PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between DJ Strawberry (ranked 4157 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dante Fiaschi (ranked 7190 p4p, 0 weight class). Strawberry comes into the arena with Beastie Boys-Brass Monkey blaring out of the sound system. Fiaschi has chosen ZZ Top - Sharp Dressed Man as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Strawberry
vs
Fiaschi

185 cm
26
182 lbs
9 - 13 - 0

187 cm
24
185 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, DJ Strawberry!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dante Fiaschi!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Alan Glass and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Strawberry has a takedown stuffed.
Strawberry misses with a takedown attempt - Fiaschi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Strawberry throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Fiaschi's waist but Fiaschi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Strawberry off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for DJ Strawberry. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Strawberry fails with a takedown attempt.

Fiaschi gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Strawberry jumps guard.
Fiaschi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fiaschi trying to control the position from guard on top but Strawberry is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Strawberry had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Fiaschi defends it easily.
Fiaschi controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fiaschi sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Strawberry's guard.
Fiaschi missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Fiaschi slows the pace down in half guard.
Strawberry wants to get back to full guard.
Fiaschi trying to control from Strawberry's half guard. Strawberry has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Fiaschi trying to control but Strawberry is working from the bottom.
Fiaschi trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Strawberry working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Fiaschi.
Strawberry keeping full guard, as Fiaschi tries to pass.
Fiaschi stays in close to Strawberry's body and controls the position.
Fiaschi preventing the sweep.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Fiaschi is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strawberry defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Fiaschi.
Strawberry shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Fiaschi as he avoids it easily.
A countering left hand to the body from Fiaschi misses.
Fiaschi looks for a takedown but Strawberry sprawls well.
Strawberry was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Strawberry dives in for a single leg takedown but Fiaschi sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Fiaschi shoots in and bounces Strawberry off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Fiaschi is looking to stand up but Strawberry won't let him.
Strawberry is pulling down on Fiaschi's head. It's preventing any offense from Fiaschi, at least for the moment.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Strawberry looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Strawberry is looking for a triangle but Fiaschi pushes his legs off easily.
Strawberry is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Fiaschi trying to control the position from guard on top but Strawberry is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Strawberry looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fiaschi is one step ahead there.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fiaschi passes Strawberry's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dante Fiaschi dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Fiaschi's jab looks to have found its range, popping Strawberry under the eye.
Strawberry is trying hard to land a takedown here. Fiaschi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Strawberry looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Fiaschi is fending him off so far but Strawberry persists. Nope, Fiaschi circles away and we're back to standing.

Strawberry scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Fiaschi tries to get to full guard but Strawberry has control of the leg.

Strawberry looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Strawberry is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fiaschi is staying active underneath Strawberry, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Strawberry frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Fiaschi is trying to escape the mount.

Strawberry goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Fiaschi is on top in guard.

Strawberry escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Fiaschi gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Fiaschi sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Strawberry trying to control the position.
Strawberry wants to sweep but no luck.
Fiaschi seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Dante Fiaschi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Strawberry looking for a sweep. Not yet Strawberry, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strawberry is pulling down on Fiaschi's head to control his posture.
Strawberry trying to keep a closed guard but Fiaschi is proving a slippery customer.
Fiaschi stays in close to Strawberry's body and controls the position.

Fiaschi decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Strawberry, up you get!

Strawberry shoots in and gets a takedown into Fiaschi's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fiaschi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fiaschi can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Strawberry controls the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strawberry wants to control from the top but Fiaschi keeps moving.
Strawberry is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Fiaschi wants to sweep but no luck.
Fiaschi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fiaschi throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Strawberry preventing the sweep.
Strawberry trying to control but Fiaschi is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Strawberry tries for a takedown but Fiaschi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for DJ Strawberry. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Strawberry fails with a takedown attempt.
Strawberry sets himself, and Fiaschi steps forward looking for the clinch! Strawberry avoids it this time.
Strawberry will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dante Fiaschi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Fiaschi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Strawberry.
Fiaschi tests Strawberry's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Strawberry fails with a takedown attempt.
Strawberry looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Fiaschi is fending him off so far but Strawberry persists. Nope, Fiaschi circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for DJ Strawberry. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Fiaschi has closed the distance and engaged Strawberry in a clinch.
Strawberry is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Fiaschi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Strawberry fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Fiaschi rushes Strawberry and presses him up against the cage.
Fiaschi tries for a takedown but Strawberry manages to get underhooks.

Fiaschi gets control of Strawberry's arms and successfully pulls guard. Fiaschi will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strawberry tries to free his leg and advance position but Fiaschi is retaining full guard.

Fiaschi working for a triangle but Strawberry defends it easily.
Fiaschi managing to control the position.
Strawberry controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Strawberry trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
DJ Strawberry has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Fiaschi wants to sweep but no luck.
Strawberry tries to free his leg and advance position but Fiaschi is retaining full guard.

Fiaschi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Strawberry doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Strawberry manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Fiaschi trying to keep a closed guard but Strawberry is proving a slippery customer.
Strawberry wants to pass the guard but Fiaschi is keeping the position.
Strawberry 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 referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Strawberry trying to control but Fiaschi is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Fiaschi with that takedown attempt.
Strawberry looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Dante Fiaschi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Strawberry tries for a takedown but Fiaschi circles away easily

and Fiaschi counters by moving into the clinch.
Dante Fiaschi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Strawberry tries for a takedown. No joy.
Strawberry jumps guard but Fiaschi stands there with Strawberry around his waist. Strawberry gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Fiaschi gets control of Strawberry's arms and successfully pulls guard. Fiaschi will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Strawberry passes Fiaschi's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Strawberry looks to land a strike but Fiaschi avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Fiaschi working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Strawberry advances position into side control!
Fiaschi tries to bench press Strawberry off him but Strawberry keeps the position.
Strawberry advances nicely into full mount.
Strawberry can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Fiaschi is looking to escape.
Strawberry controlling the pace for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

And that's the end of the fight!
Dante Fiaschi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Fiaschi 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dante Fiaschi!
During a confident post fight interview, Dante Fiaschi thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
The defeated DJ Strawberry had this to say: 'i'm young and I will continue to get better, there is no doubt in my mind I will be a champ one day. Get on the bandwagon before its full.... Going to my after party. I got the blow and Chinese chicks waiting for me...'.