PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Billy Butcher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Remedios Verzosa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Butcher comes to the cage accompanied by Sex Pistols - God Save The Queen. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Butcher
vs
Verzosa

182 cm
29
191 lbs
15 - 1 - 0

185 cm
22
190 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Billy Butcher!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Remedios Verzosa!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yukihiro Shimada and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Butcher keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Butcher lands a high kick!
Butcher cracks a nice hook into Verzosa's ribs.
Butcher swings for the body but Verzosa moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Verzosa. Butcher does a little dance to reset his feet.
Verzosa on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Butcher. Butcher obviously looking to wear him down.
Butcher dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Verzosa. That did some damage!
Butcher keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Verzosa. Butcher does a little dance to reset his feet.
Butcher just misses with a punch to the body.
Verzosa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Verzosa swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Verzosa swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Butcher connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Verzosa checks a leg kick.
Verzosa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Butcher manages to avoid it.
Nice takedown defense from Butcher. No joy for Verzosa on that attempt.
Verzosa is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Butcher rather than just go for the knockout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Verzosa misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verzosa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Butcher.
Verzosa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Verzosa misses with a hook to the body
and Butcher counters with a right hand to the body.
Verzosa avoids the head kick by Butcher.
Verzosa swings widly with a right hand
and Butcher counters with a straight right hand.
Butcher misses with a leg kick.
Butcher drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Verzosa takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

Verzosa bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Butcher is trying to improve his position.
Butcher is trying to control Verzosa's posture but Verzosa avoids it.

Verzosa is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Butcher knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Verzosa trying to control the position but Butcher is working away.
Butcher is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Verzosa is chipping away with strikes.
Verzosa tries to move into full mount but can't pass Butcher's legs.
Butcher can't do much from the bottom here.
Verzosa throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Verzosa tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Verzosa has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
You can see the frustration on Butcher's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Verzosa throws a strike aimed at the side of Butcher's head but Butcher avoids it well.
Butcher is trying to control Verzosa's posture but Verzosa avoids it.
Verzosa wants to lay and pray for a moment but Butcher keeps working.
Verzosa fails to land a wild elbow strike.

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.

Verzosa is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Butcher knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Butcher is not content to let Verzosa control the position.

Verzosa working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Verzosa looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Butcher tries to improve position but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy Butcher dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Verzosa takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Verzosa misses with a jab to the body
and Butcher counters with a body kick that stops Verzosa in his tracks momentarily.
Verzosa misses with a hook.
Verzosa misses with a body punch
and Butcher counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Butcher waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Verzosa.
Butcher misses with a shot to the body
and Verzosa counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Verzosa on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Butcher tries to land a front kick but Verzosa steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Verzosa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Butcher manages to avoid it.
Verzosa throws a right hand that misses
and Butcher counters with a nice uppercut.
Verzosa misses with a left hand
and Butcher finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Verzosa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Butcher's jab looks to have found its range, popping Verzosa under the eye.
Butcher swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butcher fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Verzosa has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Billy Butcher is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Verzosa thuds a left hand into Butcher's body.
Verzosa throws a body punch but Butcher moves out of range.
Verzosa moves out of range of the strikes.
A shot to the body from Butcher misses
and Verzosa counters with a right hand to the body.
Butcher throws a poor cross that misses
and Verzosa counters with a straight right hand.
Verzosa lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Verzosa throws an off balance right hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Verzosa misses with an uppercut
and Butcher counters with an inside leg kick.
Butcher throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Verzosa takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Verzosa misses the body punch
and Butcher counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Butcher jabs at Verzosa's body.
Remedios Verzosa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Verzosa is breathing heavily.
Butcher digs a good hook to Verzosa's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Verzosa swings widly with a right hand
and Butcher counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Butcher dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
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!
Verzosa staying out of range there.
Butcher throws a low kick, looking for Verzosa's leg but Verzosa calmly moves out of range.
Butcher misses with a low kick.
Verzosa takes a body punch but keeps moving.
The fighters circling - Verzosa throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Butcher lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Verzosa at a distance.
Butcher throws a leg kick but Verzosa moved away.
Verzosa 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.
Butcher throws a half hearted mid kick.
Verzosa defending well as Butcher loads up on a big left hand.
Verzosa 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Butcher.
Verzosa misses with a shot to the body
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Butcher throws a front kick that sends Verzosa stumbling back into the cage.
Butcher lands with a shot to the body.
Butcher pushes Verzosa away with a front kick.
Verzosa avoids the body shot from Butcher.
An inside leg kick lands from Butcher.
Verzosa on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Verzosa 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.
Butcher bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Verzosa's head.
Butcher throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Butcher scores with a nice right hand.
Butcher is looking to slow Verzosa down with leg kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Butcher with a jab.
Verzosa takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Butcher lands with a nice body punch.
Butcher bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Butcher cracks Verzosa with an open hand slap.
Butcher throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Verzosa's head.
Butcher misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Verzosa.
Butcher lands a body shot.
Butcher lands a right hook to the body.
Billy Butcher is winning the standup battle so far.
Verzosa thows a body shot but no joy.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Butcher scoring well with a low kick there.
Butcher is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Verzosa can do to turn this around?
Butcher looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Verzosa chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Butcher can pounce on him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy Butcher dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Verzosa avoids the head kick by Butcher.
Butcher digs a good hook to Verzosa's body.
Butcher punishes Verzosa's body with a nice straight punch.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Butcher.
Butcher throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Butcher misses the shot to the body.
Butcher takes a swing at Verzosa's ribcage but misses.
Butcher throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Butcher connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Butcher scores with a hook to the body. Verzosa takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Butcher connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Butcher lands a leg kick that knocks Verzosa off balance momentarily.
Verzosa takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butcher scores with a body shot.
Verzosa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A nice leg kick lands there from Butcher.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Butcher, right into the meat.
Butcher thuds a left hand into Verzosa's body.
Verzosa takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Verzosa on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Butcher fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Verzosa has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A looping hook to the body misses from Butcher. Verzosa does a little dance to reset his feet.
Butcher uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Verzosa has time to react.
Some wild striking there from Butcher.
Verzosa takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Butcher lands a jab to the nose.
Butcher stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Butcher scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Verzosa misses with a shot to the body
enabling Butcher to counter with a crisp jab.
Verzosa misses with a body shot.
Butcher connects with a solid leg kick.
Verzosa's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Verzosa misses with a shot to the body
and Butcher counters with a good low kick that Verzosa was not able to check.
Verzosa on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Verzosa swings widly with a right hand
and Butcher cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Verzosa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Verzosa throws an off balance right hand
and Butcher counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Verzosa thinking.
Verzosa takes one to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verzosa takes a kick to the side of the head.
Butcher is looking to chop away at Verzosa's legs.
Butcher ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Verzosa moves away.
Verzosa closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Verzosa shoots in and bounces Butcher off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Butcher manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Butcher stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Verzosa has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Butcher.
Butcher misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Verzosa connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Verzosa throws an off balance right hand
and Butcher counters with a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Butcher misses with a low kick.
Butcher thuds a left hand into Verzosa's body.
Butcher misses with a left hand
enabling Verzosa to counter with a crisp jab.
Verzosa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Verzosa takes a kick to the side of the head.
Butcher throws a push kick but Verzosa slaps the foot to one side.
Butcher slips under a jab from Verzosa.
Verzosa moves out of range as Butcher throws a body kick.
Butcher takes a shot right to the bread basket.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Butcher lands with a slapping head kick.
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!
Butcher looks for the body kick but Verzosa saw that one coming.
Verzosa closes the distance and clinches up with Butcher, looking for a takedown. Verzosa pushes Butcher against the cage but Butcher circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy Butcher clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Butcher digs a good hook to Verzosa's body.
Butcher fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Verzosa.
Verzosa lands with an uppercut that bounces Butcher off the cage and back into rage.
Butcher throws a body kick that misses.
Butcher digs a good body shot into Verzosa's ribs.
Verzosa throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Butcher sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Butcher throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Butcher defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Verzosa.
A punch combination from Butcher misses.
Butcher scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Butcher scores with a hook to the body. Verzosa takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Verzosa misses the body punch
and Butcher counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Verzosa thinking.
Verzosa is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Verzosa throws an off balance right hand
and Butcher counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Butcher.
Verzosa closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Butcher throws out a powerful jab.
Butcher scores with a leg kick.
Butcher lands a nice hook to Verzosa's body. Verzosa takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Butcher misses with a wild body shot.
Butcher scores with a body shot.
Verzosa walks forward, straight into a front kick from Butcher.
Butcher tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Verzosa was well out of range. Poor timing from Butcher.
Butcher lands a slapping body shot.
Verzosa takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Butcher lands with a slapping head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Butcher motions for Verzosa to come forward. Butcher throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Verzosa jabs at Butcher's body.
Butcher throws a body kick, spinning off balance
enabling Verzosa to counter with a crisp jab.
Butcher ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Verzosa moves away.
Butcher throws the kick towards the body but Verzosa avoids it.

Verzosa throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Butcher tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Verzosa is in Butcher's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Verzosa looking to pass the guard.
Verzosa preventing the sweep.
Butcher is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Verzosa stands and throws Butcher's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Verzosa working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Verzosa lands an elbow.
Butcher tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Verzosa wants to control but Butcher is keeping him busy.

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

That's four 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.
Verzosa misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Butcher tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Butcher is working hard here to advance position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Verzosa throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Verzosa wants to control but Butcher is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy Butcher had his way with Remedios Verzosa in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Butcher ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Verzosa moves away.

Verzosa closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Butcher to the mat! Butcher manages to get full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Butcher is on top in guard.
Verzosa bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Butcher's guard.
Verzosa in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Butcher looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Verzosa trying to control the position from guard on top but Butcher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Verzosa is looking to work some ground and pound but Butcher has wrist control.
Verzosa postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
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.
Verzosa slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Butcher avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Butcher has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Verzosa missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Verzosa trying to control but Butcher is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Butcher uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Verzosa.
Verzosa has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Verzosa uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Butcher.
Remedios Verzosa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Billy Butcher is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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.
Butcher moves out of range of the strikes.
A shot to the body from Butcher misses
and Verzosa counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Verzosa throws out a loose jab but Butcher uses good head movement to avoid it.
Verzosa swings away with a body shot that misses
and Butcher counters with a nice body shot.
Butcher swings away with a body shot that misses
and Verzosa counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Butcher uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Verzosa.
Butcher throws an overhand right that lands on Verzosa's shoulder, as Verzosa tries to avoid the shot.
Butcher steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Verzosa.

Verzosa scores a takedown into full mount!
Verzosa throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Verzosa unloading with bombs!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verzosa throwing strikes here but Butcher is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Verzosa throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Butcher keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Verzosa thowing shots but they're missing.
Verzosa landing punches.
A nice elbow there by Verzosa.
Remedios Verzosa has got the better of the ground game so far.
Verzosa with the ground and pound from mount.
Verzosa landing strikes from the mount.
Verzosa lands a big shot there that rocks Butcher but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Verzosa misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Verzosa thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Verzosa with good strikes from the mount here!
Verzosa lands a nice shot to the head.
Verzosa throws some wild stikes that Butcher manages to avoid easily.
Verzosa throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Verzosa punishing his opponent with strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Butcher tries to lock up and control but Verzosa gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Butcher holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Verzosa tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Verzosa sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

And that's the end of the fight!
Remedios Verzosa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Butcher 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 49:45
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 49:45
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 49:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Billy Butcher!
Billy Butcher retains his middleweight title!