PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Milo Papi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Davor Velcic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Papi's entrance music is IZ ON. A fine choice. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Papi
vs
Velcic

173 cm
25
152 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

168 cm
23
154 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Milo Papi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Davor Velcic!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Paulsen Ambrosius and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Papi fakes the leg kick and cracks Velcic in the body.
Velcic misses with a hook.
Papi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Papi tries to score with a low kick but Velcic moves his leg out of the way.
Velcic throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Papi shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Velcic but Velcic pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Velcic throws a right hand that Papi ducks under and follows up with a left that Papi also avoids with ease.
Papi scoring well with a low kick there.

Papi scores with a takedown into Velcic's guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Papi in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Papi trying to control the position from guard on top but Velcic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Papi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Papi looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velcic tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Papi throwing strikes but missing.
Velcic keeping moving, preventing Papi from controlling successfully.
Papi looking to sit in guard and control but Velcic gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Papi controlling Velcic's posture.
Velcic wants to pass the guard but Papi is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Papi bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Velcic's guard.
Papi tries to free his leg and advance position but Velcic is retaining full guard.
Papi won't allow Velcic to get back to his feet.
Papi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Papi trying to control but Velcic is working from the bottom.
Papi looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Papi wants to pass the guard but Velcic is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Papi scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Papi is looking to work some ground and pound but Velcic has wrist control.
Papi throws a big right hand that misses.
Papi throwing strikes from guard but Velcic blocks nicely.
Papi is looking to work some ground and pound but Velcic has wrist control.
Velcic avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Papi won't allow Velcic to sweep him here.
Papi trying to control the position from guard on top but Velcic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Papi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Papi has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Papi advances to half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Papi lands a nice short elbow.
Papi throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Velcic is looking to improve his position.
Papi is trying to control. Velcic wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Papi throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Papi working the head and body with strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Papi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Velcic's head.
Papi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Velcic's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ouch! a nice leg kick from Papi, right into the meat.
Velcic waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Papi.
Nice body punch from Velcic.
Velcic takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Papi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Velcic as he jumps to the side.
Velcic misses with an uppercut
and Papi counters with a leg kick.
Papi looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Velcic takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Velcic checks a leg kick nicely.
Papi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Velcic is fending him off so far but Papi persists. Nope, Velcic circles away and we're back to standing.
Papi lands with a slapping head kick.
Papi tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Papi gets caught flat footed, as Velcic shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Velcic postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Velcic wants to control from the top but Papi keeps moving.
Velcic is fighting to break Papi's control of his arms but Papi is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velcic throws a big right hand that misses.
Papi looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Papi keeping moving, preventing Velcic from controlling successfully.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Papi working a defensive guard here.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Davor Velcic hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Velcic throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Papi tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Velcic is in Papi's guard.
Velcic throwing strikes from guard but Papi blocks nicely.
Papi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Papi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Velcic is aware though and is defending well.
Papi keeping moving, preventing Velcic from controlling successfully.
Velcic won't allow Papi to sweep him here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Papi is on top in guard.
Velcic is trying to keep Papi in close.
Papi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Velcic swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Papi in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velcic looking to hit a scissor sweep but Papi is one step ahead there.
Papi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Velcic avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Papi thows a big elbow that misses.
Papi wants to pass the guard but Velcic is keeping the position.
Papi postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Velcic keeping moving, preventing Papi from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velcic working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Papi.
Papi wants to control from the top but Velcic keeps moving.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Velcic can do anything to dispel that myth.
Papi trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Papi trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Velcic keeping moving, preventing Papi from controlling successfully.
Velcic utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Milo Papi dominated that second 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.

Velcic looking to score a takedown here. Papi is defending well but Velcic drives through and ends up in Papi's guard.
Papi controls Velcic momentarily but Velcic frees himself.
Velcic in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Papi is on top in guard.
Velcic utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Velcic wants to sweep but no luck.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Papi accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Velcic keeping moving, preventing Papi from controlling successfully.
Papi with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Papi lands a couple of digs.
Papi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Velcic looking to hit a scissor sweep but Papi is one step ahead there.
Papi working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Papi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Velcic works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Velcic 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.
Papi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Velcic wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velcic utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Papi wants to control from the top but Velcic keeps moving.
Papi controls from within his opponent's guard.
Papi stopping the sweep attempt from Velcic.
Papi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Papi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Velcic works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Papi is stalling in the full guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Papi throws a nice outside leg kick.
Papi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Papi scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Velcic tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Papi wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Papi scoring with punches from side control.
Papi working the ground and pound but Velcic is defending the strikes.
Papi throws an elbow but Velcic slips to the side and avoids it well.
Papi working the ground and pound but Velcic is defending the strikes.
Velcic being controlled for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Papi creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Velcic sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Papi misses with the ground and pound.
Velcic is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Papi off and has taken his back!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Papi tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Papi tries to reverse the position but Velcic maintains control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Velcic avoids the attempt from Papi to control.
Papi can't escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Milo Papi clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Velcic wants to slow Papi down by chopping away at his legs.
Velcic avoids the head kick by Papi.
Velcic lands with a cross.
Velcic checks a leg kick.
Velcic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Papi manages to avoid it.
Papi takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Papi.
The ground and pound from Papi seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Velcic taking a bit of punishment here - Papi scoring with strikes.
Papi cracks Velcic with a big right hand but Velcic just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Papi throws a strike aimed at the side of Velcic's head but Velcic avoids it well.
Velcic avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Papi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velcic is trying to control Papi's posture but Papi avoids it.
Papi tries to score with some ground and pound. Velcic controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Papi misses with the ground and pound.
Papi cracks Velcic with a big right hand but Velcic just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Papi throws an elbow but Velcic slips to the side and avoids it well.
Papi throwing strikes but Velcic manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Velcic trying to control the position but Papi is working away.
Papi can't do much from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velcic trying to control the position but Papi is working away.
Papi tries to improve position but can't.
Velcic working away.
Velcic working the ground and pound but Papi is defending the strikes.
Papi is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Velcic trying to control the action but Papi is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Papi gets back to half guard.
Velcic slows the pace down in half guard.
Papi trying to hold on to Velcic's head to control him but Velcic postures up.
Papi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Papi trying to control but Velcic postures up.
Velcic throws a strike but Papi avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velcic trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Papi is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Milo Papi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Velcic wants to get back to full guard but Papi has passed into side control.
Papi working away.
Papi cracks Velcic with a big elbow.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Papi landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Velcic dodges the ground and pound from Papi.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Papi lands a nice forearm strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Milo Papi had his way with Davor Velcic in that 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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Papi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Papi throws a leg kick but Velcic sees it coming and moves out of range.
Velcic walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Papi checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A nice inside leg kick there by Papi. That's going to slow Velcic down.
Papi with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Papi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Velcic's sensitive parts.
Papi tries a low kick but Velcic avoids it.
Velcic swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sloppy strikes from Velcic. Those never looked like landing.
Velcic misses with a looping right.
A chopping leg kick lands by Papi.
Papi misses with a leg kick.
Velcic misses with a hook. Papi ducked under it nicely.
Velcic throws a hook but Papi avoids it easily.
A head kick misses from Papi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velcic just misses with a punch to the body.
Velcic scores with a jab to the head.
Velcic with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Velcic is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Velcic fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Papi looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Milo Papi is winning the standup battle so far.
A nice inside leg kick there by Papi. That's going to slow Velcic down.
Milo Papi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Papi lands a leg kick that knocks Velcic off balance momentarily.

Velcic shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Papi is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Velcic's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Velcic's back!
Papi struggling to keep hold of the position.
Papi is looking to finish with some ground and pound!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Velcic is trying to break free.
Velcic tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Papi lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Papi breaks from Velcic's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Velcic is squirming around, avoiding Papi's attempts to control the action.
The referee warns Velcic that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Papi landing strikes from the mount and Velcic is in trouble!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Papi lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Velcic is looking to get to half guard.
Papi wants to control the pace but Velcic is squirming around nicely.
Papi raining down shots from the mount!
Papi landing shots from mount.
Papi working away from the top, dropping strikes.
The referee warns Velcic that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Milo Papi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Papi landing strikes from the mount.

Velcic is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Papi connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Velcic is still in real trouble! Can Papi finish him?
Velcic in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Oooooh, big shot lands for Papi! Velcic is hurt baaadly! Papi is firing away with more strikes - Velcic is covering up... the ref is warning him to do something. He's just covering up though still and the ref has to step in to end the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:31 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Milo Papi!
Milo Papi is the new featherweight champion!