PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Vortex (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Lopes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thiago Lopes told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Vortex
vs
Lopes

198 cm
18
260 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

186 cm
20
267 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, John Vortex!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Thiago Lopes!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Steve Erwin and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lopes fails with a takedown attempt.
Lopes shoots in looking for a takedown but Vortex manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lopes's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Vortex shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lopes is trying hard to land a takedown here. Vortex sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
John Vortex has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thiago Lopes.
Lopes tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Vortex throws an off balance right hand
and Lopes counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Vortex is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Lopes.
Vortex thows a body shot but no joy.
Lopes displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Vortex.
Vortex leaves Lopes with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Vortex shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lopes as he avoids it easily.

Vortex dives in and scores a takedown into Lopes's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vortex looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vortex scoring with some ground and pound.
Vortex distracts Lopes with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Lopes controls Vortex momentarily but Vortex frees himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vortex has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Vortex showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vortex lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vortex wants to pass the guard but Lopes is keeping the position.
Vortex pushing down on Lopes's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Vortex is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Vortex has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Vortex clinches.
Vortex wants a takedown but no success here.
Lopes tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Vortex can't get the takedown.
Lopes is trying to break the clinch but Vortex has him pressed against the cage.
Lopes prevents the takedown attempt.
Lopes tries for a takedown but Vortex manages to get underhooks.
Lopes tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Vortex smiles and moves away.
Lopes throws a front kick aimed at Vortex's knee but Vortex avoids it well.
Lopes shoots for a double leg takedown but Vortex sprawls well. He's pushed Lopes's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Lopes misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lopes tries to clinch but Vortex moves out of range.
Lopes fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Vortex will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Lopes is looking to clinch.
Lopes connects with a nice looking jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vortex shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Lopes defends it nicely.
Lopes is looking to clinch but Vortex is avoiding it.
Lopes throws a low kick, looking for Vortex's leg but Vortex calmly moves out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vortex is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Lopes.
Lopes fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Vortex manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Lopes on his heels. He'll look to pass Lopes's guard now, I'm sure.
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 John Vortex will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Vortex shoots in for a takedown but Lopes shows good takedown defense.
Lopes tries to clinch but Vortex moves out of range.
Vortex shoots in and drives through. Lopes sprawls well.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lopes is defended easily by Vortex.
Lopes ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Lopes darts in and clinches Vortex up against the cage.

Lopes breaks from the clinch.
Lopes fails with an attempt to clinch.

Vortex throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Lopes tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Vortex is in Lopes's guard.
Vortex slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lopes wants to hit a switch here but Vortex passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Lopes there!
Lopes is trying desperately to improve position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vortex landing shots from mount.
Vortex lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Lopes hang on?
Lopes is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Lopes really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Vortex looking to control and managing it successfully.
Vortex avoids the attempt from Lopes to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vortex looking to control and managing it successfully.
Vortex working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Vortex cracks Lopes with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Lopes is wriggling around trying to escape.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vortex with shots to the head and body - Lopes looks very uncomfortable down there.

Vortex is working close to his opponent, looking to work a submission by the looks of things. Oh, he's managed to get a guillotine from mount as his opponent reached up! That looks tiiiiight! Will he tap? YES, he's tapped! Impressive submission by Vortex!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). John Vortex!