PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mr Black (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joonatan Valasvatsa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Black's entrance music is yes. A fine choice. 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.

Black
vs
Valasvatsa

185 cm
30
160 lbs
23 - 11 - 0

175 cm
27
180 lbs
12 - 6 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

GTI - 1337 sponsors VERSUS

TFP Graphics - Pit Inc
5th Round Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Mr Black!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 1, fighting out of London, Joonatan Valasvatsa!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Paul Tew and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valasvatsa throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Black counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Valasvatsa scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A slapping leg kick lands for Valasvatsa.
Valasvatsa tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Valasvatsa shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Valasvatsa seems to be working for a kimura but Black defends the submission attempt.
Black tries to roll over but Valasvatsa keeps him under control.

Valasvatsa is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Black sees it coming and defends easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Valasvatsa is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Valasvatsa prevents Black from improving his position.

Valasvatsa is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Black sees it coming and defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valasvatsa looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Black manages to get to full guard.
Black looking for a sweep. Not yet Black, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Valasvatsa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Black is keeping the position for now.
Black working a defensive guard here.
Black wants to sweep but no luck.
Valasvatsa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Black is keeping the position for now.

Black is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Black tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Valasvatsa is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Valasvatsa drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Valasvatsa jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Valasvatsa thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Valasvatsa stopping the sweep attempt from Black.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Black keeping moving, preventing Valasvatsa from controlling successfully.
Black manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Black lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Valasvatsa is trying desperately to improve position.
Black scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Valasvatsa?
Valasvatsa sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Black working over Valasvatsa with some ground and pound. Valasvatsa looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Black lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Black drops an elbow to the side of Valasvatsa's head.
Valasvatsa regains full guard. Nicely done.
Black postures up in Valasvatsa's guard and throws a big left but Valasvatsa blocks it.
Black wants to control from the top but Valasvatsa keeps moving.
Black postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Black works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Black sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Valasvatsa defending well though.
Black trying to control the action but Valasvatsa is working from the bottom.
Black missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Valasvatsa avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Black.

Valasvatsa actively working from the bottom here.
Black is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Valasvatsa actively working from the bottom here.
Valasvatsa wants to control but Black is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Black is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Black landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Valasvatsa wants to control but Black is keeping busy.
Black trying to pass the guard but Valasvatsa defending well.
Black lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Black is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Black is keen to just control but Valasvatsa is a slippery customer.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Valasvatsa moves into full guard.
Valasvatsa keeping full guard, as Black tries to pass.
Valasvatsa wants to sweep here but Black controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mr Black dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Valasvatsa on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Black lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Black fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Valasvatsa on the side of the head.
Black throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A telegraphed right hand from Valasvatsa misses the target.
Valasvatsa throws a sloppy head kick and Black moves out of range easily.
Valasvatsa lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Valasvatsa misses with an uppercut
and Black makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Valasvatsa misses the target.
Joonatan Valasvatsa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Valasvatsa misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nice uppercut lands for Valasvatsa. That snapped Black's head back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valasvatsa takes a swing at Black's ribcage but misses.
Black getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Valasvatsa takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Valasvatsa moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Mr Black is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Black scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Black chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Valasvatsa's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Black connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Valasvatsa scrambles back to his feet.
Valasvatsa throws a head kick but Black moves out of range.
A big left from Black misses.
Black tries to clinch but Valasvatsa is having none of it.
A head kick from Black lands but Valasvatsa takes it in his stride.
Valasvatsa shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Black counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Valasvatsa thinking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Black, as that shot connected.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Valasvatsa fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Valasvatsa on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Black staying out of range there.
Valasvatsa throws a hook to the side of Black's head but Black sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Valasvatsa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Valasvatsa throws a series of punches but Black moves out of range.
Valasvatsa looks to throw a body kick
and Black makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Black on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Valasvatsa. Valasvatsa obviously looking to wear him down.
Black misses with a straight left.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valasvatsa misses with a jab to the body
and Black counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Black is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A clash of legs there as Black blocks the low kick.
Valasvatsa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Black.
Black connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Mr Black is winning the standup battle so far.
Black swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Valasvatsa.
A low kick from Valasvatsa misses
and Black counters with a nice body shot.
Valasvatsa misses with a straight left.
Black misses with a series of wild punches.
Valasvatsa moves away from the strike by Black.
Black scores with a crisp jab that stopped Valasvatsa in his tracks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Black attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Black scores with a one two! Valasvatsa had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
A telegraphed right hand from Black misses the target.
Black wants to clinch.
Valasvatsa throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Black counters with a right hand to the body.
Black scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
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!
Valasvatsa thuds a left hand into Black's body.
Black displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Valasvatsa throws out the jab.
Valasvatsa throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Valasvatsa checks a low kick from Black.
Valasvatsa misses the shot to the body.
Black swings away with a leg kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Valasvatsa throws a body punch but Black moves out of range.
Valasvatsa misses with a body punch
and Black cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Valasvatsa on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Valasvatsa throws a jab when Black was well out of range.
Valasvatsa is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Black defending well as Valasvatsa loads up on a big left hand.
Black throws a shot from downtown. Valasvatsa moves away and avoids it.
Black lands a right hook to the body.
Valasvatsa shoots in for a double leg but Black sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Valasvatsa tries to land a front kick but Black steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Valasvatsa throws a leg kick but Black checks it.
Black tries to clinch but Valasvatsa moves out of range.
Valasvatsa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valasvatsa moves out of range as Black strikes.
Black lands the left hand.
Valasvatsa fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Black here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Black throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Valasvatsa throws a body punch but Black moves out of range.
Valasvatsa scores with a head kick. Black tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Valasvatsa thows a body shot but no joy.
Black stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Valasvatsa.
Valasvatsa closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Valasvatsa wants to slow Black down by chopping away at his legs.
Black turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valasvatsa misses with an uppercut.
Black ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Black looks to land a combination but Valasvatsa avoids it well.
Valasvatsa misses with a right hand
and Black counters with a nice leg kick.
Black stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Black wants it to stay on the feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Black fails with an attempt to clinch.
Valasvatsa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Black.
Black moves away from the strike by Valasvatsa.
Nice shot lands for Black.
Valasvatsa avoids a punch combination nicely.
Black keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Black thows a leg kick but Valasvatsa checks it
and Valasvatsa counters with a straight right hand.
The fighters circling - Valasvatsa throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Valasvatsa moves forwards but Black connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Black tries to close the distance and clinch but Valasvatsa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Black throws a lazy right hand but Valasvatsa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Valasvatsa pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Valasvatsa pushes Black away with a front kick.
Valasvatsa misses the shot to the body.
Valasvatsa feints and then cracks Black's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Black down.
Valasvatsa on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Black cracks Valasvatsa with a good jab.
Valasvatsa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Black uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Valasvatsa.
Valasvatsa connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Valasvatsa misses the shot to the body.
The fight stays on the outside here - Black looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Black scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Black lands with a thumping leg kick.
Black lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Valasvatsa circles away quickly and effectively.
Black connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Mr Black did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Black pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Valasvatsa misses with a body shot.
Black avoids the body shot from Valasvatsa.
Valasvatsa misses with an uppercut.
Valasvatsa jabs Black to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Valasvatsa 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.
Valasvatsa has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Valasvatsa throws a leg kick but Black checks it.
Valasvatsa misses with a low kick.

Black clinches up with Valasvatsa and pushes him back against the cage.
Black lands a left hand that snaps the head of Valasvatsa backwards.
Black softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Valasvatsa goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Black fails to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Valasvatsa.

Black pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A head kick misses from Black.
Valasvatsa thows a left - swing and a miss!
Valasvatsa fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Valasvatsa takes a swing at Black's ribcage but misses.
Black lands a nice shot that snaps Valasvatsa's head back.
Valasvatsa moves away from the strike by Black.
Black misses with a straight left.
Valasvatsa misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Black to counter with a crisp jab.
Black swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Black throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Black slaps away a takedown attempt from Valasvatsa, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Valasvatsa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Valasvatsa throws a body kick the misses
enabling Black to counter with a crisp jab.
Black ducks under a wild hook from Valasvatsa.
A big left from Valasvatsa misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Black misses the target.
Valasvatsa misses with a wild body shot.
Black jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Valasvatsa shoots for a takedown but Black saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Valasvatsa throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Valasvatsa ducks under a wild hook from Black.
Valasvatsa slips under a jab.
Black jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Valasvatsa keeps the fight on the outside.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Black, right into the meat.
Valasvatsa lands a nice hook to Black's body. Black takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Valasvatsa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Black was well out of range. Poor timing from Valasvatsa.
Black motions for Valasvatsa to come forward. Black throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Black connects with a crisp jab.
Valasvatsa looks to land a body kick but Black moved away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valasvatsa throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Valasvatsa swings widly with a right hand
and Black counters with a low kick, right behind Valasvatsa 's knee.
Valasvatsa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Black was well out of range. Poor timing from Valasvatsa.
Black checks the leg kick nicely there.
Black avoids the head kick by Valasvatsa.
Black moves out of range of the strikes.
A low kick from Valasvatsa misses
enabling Black to counter with a crisp jab.
Donk. Valasvatsa catches Black right on the button with a cross.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Black waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Valasvatsa.
Black is looking to clinch.
Valasvatsa throws a lazy uppercut
and Black counters with a nice uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Mr Black will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Valasvatsa thows a body shot but no joy.
Valasvatsa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Black moves away.
Valasvatsa throws a hook to the side of Black's head but Black sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Valasvatsa will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

Black darts in and clinches Valasvatsa up against the cage.
Valasvatsa misses with a punch to the body.
Valasvatsa tries a body shot but Black blocks it.
Valasvatsa tries to stall but Black uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Valasvatsa is leaning against Black and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Still in the clinch, Black scores with a nice short uppercut.
Black tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Black lands a hook that snaps the head of Valasvatsa backwards.
Valasvatsa taking a breather.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Black.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Black looking to slow down the pace here.
Nice body punch from Black.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Black blocks a body shot from Valasvatsa.
Valasvatsa blocks an uppercut.
Black has a couple of punches blocked by Valasvatsa.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Valasvatsa misses with a body punch.
Valasvatsa tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Valasvatsa struggles to land a body shot inside as Black controls his hands.
Valasvatsa struggles to land a body shot inside as Black controls his hands.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Valasvatsa working aggressively here.
Valasvatsa blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Black lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Black scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valasvatsa misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Black tries to throw a body punch but Valasvatsa avoids it by throwing Black back against the cage.
Black scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Valasvatsa tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Black throws a head punch that misses.
A short left from Black.
A right hand to the body from Black.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Valasvatsa is trying to stall.
A short left from Black.

Black manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Black keeping moving, preventing Valasvatsa from controlling successfully.
Valasvatsa looking to pass the guard.
Valasvatsa trying to control but Black is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Black wants to sweep but no luck.
Valasvatsa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Black is keeping the position for now.
Valasvatsa preventing the sweep.
Valasvatsa trying to control the position from guard on top but Black is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Joonatan Valasvatsa has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Black checks a leg kick.
Black lands a really nice looking cross but Valasvatsa seems unphased.
Valasvatsa doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Black counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Black jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Mr Black is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Black throws a leg kick which misses Valasvatsa's front leg but catches the back leg as Valasvatsa tries to avoid it.
Valasvatsa's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Valasvatsa throws a lazy right hand but Black sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Valasvatsa throws the kick towards the body but Black avoids it.
A solid leg kick lands there for Black.
Valasvatsa swings for the body but Black moves out of range.
Black scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Valasvatsa on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Black sizes up Valasvatsa with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Valasvatsa moves forwards but Black connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Joonatan Valasvatsa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Valasvatsa misses with a looping right.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mr Black showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Black has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 William Gold scores the fight 50:45
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 50:45
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mr Black!
Mr Black retains his welterweight title!
Mr Black managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, GTI - 1337 sponsors VERSUS, into his post fight interview.