PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Carlos Villanueva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michal Statkiewicz (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.

Villanueva
vs
Statkiewicz

188 cm
25
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

184 cm
25
226 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
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 Rio de Janeiro, Carlos Villanueva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Michal Statkiewicz!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Edson Gomes and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Statkiewicz circles away from the clinch attempt.
Villanueva shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Statkiewicz as he avoids it easily.

Statkiewicz looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Statkiewicz content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Villanueva missing with punches from the bottom.
Villanueva landing small, sideways elbows.
Statkiewicz prevents Villanueva from improving his position.
Statkiewicz should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Statkiewicz is controlling the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Statkiewicz is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Villanueva!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Statkiewicz looking to control and managing it successfully.
Villanueva really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Villanueva is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Villanueva tries to hold on but Statkiewicz postures up.
Statkiewicz controlling from the full mount.
Villanueva is desperately trying to improve his position but Statkiewicz has a good base and remains in mount.
Statkiewicz tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Statkiewicz avoids the attempt from Villanueva to control.
Statkiewicz manages to capitalize on a mistake by Villanueva to take his back!
Villanueva rolls, trying to escape but Statkiewicz keeps control of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Statkiewicz trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Villanueva doesn't escape.
Villanueva tries to break free.

Statkiewicz has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Villanueva manages to reverse the position and now he's in Statkiewicz's guard. Nice work there by Villanueva.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Villanueva looking to sit in guard and control but Statkiewicz gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michal Statkiewicz dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Villanueva scores with a spinning back kick!

Statkiewicz clinches.
Villanueva drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Villanueva struggles to land a body shot inside as Statkiewicz controls his hands.
Villanueva is trying to maintain a safe position but Statkiewicz gets an underhook and turns Villanueva into the cage.
Villanueva tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Statkiewicz smiles and moves away.

Statkiewicz darts in and clinches Villanueva up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Villanueva taking a breather.
Villanueva tries for a takedown but Statkiewicz manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Carlos Villanueva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Villanueva misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Villanueva tries to pull guard but Statkiewicz holds him up against the cage and eventually Villanueva drops back down to his feet.
Statkiewicz has Villanueva pushed against the cage.
The crowd are getting on Statkiewicz's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Villanueva is trying to break the clinch but Statkiewicz is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Villanueva tries to pull guard but Statkiewicz won't allow it.
Villanueva is looking for a takedown.
Villanueva tries to break the clinch but Statkiewicz is controlling the position.
A nice right hand lands inside from Statkiewicz.
Villanueva is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Statkiewicz pulls him back up using the underhooks.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Statkiewicz stalls.
Villanueva has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Statkiewicz is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Statkiewicz lands a nice shot to the body.
Villanueva looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Villanueva is trying to break the clinch but Statkiewicz is controlling him.
Statkiewicz pushes Villanueva back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Statkiewicz missing with knees to the body.
Villanueva tries to pull guard but Statkiewicz holds him up against the cage and eventually Villanueva drops back down to his feet.
A right hook to the body lands for Statkiewicz.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Statkiewicz is pressed up against the cage. Villanueva has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Statkiewicz down to the mat. Statkiewicz avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Villanueva closes the distance but Statkiewicz moves to the side
and Statkiewicz counters with a one-two to the body.

Statkiewicz closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Statkiewicz controlling from side mount.
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!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Statkiewicz moves into full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michal Statkiewicz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Villanueva's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Statkiewicz closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Statkiewicz lands in his opponent's guard.
Michal Statkiewicz has got the better of the ground game so far.
Statkiewicz is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Villanueva looking for a sweep. Not yet Villanueva, not yet.
Statkiewicz stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Villanueva swivels though and keeps the full guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Statkiewicz advances to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Villanueva is pressing down on Statkiewicz's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Statkiewicz is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Statkiewicz pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Villanueva is keeping the position for now.
Villanueva looking to hit a scissor sweep but Statkiewicz is one step ahead there.
Statkiewicz content to stall in guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Michal Statkiewicz was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Villanueva fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Villanueva shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Statkiewicz as he avoids it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
No joy there for Statkiewicz, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Villanueva wants to clinch.

Statkiewicz rushes Villanueva and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Villanueva is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Statkiewicz pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Carlos Villanueva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The referee is keeping an eye on Statkiewicz - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Villanueva tries to stall but Statkiewicz uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Michal Statkiewicz is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Statkiewicz misses with an elbow strike.
Statkiewicz lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Villanueva or not.
Statkiewicz has Villanueva pushed against the cage.
Villanueva changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Statkiewicz fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Villanueva looks to land a right hand but Statkiewicz moved out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Statkiewicz keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Carlos Villanueva is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Villanueva shoots in but no luck this time.
Statkiewicz throws a push kick but Villanueva slaps the foot to one side.
Statkiewicz scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Statkiewicz pushes Villanueva up against the cage in a clinch.
Statkiewicz lands an uppercut.
Villanueva wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Statkiewicz has him pressed against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Villanueva working hard to break the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Statkiewicz.
Carlos Villanueva has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Villanueva tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michal Statkiewicz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Statkiewicz has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 27:30
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 27:30
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michal Statkiewicz!