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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Vevrin Betlach (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Potkukelkka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Betlach might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Zombie. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 176 cm
37
151 lbs
44 - 19 - 1 |
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170 cm
30
154 lbs
22 - 11 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
44 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Vevrin Betlach!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
22 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, James Potkukelkka!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Don Winkell and .
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Betlach throws a solid leg kick but Potkukelkka takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Betlach.
Betlach scores with a push kick.
Betlach misses with a lunging right hand
and Potkukelkka counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Potkukelkka.
Potkukelkka tries to free his leg and advance position but Betlach is retaining full guard.
Potkukelkka stays in close to Betlach's body and controls the position.
Betlach trying to control the position.
Potkukelkka trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Betlach trying to control the position.
Potkukelkka is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Potkukelkka just misses with a punch to the body.
Betlach throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Potkukelkka counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Potkukelkka is thwarting Betlach's attempts to control the position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Potkukelkka moves nicely into side control.
Potkukelkka is looking to take a break and control but Betlach is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Potkukelkka lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Potkukelkka trying to control the action but Betlach is working from the bottom.
Betlach is trying to improve his position.
Potkukelkka is looking to take a break and control but Betlach is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Betlach has one of Potkukelkka's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Potkukelkka is looking to take a break and control but Betlach is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Potkukelkka is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Betlach is looking to reverse the position.
Potkukelkka working the ground and pound from side control.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Potkukelkka wants to lay and pray for a moment but Betlach keeps working.
Betlach parries the strikes from Potkukelkka easily there. Potkukelkka is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Betlach to escape.
Betlach manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Potkukelkka thows a huge punch but Betlach dodges it nicely.
Potkukelkka has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Betlach is refusing to be controlled, as Potkukelkka sits in half guard.
Betlach won't allow Potkukelkka to pass to mount.
Betlach tries to get to full guard but Potkukelkka has control of the leg.
Potkukelkka not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Potkukelkka throwing shots but Betlach is blocking nicely.
Potkukelkka trying to control from half guard but Betlach is working away.
Potkukelkka missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Betlach gets full guard.
Betlach has his foot on Potkukelkka's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Potkukelkka works his way back into a safe position though.
Betlach keeping full guard, as Potkukelkka tries to pass.
Potkukelkka throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Betlach works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Betlach working a defensive guard here.
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!
Potkukelkka got a little sloppy there for a moment and Betlach has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Potkukelkka has managed to get both his arms back between Betlach's legs - danger averted.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Potkukelkka stands up over Betlach, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Potkukelkka trying to control the position from guard on top but Betlach is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
James Potkukelkka dominated that round.
That's time! Betlach's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Betlach throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Potkukelkka stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Betlach missing with a left hand there. Potkukelkka was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Betlach lands a nice looking body kick.
Potkukelkka connects with a body shot that sends Betlach's belly button to the back.
Betlach throws the kick towards the body but Potkukelkka avoids it.
Betlach loads up on a big right hand but Potkukelkka slips the punch.
Betlach misses with a head kick.
Potkukelkka fails with an attempt to clinch.
Betlach connects with a body shot that sends Potkukelkka's belly button to the back.
Potkukelkka throws a wild body kick that Betlach sees coming a mile off.
Potkukelkka throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Betlach scores with a shot to the body.
Betlach throws a hook but Potkukelkka avoids it easily.
Vevrin Betlach seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Betlach throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Potkukelkka takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Potkukelkka throws the left hand but Betlach avoids the punch easily.
Potkukelkka throws a leg kick which misses Betlach's front leg but catches the back leg as Betlach tries to avoid it.
Potkukelkka throws a quick inside leg kick.
Betlach scores with a hook.
Potkukelkka turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Betlach checks the leg kick nicely there.
Betlach moves forwards but Potkukelkka connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Potkukelkka connects with a body shot that sends Betlach's belly button to the back.
Potkukelkka ducks under a wild hook from Betlach.
Potkukelkka ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Betlach moves away.
Vevrin Betlach is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Potkukelkka shoots in but no luck this time.
Betlach throws a nice outside leg kick.
Betlach blocks a jab.
Vevrin Betlach is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Betlach looks to throw the jab but Potkukelkka is out of range.
Betlach misses the jab.
Potkukelkka tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Betlach is able to avoid easily.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Betlach.
Potkukelkka takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Potkukelkka cracks the inside of Betlach's front leg.
Betlach lands a nice leg kick that just misses Potkukelkka's sensitive parts.
Betlach avoids the head kick by Potkukelkka.
Betlach swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Betlach throws a jab but it's blocked by Potkukelkka.
Potkukelkka chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Betlach swings and misses with a shot to the body
so Potkukelkka counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Potkukelkka is working Betlach over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Potkukelkka being controlled here momentarily.
Betlach controls Potkukelkka momentarily but Potkukelkka frees himself.
Potkukelkka trying to control but Betlach is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Betlach pulls Potkukelkka in close to prevent any damage.
Betlach keeping moving, preventing Potkukelkka from controlling successfully.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Potkukelkka tries to free his leg and advance position but Betlach is retaining full guard.
The ref stands the fighters back up because Vevrin Betlach just wasn't active enough.
Jab by Betlach.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Betlach fails to land with a series of punches.
Some bone on bone action there as Potkukelkka checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Betlach misses with a right hand
and Potkukelkka counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Betlach!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Betlach is not content to let Potkukelkka control the position.
Potkukelkka might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Betlach haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Betlach struggling a bit here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Betlach is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Potkukelkka lands a nice short elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but James Potkukelkka will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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.
A low kick from Betlach is predictable there
and Potkukelkka counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Betlach!
Betlach manages to get back to half guard.
Betlach punching from the bottom.
Potkukelkka looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Betlach is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Potkukelkka scores with a couple of nice shots.
Betlach trying to control but Potkukelkka postures up.
Potkukelkka scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Betlach controlling the position well.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Potkukelkka throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Potkukelkka missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Betlach keeping hold of Potkukelkka's head, controlling as best he can.
Potkukelkka missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Potkukelkka wants to work for an arm triangle but Betlach is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Potkukelkka with the ground and pound but Betlach uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Betlach trying to control the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Potkukelkka stays in close to Betlach's body and controls the position.
Betlach is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Betlach avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Potkukelkka works over Betlach with some ground and pound from guard.
Potkukelkka pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Betlach is keeping the position for now.
Potkukelkka cracks Betlach with a solid left hand.
Potkukelkka pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Betlach is keeping the position for now.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Betlach wants to sweep but no luck.
Potkukelkka trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Betlach manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Potkukelkka wants to sweep but no luck.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Potkukelkka is on top in guard.
Potkukelkka trying to control but Betlach is working from the bottom.
Betlach trying to keep a closed guard but Potkukelkka is proving a slippery customer.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Betlach keeping moving, preventing Potkukelkka from controlling successfully.
Potkukelkka controlling from the top position.
Potkukelkka passes into half guard.
Potkukelkka working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
The fighters are battling for position here. Betlach manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Betlach throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Potkukelkka throwing strikes from guard but Betlach blocks nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
James Potkukelkka really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Betlach throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Potkukelkka stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Betlach displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Potkukelkka.
Betlach uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Potkukelkka.
Betlach lands a jab to Potkukelkka's midsection.
Potkukelkka blocks the body kick.
Potkukelkka misses with a leg kick.
Betlach blocks a jab.
Betlach throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nice defenses there by Betlach.
Betlach is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Potkukelkka.
Betlach scores with a crisp jab that stopped Potkukelkka in his tracks.
Betlach connects with a crisp jab.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Betlach swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Potkukelkka steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Betlach.
Potkukelkka lands a slapping body shot.
Betlach lands with a straight right. Potkukelkka didn't see that one coming.
Betlach misses with a hook. Potkukelkka ducked under it nicely.
Betlach looks to land a left hand but Potkukelkka moved out of range nicely.
Potkukelkka misses with a wild body shot.
Potkukelkka goes for a double leg but Betlach avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Betlach continues to drive forward.
Betlach missing with knees to the body.
Betlach is trying to break free.
Potkukelkka looking to slow down the pace here.
Betlach lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Betlach is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Potkukelkka is keeping busy.
Potkukelkka is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Betlach to keep the fight standing.
Vevrin Betlach has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Potkukelkka.
Betlach lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Betlach lands with a light punch inside.
Betlach wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Potkukelkka.
Potkukelkka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Potkukelkka stalling in the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Betlach as the two fighters clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Potkukelkka throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Betlach.
Betlach works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Potkukelkka is trying to stall.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stalling in the clinch from Potkukelkka.
Potkukelkka is trying to stall.
Betlach lands a right hand.
Potkukelkka blocking some punches.
Betlach manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Potkukelkka with a nice head shot there.
Potkukelkka is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Potkukelkka loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Betlach keeping moving, preventing Potkukelkka from controlling successfully.
Betlach throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Potkukelkka trying to control the position from guard on top but Betlach is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Potkukelkka looking to sit in guard and control but Betlach gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Betlach accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Potkukelkka wants to improve his position but instead Betlach has moved into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Potkukelkka tries to get to full guard but Betlach has control of the leg.
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 Vevrin Betlach will probably get the nod.
That's time! Betlach's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!
Potkukelkka works the jab nicely.
Betlach dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Betlach lunges at Potkukelkka with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Potkukelkka's hand.
Betlach works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Potkukelkka fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Betlach misses the target.
Potkukelkka fails with an attempt to clinch.
Potkukelkka is trying hard to land a takedown here. Betlach sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Potkukelkka walks into a straight right hand from Betlach.
Potkukelkka throws a quick inside leg kick.
Betlach lands a lovely overhand right.
Potkukelkka is rocked!
Potkukelkka moves away from the strike by Betlach.
Betlach throws an off balance right hand
and Potkukelkka counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Betlach is trying to control but can't.
Potkukelkka is looking to stall here but Betlach recovers full guard.
Potkukelkka is looking to work some ground and pound but Betlach has wrist control.
Potkukelkka looking to pass the guard.
Potkukelkka throws a big right hand that misses.
Betlach had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Potkukelkka defends it easily.
Potkukelkka trying to control the position from guard on top but Betlach is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Potkukelkka in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
James Potkukelkka has got the better of the ground game so far.
Potkukelkka cracks Betlach with a solid left hand.
Betlach has his foot on Potkukelkka's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Potkukelkka works his way back into a safe position though.
Potkukelkka works over Betlach with some ground and pound from guard.
Potkukelkka wants to pass the guard but Betlach is keeping the position.
Potkukelkka slips nicely into half guard.
Potkukelkka is looking to take a break and control but Betlach is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Betlach looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Betlach wants to control but Potkukelkka is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Potkukelkka looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Betlach wants to get back to full guard.
Vevrin Betlach has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Potkukelkka is looking for a kimura here.
Betlach is refusing to be controlled, as Potkukelkka sits in half guard.
James Potkukelkka is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Betlach lands one or two decent shots to the body here. Although from his own half guard, he's not going to be causing too much damage.
Still in half guard, Potkukelkka seems content to control.
Betlach is controlling Potkukelkka's trapped leg to prevent Potkukelkka from advancing to side control.
Potkukelkka wants to pass the guard but Betlach is defending well.
Potkukelkka is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
And that's the end of the fight!
James Potkukelkka comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Potkukelkka has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 46:49
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 46:49
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 46:49
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Potkukelkka!
James Potkukelkka is the new featherweight champion!
An out of breath James Potkukelkka thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
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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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