PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dixie Normous (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Vega (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Normous
vs
Vega

180 cm
20
170 lbs
9 - 0 - 0

178 cm
27
169 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Dixie Normous!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Steve Vega!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Skip Squint and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vega with a hook.
Normous fails with the takedown.
Vega lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

Vega moves into the clinch.
Vega lands a body shot.
Vega tries to work over Normous's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Vega tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Normous's elbow.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Vega.
Normous tries for a takedown. No joy.
Vega working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Vega tries to throw a body punch but Normous avoids it by throwing Vega back against the cage.
Vega tries a body shot but Normous blocks it.
Stalling in the clinch from Vega.
Vega lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Normous.
Vega slows down the pace here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Vega lands a takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Vega wants to control from the top but Normous keeps moving.

Normous had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Vega defends it easily.
Vega stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Normous swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Vega stands and throws Normous's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vega tries to advance to mount but can't.
Vega wants to control but Normous is keeping him busy.

Vega is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Normous is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Vega wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Normous, who protects the arm well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Normous is pushing Vega's head away, looking to escape. Vega manages to hold on to the position though.
Normous gets back to half guard.
Vega is pressing down on Normous's thigh, looking to free his foot. Normous is holding on for now.
We've been hearing good reports from Normous's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Normous is refusing to be controlled, as Vega sits in half guard.
Normous regains full guard. Nicely done.
Vega looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Vega trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Normous looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Vega puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vega is working for a submission of some sort.

Normous looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Vega wants to work for an arm triangle but Normous is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Normous is trying to stand up here but Vega is controlling him well.
Normous trying to hold on to Vega's head to control him but Vega postures up.

Normous is defending against the submission attempts here by Vega.
Normous is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Normous trying to control but Vega postures up.
Normous is refusing to be controlled, as Vega sits in half guard.

Normous looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Normous is defending against the submission attempts here by Vega.

Vega is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Normous is just riding it out for now. Vega eventually gives up the hold.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Normous gets full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Vega dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Vega throws a body punch but Normous moves out of range.
Normous shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Vega as he avoids it easily.
Vega just misses with a punch to the body.
Vega motions for Normous to come forward. Vega throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Normous tries for a takedown but Vega circles away easily
and Normous takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Normous goes for a double leg but Vega avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Vega continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dixie Normous. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vega leaning against his opponent.
Normous wants to take the fight to the mat but Vega manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Normous jumps guard and drags Vega to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Vega trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Normous has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Vega can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Vega trying to control but Normous is working from the bottom.
Vega has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Normous is proving hard to escape from.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vega tries to free his leg and advance position but Normous is retaining full guard.
Vega trying to control but Normous is working from the bottom.

Normous has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Vega can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Vega not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Vega passes into half guard.

Normous looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Vega is looking for a kimura here.

Normous actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vega wants to control but Normous is keeping him busy.

Normous is defending against the submission attempts here by Vega.
Normous missing with punches from the bottom.

Vega is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Normous defends it well.
Normous is trying to control but can't.
Vega moves nicely into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vega thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Steve Vega has got the better of the ground game so far.
Normous manages to get back to half guard.
Vega frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Normous is working to get back to half guard.
Normous bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Vega manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Normous manages to get himself to full guard.

Normous escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Vega gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Vega passes Normous's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vega wants to pass the guard but Normous is defending well.
Normous is staying active underneath Vega, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Normous is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Vega pulls his head out easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

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

Normous is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Vega pulls his head out easily.
Normous pushes Vega off looking to stand but Vega dives back in and keeps control.
Normous tries to kick Vega off in order to stand up. Vega Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vega trying to control the action but Normous is working from the bottom.
Normous tries to improve position but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Vega showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Vega throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Vega looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Normous shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Vega but Vega pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Vega throws a quick inside leg kick.

Vega shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Vega wants to get up but he can't break Normous's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Normous is looking for a triangle but Vega pushes his legs off easily.
Vega trying to control the position from guard on top but Normous is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Normous is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Vega wants to pass the guard but Normous is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Normous keeping moving, preventing Vega from controlling successfully.
Vega works a leg free and moves into half guard.
It looks like Vega is going to stand back up.
Normous makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Normous.

Normous has an active guard here but Vega has managed to pass into half guard.

Vega is looking for a kimura but Normous is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Vega to get the leverage.
Vega wants to free his trapped foot but Normous is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Normous wants to control but Vega is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vega is working for a kimura but Normous is defending it quite comfortably.
Normous is refusing to be controlled, as Vega sits in half guard.
Normous is trying to get back to full guard.
Vega seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Vega trying to control the action but Normous is working from the bottom.
Normous trying to hold on to Vega's head to control him but Vega postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Normous actively working from the bottom here.

Normous actively working from the bottom here.
Vega throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Normous is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vega works his foot free and advances to mount.
Vega controlling from the full mount.

Vega gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Vega tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Normous shoots in and drives through. Vega sprawls well.
Dixie Normous is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Vega lets loose with a powerful body kick. Normous will feel that in the morning.
Normous shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Vega sprawls well. Vega wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Normous gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dixie Normous. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Normous goes for a double leg but Vega avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Vega continues to drive forward.
Normous blocks a body shot from Vega.

Vega has clasped his hands together around Normous's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Vega has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Vega throws a body punch but Normous moves out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vega tries to clinch but Normous moves out of range.
Normous takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Vega keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Vega throws a series of punches but Normous avoids them all with ease.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Vega really dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Vega just misses with a punch to the body.
Vega swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Vega takes a swing at Normous's ribcage but misses.

Vega drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Vega stopping the sweep attempt from Normous.

Normous is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Vega defends well.

Vega stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Vega misses the shot to the body.
Normous steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Vega.
Vega misses the shot to the body.
Vega misses with a two punch combination.
Normous shoots for a takedown but Vega saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Normous misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Vega stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dixie Normous. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Normous tries to sprawl but Vega drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Vega takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Normous is looking to improve his position.

Normous actively working from the bottom here.
Normous won't allow Vega to pass to mount.

Normous looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Vega passes the guard and advances to mount!
Vega can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Normous is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vega takes Normous's back.
Normous is in bad spot here.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Vega looking for the choke but no joy.
Vega is hanging on to Normous's back as he tries to escape.

Vega is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Normous defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Vega patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Normous staying busy and making it hard for Vega to control.
I really don't envy Normous right now.
Normous rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Vega missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Vega trying to control from half guard but Normous is working away.
Normous slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Normous can't keep his opponent in guard - Vega advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Normous wants to control but Vega is keeping busy.
Normous is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vega is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Normous defends it well.
Vega passes to side control.

Vega looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Vega has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Normous!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Vega has hold of Normous's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Normous manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Normous wants to control but Vega is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Vega dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Vega looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Normous is not content to let Vega control the position.

Normous is defending against the submission attempts here by Vega.

Vega seems to be looking for submissions.
Normous trying to control but Vega postures up.
The fighters are battling for position here. Normous manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Vega slips nicely into half guard.
Vega trying to pass the guard but Normous defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Normous is staying active underneath Vega, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Normous looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Vega is trying to control the action in half guard but Normous is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Normous is defending against the submission attempts here by Vega.
Vega is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Normous gets full guard.
Vega trying to control but Normous is working from the bottom.
Vega slips nicely into half guard.
Normous is looking to control Vega's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Normous avoid being mounted?
Vega has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vega is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Normous is trying to stand up here but Vega is controlling him well.
Normous is looking for a sweep. Vega is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Vega wants to lay and pray for a moment but Normous keeps working.
Vega wants to pass to mount but Normous is defending the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Steve Vega.
Normous takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Normous uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Vega.
Vega shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Normous defends it nicely.
Normous is trying hard to land a takedown here. Vega sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Vega dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Normous. That did some damage!
Vega swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Normous throws a leg kick but Vega checks it.
Steve Vega is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Vega has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Vega looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The fight stays on the outside here - Normous looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Normous avoids the body shot from Vega.
Vega misses with a wild body shot.
Vega throws a jab when Normous was well out of range.
Normous dives in for a single leg takedown but Vega sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Vega is pressed up against the cage. Normous has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Vega down to the mat. Vega avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dixie Normous. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vega dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Normous shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Vega napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Normous throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Vega is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to 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!
Normous prevents Vega from improving his position.
Vega trying to hold on to Normous's head to control him but Normous postures up.

Normous is trying to work for a kimura but Vega is defending well.

Vega pushes Normous off and gets back to his feet.
Dixie Normous has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vega throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Normous tries to score with a low kick but Vega moves his leg out of the way.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Vega comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Vega has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 45:50
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 45:50
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Vega!
Steve Vega is the new lightweight champion!
Steve Vega decided to call for a title shot in his post fight interview, which was very strange given the fact this fight was for a title and he's already the champion. I guess that's what getting punched in the head does for you.