PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Vevrin Betlach (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Denton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Betlach
vs
Denton

176 cm
26
148 lbs
17 - 6 - 0

162 cm
21
140 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Solid Muay Thai
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vevrin Betlach!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Paul Denton!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Matheus Silva and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Betlach scores with a body shot.
Betlach takes a swing at Denton's ribcage but misses.

Denton changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Betlach looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Denton trying to control the action but Betlach is working from the bottom.

Denton swings around for an armbar but Betlach sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Denton's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Denton throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Denton bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Betlach's guard.
Betlach managing to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Denton wants to pass the guard but Betlach is keeping the position.
Betlach keeping moving, preventing Denton from controlling successfully.
Denton passes Betlach's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Denton wants to lay and pray for a moment but Betlach keeps working.
Denton might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Betlach kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

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.
Denton missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Betlach is not content to let Denton control the position.
Betlach is controlling Denton's position as best he can from this difficult position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Paul Denton was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Denton tries to clinch up but Betlach circles away and keeps his distance.
Betlach misses with a looping right.
A swing and a miss from Betlach.
Denton keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Denton with a lazy takedown attempt
and Betlach counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Denton pushes Betlach up against the cage in a clinch.

Betlach breaks the clinch.
Denton tries to clinch up
and Betlach counters with a straight right hand.
Betlach stuffs the takedown attempt from Denton. Denton gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Denton slips under a jab from Betlach.
Betlach swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Denton closes the distance looking to clinch
and Betlach counters with a right hand to the body.
Denton uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Betlach.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Vevrin Betlach will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Betlach looks to score with a jab to the body but Denton is just out of range.
Denton tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Betlach counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Denton wants to clinch up but Betlach keeps it at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Denton moves out of range as Betlach strikes.
Betlach misses with a wild body shot.
Denton fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Betlach looks to throw the jab but Denton is out of range.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Betlach.
Denton fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Betlach lands with a shot to the body.
Betlach throws out a loose jab but Denton uses good head movement to avoid it.

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.
Denton takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Denton moves out of range as Betlach strikes.
Betlach throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Denton looks to clinch
and Betlach counters with a nice uppercut.
Denton takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Denton takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Betlach catches Denton with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Betlach circles away from the clinch attempt
and Betlach counters with a left to the body.
Denton shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Betlach connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Vevrin Betlach has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paul Denton.
Betlach circles away from the clinch attempt
enabling Betlach to counter with a crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Betlach misses with a lunging right hand

and Denton counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Denton.
Betlach prevents the takedown attempt.
A right handed body shot lands from Betlach.
Betlach prevents a takedown attempt there.

Betlach escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vevrin Betlach dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Denton tries to clinch but Betlach moves out of range.
Betlach throws a hook to the side of Denton's head but Denton sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Denton tries to close the distance and clinch up but Betlach swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Denton ducks under a wild hook from Betlach.
Denton misses with a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Denton tries to score a power double leg takedown but Betlach sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Denton somewhat.
Denton gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Betlach counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Betlach tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Denton was well out of range. Poor timing from Betlach.
Denton tries to clinch up.
Betlach getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

Denton bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Betlach wants to get back to his feet.
Denton is looking to take a break and control but Betlach is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Denton throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Betlach is pushing Denton's head away, looking to escape. Denton manages to hold on to the position though.
Betlach is trying to control Denton's posture but Denton avoids it.
Denton wants to control but Betlach is keeping him busy.
Betlach wants to get back to his feet.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Denton thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Denton is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Betlach is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Denton is trying to get an arm triangle but Betlach is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Denton tries for a kimura but Betlach is defending well.
Denton is looking to take a break and control but Betlach is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Paul Denton comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Betlach 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 28:29
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Paul Denton!