitali circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Vitali lands with a right hand.

It looks like Xame Dollars has been cut.
Vitali bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Vitali swinging wilding here.
Dollars fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xame Dollars. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Some wild striking there from Vitali.
Vitali will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nice takedown defense from Vitali. No joy for Dollars on that attempt.
Dollars displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Vitali throws out the jab.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Dollars has Vitali up against the cage in a clinch.
Dollars drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dollars is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Vitali pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Vitali looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Dollars blocking some punches.
Vitali is pressed up against the cage. Dollars has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Vitali down to the mat. Vitali avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Vitali fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A combination from Vitali does no damage.
Dollars fails with an attempt to clinch.
Vitali stuffs the takedown.
Some wild striking there from Vitali.
Dollars avoids a punch combination nicely.

Dollars closes the distance and clinches.
Vitali lands with a right to the head.
Dollars tries to score a body lock takedown but Vitali shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Dollars has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Vitali uses from the top position.

Vitali gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dollars with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Vitali to score with a decent uppercut.
Horrible takedown by Dollars or perhaps it was just good defense by Vitali which made him look bad.
Dollars dives in and grabs Vitali's left leg, looking for a takedown. Vitali pushes down on Dollars's head and hops out.
Vitali misses with a wild combination.
Vitali misses with a two punch combination.
Vitali avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Dollars pushes Vitali up against the cage in a clinch.
Dollars is trying to drag Vitali to the mat but Vitali just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Dollars changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Vitali fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Vitali misses with a jab, cross combination.
Vitali throws a jab but it's blocked by Dollars.
Dollars shoots in and drives through. Vitali sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vitali throws a right hand that Dollars ducks under and follows up with a left that Dollars also avoids with ease.
Dollars fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Vitali throws a series of punches but Dollars avoids them all with ease.
Vitali fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Dollars closes the distance and pushes Vitali back into the cage.
Vitali tries to break free but Dollars pushes him back against the cage.
Vitali working aggressively here.
Dollars wants a takedown.

Dollars jumps guard.

Vitali gets to his feet - Dollars follows without any prompting.
Dollars misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Vitali throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Dollars.
Dollars gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Dollars shoots in but Vitali avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Vitali throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Dollars walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Xame Dollars seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dollars fails to land the takedown.
Vitali misses with a double jab.
Dollars misses with a head kick.
Dollars fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Vitali avoids it really well and circles away.
Cain Vitali has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vitali avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Vitali closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Xame Dollars is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Dollars fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Dollars tries to clinch up.
Vitali fails to land with a series of punches.
Dollars closes the distance and clinches up with Vitali, looking for a takedown. Dollars pushes Vitali against the cage but Vitali circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Dollars looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Dollars tries to close the distance and clinch up but Vitali swats him away and circles back towards the center.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cain Vitali comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Dollars 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:29
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Cain Vitali!