PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Chang Velez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ded Moroz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Velez
vs
Moroz

208 cm
20
151 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

180 cm
18
154 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chang Velez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ded Moroz!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Chris Downing and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Velez closes the distance and clinches.

Velez breaks from the clinch.

Velez decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Velez thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Moroz's head.

Velez is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Moroz has managed to free his arm - good work.
Moroz regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Velez.
Velez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moroz preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Moroz is controlling Velez's posture.
Moroz utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Velez really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Velez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Moroz works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Moroz avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Velez throwing strikes from guard but Moroz blocks nicely.
Velez scoring with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velez working some strikes from top position.
Moroz wants to hit a switch here but Velez passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Moroz there!
Velez sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Poor strikes thrown by Velez there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Velez thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moroz wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Velez.
Velez throws some wild stikes that Moroz manages to avoid easily.
Velez is landing with some decent strikes but Moroz is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

Velez working for a submission but Moroz is keeping him at bay.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Moroz wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Velez.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Moroz tries to reverse the position but Velez maintains control.
Moroz tries to hold on but Velez pushes him away.
Velez thowing shots but they're missing.
Velez putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Moroz defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Velez.
Velez tries to score a power double leg takedown but Moroz sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Velez somewhat.
Velez lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Velez.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chang Velez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Velez looks to throw the jab but Moroz is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Moroz tries to sprawl but Velez drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Velez thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Moroz's head.
Moroz regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Velez.
Velez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Moroz works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Velez is in close to Moroz's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Velez throws a strike but Moroz rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velez keeping moving, preventing Moroz from controlling successfully.
Moroz is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Velez is on top in guard.
Velez tries to stand but Moroz is controlling from the bottom.
Moroz controls Velez momentarily but Velez frees himself.
Moroz trying to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Moroz keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Velez is trying hard to land a takedown here. Moroz sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Velez lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Velez falls off balance throwing a combination

and Moroz counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Velez's guard now.
Moroz wants to pass the guard but Velez is keeping the position.
Moroz trying to control but Velez is working from the bottom.
Velez will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Velez tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Moroz stands and throws Velez's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Moroz working the ground and pound from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ded Moroz will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Velez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Velez.
Velez shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Moroz but Moroz pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Velez darts in looking for a takedown but Moroz gets double underhooks and turns Velez into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chang Velez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Velez pulls Moroz into guard.
Velez tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Moroz trying to control but Velez is working from the bottom.
Moroz trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velez is looking to stand up but Moroz isn't so interested in that idea.
Moroz with a flurry of punches that miss.
Moroz tries to free his leg and advance position but Velez is retaining full guard.
Chang Velez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Moroz works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Velez trying to control but Moroz postures up.
Moroz is looking to take a break and control but Velez is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Moroz prevents Velez from standing back up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Moroz content to control rather than advance.
Moroz wants to free his trapped foot but Velez is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Moroz wants to take a breather but Velez is having none of it.
Moroz wants to free his trapped foot but Velez is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moroz wants to control but Velez is keeping him busy.
Moroz seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Ded Moroz wasn't active enough on the ground.
Velez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Moroz is fending him off so far but Velez persists. Nope, Moroz circles away and we're back to standing.
Velez shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Moroz defends it nicely.
Velez fails with the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velez tries to close the distance and clinch but Moroz swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Velez scores with a hook.
Nice shot by Velez.
Velez shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Moroz counters with a solid body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Velez has closed the distance and engaged Moroz in a clinch.
Velez tries to stall but Moroz uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Moroz has hold of one of Velez's legs. Velez is fighting the takedown attempt but Moroz gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Moroz looking to pass the guard.

Velez manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Chang Velez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Velez instigates a clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Velez is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Moroz is defending well.

Moroz works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Moroz stops Velez from standing up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ded Moroz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Moroz has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Ded Moroz!