PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Vevrin Betlach (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cristi Radu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Vevrin Betlach has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Vevrin Betlach seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Betlach
vs
Radu

176 cm
22
149 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

163 cm
26
153 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vevrin Betlach!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Cristi Radu !
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Seu Braga and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Betlach lands a right hook to the body.
Radu looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Betlach changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Betlach moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Betlach throws a one two combo.
Radu thows a body shot but no joy.
Radu shoots in for a double leg but Betlach sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Radu scores with a shot to the body.
Radu shoots in for a takedown but Betlach shows good takedown defense.
Vevrin Betlach has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cristi Radu .
A punch lands to the side of Betlach 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Nice takedown defense from Betlach. No joy for Radu on that attempt.
Radu tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Betlach swivels and escapes.
Betlach lands a nice hook to Radu 's body. Radu takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Betlach moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Betlach looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Betlach defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Radu .
Betlach thows a body shot but no joy.
Betlach throws a series of punches but Radu avoids them all with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Betlach throws an overhand right that lands on Radu 's shoulder, as Radu tries to avoid the shot.
Radu fails with the takedown.
Betlach throws out a loose jab but Radu uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vevrin Betlach is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Radu shoots for a double leg takedown but Betlach sprawls well. He's pushed Radu 's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Betlach misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
The fighters circling - Betlach throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Radu shoots in for a double leg but Betlach sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Radu looks for a takedown but Betlach sprawls well.
Betlach sizes up Radu with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Betlach connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Betlach is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Betlach misses with a series of wild punches.
Radu comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Betlach missing with a left hand there. Radu was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Radu will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Betlach works Radu 's body with a nice hook.
A jab from Betlach misses.
Betlach swings for the body but Radu moves out of range.
Betlach lands a two punch combo.

It looks like Cristi Radu has been cut.
Betlach stuffs the takedown.
Radu takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Betlach cracks a nice hook into Radu 's ribs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Betlach throws a right and a left that Radu avoids nicely.
Radu misses with an uppercut.
Radu shoots in but no luck this time.
Radu misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Radu looks gassed!
Radu has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Radu there as he acknowledges the shot.
Radu fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Betlach.
Betlach throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Radu shoots in for a takedown but Betlach shows good takedown defense.
Betlach with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Radu takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

Radu is rocked!
Cristi Radu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Radu fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Betlach thows a body shot but no joy.
Betlach misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Radu .
Betlach misses with a wild body shot.

Betlach drops Radu with a beautiful combination! Radu stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Betlach is looking for the KO!
Radu is still on wobbly legs! Can Betlach finish him?
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Betlach fails to land with a series of punches.
Betlach uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Radu .
Radu seems to have recovered his senses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Betlach. Radu does a little dance to reset his feet.
Radu misses with a takedown attempt - Betlach sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Radu takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Radu shoots in for a takedown but Betlach shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nice defenses there by Radu .
Betlach scores with a hook to the body. Radu takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nice uppercut lands for Betlach. That snapped Radu 's head back.
Betlach fails to land with a series of punches.
Radu with a hook.
Radu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Betlach was well out of range. Poor timing from Radu .
Betlach tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Radu was well out of range. Poor timing from Betlach.
Betlach lands with a shot to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Betlach lands a left and a right that send Radu crashing to the mat, dazed. Betlach thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!
Betlach throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Radu on the side of the head.
Betlach is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Betlach scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vevrin Betlach dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Cristi Radu 's cut.
That's time! Betlach's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Betlach drops Radu with a beautiful combination! Radu stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Betlach is looking for the KO!
Betlach looks to land a left hand but Radu moved out of range nicely.
Radu fails with a takedown attempt.
Radu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Betlach.

Radu shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Betlach napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Betlach is looking for a sweep.
Betlach wants to control but Radu postures up.

Radu wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Betlach, who protects the arm well.
Betlach tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Radu is breathing heavily.
Betlach sneaks back into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Betlach is controlling Radu 's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Radu seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Betlach is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Radu not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Radu throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Radu throws a strike but Betlach avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Radu working some strikes from top position.
Betlach avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Radu throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Radu with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Radu slips nicely into half guard.
Betlach wants to improve his position but Radu is controlling well.

Betlach kicks Radu off and gets back to his feet.
Betlach throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Radu .
A punch combination from Betlach misses.
Radu scores with a jab to the head.
Betlach scores with a crisp jab that stopped Radu in his tracks.
Vevrin Betlach is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Betlach swings for the body but Radu moves out of range.
Radu walks into a left hand.
Betlach is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Radu can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Radu fails to land the takedown.
Betlach misses with a wild body shot.
Radu looks to throw the jab but Betlach is out of range.
Betlach misses the shot to the body.
Radu cracks Betlach with a right hand to the side of the head.
Radu has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Betlach finds it's way round the side to connect with Radu 's head.
Betlach misses with a two punch combination.
A big right from Betlach misses.
Radu bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Betlach lands with a hook. Radu tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Betlach ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Betlach throws the left hand but Radu avoids the punch easily.
Radu misses with a takedown attempt - Betlach sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Vevrin Betlach has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cristi Radu .

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Radu shoots for a takedown but Betlach saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Betlach throws a body punch but Radu moves out of range.
A jab from Betlach finds it's way through Radu 's defenses.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Radu .
Betlach throws a right and a left that Radu avoids nicely.
The fighters circling - Betlach throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
No joy there for Betlach, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Radu misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Betlach misses with a wild body shot.
Radu dodges the punch combination from Betlach.
Betlach goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vevrin Betlach dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Cristi Radu 's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Radu shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Radu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Betlach wants to stand but Radu is controlling the position.

Radu drops back, looking for a kneebar! Betlach looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Betlach looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Betlach!

Betlach decides to stand back up. Betlach steps back and let's Radu get back to his feet.
Radu fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Radu shoots in and bounces Betlach off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Radu takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Radu scoring with some ground and pound.
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.
Radu throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Radu stops Betlach from standing up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Radu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Radu thows a big elbow that misses.
Betlach trying to control the position here.
Radu throws a big right hand that misses.

Radu has gone for a leg lock! Betlach slips out almost immediately though and dives into Radu 's guard.

Radu has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Betlach can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's two 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.

Radu escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Betlach gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Radu isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Betlach stacks Radu on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Betlach!
Betlach controlling the position from side mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Betlach has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Radu is looking for a sweep.
Betlach takes a little break here. Radu wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Radu has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Radu manages to get back to half guard.
Radu is trying to get back to full guard.

Radu looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Radu is pressing down on Betlach's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Radu has a closed guard, preventing Betlach from standing up.

Radu is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Betlach is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Cristi Radu just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Cristi Radu 's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Betlach stuns Radu with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Betlach connects with a body shot.
Radu shoots in but no luck this time.
Radu throws a body punch but Betlach moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Betlach. Radu does a little dance to reset his feet.
Betlach throws a right and a left that Radu avoids nicely.
Betlach tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Radu was well out of range. Poor timing from Betlach.
Betlach scores with a one two! Radu had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Radu slips a jab and a cross from Betlach.
Betlach lands a slapping body shot.
Radu scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Radu is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Betlach misses with a hook to the body
enabling Radu to counter with a crisp jab.
Radu takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Betlach lands a slapping body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Radu tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Betlach swivels and escapes.
Radu has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Betlach stuffs the takedown attempt from Radu . Radu gets slowly back to his feet.
Vevrin Betlach has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cristi Radu .
Betlach misses with a looping left.
Betlach throws an overhand right that lands on Radu 's shoulder, as Radu tries to avoid the shot.
Betlach looks to throw the jab but Radu is out of range.
Radu jabs at Betlach's body.
Betlach takes a jab right on the kisser.
Betlach jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Radu fails to land the takedown.
Vevrin Betlach is winning the standup battle so far.
Betlach scores with a nice head shot.
Radu takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Radu fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Betlach avoids it really well and circles away.
Betlach stuffs the takedown attempt from Radu . Radu gets slowly back to his feet.
Radu closes the distance and clinches up with Betlach, looking for a takedown. Radu pushes Betlach against the cage but Betlach circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Radu has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Radu misses the shot to the body.
Radu dives in and grabs Betlach's left leg, looking for a takedown. Betlach pushes down on Radu 's head and hops out.
Radu fails with a takedown attempt.
Radu has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Betlach finds it's way round the side to connect with Radu 's head.

Betlach lands a left and a right that send Radu crashing to the mat, dazed. Betlach thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!
Betlach drops a shoulder and throws an uppercut that cracks Radu right on the button. Radu goes down! Betlach follows him to the mat and finishes the job with more strikes! Betlach gets the win via TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Vevrin Betlach!
Vevrin Betlach retains his featherweight title!