PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Bastarrachea (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eric Newman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bastarrachea kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Young Folks. Newman has chosen "For Whom The Bell Tolls" by Metallica as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Bastarrachea
vs
Newman

188 cm
21
216 lbs
9 - 0 - 0

200 cm
20
213 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Insanely flexible

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Fight Club Clothing™

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Xavier Bastarrachea!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Eric Newman!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Anni Minnemäki and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Newman throws out a loose jab but Bastarrachea uses good head movement to avoid it.
Donk. Newman catches Bastarrachea right on the button with a cross.
Newman misses with an uppercut. Bastarrachea saw that one coming.
Newman lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Bastarrachea keeps Newman at a distance using the push kick.
A swing and a miss from Newman.
Newman lands a jab to Bastarrachea's midsection.
Newman uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Bastarrachea has time to react.
Newman is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Bastarrachea throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Newman lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Bastarrachea throws a leg kick which misses Newman's front leg but catches the back leg as Newman tries to avoid it.
Bastarrachea keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Newman has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Bastarrachea is looking to land body kicks.
Newman throws a nice outside leg kick.

Bastarrachea closes the distance and clinches.
Newman wants to break free but Bastarrachea has control.
Newman has had enough of the clinch but Bastarrachea keeps him there for the moment.
Newman tries to break the clinch but Bastarrachea is controlling the position.
Newman managing to block the knees to the body from Bastarrachea.
Bastarrachea missing with knees to the body.
Bastarrachea is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Newman is defending well for now.
Bastarrachea lands a damaging elbow.
Bastarrachea tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bastarrachea misses with an elbow over the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bastarrachea tries to land knees in the clinch but Newman avoids the damage to the body.
Newman avoiding damage as Bastarrachea throws knees to the body.
Bastarrachea missing with knees to the body.
Bastarrachea throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Bastarrachea lands an elbow just above Newman 's eye.
Bastarrachea is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Bastarrachea tries a knee to the head but Newman blocks it.
Newman avoiding damage as Bastarrachea throws knees to the body.
Newman blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Bastarrachea lands a knee to the head.
Bastarrachea misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Newman.
The referee calls for Bastarrachea to work.
Bastarrachea misses with a knee strike.
Bastarrachea creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Newman is trying to push Bastarrachea away but Bastarrachea has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Bastarrachea creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Newman's defenses.

Newman breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Bastarrachea lands a leg kick that knocks Newman off balance momentarily.
Bastarrachea has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Newman throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bastarrachea tries to work over Newman's front leg with a kick but Newman checks it.
Bastarrachea wants to clinch.
Bastarrachea throws a head kick that misses.
Bastarrachea throws a leg kick but Newman sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Bastarrachea takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Bastarrachea takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Newman throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Bastarrachea misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bastarrachea does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Bastarrachea lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Newman throws a shot from downtown. Bastarrachea moves away and avoids it.
Newman throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Bastarrachea stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Newman lands a jab.
Bastarrachea takes a jab right on the kisser.
Bastarrachea gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Newman lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Newman connects with the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bastarrachea delivers a nice body kick.
Bastarrachea throws the kick towards the body but Newman avoids it.
Newman tries to bum rush Bastarrachea with a series of wild strikes but Bastarrachea uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Bastarrachea clinches up with Newman and pushes him back against the cage.
Bastarrachea tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Bastarrachea misses with an elbow over the top.

Newman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bastarrachea takes a jab right on the kisser.
Newman throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Newman throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Bastarrachea.
Bastarrachea wants to clinch.
Newman comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Newman lands a nice shot that snaps Bastarrachea's head back.
Bastarrachea tries to clinch there but Newman circles away.
Bastarrachea steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Newman.
Bastarrachea tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Newman manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Bastarrachea rushes Newman and presses him up against the cage.
Newman is trying to break the clinch but Bastarrachea has him pressed against the cage.
Bastarrachea throws an elbow that misses.
Bastarrachea is trying to stall.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Bastarrachea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bastarrachea tries to land knees in the clinch but Newman avoids the damage to the body.

Newman breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Bastarrachea gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Bastarrachea slows down the pace here.
Newman blocks the elbow strike.
Bastarrachea taking a breather.
Bastarrachea creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Newman's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bastarrachea looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Newman scores with a nice head shot.
Bastarrachea throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Newman cracks a nice hook into Bastarrachea's ribs.
Newman scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Newman scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Newman dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Bastarrachea drops his hands momentarily and Newman takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A slapping leg kick lands for Bastarrachea.
A nice leg kick lands there from Bastarrachea.
Newman lands a nice leg kick that just misses Bastarrachea's sensitive parts.
Newman lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Bastarrachea attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Bastarrachea connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Bastarrachea closes the distance and clinches.
Newman takes an elbow to the temple.
Come on Bastarrachea - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Bastarrachea pushes off an throws an elbow but Newman leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Newman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Newman misses with a hook. Bastarrachea ducked under it nicely.
Bastarrachea throws a sloppy head kick and Newman moves out of range easily.
A clash of legs there as Newman blocks the low kick.
Newman fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Newman walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Bastarrachea checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Bastarrachea pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A lazy left from Newman finds it's target.
Bastarrachea throws a front kick aimed at Newman's knee but Newman avoids it well.
Newman scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Bastarrachea doesn't seem bothered though.
Newman moves out of range of the body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bastarrachea feints and then cracks Newman's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Newman down.
Newman cracks Bastarrachea with an open hand slap.
Bastarrachea scores with a leg kick.
Bastarrachea slips a straight right by Newman.
Bastarrachea takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Bastarrachea bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Newman throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bastarrachea dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Newman. That did some damage!
Good leg kick by Bastarrachea there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Bastarrachea is looking to clinch but Newman is avoiding it.
Bastarrachea buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Newman connects with a jab.
Bastarrachea shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Bastarrachea goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A low kick from Bastarrachea is predictable there
and Newman counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Bastarrachea throws out a leg kick but Newman moves out of range and Bastarrachea only half commits.
Bastarrachea has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Bastarrachea throws a body kick that misses.
Newman's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Newman dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Bastarrachea. That did some damage!
Bastarrachea looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Newman scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A nice leg kick lands there from Bastarrachea.
Bastarrachea slips a straight right by Newman.
Newman blocks a head kick by Bastarrachea.
A nice inside leg kick there by Newman. That's going to slow Bastarrachea down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Newman avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
An inside leg kick from Newman misses.
Newman lands a jab to Bastarrachea's midsection.
Bastarrachea tries to clinch but Newman is having none of it.
Bastarrachea takes one to the chin there.
Newman scores with a shot to the body.
A head kick misses from Bastarrachea.
Eric Newman seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bastarrachea throws a head kick but Newman moves out of range.
A right-left combo lands from Newman.
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!
A big left from Newman misses.
Newman throws a shot to the body.
Newman fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Bastarrachea walks into a straight right hand from Newman.
Bastarrachea misses with a low kick.
Newman connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Newman blocks a head kick by Bastarrachea.
Newman missing with a left hand there. Bastarrachea was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Newman comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Nice straight punches there by Newman. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Newman.
Newman cracks a nice hook into Bastarrachea's ribs.

Bastarrachea has taken the fight to the clinch.
Bastarrachea misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Newman.
Bastarrachea throws an elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bastarrachea misses with an elbow strike.
Bastarrachea lands a nice elbow.
Bastarrachea creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Bastarrachea tries to land knees in the clinch but Newman avoids the damage to the body.
Bastarrachea has Newman pushed against the cage.
Newman wants to break the clinch but can't.
Bastarrachea lands an elbow inside.
Newman blocks an elbow strike from Bastarrachea.
Bastarrachea tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Newman avoids it.

Newman breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Newman avoids a kick to the body.
A nice inside leg kick there by Bastarrachea. That's going to slow Newman down.
Newman connects with a nice looking jab.
Newman throws out a powerful jab.
Bastarrachea throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bastarrachea bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bastarrachea turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Bastarrachea drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Bastarrachea throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bastarrachea darts in and clinches Newman up against the cage.
Newman is trying to break free.
Bastarrachea lands an elbow just above Newman 's eye.
Bastarrachea tries to land a knee to the head but Newman blocks with his arms.
Bastarrachea keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Newman's efforts to push away.
Newman blocks an elbow strike.
Bastarrachea is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Newman takes an elbow to the forehead.
Bastarrachea throws an elbow but it misses.
Newman dodges an elbow strike from Bastarrachea.
Newman blocks the elbow strike.
Bastarrachea gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Newman avoids the elbow strike from Bastarrachea, against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Newman tries to circle away but Bastarrachea has him pinned against the cage.
Bastarrachea slowing the pace effectively.
Bastarrachea is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Newman is defending well for now.
Newman on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Newman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Newman throws an overhand right that lands on Bastarrachea's shoulder, as Bastarrachea tries to avoid the shot.
Bastarrachea throws a front kick aimed at Newman's knee but Newman avoids it well.
Bastarrachea throws a leg kick that is checked
and Newman cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Newman slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Bastarrachea ducks under a wild hook from Newman.
Bastarrachea gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Bastarrachea throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Newman lands with an uppercut that bounces Bastarrachea off the cage and back into rage.
Good work by Newman as he checks the leg kick.
Bastarrachea swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A leg kick checked by Newman.

Bastarrachea moves into the clinch.
Bastarrachea throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Bastarrachea is looking to control Newman's arms but Newman gets an underhook and turns him. Now Bastarrachea has his back to the cage.
Bastarrachea with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Newman dodges an elbow strike from Bastarrachea.
Newman has had enough of the clinch but Bastarrachea keeps him there for the moment.
Bastarrachea tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Newman avoids it.
Bastarrachea looking to throw knees to the head but Newman is blocking nicely.
Bastarrachea misses with an elbow strike.
Bastarrachea throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Bastarrachea missing with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newman wants to break free but Bastarrachea has control.
Bastarrachea tries to land a knee to the head but Newman blocks with his arms.
Bastarrachea tries to land a knee to the head but Newman blocks with his arms.
Bastarrachea is stalling here.
Bastarrachea gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Bastarrachea throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Bastarrachea misses with an elbow strike.
Newman managing to block the knees to the body from Bastarrachea.
Newman on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Newman blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Newman has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Nice elbow from Bastarrachea.
Newman digs a right hand into Bastarrachea's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Bastarrachea's gas tank.
Bastarrachea pushes off an throws an elbow but Newman leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Bastarrachea gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Bastarrachea throws an elbow that misses.

Newman manages to break the clinch.
Newman looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Bastarrachea is looking to clinch.
Bastarrachea throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A head kick misses from Bastarrachea.

Bastarrachea rushes Newman and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Bastarrachea throws an elbow that misses.

Newman's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Newman lands a two punch combo.
Bastarrachea throws a leg kick that is checked
and Newman makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Newman throws a shot from downtown. Bastarrachea moves away and avoids it.
An inside leg kick lands from Newman.
Newman connects with a jab.
Bastarrachea moves out of range of the strikes.
Bastarrachea lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Bastarrachea throws a half hearted mid kick.
Newman throws a hook to the side of Bastarrachea's head but Bastarrachea sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A jab lands there for Newman.
Newman avoids the head kick by Bastarrachea.
Newman is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Bastarrachea tries a head kick but it misses.
Newman connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Newman checks the leg kick nicely there.
Bastarrachea throws a head kick but Newman moves out of range.
Newman cracks Bastarrachea with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Bastarrachea wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newman avoids the head kick by Bastarrachea.
Bastarrachea throws a head kick but Newman moves out of range.
Bastarrachea is looking to score with low kicks.
A nice leg kick lands there from Newman.
Bastarrachea goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Bastarrachea scores with a leg kick.
Newman takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Bastarrachea is looking to clinch but Newman is avoiding it.
Bastarrachea uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Newman.
Newman looks to land a left hand but Bastarrachea moved out of range nicely.
Bastarrachea attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Bastarrachea misses with a head kick.
Bastarrachea throws a quick inside leg kick.
Newman fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Bastarrachea with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Newman to score with a decent uppercut.
Newman chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Newman jabs at Bastarrachea's body.
Newman lands a jab.
Newman scores with a hook to the body. Bastarrachea takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nice body punch from Newman.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Newman.
Newman misses the jab.
Newman circles away from the clinch attempt.
Bastarrachea takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Newman scores with a jab to the body.
Newman connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Newman thuds his right hand into Bastarrachea's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Bastarrachea misses with a kick to the body.
Newman scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Bastarrachea throws a push kick but Newman slaps the foot to one side.
Newman throws a quick inside leg kick.
Newman lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Bastarrachea at a distance.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Newman throws an overhand right that lands on Bastarrachea's shoulder, as Bastarrachea tries to avoid the shot.
Bastarrachea on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Newman. Newman obviously looking to wear him down.
Newman comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
That kick from Newman tenderised Bastarrachea's leg. Bastarrachea is trying to keep his angry face on.
Newman blocks a low kick nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Bastarrachea takes the fight into the clinch.
Bastarrachea effectively controlling the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Newman really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bastarrachea tries to land a front kick but Newman steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Bastarrachea fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Bastarrachea keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Newman.
Newman lands a lovely overhand right.
Newman misses the shot to the body.
Bastarrachea walks into a straight right hand from Newman.
Bastarrachea throws a push kick but Newman slaps the foot to one side.
Bastarrachea ducks under a wild hook from Newman.
Newman pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Newman swats away the attempt to clinch by Bastarrachea.
That kick from Bastarrachea tenderised Newman's leg. Newman is trying to keep his angry face on.
Bastarrachea moves forwards but Newman connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Bastarrachea bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Newman lands with an overhand left.
Bastarrachea tries to clinch but Newman is having none of it.
Bastarrachea throws a head kick that misses.
Bastarrachea attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Newman throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bastarrachea takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Newman throws a jab when Bastarrachea was well out of range.
Bastarrachea throws a head kick that misses.
Newman cracks Bastarrachea with an open hand slap.
Newman connects with a solid leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newman lands a jab to the nose.
Bastarrachea moves out of range of the strikes.
Bastarrachea pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bastarrachea connects with an inside leg kick.
Bastarrachea tries a low kick but Newman avoids it.
Bastarrachea walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Newman checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Newman connects with a body shot that sends Bastarrachea's belly button to the back.
Newman blocks a head kick by Bastarrachea.
Bastarrachea does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Bastarrachea scores with a leg kick.
Bastarrachea throws a sloppy head kick and Newman moves out of range easily.
Bastarrachea tries to score with a low kick but Newman moves his leg out of the way.
Newman avoids a kick to the body.
Newman lands a really nice looking cross but Bastarrachea seems unphased.
Bastarrachea tries to clinch there but Newman circles away.
Newman fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Newman looks to land a left hand but Bastarrachea moved out of range nicely.
Bastarrachea ducks under a wild hook from Newman.

Bastarrachea takes the fight into the clinch.
Newman dodges an elbow strike from Bastarrachea.
Bastarrachea's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Bastarrachea just misses with a elbow thrown towards Newman's brow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bastarrachea stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Newman avoiding damage as Bastarrachea throws knees to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Bastarrachea just misses with a elbow thrown towards Newman's brow.
Newman avoiding damage as Bastarrachea throws knees to the body.

Newman's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Jab from Newman.
A jab from Newman finds it's way through Bastarrachea's defenses.
Newman scores with a one two! Bastarrachea had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Bastarrachea looks to land a body kick but Newman moved away.
Decent striking displayed by Newman there.
Bastarrachea looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Newman throws a hook but Bastarrachea avoids it easily.
Bastarrachea takes a jab right on the kisser.
Bastarrachea pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Newman has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Bastarrachea.
Newman looks to land a left hand but Bastarrachea moved out of range nicely.
Bastarrachea misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bastarrachea connects with an inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Newman.
Bastarrachea displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Newman throws out the jab.
Bastarrachea is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Newman avoids the head kick by Bastarrachea.
Newman checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

Newman gets tackled into the cage by Bastarrachea. Bastarrachea maintains the clinch.
Bastarrachea lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Bastarrachea throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Newman pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Newman throws out a powerful jab.
Bastarrachea throws a body kick that misses.
Newman jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bastarrachea throws a half hearted mid kick.
Bastarrachea takes one to the chin there.
Newman scores with a nice head shot.
Newman on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Bastarrachea moves away from the strike by Newman.
Newman checks a low kick from Bastarrachea.
Bastarrachea tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bastarrachea throws a low kick but Newman moves out of range easily.
Newman throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bastarrachea sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bastarrachea misses with a body kick.
Newman misses with a two punch combination.
Bastarrachea on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Bastarrachea lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Bastarrachea moves into range and clinches up with Newman.
Bastarrachea throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Bastarrachea keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Newman's efforts to push away.
Bastarrachea dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Bastarrachea lands a nice elbow.
Bastarrachea tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A knee to the head by Bastarrachea.
Bastarrachea lands a damaging elbow.
Bastarrachea stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bastarrachea tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Bastarrachea tries to land knees in the clinch but Newman avoids the damage to the body.
Bastarrachea stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Eric Newman will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Bastarrachea attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Newman throws a low kick but Bastarrachea avoids it.
Newman feints a jab promting Bastarrachea to slip. Newman then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Bastarrachea slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Bastarrachea thows a leg kick but Newman checks it
and Newman counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Newman scores with a hook.
Newman throws the left hand but Bastarrachea avoids the punch easily.

Bastarrachea rushes Newman and presses him up against the cage.
Bastarrachea missing with knees to the body.
Bastarrachea throws a knee to the head but misses.
Bastarrachea keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Newman's efforts to push away.
Bastarrachea misses with an elbow strike.
Newman is trying to force a seperation but Bastarrachea has the dominant position.

Newman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Newman cracks Bastarrachea with a good jab.
Bastarrachea throws a leg kick which misses Newman's front leg but catches the back leg as Newman tries to avoid it.
Bastarrachea throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Bastarrachea delivers a nice body kick.
Bastarrachea will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A lazy body kick from Bastarrachea
letting Newman counter with a right hand.
Bastarrachea lands a head kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bastarrachea looks to throw a body kick
and Bastarrachea takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A slapping leg kick lands for Bastarrachea.
Bastarrachea tries to land a front kick but Newman steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Newman feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Bastarrachea's calf.
Bastarrachea throws a chopping leg kick but Newman manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Bastarrachea goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Bastarrachea displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Newman throws out the jab.
Newman lands a nice shot to the body.

Bastarrachea has managed to clinch.
Newman avoids the elbow strike from Bastarrachea, against the cage.
Newman can't break the clinch.
Bastarrachea misses with an elbow strike.
With the fighters up against the cage, Bastarrachea throws an elbow but misses.
Newman blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Newman tries to circle away but Bastarrachea has him pinned against the cage.
Bastarrachea creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Newman's defenses.
Bastarrachea gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Bastarrachea tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Bastarrachea misses with an elbow over the top.
Newman avoids a wild elbow strike from Bastarrachea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bastarrachea pushes off an throws an elbow but Newman leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Newman wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Bastarrachea landing knees to the head.
Bastarrachea stalling the fight.
Newman wants to get back to striking at distance but Bastarrachea won't allow it.

Newman manages to break the clinch.
Bastarrachea throws the kick towards the body but Newman avoids it.
Newman blocks the body kick.
Bastarrachea looks for the body kick but Newman saw that one coming.
A decent looking cross lands there for Newman.
Newman checks the leg kick.
Newman blocks the body kick.
Newman smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Bastarrachea ducks under a wild hook from Newman.
Bastarrachea lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Bastarrachea throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Bastarrachea is looking to land body kicks.
Newman looks to land a left hand but Bastarrachea moved out of range nicely.
Bastarrachea scores with a kick to the midsection.

Bastarrachea closes the distance and pushes Newman back into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newman managing to block the knees to the body from Bastarrachea.
Bastarrachea pushes off an throws an elbow but Newman leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Bastarrachea lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Bastarrachea trying to land knees to the body.
Newman blocks an elbow strike from Bastarrachea.
Bastarrachea lands an elbow inside that Newman shrugs off.
Bastarrachea with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bastarrachea creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Newman's defenses.
Newman wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Eric Newman is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Newman blocks an elbow strike from Bastarrachea.
Good body shot from Newman.
Newman dodges an elbow strike from Bastarrachea.
Newman avoids the elbow strike from Bastarrachea, against the cage.
Newman avoids the elbow strike from Bastarrachea, against the cage.
Bastarrachea tries to land knees in the clinch but Newman avoids the damage to the body.
Bastarrachea is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Newman is defending well for now.
Newman managing to block the knees to the body from Bastarrachea.
Bastarrachea stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bastarrachea lands an elbow just above Newman 's eye.
Bastarrachea is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Bastarrachea.
Newman is trying to push Bastarrachea away but Bastarrachea has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Xavier Bastarrachea has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Newman pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nice jab there from Newman.
Newman lands a really nice looking cross but Bastarrachea seems unphased.
Newman throws the left hand but Bastarrachea avoids the punch easily.
Bastarrachea chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Newman can pounce on him.
Newman smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Bastarrachea takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Newman throws a hook but Bastarrachea avoids it easily.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Bastarrachea.
Bastarrachea throws a leg kick that misses.
Newman lands a nice leg kick that just misses Bastarrachea's sensitive parts.
Bastarrachea does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
A leg kick checked by Newman.
A nice leg kick lands there from Newman.
Newman listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Eric Newman.
I've got Newman 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 46:49
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 45:50
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eric Newman!
Eric Newman is the new light heavyweight champion!