PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Vevrin Betlach (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sebastien Linne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Betlach might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Higher Ground. Linne has chosen Arcturus - The Chaos Path as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Betlach
vs
Linne

176 cm
33
145 lbs
33 - 15 - 0

170 cm
36
165 lbs
26 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

$300
Ultra Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 33 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Vevrin Betlach!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 12 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sebastien Linne!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Betlach misses with a low kick as Linne jumps back.
A big right from Linne misses.
Betlach misses with a hook. Linne ducked under it nicely.
Betlach misses with the combination.
Betlach scores with a nice strike.
Betlach fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Linne has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Linne keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Linne throws a hook but Betlach blocks it.
Betlach takes a kick to the side of the head.
Betlach sizes up Linne with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Linne scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Betlach scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Betlach misses with a hook.
Linne takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Betlach attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Betlach lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Linne gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Betlach counters with a low kick, right behind Linne 's knee.
Betlach lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Betlach lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Betlach throws the left hand but Linne avoids the punch easily.
Betlach lands a jab-cross combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Linne avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Betlach looks to land a left hand but Linne moved out of range nicely.
The fighters circling - Betlach throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Betlach throws a poor cross that misses
and Linne connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Linne lands a really nice looking cross but Betlach seems unphased.
Linne slips under a jab from Betlach.
Betlach fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Linne checks it well.
Linne takes one to the side of the head.
Linne misses with a looping right.
Betlach is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Linne.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Linne showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Betlach.
Linne shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Betlach sprawls well. Betlach wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Linne gets slowly back to his feet.
Betlach connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Linne misses with a looping right.
Linne misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nice takedown defense from Betlach. No joy for Linne on that attempt.
Linne walks into a stiff left hand from Betlach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Linne takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Linne takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Vevrin Betlach is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Betlach fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Linne on the side of the head.
Betlach lands with a hook. Linne tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Betlach throws a big shot that misses.
Linne takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Linne connects with a jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Betlach bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Betlach, right into the meat.
Linne misses with a hook. Betlach ducked under it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vevrin Betlach dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Linne pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A big right from Betlach misses.
Linne walks into a straight right hand from Betlach.
Linne misses with an uppercut. Betlach saw that one coming.
Linne will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Betlach throws the kick towards the body but Linne avoids it.

Linne throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Betlach tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Linne is in Betlach's guard.
Betlach manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Linne manages to get himself to full guard.
Betlach is stalling in the full guard.
Betlach passes Linne's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Linne trying to control but Betlach postures up.
Betlach works his foot free and advances to mount.
Linne is squirming around, avoiding Betlach's attempts to control the action.
Linne is in a horrible position here. Betlach smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Betlach cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Linne is squirming around, avoiding Betlach's attempts to control the action.
Betlach landing strikes, looking to finish!
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Betlach here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Poor strikes thrown by Betlach there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Linne sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Betlach thows a huge punch but Linne dodges it nicely.
Betlach is pressing down on Linne's thigh, looking to free his foot. Linne is holding on for now.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Betlach lands a nice short elbow.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Linne wants to get back to full guard.
Betlach takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Linne is not content to let Betlach control the position.
Linne tries to get to full guard but Betlach has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Betlach missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Betlach working Linne over with strikes.

Betlach trying to work for an americana but Linne has managed to regain full guard.
Linne can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Betlach controls the pace.
Betlach scoring with punches to the head and body.
Linne can't keep his opponent in guard - Betlach advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Betlach is trying to control. Linne wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Betlach with the ground and pound but Linne uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Betlach wants to control from the top but Linne keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Betlach controls from within his opponent's guard.
Betlach won't allow Linne to sweep him here.
Linne looking to control.
Betlach tries to free his leg and advance position but Linne is retaining full guard.
Betlach slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Vevrin Betlach just wasn't active enough.
A left and a right from Betlach both land. Nice combination.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Betlach scores with a jab.
Vevrin Betlach seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Betlach throws a body punch but Linne moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Linne lands a right hook to the body.
Betlach throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Vevrin Betlach is winning the standup battle so far.
Betlach checks a low kick from Linne.
A solid body kick from Betlach.
Betlach misses with a low kick as Linne jumps back.
Betlach connects with a leg kick. Linne looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Linne fails with the takedown.
Betlach is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A big left from Betlach misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Linne throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Betlach sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Betlach uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Betlach lands a nice looking kick to the body. Linne takes a step back to recover.
Betlach dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Betlach pushes Linne away with a front kick.
Betlach avoids a punch combination nicely.
Betlach lands a nice shot that snaps Linne's head back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slapping body kick lands there for Betlach.
Betlach thumps Linne with a low kick.
Betlach ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Linne moves away.
Betlach thuds a left hand into Linne's body.
Betlach swinging wildly here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Betlach moves into range and clinches up with Linne.
Linne tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Betlach scores with a shoulder strike.
Betlach lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Linne lands a right hand.
Linne blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Betlach breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Linne looks to score with a jab to the body but Betlach is just out of range.
Betlach is looking to score with low kicks.
Betlach scores with the left hand. Linne knows he should have avoided that one.
Linne clobbers Betlach with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Linne throws a sloppy head kick and Betlach moves out of range easily.
Betlach waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Linne.
Betlach lands a slapping body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Betlach throws a nice outside leg kick.
Betlach takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Linne throws a head kick that misses
and Betlach counters with a slapping leg kick.
Betlach lands a nice shot to the body.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Betlach.
Betlach lands a lovely overhand right.
Linne's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Linne throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Betlach on the side of the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Betlach wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Linne lands a lovely overhand right.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vevrin Betlach clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Betlach takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Betlach thows a left - swing and a miss!
Betlach swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Linne counters with a straight right hand.
Betlach misses with a wild body shot.
Betlach throws a leg kick but Linne checks it.
Linne blocks a jab.
Nice takedown defense from Betlach. No joy for Linne on that attempt.
Linne tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Betlach swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Betlach misses with a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Betlach fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Linne.
Betlach moves away from the strike by Linne.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Betlach, as that shot connected.
Linne throws a right hand that Betlach ducks under and follows up with a left that Betlach also avoids with ease.
Betlach listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
A swing and a miss from Betlach.
Betlach scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Betlach tries to clinch but Linne moves out of range.
Linne throws a head kick but Betlach moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Linne throws a lazy right hand but Betlach sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Betlach lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Betlach explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Betlach misses with a low kick.
Betlach catches Linne with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Betlach throws a lazy right hand but Linne sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Betlach takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Betlach digs a good body shot into Linne's ribs.
Linne staying out of range there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Betlach throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Betlach fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Linne is out of range.
Linne on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
A jab from Betlach misses.
Betlach scores with a nice body kick.
Linne uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Betlach.
Betlach moves in looking to clinch but Linne pushes him off.
Linne moves away from the strike by Betlach.
Linne has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Linne tries a head kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Betlach.
Betlach fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Linne.
Betlach lands with an uppercut that bounces Linne off the cage and back into range.
Linne is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Betlach.
Betlach lands a front kick.
Betlach scores with a crisp jab that stopped Linne in his tracks.
Betlach turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Betlach fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Linne on the side of the head.
Betlach throws a right and a left that both miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vevrin Betlach had his way with Sebastien Linne in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

A telegraphed right hand from Betlach misses the target.
Linne has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Betlach.
Betlach will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Linne pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Betlach buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Betlach throws a leg kick but Linne checks it.
Linne doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Betlach cracks a nice hook into Linne's ribs.
Betlach pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Linne fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Betlach avoids it really well and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Betlach throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Linne stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Betlach fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Linne tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Betlach was well out of range. Poor timing from Linne.
Linne throws a front kick aimed at Betlach's knee but Betlach avoids it well.
Betlach cracks Linne with a right hand to the side of the head.
Betlach scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Betlach lands with a good body shot.
Sebastien Linne has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Betlach. That snapped Linne's head back.
Betlach bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Linne's head.
Linne misses with a looping right.
Betlach is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Linne can do to turn this around?
Betlach misses with a leg kick.
Linne tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Betlach throws a leg kick but Linne sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Betlach throws a lazy right hand but Linne sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Betlach lands a head kick!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Betlach misses with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Linne takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A lazy left from Betlach finds it's target.
Betlach connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Betlach scores with a leg kick.
Betlach wants to clinch up but Linne keeps it at a distance.
Betlach lands a nice looking body kick.
Linne tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Betlach keeps Linne at a distance using the push kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Betlach misses the shot to the body.
Betlach connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Linne takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Betlach is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Linne misses with a straight right.
A left lands for Betlach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Linne lunges at Betlach with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Betlach's hand.
Vevrin Betlach is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Betlach throws a right and a left that both miss.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vevrin Betlach showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Betlach 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 50:45
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 50:45
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vevrin Betlach!
Vevrin Betlach really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Ultra Fight Gear logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.