PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight kickboxing rules bout between Basil Hastings (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jonas Valanciunas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hastings comes into the arena with React - Not today blaring out of the sound system. 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.

Hastings
vs
Valanciunas

181 cm
25
184 lbs
13 - 11 - 0

192 cm
36
195 lbs
27 - 12 - 0

World class MT
Cardio machine

World class MT
Good gas tank

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 13 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Basil Hastings!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 12 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jonas Valanciunas!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Wagner Zegers and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hastings misses with an uppercut
and Valanciunas cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A big right from Valanciunas misses.
Nice straight punches there by Valanciunas. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Valanciunas.
Hastings takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Hastings throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Hastings throws a lazy uppercut
and Valanciunas counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Hastings tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Valanciunas swings widly with a right hand
and Hastings counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Valanciunas takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Valanciunas looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Valanciunas's coach down at Netherlands Top Team & KT was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Valanciunas's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Valanciunas takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hastings misses with a left hand
and Valanciunas counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Valanciunas drops his hands momentarily and Hastings takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Hastings throws a sloppy head kick and Valanciunas moves out of range easily.
Hastings chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Valanciunas can pounce on him.
Hastings dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hastings lands with an uppercut that bounces Valanciunas off the ropes and back into range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hastings fails with an attempt to clinch.
Valanciunas throws an overhand right that lands on Hastings's shoulder, as Hastings tries to avoid the shot.
Valanciunas scores with a leg kick.
Valanciunas cracks Hastings with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Valanciunas throws a jab but it's blocked by Hastings.
Valanciunas misses with a straight right.
Valanciunas tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A decent looking cross lands there for Valanciunas.
Hastings drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Valanciunas gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Hastings counters by moving into the clinch.
Hastings digs a right hand underneath Valanciunas's ribcage. Valanciunas let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Hastings struggles to land a body shot inside as Valanciunas controls his hands.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Hastings.
Hastings goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hastings lands a hook to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hastings doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Valanciunas wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valanciunas tries to circle away but Hastings has him pinned against the ropes.
Valanciunas is trying to break free.
Valanciunas tries to work over Hastings's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hastings works on Valanciunas's body with a couple of short punches.
Valanciunas tries a body shot but Hastings blocks it.
Hastings prevents a body shot from Valanciunas.
Hastings blocking some punches.

Valanciunas manages to break the clinch.
Hastings swings widly with a right hand
and Valanciunas counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hastings throws a head kick that misses.
Hastings moves in looking to clinch but Valanciunas pushes him off.
Valanciunas scores with a decent looking hook.
Valanciunas throws a looping overhand right but Hastings ducks down to avoid it.
Valanciunas has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A decent looking cross lands there for Hastings.
Hastings is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hastings is looking to slow Valanciunas down with leg kicks.
Basil Hastings seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Hastings.
Valanciunas misses with a hook.
Hastings steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Valanciunas.
Hastings is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hastings tries to close the distance and clinch up but Valanciunas swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Valanciunas connects with an inside leg kick.
A big left from Hastings misses.
Hastings looks to land a right hand but Valanciunas moved out of range.
Hastings takes one on the button.
Valanciunas fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hastings.
The fighters circle momentarily. Valanciunas darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Valanciunas takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Hastings misses with a looping right.
Valanciunas throws a lazy right hand but Hastings sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A counter left hand to the body from Hastings misses its target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hastings throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Valanciunas connects with a single shot there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hastings swinging wildly here.
Valanciunas looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Valanciunas misses with a body kick.
Valanciunas misses with a hook.
Valanciunas moves out of range as Hastings strikes.
Hastings swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Valanciunas is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Hastings blocks a head kick by Valanciunas.
Valanciunas looks to throw the jab but Hastings is out of range.
Hastings takes one to the chin there.
Valanciunas connects with a looping right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A low kick from Valanciunas misses
and Hastings counters with a straight right hand.
Hastings turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Hastings misses with a low kick.
Valanciunas throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonas Valanciunas dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hastings tries to move into range but Valanciunas moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Valanciunas throws out a loose jab but Hastings uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hastings walks into a stiff left hand from Valanciunas.
Valanciunas bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Valanciunas works the jab nicely.
Hastings misses with a hook.

Hastings closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Valanciunas tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hastings digs a right hand into Valanciunas's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Valanciunas's gas tank.
Hastings blocks an uppercut.
Hastings digs a right hand into Valanciunas's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Valanciunas's gas tank.
A head punch on the inside from Valanciunas fails to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valanciunas takes a shot to the head.
Hastings presses Valanciunas against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Hastings holding his opponent close, against the ropes.
Valanciunas lands a body shot in the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Valanciunas is trying to break the clinch but Hastings has him pressed against the ropes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valanciunas struggles to land a body shot inside as Hastings controls his hands.
Valanciunas blocks a body shot from Hastings.
Valanciunas tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Valanciunas manages to break the clinch.
Nice shot lands for Valanciunas.
Valanciunas takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Valanciunas throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Valanciunas lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Valanciunas slips under a jab from Hastings.
Valanciunas jabs Hastings right on the nose. Hastings blinks but takes it well.

Hastings rushes Valanciunas and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Hastings keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Valanciunas's efforts to push away.
Hastings lands a right hand.
Hastings lands a body punch in the clinch.
Hastings misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Valanciunas.
Hastings lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hastings throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Valanciunas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A swing and a miss from Valanciunas.
It looked like Hastings was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Valanciunas.
Valanciunas throws an overhand right that lands on Hastings's shoulder, as Hastings tries to avoid the shot.
Hastings fires out a quick counter leg kick but Valanciunas just manages to avoid it.

Hastings moves into the clinch successfully.
Hastings lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Valanciunas backwards.
Valanciunas tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hastings's elbow.
Hastings lands an uppercut.
Hastings with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Valanciunas swings wildly with an uppercut but Hastings uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hastings looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Valanciunas misses with the head strike.
Valanciunas working aggressively here.
Valanciunas fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Valanciunas breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Jonas Valanciunas seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Valanciunas missing with a left hand there. Hastings was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Valanciunas slips under a jab.
Valanciunas throws out a counter right but Hastings avoids it with no problem.
Hastings ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Valanciunas moves away.
As Hastings backs off Valanciunas throws a huge counter combo but Hastings manages to avoid it all.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valanciunas scores with a nice body kick.
Valanciunas throws a head kick but Hastings moves out of range.
Valanciunas lands with a kick to the ribs.
Valanciunas throws a jab when Hastings was well out of range.
Hastings seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Valanciunas throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Hastings counters with a left to the body.
Hastings lands with a slapping head kick.
Valanciunas lands with a right hand.
Hastings blocks a jab.

Valanciunas gets tackled into the ropes by Hastings. Hastings maintains the clinch.
Valanciunas tries a body shot but Hastings blocks it.
Valanciunas is trying to force a seperation but Hastings has the dominant position.

Valanciunas breaks the clinch.
Hastings throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Valanciunas on the side of the head.
Valanciunas throws a jab but it's blocked by Hastings.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hastings bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valanciunas with a jab.
Hastings fails with an attempt to clinch.
A telegraphed right hand from Valanciunas misses the target.
Valanciunas swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Hastings.
Valanciunas moves into range and connects with a jab.
The crowd cheers as Valanciunas lands an impressive looking overhand right. Hastings doesn't seem phased though.
Hastings loads up on a big right hand but Valanciunas slips the punch.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Valanciunas.
Hastings throws a head kick that misses.
Hastings scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A left lands for Valanciunas.
Hastings looks for the body kick but Valanciunas saw that one coming.
Valanciunas lands a really nice looking cross but Hastings seems unphased.
Valanciunas throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Hastings finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Valanciunas pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jonas Valanciunas will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Hastings jabs Valanciunas to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Valanciunas moves into range and connects with a jab.
Valanciunas throws a body kick that misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hastings looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hastings is looking to land body kicks.

Hastings gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Our sources have told us that Hastings has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Hastings using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Valanciunas doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hastings lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Valanciunas misses with a body punch.
Basil Hastings has scored more points in the clinch so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hastings misses with a punch to the body.
Hastings misses with a punch to the body.
Hastings lands a shot to the body.
Valanciunas takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hastings works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A shot in the inside from Hastings.
Hastings lands a damaging elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hastings lands a hook to the side of the head.
Valanciunas blocks a body shot from Hastings.
Valanciunas on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Valanciunas throws a head punch that misses.
A right handed body shot lands from Hastings.
Hastings tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hastings creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Valanciunas's defenses.

Valanciunas is rocked!
Nice body punch from Hastings.
Valanciunas is still on wobbly legs! Can Hastings finish him?
Valanciunas doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nice body punch from Hastings.
Valanciunas seems to have recovered his senses.
Hastings lands a shoulder strike.
Hastings lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Valanciunas backwards.
Valanciunas throws a head punch that misses.
Hastings lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Valanciunas backwards.
Hastings creates a bit of distance and cracks Valanciunas with a big uppercut! Valanciunas goes down! The referee pushes Hastings away into a neutral corner and starts the count. 4,5,6,7. Will Valanciunas make it up in time? He's still flopping around all over the place! The referee has called off the fight! Hastings takes it!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:53 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punch). Basil Hastings!
An out of breath Basil Hastings thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.