PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Verchanko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Widaca (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). John Widaca has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Verchanko
vs
Widaca

170 cm
19
165 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Ivan Verchanko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, John Widaca!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, William Gold and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Widaca works over Verchanko's head and body with a nice combination.
Widaca tries to clinch there but Verchanko circles away.
Verchanko uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Widaca.
Widaca throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Verchanko sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Widaca drives through and clinches with Verchanko against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Verchanko.
Widaca scores with a nice hook to the head.
Verchanko tries to break the clinch but Widaca is controlling the position.
Verchanko wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A head punch on the inside from Widaca fails to land.
Widaca tries a body shot but Verchanko blocks it.
Verchanko's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Widaca breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Widaca swings widly with a right hand
and Verchanko counters with a stiff right hand.
John Widaca seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Verchanko swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Widaca misses with a hook to the body
and Verchanko counters with a straight right hand.
Verchanko blocks a jab.
Widaca dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Verchanko ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Verchanko feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Widaca sprawling to the canvas! Widaca rolls over backwards and springs off the cage and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can Verchanko finish him?!

Widaca is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Verchanko lands with a jab that stuns his opponent. Widaca is looking to close the distance but Verchanko sees it coming and throws a beautiful knee! Widaca crumbles to the mat and that's all she wrote! Let's hope Widaca is OK because that was naaaaaasty!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:26 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Knee). Ivan Verchanko!
Ivan Verchanko was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.