PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Steve Hemington (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Piktas Vilkas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Hemington
vs
Vilkas

186 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Steve Hemington!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Piktas Vilkas!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Paulsen Ambrosius and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Crunch! Vilkas slams his shin into Hemington's torso.
Hemington lands a really nice looking cross but Vilkas seems unphased.

Vilkas has Hemington up against the cage in a clinch.

Vilkas breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hemington fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Vilkas avoids it really well and circles away.
Vilkas wants to clinch up but Hemington keeps it at a distance.
Nice straight punches there by Hemington. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Hemington.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vilkas bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Hemington's head backwards.
Hemington shoots in and drives through. Vilkas sprawls well.
Hemington misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Hemington. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vilkas scores with a head kick. Hemington tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

Vilkas closes the distance and clinches.

Vilkas escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vilkas lunges at Hemington with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Hemington's hand.
Hemington shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Vilkas sprawls well. Vilkas wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hemington gets slowly back to his feet.
Hemington looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vilkas tries to clinch up.
A slapping leg kick lands for Vilkas.
Hemington avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Vilkas moves into the clinch.
Vilkas is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Hemington tries to score a body lock takedown but Vilkas shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Hemington wants to take the fight to the mat but Vilkas manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Vilkas breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
No luck for Hemington with that takedown attempt.
Hemington throws a sloppy head kick and Vilkas moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vilkas tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hemington swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Piktas Vilkas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hemington fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hemington is breathing heavily.
Vilkas throws a head kick that Hemington semi-blocks.
Hemington fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Sloppy strikes from Vilkas. Those never looked like landing.

Vilkas moves into the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vilkas holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Vilkas breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Vilkas misses with a head kick.
Hemington throws a nice looking combination but Vilkas bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nice sprawl there from Vilkas as Hemington shoots in.
Hemington bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Vilkas's head backwards.
A head kick misses from Vilkas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Hemington.

Vilkas forces Hemington back against the cage and clinches.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Vilkas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hemington misses with a wild combination.
Vilkas wants to clinch up but Hemington keeps it at a distance.
Vilkas is looking to clinch but Hemington is avoiding it.
Vilkas walks into a stiff left hand from Hemington.
Hemington misses with a head kick.
Hemington closes this distance looking for a takedown but Vilkas circles away.
Vilkas misses with a head kick.
Hemington throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
The fighters circling - Vilkas throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vilkas tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Hemington manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
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!
Vilkas tries to clinch but Hemington is having none of it.
Vilkas has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Vilkas pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Vilkas dodges the punch combination from Hemington.
A head kick misses from Vilkas.
Hemington will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Vilkas scores with a leg kick.
Piktas Vilkas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hemington scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Vilkas keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Vilkas throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Hemington's head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vilkas leaves Hemington with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hemington is defended easily by Vilkas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Piktas Vilkas will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Vilkas drives through and clinches with Hemington against the cage.
Hemington has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Vilkas after a bit of a struggle.
Vilkas with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Vilkas leaning his opponent against the cage.

Vilkas breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hemington fails to land the takedown.
Vilkas tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Hemington manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hemington shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Vilkas sprawls well. Vilkas wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hemington gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Hemington. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vilkas is breathing heavily.
Vilkas lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vilkas closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Vilkas escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vilkas looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Hemington shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Vilkas defends it nicely.
Hemington takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Hemington is trying hard to land a takedown here. Vilkas sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Vilkas tries to clinch up but Hemington circles away and keeps his distance.
Hemington closes this distance looking for a takedown but Vilkas circles away.
Vilkas throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Hemington's head.
Vilkas throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Vilkas tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hemington swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hemington has a takedown stuffed.
Hemington tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Vilkas swivels and escapes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vilkas throws a nice inside leg kick.
Hemington looks for a takedown but Vilkas sprawls well.

Vilkas closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Vilkas's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hemington circles away from the clinch attempt.
Steve Hemington is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
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!
Good shot there by Hemington.
Hemington misses with a takedown attempt - Vilkas sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Vilkas throws a head kick that half lands.
Hemington misses with a takedown attempt - Vilkas sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Vilkas, right into the meat.
Hemington tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Vilkas swivels and escapes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vilkas connects with the punch.
Hemington misses with a hook.
A nice leg kick lands there from Vilkas.
Hemington lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Vilkas backs up against the cage.
Vilkas is looking to clinch.
Vilkas throws a half hearted mid kick.
Hemington misses with a takedown attempt - Vilkas sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Vilkas tries to clinch but Hemington is having none of it.
Hemington throws a right hand that Vilkas ducks under and follows up with a left that Vilkas also avoids with ease.
Vilkas throws a nice head kick!
Hemington moves out of range of the body kick from Vilkas.
Vilkas is looking to land body kicks.
Vilkas takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Vilkas throws a head kick but Hemington moves out of range.
Hemington is trying hard to land a takedown here. Vilkas sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vilkas has taken the fight to the clinch.
Vilkas using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hemington has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Vilkas escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Left hook, right uppercut from Hemington.
Vilkas tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vilkas tries to clinch but Hemington moves out of range.
Hemington shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Vilkas pinned against the cage. Vilkas gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Vilkas moves into the clinch successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Vilkas breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hemington rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Vilkas moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hemington goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Vilkas tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Piktas Vilkas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Hemington dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Vilkas plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Hemington shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Hemington showed some decent athleticism there.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Hemington wants to stand but Vilkas has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

Hemington looking for a submission but Vilkas manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
Hemington trying to control but Vilkas is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hemington tries to stand but Vilkas is controlling from the bottom.
Vilkas utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hemington trying to control but Vilkas is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Steve Hemington just wasn't active enough.
Hemington fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vilkas tries to clinch up.
Hemington changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Vilkas tries to avoid it but Hemington manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Vilkas to the ground. Vilkas escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Vilkas throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Hemington shoots in and drives through. Vilkas sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Hemington. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Vilkas rushes Hemington and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Vilkas breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Vilkas feints and then cracks Hemington's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hemington down.
Nice takedown defense from Vilkas. No joy for Hemington on that attempt.
Vilkas thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Hemington if he has to take too many more of those.
Horrible takedown by Hemington or perhaps it was just good defense by Vilkas which made him look bad.
Vilkas throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Hemington.
Vilkas tries a head kick but it misses.

Hemington shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Vilkas manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hemington stands and steps away. Vilkas gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Hemington throws a series of punches but Vilkas avoids them all with ease.

Vilkas pushes Hemington up against the cage in a clinch.

Vilkas escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hemington lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Vilkas circles away quickly and effectively.
Vilkas tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hemington swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The fight stays on the outside here - Vilkas looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Horrible takedown by Hemington or perhaps it was just good defense by Vilkas which made him look bad.
Vilkas looks to clinch
and Hemington counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Vilkas misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hemington throws a nice looking combination but Vilkas bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Steve Hemington has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hemington keeps the fight on the outside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vilkas displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hemington.

Vilkas gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Hemington drops down looking for an ankle pick but Vilkas pulls his leg out and moves away.

Hemington changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Vilkas looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vilkas wants to get back to his feet but Hemington drags him back down.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Hemington is in a dominant position here, looking for a kimura. Vilkas looks calm but he's in trouble here. Hemington gets his leg over his opponent's head and yanks on the arm. Vilkas is tapping like a morse code operator on the titanic! SOS! SOS! Hemington lets go of the hold and Vilkas can pop his arm back in it's socket.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Steve Hemington!