PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zurabi Vakhtangishvili (ranked 4182 p4p, 4048 weight class) and Frankie Walker (ranked 443 p4p, 430 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Vakhtangishvili
vs
Walker

195 cm
25
235
0 - 0 - 0

197 cm
25
270
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Zurabi Vakhtangishvili!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Frankie Walker!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Daniel Franklin and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Walker.
Walker throws a low kick but it's checked well by Vakhtangishvili.
Walker fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Vakhtangishvili.
Vakhtangishvili tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Walker paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Vakhtangishvili fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Walker, pushing him back against the cage.
Walker goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Walker lands a left hand.
Walker misses with a body punch.
Walker wants to break free but Vakhtangishvili has control.
A bit of stalling here from Vakhtangishvili.

Vakhtangishvili breaks from the clinch.
Walker swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Vakhtangishvili doesn't manage to clinch there - Walker circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good standup being displayed there by Walker as he connects with a hook.
Walker chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Walker scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Vakhtangishvili chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Walker can pounce on him.
Walker swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Walker. Beautiful body shot.
Walker connects with a solid leg kick.
Vakhtangishvili avoids a kick to the body.

Vakhtangishvili fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Walker, pushing him back against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Walker.

Vakhtangishvili's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Walker throws a jab when Vakhtangishvili was well out of range.

Vakhtangishvili gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Vakhtangishvili throws an elbow but it misses.
Vakhtangishvili stalling the fight.
Vakhtangishvili taking a breather.

Vakhtangishvili breaks the clinch.
Vakhtangishvili doesn't manage to clinch there - Walker circles away.
Walker delivers a nice body kick.
Vakhtangishvili tries to clinch but Walker is having none of it.
Walker fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Walker is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Vakhtangishvili rather than just go for the knockout.

Vakhtangishvili gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's two 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!
Walker is trying to push Vakhtangishvili away but Vakhtangishvili has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Walker has had enough of the clinch but Vakhtangishvili keeps him there for the moment.
Vakhtangishvili will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Walker up against the cage.
Vakhtangishvili blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Walker working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Walker pushes Vakhtangishvili back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Vakhtangishvili manages to break the clinch.
Walker throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Vakhtangishvili closes the distance but Walker moves to the side
and Walker counters with a straight right hand.
Walker paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Walker connects with a body shot that sends Vakhtangishvili's belly button to the back.
Vakhtangishvili looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Walker takes a swing at Vakhtangishvili's ribcage but misses.
Walker misses with a straight left.
Vakhtangishvili tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Walker manages to circle out of the way.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Walker avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Vakhtangishvili tries to close the distance and clinch but Walker swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A swing and a miss from Walker.
Walker turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Vakhtangishvili tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Vakhtangishvili tries to close the distance and clinch up but Walker swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Vakhtangishvili tries to clinch up.
Walker throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Vakhtangishvili rushes Walker and presses him up against the cage.
Walker is looking to break free of the clinch but Vakhtangishvili has double underhooks.
Vakhtangishvili content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Walker goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Vakhtangishvili escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Walker throws a jab but it's blocked by Vakhtangishvili.
Vakhtangishvili is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Walker throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Walker looks to land a body kick but Vakhtangishvili moved away.
Walker throws a body shot but no joy.
A solid leg kick lands there for Walker.
Vakhtangishvili shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Walker misses with a leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A punch lands to the side of Vakhtangishvili 's head but he takes it in his stride.
A clash of legs there as Vakhtangishvili blocks the low kick.
Vakhtangishvili tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Walker paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Vakhtangishvili checks a leg kick.
Vakhtangishvili tries to clinch up but Walker circles away and keeps his distance.
Vakhtangishvili tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Walker counters with a straight right hand.
Vakhtangishvili fails in his attempt to clinch.

Vakhtangishvili rushes Walker and presses him up against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Frankie Walker dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Walker scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Walker lands with a kick to the ribs.
Vakhtangishvili blocks a head kick by Walker.
Vakhtangishvili appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Vakhtangishvili wants to clinch.
Walker's jab looks to have found its range, popping Vakhtangishvili under the eye.
Vakhtangishvili tries to clinch there but Walker circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Vakhtangishvili looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vakhtangishvili is looking to clinch.
Walker only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Walker scores with a spinning back kick!
Vakhtangishvili on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Walker. Walker obviously looking to wear him down.
Walker throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Walker misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vakhtangishvili.
Walker's corner calls for a 1-2. Walker obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Frankie Walker seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Vakhtangishvili tries to clinch but Walker moves out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Walker.
Walker chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Walker circles away from the clinch attempt.
Vakhtangishvili is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Walker motions for Vakhtangishvili to come forward. Walker throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Vakhtangishvili is looking to counter the offense by Walker and move into the clinch.
Vakhtangishvili defending well as Walker loads up on a big left hand.
Walker lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Vakhtangishvili at a distance.
Vakhtangishvili tries to clinch but Walker is having none of it.
Walker looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Walker keeps the fight on the outside.
Vakhtangishvili closes the distance looking to clinch
and Walker counters with a left to the body.
Walker lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Walker keeps the fight on the outside.
Walker has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Walker misses with a straight right.

Vakhtangishvili moves into the clinch.
Vakhtangishvili is looking to control Walker's arms but Walker gets an underhook and turns him. Now Vakhtangishvili has his back to the cage.

Vakhtangishvili breaks from the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vakhtangishvili sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Vakhtangishvili is looking to clinch.
Walker lands a jab to the head.
Walker scores with a kick to the midsection.
Walker works Vakhtangishvili's body with a nice hook.
Zurabi Vakhtangishvili is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Walker lands a jab.
Walker swats away the attempt to clinch by Vakhtangishvili.
Vakhtangishvili is looking to clinch.
Vakhtangishvili takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vakhtangishvili tries to clinch but Walker is having none of it.
Vakhtangishvili doesn't manage to clinch there - Walker circles away.
Walker swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Vakhtangishvili tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Walker manages to circle out of the way.
Vakhtangishvili doesn't manage to clinch there - Walker circles away.
Walker throws a body kick that misses.
Vakhtangishvili walks into a jab.
Vakhtangishvili doesn't manage to clinch there - Walker circles away.

Vakhtangishvili clinches up with Walker and pushes him back against the cage.
Walker misses with a hook to the ribs.
Walker misses with a punch to the body.
Vakhtangishvili wants to stall.
Vakhtangishvili will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Vakhtangishvili's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Walker connects with a leg kick.
Vakhtangishvili tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Vakhtangishvili looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Vakhtangishvili's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Walker connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Vakhtangishvili scrambles back to his feet.
Vakhtangishvili is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Vakhtangishvili is looking to clinch but Walker is avoiding it.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Vakhtangishvili checks a leg kick.
Walker avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Walker throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Frankie Walker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The fight stays on the outside here - Vakhtangishvili looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vakhtangishvili moves out of range of the body kick.
As Walker tries to get set, Vakhtangishvili tries to push him back and clinch up but Walker manages to avoid the attempt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Frankie Walker showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Walker avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Vakhtangishvili is looking to clinch but Walker is avoiding it.
Walker throws a leg kick but Vakhtangishvili sees it coming and moves out of range.
Vakhtangishvili fails with an attempt to clinch.
Walker lands with a cross.
Vakhtangishvili tries to clinch but Walker moves away
and Walker counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Vakhtangishvili defending well as Walker loads up on a big left hand.
Vakhtangishvili appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Vakhtangishvili fails in his attempt to clinch.
Walker circles away from the clinch attempt.
Walker loads up on a big right hand but Vakhtangishvili slips the punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Walker circles away from the clinch attempt.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Walker! But no joy.
Vakhtangishvili tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Walker connects with a body shot.
Vakhtangishvili tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Walker paws at him with a jab and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Vakhtangishvili looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vakhtangishvili tries to clinch up.
Walker throws a quick inside leg kick.
Vakhtangishvili fails with an attempt to clinch.
Walker jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Vakhtangishvili tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Walker circles away from the clinch attempt.
Vakhtangishvili wants to clinch up but Walker keeps it at a distance.
Vakhtangishvili tries to clinch up but Walker circles away and keeps his distance.
Vakhtangishvili blocks the body kick.
Walker is looking to score with low kicks.
Walker looks to land a right hand but Vakhtangishvili moved out of range.
Walker goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Walker swats away the attempt to clinch by Vakhtangishvili.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Walker explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Walker throws a body punch but Vakhtangishvili moves out of range.

Vakhtangishvili has Walker up against the cage in a clinch.
Walker lands with a left to the head.

Vakhtangishvili breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Vakhtangishvili tries to clinch but Walker moves out of range.

Vakhtangishvili gets a clinch.
Walker blocks a body shot from Vakhtangishvili.

Vakhtangishvili's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Walker swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Vakhtangishvili.
A swing and a miss from Walker.
Walker swats away the attempt to clinch by Vakhtangishvili.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Walker tries to land a front kick but Vakhtangishvili steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Vakhtangishvili tries to close the distance and clinch but Walker swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Vakhtangishvili tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Walker paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Vakhtangishvili tries to close the distance and clinch but Walker swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Vakhtangishvili moves in looking to clinch but Walker pushes him off.
Vakhtangishvili tries to clinch up but Walker circles away and keeps his distance.
Vakhtangishvili is looking to clinch.
Walker fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Walker with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Walker throws a body punch but Vakhtangishvili moves out of range.
Vakhtangishvili wants to clinch.
Walker throws out a loose jab but Vakhtangishvili uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vakhtangishvili appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Vakhtangishvili moves in looking to clinch but Walker pushes him off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Walker lands a nice leg kick that just misses Vakhtangishvili's sensitive parts.
Walker avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Vakhtangishvili rushes Walker and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Vakhtangishvili breaks the clinch.
Walker ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Vakhtangishvili moves away.
Vakhtangishvili wants to clinch but Walker slips to the side
and Vakhtangishvili takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Vakhtangishvili tries to close the distance and clinch up but Walker swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Vakhtangishvili slips a jab from Walker.
A good leg kick by Walker.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vakhtangishvili tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Walker paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Walker takes a swing at Vakhtangishvili's ribcage but misses.
As Walker tries to get set, Vakhtangishvili tries to push him back and clinch up but Walker manages to avoid the attempt.
Walker circles away from the clinch attempt
and Walker counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Vakhtangishvili thinking.
Zurabi Vakhtangishvili has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Walker misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vakhtangishvili.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frankie Walker comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Walker winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frankie Walker!