PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Damian Wolkowski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jonathan Devlin (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.

Wolkowski
vs
Devlin

180 cm
32
168 lbs
16 - 12 - 0

172 cm
29
160 lbs
12 - 11 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Damian Wolkowski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 11 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jonathan Devlin!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Patrick Alders and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wolkowski with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Devlin rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Wolkowski moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Devlin tries to clinch up but Wolkowski circles away and keeps his distance.
Wolkowski misses with a takedown attempt - Devlin sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Devlin misses with a straight left.
Devlin lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Devlin gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Devlin shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Wolkowski eats them both and turns towards Devlin to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Devlin misses with a low kick.
Wolkowski throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Sloppy strikes from Wolkowski. Those never looked like landing.
Wolkowski misses with an uppercut. Devlin saw that one coming.

Wolkowski closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Devlin quickly recovers to half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wolkowski works his way into side control.
Devlin defending against the ground and pound.
Wolkowski throws a strike aimed at the side of Devlin's head but Devlin avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wolkowski wants to lay and pray for a moment but Devlin keeps working.
Devlin wants to get back to his feet.
We've been hearing good reports from Wolkowski's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Devlin really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Wolkowski. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Wolkowski misses with the ground and pound.
Wolkowski misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Devlin is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Devlin avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Wolkowski.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Wolkowski throws an elbow but Devlin slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Devlin is being controlled here.
Devlin tries to escape but Wolkowski is in control.
Check out the look on Wolkowski's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Wolkowski landing strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wolkowski misses with the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wolkowski throws a strike aimed at the side of Devlin's head but Devlin avoids it well.
Wolkowski misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Wolkowski trying to control the action but Devlin is working from the bottom.
Devlin is pushing Wolkowski's head away, looking to escape. Wolkowski manages to hold on to the position though.
Wolkowski working the ground and pound but Devlin is defending the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wolkowski is chipping away with strikes.
Wolkowski tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Wolkowski lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Devlin down.
Wolkowski has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Wolkowski lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Wolkowski throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Devlin works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Devlin keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Wolkowski lands strikes from half guard.
Wolkowski throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Wolkowski missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Devlin is defending against the submission attempts here by Wolkowski.
Wolkowski perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Devlin is looking to escape.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Wolkowski throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Wolkowski throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Wolkowski missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Wolkowski missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Devlin avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Wolkowski.
Devlin keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Devlin looks like he's trying to stand up.
Wolkowski lands strikes from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Devlin throws a right and a left that Wolkowski avoids nicely.
Devlin moves forwards but Wolkowski connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Devlin moves into range and clinches up with Wolkowski.
With the fighters up against the cage, Devlin throws an elbow but misses.
Devlin misses with an elbow over the top.
Wolkowski is trying to push Devlin away but Devlin has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Devlin lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Devlin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Wolkowski wants to break free but Devlin has control.
Devlin holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Devlin lands a damaging elbow.
Wolkowski changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Devlin fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Wolkowski misses with a hook
and Devlin counters with a thumping low kick.
Wolkowski throws a series of strikes that have Devlin backpedaling.
Damian Wolkowski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wolkowski tries a low kick but Devlin avoids it.
Wolkowski throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Devlin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Wolkowski throws a right and a left that Devlin avoids nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Devlin looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A punch combination from Devlin misses.
Wolkowski takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Jonathan Devlin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice sprawl there from Devlin as Wolkowski shoots in.
Wolkowski shoots in for a double leg but Devlin sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Damian Wolkowski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Devlin avoids the body shot from Wolkowski.
Devlin tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Wolkowski paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Devlin feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Wolkowski's calf.
Devlin pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Wolkowski back to the cage. Devlin follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
A lazy left from Wolkowski finds it's target.
Devlin tries to clinch but Wolkowski moves out of range.
Wolkowski dives in for a single leg takedown but Devlin sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Devlin takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Wolkowski takes an elbow to the temple.
Devlin lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
The referee calls for Devlin to work.
Devlin throws an elbow but it misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Devlin keeps control of Wolkowski as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Devlin pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Wolkowski is trying to break the clinch but Devlin has him pressed against the cage.
Devlin tries to throw a body punch but Wolkowski avoids it by throwing Devlin back against the cage.
Devlin pushes Wolkowski back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Devlin throws an elbow but misses.
Wolkowski has Devlin pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Devlin manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Wolkowski blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Wolkowski changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Devlin fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Wolkowski throws a series of punches but Devlin moves out of range.
Devlin misses with a leg kick

and Wolkowski counters with a single leg into guard. Devlin didn't expect that.
Wolkowski content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Devlin wants to stand but Wolkowski is controlling the position.
Wolkowski is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Wolkowski seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Damian Wolkowski overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
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!
Wolkowski trying to control the position from guard on top but Devlin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Wolkowski thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Wolkowski content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Wolkowski content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Devlin wants to get back to his feet but Wolkowski is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Wolkowski is looking to work some ground and pound but Devlin has wrist control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Wolkowski passes Devlin's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Wolkowski is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Devlin defends it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Damian Wolkowski dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Devlin wants to clinch up but Wolkowski keeps it at a distance.
Devlin fails to land with a series of punches.
Wolkowski moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Devlin displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Wolkowski.
A punch combination from Wolkowski misses.
Wolkowski chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Devlin can pounce on him.
Devlin throws a nice inside leg kick.
Wolkowski tries to score a power double leg takedown but Devlin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Wolkowski somewhat.
Wolkowski connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Wolkowski tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Devlin defends well and Wolkowski ends up having to push Devlin into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Damian Wolkowski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Devlin lands a nice elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Devlin lands an elbow just above Wolkowski 's eye.
Wolkowski working hard to break the clinch.
A short right from Devlin on the inside.
Wolkowski blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Devlin tries to throw a body punch but Wolkowski avoids it by throwing Devlin back against the cage.
Wolkowski blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Devlin creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Wolkowski's defenses.
Devlin lands an elbow that stopped Wolkowski in his tracks for a moment.
Devlin lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Devlin scores with a shot to the side of Wolkowski's head.
Devlin avoiding damage.
Wolkowski is trying to break the clinch but Devlin is controlling him.
Jonathan Devlin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wolkowski avoids the elbow strike from Devlin, against the cage.
Devlin avoiding damage.
Devlin lands an elbow that stopped Wolkowski in his tracks for a moment.
Devlin gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Wolkowski is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Wolkowski blocks the elbow strike.
Wolkowski has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Devlin after a bit of a struggle.
Wolkowski has Devlin pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Devlin manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Wolkowski drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Devlin gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Devlin landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wolkowski tries to break free but Devlin pushes him back against the cage.
Devlin effectively controlling the action here.
Devlin lands an elbow inside.
Devlin throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Wolkowski blocks it with crossed arms.
Jonathan Devlin seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Wolkowski wants a takedown.
Devlin gets underhooks to prevent Wolkowski's takedown attempt.
Nice elbow from Devlin.
Wolkowski is working for takedown but Devlin is calmly controlling the position for now.
Devlin lands an elbow inside.
Wolkowski is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Devlin is defending well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Devlin comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Devlin lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Wolkowski or not.
With the fighters up against the cage, Devlin throws an elbow but misses.
Devlin digs a right hand underneath Wolkowski's ribcage. Wolkowski let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Devlin scores with a hook to the body.
Devlin lands a left hand.
Wolkowski tries for a takedown but Devlin manages to get underhooks.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Devlin.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Devlin comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Wolkowski being controlled against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Devlin.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Devlin gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jonathan Devlin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Wolkowski 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 29:28
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 29:28
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Damian Wolkowski!
Our winner, Damian Wolkowski, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.