PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Vevrin Betlach (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sigvard Aurelius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Betlach's entrance music is Higher Ground. A fine choice. Aurelius has chosen Marcia Carolus Rex as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Betlach
vs
Aurelius

176 cm
31
145 lbs
30 - 12 - 0

156 cm
32
130 lbs
21 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

$10

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Vevrin Betlach!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sigvard Aurelius!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Dmitry Maklakov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Betlach throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Nice defenses there by Aurelius.
Aurelius connects with a solid leg kick.
Betlach misses with the combination.
Sigvard Aurelius seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Aurelius throws a leg kick but Betlach sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Aurelius takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Aurelius, right into the meat.
Aurelius lands a really nice looking cross but Betlach seems unphased.
Aurelius looks to land a combination. Betlach sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Betlach bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Aurelius keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Betlach lands a jab to the nose.
Betlach lands with a straight right. Aurelius didn't see that one coming.
Betlach moves out of range as Aurelius throws a body kick.
Betlach throws an off balance right hand
and Aurelius counters with a left to the body.
Aurelius avoids the body shot from Betlach.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab by Betlach.
Betlach keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Aurelius.
Aurelius dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Aurelius lands a body shot.
Aurelius takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Betlach stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Aurelius.
Aurelius looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Aurelius is looking to chop away at Betlach's legs.
Aurelius throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Betlach sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Betlach lands a glancing blow to the side of Aurelius's head.
Aurelius connects with an inside leg kick.
Aurelius misses with a looping right.
That kick from Aurelius tenderised Betlach's leg. Betlach is trying to keep his angry face on.
Aurelius moves out of range of the strikes.
Aurelius throws a leg kick but Betlach sees it coming and moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aurelius has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Betlach.
Betlach is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Betlach chopping away at his opponent's legs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Betlach tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Aurelius is able to avoid easily.
Aurelius misses with a wild body shot.
Betlach fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Aurelius on the side of the head.
Aurelius dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Betlach. That did some damage!
Nice shot lands for Betlach.
Betlach blocks a leg kick.
Betlach thuds his shin into the meat of Aurelius's side.
Aurelius with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A head kick misses from Betlach.

Aurelius dives in and scores a takedown into Betlach's guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Betlach trying to control the position.
Aurelius pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Betlach is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Betlach working a defensive guard here.

Betlach working for a triangle but Aurelius defends it easily.

Betlach working for a triangle but Aurelius defends it easily.
Betlach is trying to keep Aurelius in close.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Betlach holds on and takes a little breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Betlach escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Aurelius gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Betlach looking to control.
Betlach keeping moving, preventing Aurelius from controlling successfully.
Aurelius must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Aurelius not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Aurelius wants to control from the top but Betlach keeps moving.
Aurelius postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Betlach has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Vevrin Betlach has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
A nice inside leg kick there by Aurelius. That's going to slow Betlach down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Vevrin Betlach will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

A nice leg kick lands there from Aurelius.
Betlach shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Aurelius as he avoids it easily.
Betlach is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Betlach jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Aurelius throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Betlach lands with a thumping leg kick.
Aurelius checks a low kick from Betlach.
Betlach wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Betlach is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Aurelius keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Betlach.
Betlach checks the leg kick nicely there.
A looping hook to the body misses from Betlach. Aurelius does a little dance to reset his feet.
Betlach throws a push kick but Aurelius slaps the foot to one side.
Aurelius keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Betlach.
Betlach uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Aurelius.
Aurelius throws a leg kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Aurelius misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aurelius with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Betlach lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Aurelius tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Betlach is able to avoid easily.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Betlach checks a leg kick.
Aurelius lands a glancing blow to the side of Betlach's head.
Aurelius misses with a low kick.
Aurelius throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Aurelius pivots, looking for a leg kick but Betlach is out of range and Aurelius settles back down.
Betlach stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Aurelius.
Nice sprawl there from Betlach as Aurelius shoots in.
A nice leg kick lands there from Aurelius.
Nice sprawl there from Betlach as Aurelius shoots in.
Betlach swings for the body but Aurelius moves out of range.
Betlach throws a body punch but Aurelius moves out of range.
Aurelius does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Betlach fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Aurelius on the side of the head.
Betlach with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Aurelius to score with a decent uppercut.
Betlach throws a low kick but Aurelius moves out of range easily.
Aurelius moves out of range as Betlach strikes.
Aurelius swings widly with a right hand
and Betlach counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Aurelius fails with the takedown
and Betlach counters with a solid body kick.
Vevrin Betlach has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sigvard Aurelius.
Betlach checks a leg kick.
Aurelius connects with an inside leg kick.
Aurelius shoots in but no luck this time.
The fighters circle momentarily. Aurelius darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Aurelius has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Aurelius there as he acknowledges the shot.
Betlach misses with a body kick.
Betlach takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Betlach ducks under a wild hook from Aurelius.
Aurelius slips under a jab from Betlach.
Aurelius misses with a low kick.
Aurelius uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Betlach.
Betlach throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Aurelius slips a jab from Betlach.
Aurelius throws a quick inside leg kick.
Sigvard Aurelius seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Aurelius pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Aurelius misses with a hook. Betlach ducked under it nicely.
Aurelius tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Aurelius keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Aurelius looks to score with a jab to the body but Betlach is just out of range.
Aurelius shoots in looking for a takedown. Betlach tries to sprawl out of it but Aurelius keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Betlach manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Aurelius looks to land a body kick but Betlach moved away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aurelius is looking to chop away at Betlach's legs.
Betlach turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Aurelius lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Aurelius throws a leg kick
and Betlach counters with a nice uppercut.
Betlach misses with a hook
and Aurelius counters with a nice uppercut.
Betlach misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Aurelius.
Aurelius lands a lovely overhand right.
Betlach uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Aurelius.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Aurelius moves into the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Aurelius works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Aurelius can't find room to land a body shot as Betlach controls the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sigvard Aurelius 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!

Betlach moves out of range as Aurelius strikes.
Aurelius pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Betlach back to the cage. Aurelius follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
A nice inside leg kick there by Aurelius. That's going to slow Betlach down.
Aurelius tried to score with a low kick but Betlach checks it.
Betlach lands a nice leg kick that just misses Aurelius's sensitive parts.
Aurelius takes one to the chin there.
Betlach lands with a good body shot.
Betlach dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Aurelius looks to land a body kick but Betlach moved away.
Betlach jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Aurelius ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Betlach moves away.
Aurelius shoots in but Betlach avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Betlach slips a jab from Aurelius.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Betlach misses with a left hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
A big left from Betlach misses.
Aurelius misses with a low kick as Betlach jumps back.
Betlach ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Betlach ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Aurelius moves away.
Aurelius throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Betlach cracks Aurelius with a right hand to the side of the head.
Nice body kick from Aurelius.
Both fighters circling a little - Aurelius finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Aurelius moves out of range of the leg kick from Betlach.
Aurelius is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Betlach.

Aurelius shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Aurelius putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Aurelius avoids the attempt from Betlach to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aurelius lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Betlach really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Aurelius lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Aurelius is landing with some decent strikes but Betlach is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Betlach sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Aurelius sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Betlach defending well though.
Betlach blocking the ground and pound attempt from Aurelius.
Aurelius content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Aurelius is thwarting Betlach's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Betlach is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Vevrin Betlach.
Aurelius chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Aurelius misses with a body kick.
Aurelius moves out of range of the strikes.
Aurelius cracks the inside of Betlach's front leg.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Betlach.
Aurelius moves out of range of the body kick.
Betlach misses with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Betlach throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Aurelius stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Betlach chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Aurelius can pounce on him.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Aurelius.
Aurelius connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A left and a right from Betlach both land. Nice combination.
Betlach throws a jab but it's blocked by Aurelius.
Aurelius connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Betlach momentarily.
Good exchange - Betlach coming out on top.
Aurelius throws a chopping leg kick but Betlach manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Aurelius keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Aurelius takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Aurelius looks to throw the jab but Betlach is out of range.
Betlach fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Aurelius manages to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Sigvard Aurelius just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Back to the action!

Aurelius looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Aurelius takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Betlach swings away with a body shot that misses
and Aurelius makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Betlach really felt that one!
Aurelius lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Betlach shoots in for a takedown but Aurelius shows good takedown defense.
Betlach throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Aurelius connects with an inside leg kick.
Aurelius tried to score with a low kick but Betlach checks it.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Aurelius.
Horrible takedown by Aurelius or perhaps it was just good defense by Betlach which made him look bad.
Betlach keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Aurelius.
Betlach is trying hard to land a takedown here. Aurelius sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Betlach lands with a hook. Aurelius tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A decent looking cross lands there for Betlach.
Betlach lands with a kick to the ribs.
Aurelius lands with a thumping leg kick.
Betlach moves forwards but Aurelius connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Betlach avoids the body shot from Aurelius.
Aurelius moves out of range as Betlach throws a body kick.
Aurelius lands with a slapping head kick.
Aurelius fails with the takedown.
Aurelius throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Betlach checks a leg kick nicely.
Betlach pivots, looking for a leg kick but Aurelius is out of range and Betlach settles back down.
A jab lands there for Aurelius.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aurelius avoids a kick to the body.
Aurelius looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Betlach is looking to land body kicks.
Aurelius throws the kick towards the body but Betlach avoids it.
Aurelius shoots in and drives through. Betlach sprawls well.
Vevrin Betlach has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sigvard Aurelius.
A jab from Betlach does it's job there.
Betlach throws a jab but it's blocked by Aurelius.
Betlach blocks a jab.
Betlach throws a push kick but Aurelius slaps the foot to one side.
Aurelius takes one to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Betlach.
Betlach throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Aurelius.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aurelius cracks Betlach with a right hand to the side of the head.
Aurelius misses with a body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Aurelius misses the target.
Aurelius scores with a leg kick.
Betlach rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Aurelius moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Betlach tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Aurelius was well out of range. Poor timing from Betlach.
Aurelius connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Betlach momentarily.
Aurelius throws a low kick but Betlach moves out of range easily.
Betlach looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Betlach throws a leg kick
and Aurelius counters with a nice body kick.
Betlach scores with a decent looking hook.
A chopping leg kick lands by Betlach.
Aurelius moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Betlach waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Aurelius.
Betlach throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
A slow jab from Betlach misses its intended target.
A slapping leg kick lands for Aurelius.
Aurelius misses with a leg kick
and Betlach counters with an outside leg kick.
Betlach throws a sloppy head kick and Aurelius moves out of range easily.
Aurelius misses with a double jab.
Betlach thows a body shot but no joy.
Aurelius misses with a wild body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Betlach pivots, looking for a leg kick but Aurelius is out of range and Betlach settles back down.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Aurelius lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Aurelius tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Betlach manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Betlach scores with the left hand. Aurelius knows he should have avoided that one.
Aurelius uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Betlach.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Sigvard Aurelius 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. And we move into the final round!

Aurelius lands a body shot.
Aurelius avoids a kick to the body.
Betlach tries to land a front kick but Aurelius steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Nice shot by Betlach.
Aurelius misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Betlach.
Aurelius lands with a cross.
Aurelius has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Aurelius misses the shot to the body.
Betlach scores with a push kick.
Betlach fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Betlach misses with a straight right.
Aurelius is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Aurelius misses with a straight right.
Betlach throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Betlach closes this distance looking for a takedown but Aurelius circles away.
Aurelius fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Betlach looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Betlach.
Betlach misses the body punch
and Aurelius counters with a leg kick.
Aurelius has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Betlach.
Betlach thows a left - swing and a miss!
Aurelius scores with a decent looking hook.
Betlach lands the left hand.
Betlach displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Aurelius.
Aurelius throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice jab there from Betlach.
Aurelius takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Betlach throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sigvard Aurelius is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Betlach fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Aurelius looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Aurelius tries to land a front kick but Betlach steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Aurelius lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Betlach connects with a body shot that sends Aurelius's belly button to the back.
Betlach tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Aurelius was well out of range. Poor timing from Betlach.
Betlach walks into a straight right hand from Aurelius.
Betlach misses with a wild body shot.
Aurelius attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
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!
Aurelius misses the jab.
Betlach misses with an uppercut. Aurelius saw that one coming.
A nice leg kick lands there from Betlach.
Aurelius throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Betlach listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Betlach feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Aurelius's calf.
Betlach looks to score with a jab to the body but Aurelius is just out of range.
Betlach will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Aurelius throws the left hand but Betlach avoids the punch easily.
Aurelius throws a hook but Betlach blocks it.
Aurelius scores with a nice head shot.
Vevrin Betlach has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice uppercut there from Betlach.
Aurelius tries to clinch up but Betlach circles away and keeps his distance.
Betlach looks to score with a jab to the body but Aurelius is just out of range.
Betlach throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Betlach shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Aurelius lands a nice looking body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Betlach swings for the body but Aurelius moves out of range.
Aurelius throws the kick towards the body but Betlach avoids it.
Aurelius lands a two punch combo.
That kick from Aurelius tenderised Betlach's leg. Betlach is trying to keep his angry face on.
Betlach swings widly with a right hand
and Aurelius counters with a nice uppercut.
Aurelius changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Betlach tries to avoid it but Aurelius manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Betlach to the ground. Betlach escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Aurelius steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Betlach.
Betlach misses with a body punch
and Aurelius counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Betlach misses with a series of wild punches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Aurelius lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A good leg kick by Aurelius.
Aurelius tries to land a front kick but Betlach steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

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 Vevrin Betlach.
I think Aurelius 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 46:49
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 46:49
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sigvard Aurelius!
Sigvard Aurelius is the new bantamweight champion!
Sigvard Aurelius took to the mic in his post fight interview and said '...'.