PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Brutalis Rhino (ranked 2680 p4p, 340 weight class) and Tony Vazzappo (ranked 3980 p4p, 445 weight class). Tony Vazzappo 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!

Rhino
vs
Vazzappo

200 cm
24
178 lbs
4 - 7 - 0

185 cm
30
170 lbs
7 - 10 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
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 4 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Brutalis Rhino!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tony Vazzappo!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rhino cracks Vazzappo with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Vazzappo rushes Rhino and presses him up against the ropes.
Vazzappo lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Vazzappo misses with a punch to the body.
Vazzappo is stalling here.
Vazzappo stalling the fight.
Vazzappo presses Rhino against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Vazzappo lands a nice shot to the body.

Vazzappo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rhino blocks the body kick.
Rhino is looking for a counter combo.
Rhino dives in for a single leg takedown but Vazzappo sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.
It seemed like Vazzappo was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Vazzappo lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Vazzappo looks to land a combination but Rhino avoids it well.
Vazzappo misses with a double jab.
Rhino really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vazzappo wants to clinch.
Vazzappo is looking to clinch but Rhino is avoiding it.
Rhino changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Vazzappo tries to avoid it but Rhino manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Vazzappo to the ground. Vazzappo escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rhino throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Vazzappo stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vazzappo looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Vazzappo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rhino circles away quickly and effectively.
Vazzappo slaps away a takedown attempt from Rhino, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brutalis Rhino. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Rhino shoots in and gets a takedown into Vazzappo's guard.

Rhino drops back looking for a leg! Vazzappo is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Vazzappo manages to kick Rhino off! Rhino jumps back into Vazzappo's guard.
Vazzappo looking for a sweep. Not yet Vazzappo, not yet.
Rhino slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Vazzappo really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rhino. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Rhino is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Vazzappo knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Vazzappo is pushing Rhino's head away, looking to escape. Rhino manages to hold on to the position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vazzappo is trying to get back to half guard.
Rhino is looking to take a break and control but Vazzappo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Vazzappo dodges the ground and pound from Rhino.
Vazzappo can't do much from the bottom here.

Rhino is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Vazzappo has escaped the position, nice work there.

Rhino tries for a kimura but Vazzappo is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rhino wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Vazzappo, who protects the arm well.
Vazzappo wants to get back to his feet but Rhino drags him back down.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Vazzappo can do anything to dispel that myth.
Rhino gets to mount! Vazzappo was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Rhino wants to control the pace but Vazzappo is squirming around nicely.
Vazzappo is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Rhino looking to secure an arm triangle but Vazzappo defends it well.
We've been informed that Vazzappo has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Vazzappo avoids a series of strikes thrown by Rhino.
Vazzappo has given up his back - I don’t know if this is a deliberate ploy to try and escape or if he is just struggling down there.
Vazzappo is trying to get back to his feet but Rhino has full control of the position and if anything, Vazzappo has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Rhino is persistently looking for the submission but Vazzappo is defending it well.
Vazzappo covering up well and avoiding damage.

Rhino tightening his grip on Vazzappo, looking for the choke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brutalis Rhino dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rhino dodges the punch combination from Vazzappo.
Vazzappo pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Rhino back to the ropes. Vazzappo follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Rhino throws a head kick that misses.
Vazzappo throws a counter combo.
Rhino changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Vazzappo tries to avoid it but Rhino manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Vazzappo to the ground. Vazzappo escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
The fighters circle momentarily. Rhino darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Rhino rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Vazzappo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
As Rhino backs off Vazzappo throws a huge counter combo but Rhino manages to avoid it all.
Vazzappo moves in looking to clinch but Rhino pushes him off.
Rhino shoots for a double leg takedown but Vazzappo sprawls well. He's pushed Rhino's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Brutalis Rhino seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vazzappo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rhino.
Rhino will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brutalis Rhino. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rhino lands a nice shot that snaps Vazzappo's head back.
Tony Vazzappo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rhino dives in for a single leg takedown but Vazzappo sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the ropes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vazzappo tries to clinch up but Rhino circles away and keeps his distance.
No joy there for Rhino, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Vazzappo moves into the clinch successfully.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Vazzappo.

Vazzappo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Vazzappo.
Vazzappo misses with a two punch combination.
Vazzappo tries to close the distance and clinch but Rhino swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Vazzappo misses with a wild body shot.
Vazzappo slaps away a takedown attempt from Rhino, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Vazzappo is looking to clinch.
Rhino throwing a counter right hand but Vazzappo manages to avoid it.

Vazzappo moves into the clinch.
Rhino wants to take the fight to the mat but Vazzappo manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Vazzappo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rhino tries to break free but Vazzappo pushes him back against the ropes.

Rhino has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Vazzappo clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Rhino trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Vazzappo wants to escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vazzappo is trying to stand back up.
Brutalis Rhino overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Vazzappo is trying to defend against the choke here but Rhino has an arm under his chin. This one might not last much longer. Rhino Tightens the hold and Vazzappo taps out furiously! Rhino displays superior BJJ to win the fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:24 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Brutalis Rhino!