PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Manny Pacquiao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joonatan Valasvatsa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Pacquiao
vs
Valasvatsa

167 cm
21
162 lbs
2 - 2 - 1

175 cm
23
180 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
World class boxer
Very strong

BJJ Red Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Fightworld Formula

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Manny Pacquiao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Joonatan Valasvatsa!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Elvis Blanc and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pacquiao misses with an uppercut
and Valasvatsa counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Valasvatsa fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Pacquiao avoids it really well and circles away.
Pacquiao lands a right hook to the body.
Nice uppercut lands for Pacquiao. That snapped Valasvatsa's head back.
Pacquiao throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Pacquiao waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Valasvatsa.
Pacquiao misses with a wild body shot.
Valasvatsa lands a body shot.
Pacquiao throws a hook but Valasvatsa avoids it easily.
Pacquiao throws a hook but Valasvatsa avoids it easily.
Pacquiao throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Valasvatsa to counter with a crisp jab.
Pacquiao swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Valasvatsa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Pacquiao scores with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valasvatsa keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Pacquiao.
Valasvatsa stuns Pacquiao with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
A swing and a miss from Pacquiao.
Valasvatsa lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Pacquiao at a distance.
Pacquiao misses with a jab to the body

and Valasvatsa counters with a nice double leg into side control. Pacquiao won't be happy with that.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Valasvatsa is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Pacquiao knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Valasvatsa thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Valasvatsa swings around for an armbar but Pacquiao sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Valasvatsa's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Valasvatsa working for a triangle but Pacquiao defends it easily.

Valasvatsa is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Pacquiao is aware though and is defending well.
Valasvatsa looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Pacquiao puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Valasvatsa moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Valasvatsa is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Valasvatsa is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Pacquiao defends it well.

Valasvatsa is working for a kimura but Pacquiao is defending it quite comfortably.

Valasvatsa is trying to work for a kimura but Pacquiao is defending well.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Valasvatsa is looking for a kimura here.

That's four 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.

Valasvatsa is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Pacquiao sees it coming and defends easily.

Valasvatsa is looking for a kimura here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Valasvatsa wants to work for an arm triangle but Pacquiao is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Valasvatsa misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Pacquiao counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Valasvatsa misses with a body shot.
Pacquiao misses with a hook

and Valasvatsa counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Valasvatsa moves nicely into side control.

Valasvatsa is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Pacquiao is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Valasvatsa is trying to get an arm triangle but Pacquiao is defending well.
Valasvatsa advances nicely into full mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valasvatsa throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

Valasvatsa moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Pacquiao has worked his arm free - good work by Pacquiao!
Pacquiao on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Pacquiao tries to get out of the position.

Valasvatsa tries for a kimura but Pacquiao is defending well.
Pacquiao is trying to buck Valasvatsa off.

Valasvatsa wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Pacquiao, who protects the arm well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Valasvatsa working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Valasvatsa wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Pacquiao, who protects the arm well.

Valasvatsa is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Pacquiao has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Valasvatsa is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Pacquiao has escaped the position, nice work there.
Pacquiao is pushing Valasvatsa's head away, looking to escape. Valasvatsa manages to hold on to the position though.

Valasvatsa is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Pacquiao knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Valasvatsa swings around for an armbar but Pacquiao sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Valasvatsa's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Valasvatsa working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Pacquiao doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Pacquiao manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Pacquiao got a little sloppy there for a moment and Valasvatsa has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Pacquiao has managed to get both his arms back between Valasvatsa's legs - danger averted.
Pacquiao wanted to stand there but Valasvatsa had control of the position.
Pacquiao has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Valasvatsa is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joonatan Valasvatsa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Valasvatsa shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Pacquiao napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Valasvatsa is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Pacquiao knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Valasvatsa looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Valasvatsa goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Pacquiao has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Valasvatsa but great work by Pacquiao.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valasvatsa is looking for a sweep.
Valasvatsa is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Pacquiao knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Valasvatsa on the ground.

Pacquiao decides to stand back up. Pacquiao steps back and let's Valasvatsa get back to his feet.
Valasvatsa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Pacquiao throws a nice looking combination but Valasvatsa bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Valasvatsa misses the shot to the body.
Valasvatsa slips under a jab.
Valasvatsa is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Pacquiao rather than just go for the knockout.
Pacquiao throws a jab when Valasvatsa was well out of range.

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.
Pacquiao misses with a hook. Valasvatsa ducked under it nicely.
Pacquiao swinging wildly here.
Pacquiao throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Pacquiao throws a nice looking combination but Valasvatsa bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Pacquiao throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Valasvatsa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Manny Pacquiao seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pacquiao misses with an uppercut. Valasvatsa saw that one coming.
Valasvatsa misses the shot to the body.

Valasvatsa fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Pacquiao sprawls well initially but Valasvatsa persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Valasvatsa is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Pacquiao defends it well.

Valasvatsa is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Pacquiao is just riding it out for now. Valasvatsa eventually gives up the hold.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Valasvatsa is working for a submission of some sort.

Valasvatsa is looking for a kimura here.

That's four 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.
Valasvatsa frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Valasvatsa moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Pacquiao has worked his arm free - good work by Pacquiao!

Valasvatsa is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Pacquiao is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Manny Pacquiao has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Joonatan Valasvatsa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Valasvatsa goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Pacquiao has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Valasvatsa but great work by Pacquiao.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joonatan Valasvatsa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Valasvatsa 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joonatan Valasvatsa!