PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Valentin Saric (ranked 3322 p4p, 1457 weight class) and Derek Erwin (ranked 123 p4p, 60 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Saric
vs
Erwin

200 cm
38
195
16 - 10 - 0

176 cm
36
175
21 - 13 - 0

Great wrestler
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

HELLS BALLS RECOVERY
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 1 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Valentin Saric!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Derek Erwin!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Gregory Folan and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Erwin wants to clinch
enabling Saric to counter with a crisp jab.

Saric fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Erwin to the ground. Saric is now in Erwin's guard.
Erwin trying to keep a closed guard but Saric is proving a slippery customer.
Saric postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Erwin is pulling down on Saric's head. It's preventing any offense from Saric, at least for the moment.
Saric trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saric has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Erwin managing to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saric trying to control the position from guard on top but Erwin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
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 a lack of activity.

Erwin has managed to clinch.

Saric's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Erwin connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Saric momentarily.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Erwin enables Saric to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Erwin manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Saric trying to control the position from guard on top but Erwin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Erwin trying to control the position here.
Saric passes Erwin's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Erwin wants to improve his position but Saric is controlling well.
Saric seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Erwin does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saric passes to side control.
Erwin tries to improve position but can't.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Saric advances to full mount.
Erwin is squirming around, avoiding Saric's attempts to control the action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Valentin Saric showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Saric has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1 round of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 10:9
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 10:9
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 10:9

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Valentin Saric!
In his post fight interview, Valentin Saric started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.
The defeated Derek Erwin had this to say: 'I didn't lose I just ran out of time'.