PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Randy Orton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cain Velasqs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Orton comes to the cage accompanied by No Easy Way Out. 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.

Orton
vs
Velasqs

201 cm
26
212 lbs
17 - 4 - 1

209 cm
29
208 lbs
8 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Insanely flexible

ADCC Champion
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Happy Pills 159Q - 90% Laundry
KAISER

Amsterdam in London 95% Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Randy Orton!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Cain Velasqs!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Wagner Zegers and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Orton will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Orton blocks a head kick by Velasqs.
Orton looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Velasqs slaps away a takedown attempt from Orton, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Randy Orton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Orton blocks a head kick by Velasqs.
Velasqs throws a body kick that misses.
Orton has his takedown stuffed
and Velasqs counters with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Orton blocks a head kick by Velasqs.
Orton changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Velasqs tries to avoid it but Orton manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Velasqs to the ground. Velasqs escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Velasqs throws a nice inside leg kick.

Orton changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Velasqs looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Orton with the ground and pound but Velasqs regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Orton throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Velasqs to regain full guard.
Orton trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Orton working some strikes from top position.
Orton throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasqs is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Orton throwing strikes but missing.
Velasqs trying to control the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Velasqs looking to hit a scissor sweep but Orton is one step ahead there.
Orton is looking to work some ground and pound but Velasqs has wrist control.
Velasqs preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Orton loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Orton works over Velasqs with some ground and pound from guard.
Orton pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Velasqs is keeping the position for now.
Velasqs preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Orton throwing strikes but missing.
Orton throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Velasqs works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Orton throws a big elbow that misses.
Orton pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Velasqs is keeping the position for now.
Orton landing some decent shots from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velasqs working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Orton.
Orton keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Velasqs's head.
Orton working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
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!
Orton throws a big right hand that misses.
Orton tries to free his leg and advance position but Velasqs is retaining full guard.
Orton in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Orton stands up over Velasqs, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Velasqs trying to control the position here.
Velasqs is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Orton postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Randy Orton dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Velasqs tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Orton is able to avoid easily.
Orton shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Velasqs as he avoids it easily.
Orton shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Velasqs pinned against the cage. Velasqs gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Orton shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Velasqs sprawls well. Velasqs wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Orton gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Randy Orton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Orton closes this distance looking for a takedown but Velasqs circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Velasqs.
Orton looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Velasqs cracks Orton with an open hand slap.
Velasqs lands with a slapping head kick.
Orton chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Velasqs can pounce on him.
Orton changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Velasqs tries to avoid it but Orton manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Velasqs to the ground. Velasqs escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good work by Orton as he checks the leg kick.
Cain Velasqs is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Velasqs is looking to chop away at Orton's legs.
Orton shoots in but no luck this time.
A nice leg kick lands there from Velasqs.
Orton shoots in looking for a takedown. Velasqs tries to sprawl out of it but Orton keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Velasqs manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Velasqs pivots, looking for a leg kick but Orton is out of range and Velasqs settles back down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasqs dodges the punch combination from Orton.
Randy Orton is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Velasqs takes a swing at Orton's ribcage but misses.
Orton shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Velasqs as he jumps to the side.
Orton has a takedown stuffed.
Orton is trying hard to land a takedown here. Velasqs sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Orton looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Velasqs is fending him off so far but Orton persists. Nope, Velasqs circles away and we're back to standing.
Velasqs throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Orton looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Velasqs is fending him off so far but Orton persists. Nope, Velasqs circles away and we're back to standing.
Orton throws a looping overhand right but Velasqs ducks down to avoid it.
Orton fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Orton misses with a low kick.
Orton changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Velasqs tries to avoid it but Orton manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Velasqs to the ground. Velasqs escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cain Velasqs showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Orton shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Velasqs as he jumps to the side.
Orton fails with a takedown attempt.
Orton shoots in for a takedown but Velasqs shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Randy Orton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Orton has a takedown stuffed.
Orton shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Velasqs as he avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Orton shoots in looking for a takedown. Velasqs tries to sprawl out of it but Orton keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Velasqs manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Orton closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Velasqs is looking to control Orton's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Velasqs avoid being mounted?
Ground and pound from Orton.
Orton is thwarting Velasqs's attempts to control the position.
Velasqs avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Orton.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Orton throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Orton thows a huge punch but Velasqs dodges it nicely.
Orton is thwarting Velasqs's attempts to control the position.
Orton throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Velasqs to regain full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Velasqs trying to control the position.
Velasqs has his hands on Orton's head, controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Orton stopping the sweep attempt from Velasqs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasqs controls Orton momentarily but Orton frees himself.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Cain Velasqs wasn't active enough on the ground.
Velasqs stuffs the takedown attempt from Orton. Orton gets slowly back to his feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Orton.
Velasqs looks to score with a jab to the body but Orton is just out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velasqs misses with a head kick.
Orton blocks a head kick by Velasqs.
Nice takedown defense from Velasqs. No joy for Orton on that attempt.
Orton shoots in looking for a takedown but Velasqs manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Orton's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Orton fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Velasqs is out of range.
Horrible takedown by Orton or perhaps it was just good defense by Velasqs which made him look bad.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Randy Orton clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Velasqs stuffs the takedown.
That kick from Velasqs tenderised Orton's leg. Orton is trying to keep his angry face on.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Orton.

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

Velasqs breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Velasqs goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A head kick misses from Velasqs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Orton shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Velasqs sprawls well. Velasqs wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Orton gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Randy Orton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Orton misses with a low kick.
Cain Velasqs seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Orton tries to score a power double leg takedown but Velasqs sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Orton somewhat.
Orton tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Velasqs swivels and escapes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Orton bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A good leg kick by Velasqs.
Orton fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Good shot there by Velasqs.
Orton shoots in and drives through. Velasqs sprawls well.
Velasqs swats away the attempt to clinch by Orton.
Orton motions for Velasqs to come forward. Orton throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good work by Orton as he checks the leg kick.
Velasqs misses with a body kick.
Orton tries for a takedown but Velasqs sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Orton tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Velasqs swivels and escapes.
Orton on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Velasqs. Velasqs obviously looking to wear him down.
Velasqs leaves Orton with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velasqs keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Orton looks for a takedown but Velasqs sprawls well.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Orton is defended easily by Velasqs.
Velasqs tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cain Velasqs dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Orton's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Orton closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Velasqs's guard.
Orton missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Orton throwing strikes but missing.
Orton throws a big right hand that misses.
Orton throws an elbow that misses. Velasqs uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Orton's guard. Nice move by Velasqs!
Velasqs throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Velasqs stops Orton from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velasqs working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Velasqs won't allow Orton to get back to his feet.
Velasqs is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Randy Orton.
Velasqs throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Orton shoots in looking for a takedown. Velasqs tries to sprawl out of it but Orton keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Velasqs manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Velasqs lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasqs motions for Orton to come forward. Velasqs throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Orton with a poor takedown
and Velasqs counters with a big head kick but Orton shrugs it off.
Velasqs throws out a powerful jab.
Orton changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Velasqs tries to avoid it but Orton manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Velasqs to the ground. Velasqs escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Randy Orton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Orton shoots for a double leg takedown but Velasqs sprawls well. He's pushed Orton's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velasqs tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Velasqs throws a head kick but Orton moves out of range.
Velasqs changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Velasqs throws a low kick but it's checked well by Orton.
Orton on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Velasqs. Velasqs obviously looking to wear him down.
Orton shoots in looking for a takedown. Velasqs tries to sprawl out of it but Orton keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Velasqs manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Orton throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Velasqs counters with a nice body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Orton shoots in and gets a takedown into Velasqs's guard.
Orton has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Velasqs looking for a sweep. Not yet Velasqs, not yet.
Orton working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Velasqs trying to control the position here.
Orton scoring with punches to the head and body.
Orton throws a strike but Velasqs rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Orton avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Randy Orton.
I think Orton has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 48:48
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 47:48
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 48:47

The fight is ruled a draw!
Randy Orton retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!