PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zhelyazko Velilkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Komuto Poebalunaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Komuto Poebalunaka will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Velilkov
vs
Poebalunaka

177 cm
18
218 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

193 cm
21
213 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Zhelyazko Velilkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Komuto Poebalunaka!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Daniel Blasius and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Velilkov gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Poebalunaka postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Velilkov is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Poebalunaka, into his guard.

Poebalunaka is looking for a triangle but Velilkov pushes his legs off easily.

Velilkov postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Poebalunaka is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Velilkov, into his guard.

Poebalunaka drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Velilkov manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Poebalunaka has Velilkov in his guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Poebalunaka is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Poebalunaka lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Velilkov!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Poebalunaka goes for an armbar but Velilkov turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Velilkov.

Poebalunaka has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Velilkov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Poebalunaka looks gassed!

Velilkov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Poebalunaka is looking for a triangle but Velilkov pushes his legs off easily.

Poebalunaka is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Velilkov defends well.
Velilkov wants to control from the top but Poebalunaka keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Poebalunaka looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Poebalunaka avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Velilkov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Poebalunaka has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Velilkov has managed to get both his arms back between Poebalunaka's legs - danger averted.
Velilkov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Poebalunaka's head.

Velilkov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Velilkov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Velilkov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Velilkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Poebalunaka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Velilkov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Velilkov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Poebalunaka throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Velilkov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Poebalunaka looking for a guillotine here but Velilkov defends easily.

Velilkov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Velilkov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Velilkov drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Poebalunaka dives on top into guard.
Poebalunaka wants to pass the guard but Velilkov is keeping the position.
Velilkov is trying to keep Poebalunaka in close.
Velilkov lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Poebalunaka!
Velilkov prevents Poebalunaka from getting the reversal.
Poebalunaka is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Velilkov with a lazy takedown attempt

and Poebalunaka counters with a nice double leg into side control. Velilkov won't be happy with that.

Poebalunaka wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Velilkov, who protects the arm well.
Poebalunaka in the domination position with Velilkov hanging on.

Poebalunaka wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Velilkov, who protects the arm well.

Poebalunaka is trying to get an arm triangle but Velilkov is defending well.
Velilkov gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Poebalunaka is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velilkov trying to hold on to Poebalunaka's head to control him but Poebalunaka postures up.
Velilkov keeping hold of Poebalunaka's head, controlling as best he can.
Velilkov tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Velilkov is defending against the submission attempts here by Poebalunaka.

Poebalunaka is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Velilkov as he works his way to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Velilkov trying to keep a closed guard but Poebalunaka is proving a slippery customer.
Velilkov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Velilkov is looking to take a break and control but Poebalunaka is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Velilkov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Poebalunaka doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Velilkov.

Velilkov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Poebalunaka sees it coming and defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Velilkov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Velilkov stops Poebalunaka from getting back to his feet.
Velilkov trying to control from half guard but Poebalunaka is working away.
Poebalunaka is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Velilkov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Velilkov's back!

Poebalunaka is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Velilkov has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Poebalunaka is persistently looking for the submission but Velilkov is defending it well.

Poebalunaka is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Poebalunaka looking to finish the fight with a rear naked choke. Velilkov is controlling Poebalunaka 's left arm and he spins nicely into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Velilkov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Velilkov is looking to work some ground and pound but Poebalunaka has wrist control.

Velilkov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Velilkov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Poebalunaka has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Velilkov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Velilkov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Velilkov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Komuto Poebalunaka showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Poebalunaka tries for a takedown but Velilkov circles away easily

and Velilkov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Velilkov.

Poebalunaka is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Poebalunaka keeping moving, preventing Velilkov from controlling successfully.
Poebalunaka is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Velilkov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Poebalunaka looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Velilkov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Velilkov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Poebalunaka had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Velilkov defends it easily.
Velilkov trying to control but Poebalunaka is working from the bottom.
Velilkov stopping the sweep attempt from Poebalunaka.
Velilkov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Poebalunaka is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Velilkov drops back looking for a leg! Poebalunaka is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Poebalunaka manages to kick Velilkov off! Velilkov jumps back into Poebalunaka's 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.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Velilkov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Poebalunaka wants to improve his position but Velilkov is controlling well.
Velilkov wants to take a breather but Poebalunaka is having none of it.

Poebalunaka is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Velilkov pulls his head out easily.

Poebalunaka looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Poebalunaka looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Velilkov slips a nice elbow through Poebalunaka's hands, connecting with Poebalunaka's forehead.

Velilkov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Poebalunaka defends it well.
Poebalunaka regains full guard. Nicely done.
Poebalunaka utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Poebalunaka has his foot on Velilkov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Velilkov works his way back into a safe position though.

Velilkov drops back looking for a submission - "I'm sorry sir, but I'm gunna break your leg" says Velilkov as he cranks on the unfortunate limb! Poebalunaka screams and taps out before any major damage is done! Don't mess with Velilkov! Nice submission victory there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:05 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Zhelyazko Velilkov!