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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Vevrin Betlach (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jie Liu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Betlach's entrance music is Zombie. A fine choice. Liu is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by The Cinematic Orchestra ft. Roots Manuva - All Things To All Men. 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.
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| 176 cm
36
151 lbs
42 - 18 - 0 |
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173 cm
29
162 lbs
22 - 8 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
42 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Vevrin Betlach!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
22 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jie Liu!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Liu fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Betlach has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Liu uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Betlach.
Liu keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Liu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Betlach throws an overhand right that lands on Liu's shoulder, as Liu tries to avoid the shot.
Betlach misses with a body shot.
Liu throws a head kick but Betlach moves out of range.
Betlach dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Liu lands a jab to Betlach's midsection.
Betlach gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Liu counters with an inside leg kick.
Liu steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Betlach.
Liu looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Betlach gets caught flat footed, as Liu shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Betlach has his hands on Liu's head, controlling the position.
Liu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Liu trying to control but Betlach is working from the bottom.
Liu looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Liu tries to free his leg and advance position but Betlach is retaining full guard.
Liu controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Liu trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Betlach pulls Liu in to control the position.
Betlach looking to hit a scissor sweep but Liu is one step ahead there.
It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Liu fails with an attempt to clinch.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Betlach loads up on a big right hand but Liu slips the punch.
Liu forces Betlach back against the cage and clinches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Liu.
Betlach lands a nice uppercut.
Liu tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Betlach prevents a body shot from Liu.
Liu working hard to break the clinch.
Betlach missing with knees to the body.
Betlach looking to stall.
Liu tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Betlach lands a nice uppercut.
Liu goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Betlach trying to control the position but instead, Liu has worked for underhooks and has pushed Betlach into the cage.
Betlach blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Betlach tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Betlach fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A left hand lands to the body for Liu.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Betlach.
Liu makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
The referee calls for Liu to work.
Liu wants to break the clinch but can't.
Betlach blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Liu has a couple of punches blocked by Betlach.
Liu blocking some punches.
Liu tries to work over Betlach's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Betlach fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Betlach is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Liu is keeping busy.
Betlach lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Liu.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Betlach.
A short right from Liu.
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!
Liu misses with the head strike.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liu taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Betlach blocks a body shot from Liu.
Betlach lands with a left to the head.
Liu throws a punch but it's blocked by Betlach.
Betlach lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Liu or not.
Betlach lands a shot to the body.
Liu lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Betlach lands a left hand.
Betlach looking to stall.
Liu throws a punch but it's blocked by Betlach.
Liu throws a head punch that misses.
Liu tries for a takedown. No joy.
Liu misses with some punches.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Liu has a couple of punches blocked by Betlach.
Liu swings wildly with an uppercut but Betlach uses good head movement to avoid it.
Liu misses with a short punch on the inside.
Betlach misses with an elbow over the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Jie Liu 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.
Betlach loads up on a big right hand but Liu slips the punch.
Betlach throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Liu throws an off balance right hand
and Betlach counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Betlach stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Liu.
Liu looks to throw the jab but Betlach is out of range.
Liu throws a head kick but Betlach moves out of range.
Liu takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Liu misses the shot to the body.
Betlach fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Liu on the side of the head.
Liu tries to clinch up.
Liu is looking to clinch but Betlach is avoiding it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Liu looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Liu lands with a nice body kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Liu connects with a solid leg kick.
Liu throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Liu takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Betlach connects with a nice looking jab.
Liu throws a leg kick but Betlach sees it coming and moves out of range.
Liu moves in looking to clinch but Betlach pushes him off.
Liu looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Liu avoids the head kick by Betlach.
Betlach ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Liu moves away.
Liu jabs at Betlach's body.
A low kick from Liu misses
letting Betlach counter with a right hand.
Betlach takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liu throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Betlach makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Liu staying out of range there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Liu throws a front kick aimed at Betlach's knee but Betlach avoids it well.
Liu throws a nice head kick!
Liu takes one to the chin there.
Liu throws a hook but Betlach blocks it.
A head kick by Liu misses
and Betlach connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Liu scoring well with a low kick there.
Betlach throws an off balance right hand
letting Liu counter with a right hand.
Betlach blocks a head kick by Liu.
Betlach throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Liu wants to clinch
and Betlach counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liu with a nice cross.
Betlach uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Liu.
Jie Liu seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Betlach connects with a solid leg kick.
Liu misses the shot to the body.
Betlach buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Liu cracks Betlach with a good jab.
Liu connects with a high kick.
Betlach throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Liu stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Liu throws a leg kick which misses Betlach's front leg but catches the back leg as Betlach tries to avoid it.
Liu scores with a jab.
Liu slips a straight right by Betlach.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Betlach blocks the body kick.
A low kick from Liu misses
and Betlach counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Betlach tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Liu lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Betlach has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Betlach and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A bone on bone clash there as Betlach blocks the leg kick.
Liu connects with a solid leg kick.
Liu throws a nice outside leg kick.
Liu avoids the head kick by Betlach.
Liu lands a nice shot to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Betlach swings widly with a right hand
and Liu counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Liu is looking to clinch but Betlach is avoiding it.
Betlach takes a swing at Liu's ribcage but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Jie Liu will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.
Liu throws a leg kick but Betlach moved away.
Betlach tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Liu was well out of range. Poor timing from Betlach.
An inside leg kick from Liu misses.
Liu cracks Betlach with a good jab.
Liu tries to clinch but Betlach moves out of range.
Liu misses with a leg kick.
Nice body kick from Betlach.
Betlach takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Liu throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Liu throws a leg kick but Betlach checks it.
Liu throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Betlach checks a leg kick.
Betlach is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Liu throws a predictable looking body shot
and Betlach holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Jie Liu seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Liu throws a head punch that misses.
Betlach lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Liu tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Liu struggles to land a body shot inside as Betlach controls his hands.
Betlach is trying to stall.
Liu misses with a short punch on the inside.
Liu lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Betlach backwards.
A short right from Betlach.
Liu is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Betlach is keeping busy.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Liu.
Betlach lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Liu scores with a nice hook to the head.
Liu throws a punch but it's blocked by Betlach.
Betlach stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Betlach tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Liu's elbow.
A head punch on the inside from Liu fails to land.
Liu fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Liu fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Liu misses with a punch to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Liu misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Liu misses with a punch on the inside.
Liu blocks a body shot from Betlach.
Betlach tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Betlach lands an uppercut.
Betlach stalling in the clinch but Liu improves position.
Betlach tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Betlach goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Betlach lands a body shot in the clinch.
Liu throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Betlachs head.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liu misses with a hook from the clinch.
Liu has a couple of punches blocked by Betlach.
Liu lands a left hand.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Betlach lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Betlach lands a hook to the side of the head.
A right handed body shot lands from Liu.
Betlach taking a breather.
Liu blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Betlach stops a takedown attempt from Liu.
Betlach stops a takedown attempt from Liu.
Betlach tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Liu throws a head punch that misses.
Betlach tries to work over Liu's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Liu throws a head punch that misses.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Liu misses with a short punch on the inside.
Liu doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Betlach's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Liu throws the kick towards the body but Betlach avoids it.
Liu lands a glancing blow to the side of Betlach's head.
Betlach looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Betlach moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Liu misses with a head kick.
Betlach checks a leg kick nicely.
Liu changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Liu tries a head kick but it misses.
Betlach throws a body kick that misses.
A swing and a miss from Betlach.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Jie Liu really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
A head kick by Liu misses
and Betlach counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Liu thuds his right hand into Betlach's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Betlach digs a good body shot into Liu's ribs.
Betlach looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
The fighters circling - Betlach throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Liu takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Liu tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Liu pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Betlach throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Betlach connects with a good right hand that stumbles Liu. Liu circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Liu is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Betlach with a hook.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Liu tries to close the distance and clinch up but Betlach swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Liu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Liu scores with a push kick.
Betlach's corner calls for a 1-2. Betlach obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
A solid body kick from Liu.
Betlach is looking to slow Liu down with leg kicks.
Liu throws an off balance right hand
and Betlach counters with a nice body shot.
Liu looks to throw a body kick
and Betlach counters with a stiff right hand.
Liu lands with a cross.
Betlach loads up on a big right hand but Liu slips the punch.
Betlach lands a really nice looking cross but Liu seems unphased.
Liu throws a leg kick but Betlach sees it coming and moves out of range.
Vevrin Betlach is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Betlach tries to work over Liu's front leg with a kick but Liu checks it.
Betlach cracks the inside of Liu's front leg.
Betlach gets caught napping as Liu dives in and scores a takedown. Betlach manages to retain guard.
Betlach is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Liu trying to control the position from guard on top but Betlach is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Betlach pulls Liu in close to prevent any damage.
Liu seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Betlach wants to sweep here but Liu controlling him for the moment.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Betlach lands with a kick to the ribs.
Betlach takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Liu looks to land a right hand but Betlach moved out of range.
Liu shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Betlach connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Liu scores with a push kick.
Betlach misses with a low kick as Liu jumps back.
Betlach takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liu takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Liu cracks a nice hook into Betlach's ribs.
Betlach throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Liu misses with an attempted mid kick.
Betlach is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Liu.
Liu slips under a jab.
Liu fails with a takedown attempt.
Liu fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Vevrin Betlach has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jie Liu.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Liu looks for the body kick but Betlach saw that one coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Vevrin Betlach had his way with Jie Liu in that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!
Betlach will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Betlach showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Liu.
Jie Liu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Liu misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Betlach motions for Liu to come forward. Betlach throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Betlach misses with a wild body shot.
Betlach swinging wildly here.
A solid leg kick lands there for Liu.
Betlach will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Liu throws a front kick that sends Betlach stumbling back into the cage.
Liu scoring well with a low kick there.
Liu moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Betlach moves out of range of the leg kick from Liu.
Betlach throws a big shot that misses.
Liu connects with an inside leg kick.
Liu takes one on the button.
Liu fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Betlach, pushing him back against the cage.
Liu tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Betlach prevents a body shot from Liu.
Liu throws a head punch that misses.
Liu blocks a body shot from Betlach.
Liu has a couple of punches blocked by Betlach.
A head punch on the inside from Liu fails to land.
Liu swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Betlach tries to break the clinch but Liu is controlling the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liu lands with a light punch inside.
Liu throws a head punch that misses.
Betlach lands with a short shot to the head.
Betlach trying to control the position but instead, Liu has worked for underhooks and has pushed Betlach into the cage.
Betlach lands a right hand that snaps the head of Liu backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Betlach blocking some punches.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Liu has a couple of punches blocked by Betlach.
Liu misses with some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Liu.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Betlach.
Liu taking a breather.
Betlach tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Liu's elbow.
Betlach is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Betlach lands a left hand that snaps the head of Liu backwards.
Jie Liu is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Betlach fails to land.
A head punch on the inside from Betlach fails to land.
Betlach is pushing Liu up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Liu is trying to maintain a safe position but Betlach gets an underhook and turns Liu into the cage.
Vevrin Betlach has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Betlach lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Betlach stalling against the cage.
Liu turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liu controlling from side mount.
Betlach is looking to reverse the position.
Liu taking a breather here.
Liu goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Betlach has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Liu but great work by Betlach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Liu can't do much from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Liu manages to get back to half guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
Jie Liu comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Liu has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 46:49
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 46:49
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 46:49
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jie Liu!
Jie Liu is the new lightweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Jie Liu thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
100% |
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