PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zhelyazko Velilkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rick James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rick James is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Velilkov
vs
James

177 cm
21
218 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

187 cm
26
214 lbs
8 - 11 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Good kicks
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Zhelyazko Velilkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rick James!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Saam Ante and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Velilkov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around James's waist but James gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Velilkov off to one side.
Velilkov shoots in for a takedown but James shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
James misses with a head kick.
No joy there for James, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Velilkov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
James lands a body shot.
Velilkov steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from James. That one must have hurt.
Zhelyazko Velilkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice takedown defense from James. No joy for Velilkov on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zhelyazko Velilkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
James closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Velilkov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Velilkov tries to clinch up.
James closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Velilkov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Velilkov looking to ground and pound but James is blocking nicely.
James is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Velilkov throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Velilkov throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
James wants to control but Velilkov is having none of it.
James is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Poor strikes thrown by Velilkov there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Velilkov looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
James tries to hold on but Velilkov pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

James bucks Velilkov off and manages to get back to his feet!
A punch combination from James misses.
James throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Velilkov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Velilkov tries for a takedown but James sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Velilkov fails with a takedown attempt.
Velilkov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Velilkov misses with a takedown attempt - James sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
James throws a head kick that misses.
James stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and James wants it to stay on the feet.
Velilkov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Velilkov fails to land the takedown.
Velilkov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Velilkov is breathing heavily.
Velilkov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? James is fending him off so far but Velilkov persists. Nope, James circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
James scores with a head kick. Velilkov tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
James lands a jab-cross combination.
James slaps away a takedown attempt from Velilkov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
James ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
No luck for Velilkov with that takedown attempt.
James scores with a one two! Velilkov had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
James tries a head kick but it misses.
James misses with a jab, cross combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rick James dominated that round.
That's time! Velilkov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

James throws a right and a left that both miss.
Velilkov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. James defends it nicely.
James pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Velilkov back to the ropes. James follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Velilkov has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by James.
James's jab looks to have found its range, popping Velilkov under the eye.
Velilkov tries to close the distance and clinch up but James swats him away and circles back towards the center.
James pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The fighters circle momentarily. James darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Rick James is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Velilkov drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James wants to stand but Velilkov is controlling the position.
Velilkov trying to control the position from guard on top but James is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Velilkov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
James is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Velilkov is controlling him.
James trying to keep a closed guard but Velilkov is proving a slippery customer.

Velilkov gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
James throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Velilkov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around James's waist but James gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Velilkov off to one side.
James keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zhelyazko Velilkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
James paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
James looks to land a combination. Velilkov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Velilkov wants to clinch up but James keeps it at a distance.
Velilkov shoots for a double leg takedown but James sprawls well. He's pushed Velilkov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
James throws a sloppy head kick and Velilkov moves out of range easily.
Velilkov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
No luck for Velilkov with that takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Velilkov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velilkov fails with a takedown attempt.
James dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
James lands with a nice body punch.
Velilkov tries to score a power double leg takedown but James sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Velilkov somewhat.
Velilkov's hands are dropping dangerously low here and James connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Velilkov scrambles back to his feet.
James connects with a crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

It looks like Zhelyazko Velilkov has been cut.
Nice body punch from James.
James lands a two punch combo.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
James buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Velilkov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from James.
Velilkov tries to clinch there but James circles away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
James misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
James lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Velilkov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rick James showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Zhelyazko Velilkov's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

James closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Nice shot by James.
Velilkov shoots in and drives through. James sprawls well.
James lands a nice hook to Velilkov's body. Velilkov takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Velilkov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
James scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
James throws a combination. Velilkov tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
James has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
James fails to land with a series of punches.
James misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
James lands with a slapping head kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
James stalks Velilkov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Velilkov's face. Velilkov staggers backwards, shaken.
Velilkov misses with a kick to the body
and James counters with a body kick.
James tries a head kick but it misses.
James throws a shot to the body.
James throws a wild body kick that Velilkov sees coming a mile off.
Velilkov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Some wild striking there from James.
James goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James lands with a nice body punch.
James throws a sloppy head kick and Velilkov moves out of range easily.
James throws a one two combo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A head kick from James lands but Velilkov takes it in his stride.
James connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
James lands with a kick to the temple. Velilkov shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Velilkov takes a body punch but keeps moving.
James is working the combinations to good effect here.
James misses with a wild combination.
Velilkov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velilkov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and James counters with a right hand to the body.
Velilkov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and James counters with a left and a right that stings Velilkov.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zhelyazko Velilkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
James goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Good shot there by James.
James comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Velilkov slips a jab and a cross from James.
James shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Velilkov eats them both and turns towards James to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Zhelyazko Velilkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
James smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A slapping leg kick lands for James.
Velilkov shoots and misses
and James cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Velilkov has his takedown stuffed
and James connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
James lands a slapping body shot.
Velilkov closes the distance but James moves to the side
and James counters with a series of strikes. Velilkov will be more careful next time no doubt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
James looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rick James is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
James moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
James connects with a body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rick James comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got James winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 26:30
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 26:30
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rick James!