PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Dexter Varela (ranked 3947 p4p, 0 weight class) and Craig Bartholemew (ranked 4149 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Varela
vs
Bartholemew

175 cm
25
153 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

180 cm
25
155 lbs
6 - 5 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Dexter Varela !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 1, fighting out of The Island, Craig Bartholemew!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Winston Alpacca and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Varela throws the kick towards the body but Bartholemew avoids it.
Varela misses with a head kick.
Varela looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Bartholemew moves into the clinch.

Bartholemew breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Varela .

Varela moves into range and clinches up with Bartholemew.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A frustrated look appears on Varela 's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Bartholemew taking a breather.
Varela lands with a right to the head.
With the fighters up against the cage, Bartholemew throws an elbow but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Varela will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Bartholemew up against the cage.

Varela manages to pull guard.
Varela keeping moving, preventing Bartholemew from controlling successfully.
Bartholemew tries to free his leg and advance position but Varela is retaining full guard.
Bartholemew wants to control from the top but Varela keeps moving.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Varela holds on and takes a little breather.
Bartholemew postures up in Varela 's guard and throws a big left but Varela blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Bartholemew loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Varela working a defensive guard but Bartholemew manages to pass into side control anyway.
Varela is not content to let Bartholemew control the position.
Varela wants to control but Bartholemew postures up.
Varela keeps Bartholemew under control for a moment.
Bartholemew is looking to take a break and control but Varela is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Varela is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varela can't do much from the bottom here.
Bartholemew controlling the position from side mount.
Varela is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bartholemew looks for a takedown but Varela sprawls well.
Nice takedown defense from Bartholemew. No joy for Varela on that attempt.
Bartholemew feints the counter takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dexter Varela . That's going to take a lot out of him.

Bartholemew tries to keep at a distance but Varela has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Varela wants to take the fight to the mat but Bartholemew manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Varela tries for a takedown. No joy.
Bartholemew can't get the takedown.
Varela pressing his opponent against the cage.
Varela missing with knees to the body.
Bartholemew drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Varela gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Bartholemew breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Varela fails with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Craig Bartholemew will probably get the nod.
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.

Bartholemew pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

Varela has managed to clinch.
Bartholemew tries to break the clinch but Varela is controlling the position.
Bartholemew gets underhooks to prevent Varela 's takedown attempt.

Bartholemew breaks the clinch.

Varela darts in and clinches Bartholemew up against the cage.

Varela pulls Bartholemew into guard.
Bartholemew trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bartholemew is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Varela tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bartholemew looking to pass the guard.
Bartholemew won't allow Varela to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Varela wants to sweep here but Bartholemew controlling him for the moment.

Varela escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bartholemew gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Bartholemew is stalling in the full guard.
Varela looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Bartholemew gets tackled into the cage by Varela . Varela maintains the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Varela stalling in the clinch.
Bartholemew is looking to control Varela 's arms but Varela gets an underhook and turns him. Now Bartholemew has his back to the cage.
Bartholemew trying to stall but Varela improves his position.
Bartholemew is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.
Varela looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Varela has Bartholemew pressed against the cage, preventing Bartholemew from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Bartholemew looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Bartholemew wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Varela has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Bartholemew clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Bartholemew manages to reverse the position and now he's in Varela 's guard. Nice work there by Bartholemew.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bartholemew is looking to stand up but Varela won't let him.
Varela wants to sweep but no luck.

Bartholemew gets to his feet. Varela looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Varela shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bartholemew as he avoids it easily.
Varela has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dexter Varela . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Varela tries to clinch there but Bartholemew circles away.

Bartholemew darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Varela is looking for a sweep. Bartholemew is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bartholemew is looking for a kimura but Varela is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Bartholemew to get the leverage.
Varela moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Varela controls Bartholemew momentarily but Bartholemew frees himself.
Bartholemew would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bartholemew wants to control from the top but Varela keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bartholemew wanted to stand there but Varela had control of the position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Craig Bartholemew 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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Varela instigates a clinch.
Varela works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Varela tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Varela has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Bartholemew avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Bartholemew tries to pull guard but Varela forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Good body shot from Varela .

Bartholemew breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
No luck for Bartholemew with that takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bartholemew.
Dexter Varela has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Craig Bartholemew.
Bartholemew looks for a takedown but Varela sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A decent looking cross lands there for Varela .
Varela throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Varela tries for a takedown but Bartholemew circles away easily

and Bartholemew holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Bartholemew blocks the elbow strike.
Varela has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Bartholemew avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Varela goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bartholemew tries for a takedown but Varela manages to get underhooks.
Varela wants a takedown.
Varela can't get the takedown.
Varela wants to break free but Bartholemew has control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bartholemew is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Varela tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Bartholemew just stands there and leans against the cage.
Bartholemew changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Varela fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Bartholemew blocks a head kick by Varela .
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bartholemew lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Varela is defended easily by Bartholemew.

Bartholemew feints and as Varela raises his hands in defense, Bartholemew changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Varela is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varela postures up.
Bartholemew keeping moving, preventing Varela from controlling successfully.
Bartholemew seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Bartholemew wants to get back to his feet but Varela is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Varela controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bartholemew not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Varela pushes down on Bartholemew's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Varela wants to take a breather but Bartholemew is having none of it.
Bartholemew is trying to get back to full guard.

Varela is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Dexter Varela has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Craig Bartholemew is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bartholemew is looking for a sweep. Varela is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dexter Varela showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Bartholemew 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 28:29
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Craig Bartholemew!