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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bethania Valverde (ranked 350 p4p, 582 weight class) and Flynn Knightley (ranked 29 p4p, 49 weight class). Valverde comes to the cage accompanied by LLAMAME YA. 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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| 172 cm
34
145
26 - 19 - 0 |
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170 cm
26
135
11 - 7 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick |
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Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Bethania Valverde!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Flynn Knightley!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yukihiro Shimada and Ren Mimura.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valverde throws a head kick but Knightley moves out of range.
Knightley slips a jab from Valverde.
Knightley closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Valverde's guard.
Valverde wants to get back to his feet but Knightley passes into half guard.
Knightley stalling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knightley seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Valverde does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Knightley prevents Valverde from standing back up.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Knightley content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Knightley working over Valverde with some ground and pound. Valverde looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Valverde wants to get back to his feet.
Valverde is not content to let Knightley control the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Knightley content to control rather than advance.
Valverde is not content to let Knightley control the position.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Valverde throws an overhand right that lands on Knightley's shoulder, as Knightley tries to avoid the shot.
Valverde displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Knightley.
Valverde is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Knightley.
Knightley takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
It looks like Flynn Knightley has been cut.
Good standup being displayed there by Knightley as he connects with a hook.
Knightley shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Valverde's guard.
Valverde keeping moving, preventing Knightley from controlling successfully.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knightley is stalling in the full guard.
Knightley stops Valverde from standing up.
Valverde keeping full guard, as Knightley tries to pass.
Knightley sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Valverde's guard.
Knightley stops Valverde from getting back to his feet.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Knightley throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Knightley sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Valverde defending well though.
Knightley stops Valverde from getting back to his feet.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Valverde throws a lazy right hand but Knightley sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bethania Valverde is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Valverde jabs Knightley right on the nose. Knightley blinks but takes it well.
Knightley looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Valverde is fending him off so far but Knightley persists. Nope, Valverde circles away and we're back to standing.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nice body kick there by Valverde.
Knightley drives through with a takedown into guard.
Knightley throwing strikes from guard but Valverde blocks nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Knightley wants to control from the top but Valverde keeps moving.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close round but Flynn Knightley will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Flynn Knightley's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.
Good leg kick by Valverde.
Knightley missing with a left hand there. Valverde was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
An attempted straight right counter from Valverde misses the target.
Valverde pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Knightley looks to clinch
and Valverde connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Valverde throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A swing and a miss from Valverde.
Valverde keeps the fight on the outside.
Knightley closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Knightley lands in his opponent's guard.
Valverde is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knightley controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Knightley looking to pass the guard.
Valverde is looking to stand up but Knightley isn't so interested in that idea.
Knightley throwing strikes but missing.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Valverde wants to stand but Knightley is controlling the position.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Valverde throws a hook but Knightley avoids it easily.
Knightley is looking to clinch.
Valverde is looking to counter punch.
No luck for Knightley with that takedown attempt.
Valverde throws a head kick that misses.
Knightley closes the distance and clinches.
Valverde blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A right hand to the body from Knightley.
Valverde escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Valverde stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Valverde wants it to stay on the feet.
Valverde with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Valverde throws a head kick but Knightley moves out of range.
Knightley drives through with a takedown into Valverde's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Valverde is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Knightley dives into side control.
Flynn Knightley has got the better of the ground game so far.
Valverde is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knightley sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Valverde is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Valverde is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Knightley laying and praying for a moment but Valverde takes advantage and regains half guard.
Knightley sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Valverde defending well though.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Knightley in particular looking to stall.
Valverde pushes Knightley off and gets back to his feet.
Knightley scores with a jab to the head.
Knightley doesn't manage to clinch there - Valverde circles away.
Valverde throws a hook but Knightley avoids it easily.
Knightley dives in and scores a takedown into Valverde's guard.
Knightley won't allow Valverde to get back to his feet.
Knightley pushes down on Valverde's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Knightley throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that Bethania Valverde will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Flynn Knightley's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!
Knightley changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Valverde tries to avoid it but Knightley manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Valverde to the ground. Valverde escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Knightley tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Valverde swivels and escapes.
Valverde connects with a high kick.
Knightley looks for a takedown but Valverde sprawls well.
Bethania Valverde has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Flynn Knightley.
Knightley clinches up against the cage.
Knightley working aggressively here.
A short left from Knightley.
Valverde prevents a body shot from Knightley.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valverde prevents a body shot from Knightley.
Knightley misses with the head strike.
Nice body punch from Knightley.
Knightley swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Knightley is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Valverde can't fight it off and eventually Knightley manages to take the fight to the floor. Valverde looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Valverde wants to stand but Knightley is controlling the position.
Knightley stays in close to Valverde's body and controls the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Knightley postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Knightley throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Knightley has closed the distance and engaged Valverde in a clinch.
Valverde blocking some punches.
Valverde tries to break free but Knightley pushes him back against the cage.
Knightley doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Valverde blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Knightley misses with a punch to the body.
Valverde blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knightley misses with a punch on the inside.
Valverde breaks from the clinch.
Valverde shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Knightley eats them both and turns towards Valverde to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Valverde throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Knightley with a lazy takedown attempt
and Valverde connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Valverde lands an overhand right.
The fight stays on the outside here - Knightley looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Valverde misses with a wild body shot.
Valverde tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Knightley was well out of range. Poor timing from Valverde.
A swing and a miss from Valverde.
Knightley cracks Valverde with a right hand to the side of the head.
Valverde is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Knightley wants to clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Valverde as Knightley shoots in.
Valverde lands with a good body shot.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Knightley tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Valverde was well out of range. Poor timing from Knightley.
Valverde throws a counter high kick but Knightley was just alert enough to avoid it.
Knightley lands a nice looking body shot.
Knightley is looking to clinch.
Valverde is looking to counter punch.
A slow jab from Valverde misses its intended target.
Knightley tries to clinch but Valverde moves out of range.
Valverde with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Knightley to score with a decent uppercut.
The fighters circle momentarily. Valverde darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Knightley shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Knightley was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Valverde is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Knightley is controlling him well.
The strikes coming from Knightley are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Knightley throws a strike aimed at the side of Valverde's head but Valverde avoids it well.
Valverde wants to get back to his feet.
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 Bethania Valverde.
I think Valverde 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by split decision... Bethania Valverde!
Bethania Valverde gave a mention to Pulling Guard in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).
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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
41% |
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