PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Valerio Bartoli (ranked 739 p4p, 1072 weight class) and Sasha Beliy (ranked 96 p4p, 142 weight class). Bartoli's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Modulate - Bass Alert. Beliy is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Havana. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bartoli
vs
Beliy

180 cm
36
160
30 - 14 - 2

175 cm
39
160
34 - 26 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 30 - 14 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Valerio Bartoli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 26 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sasha Beliy!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Beliy keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Bartoli looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Beliy throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bartoli.
Bartoli tries to counter with a takedown but Beliy is quick to defend against it.
Beliy misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Beliy misses with a straight right.
Bartoli half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Beliy throws a head kick but Bartoli moves out of range.
Bartoli changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Beliy just misses with a punch to the body.
Bartoli changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Beliy throws a jab when Bartoli was well out of range.
Bartoli appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Beliy misses with an uppercut.
Bartoli attempts a counter takedown but Beliy avoids it well and moves away.
Beliy throws a series of punches but Bartoli avoids them all with ease.
Bartoli attempts a counter takedown but Beliy avoids it well and moves away.
Bartoli bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bartoli half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
A big right from Beliy misses.
Bartoli half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Bartoli defending well as Beliy loads up on a big left hand.
Bartoli tries to counter with a takedown but Beliy is quick to defend against it.
Bartoli slips under a jab.
A combination from Beliy does no damage.
Beliy throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bartoli.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Beliy lands a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Beliy throws the left hand but Bartoli avoids the punch easily.
Bartoli on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Beliy pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bartoli changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Beliy throws the left hand but Bartoli avoids the punch easily.
Beliy looks to score with a jab to the body but Bartoli is just out of range.
Beliy misses with an uppercut.
Beliy might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Bartoli avoids the body shot from Beliy.
Bartoli appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Beliy looks to throw a body kick

and Bartoli counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Beliy is looking to escape.
Beliy tries to get to full guard but Bartoli has control of the leg.
Beliy trying to get back to full guard but Bartoli takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Beliy is desperately trying to improve his position but Bartoli has a good base and remains in mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Beliy is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
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!
Beliy is trying to reverse the position but instead Bartoli has taken his back - oops!
Beliy tries to escape the position.
Beliy is trying to get back to his feet but Bartoli has full control of the position and if anything, Beliy has just worked his way into a worse spot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
You can see the frustration on Beliy's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Beliy is still trying to improve position.
Beliy tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Beliy has given up his back, trying to stand up. Not clever.
Bartoli is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Beliy is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bartoli slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Beliy tries to escape but Bartoli has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Bartoli wants to stand up but Beliy is stuck to his back.
Bartoli keeps control of the position as Beliy tries to break free.
Bartoli is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Beliy can't escape the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sasha Beliy dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Beliy misses the shot to the body.
Bartoli changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Bartoli keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Beliy.
Bartoli slips a jab from Beliy.
A big left from Beliy misses.
Beliy throws a body shot but no joy.
Bartoli changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Sasha Beliy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Beliy looks to score with a jab to the body but Bartoli is just out of range.
Bartoli half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Beliy misses with a straight right.
Bartoli drops down looking for a counter takedown but Beliy sprawls and moves away.
Beliy falls off balance throwing a combination

and Bartoli counters with a takedown into side control.
Beliy tries to buck Bartoli off but Bartoli is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bartoli wants to stand but Beliy has his arm trapped.
Beliy tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Beliy is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Bartoli.
Beliy trying to get back to his feet but Bartoli is in full control for now.
Valerio Bartoli overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bartoli nearly escaped from the position there.
Bartoli is hanging on to Beliy's back as he tries to escape.
Beliy keeps trying to improve his position.
Beliy is trying to get back to his feet but Bartoli has full control of the position and if anything, Beliy has just worked his way into a worse spot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bartoli decides to stand up, even though he's got his opponent's back.
Beliy throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bartoli appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Beliy falls off balance throwing a combination

and Bartoli counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Beliy!
Bartoli wants to stand but Beliy has his arm trapped.
Beliy is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Bartoli's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Beliy is looking for a sweep. Bartoli is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Beliy trying to get back to full guard but Bartoli takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Beliy is trying to escape the mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Beliy regains half guard.
Beliy tries to roll over but Bartoli keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Beliy gets back to full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Beliy is on top in guard.

Beliy wants to control from the top but Bartoli keeps moving.
Beliy trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Beliy showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Bartoli keeping full guard, as Beliy tries to pass.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Sasha Beliy will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Beliy looks to land a left hand but Bartoli moved out of range nicely.
Bartoli feinted with a counter takedown.
Bartoli slips a straight right by Beliy.
Beliy waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bartoli.
Beliy misses with an uppercut.
Beliy goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Bartoli takes a jab right on the kisser.
Beliy takes a swing at Bartoli's ribcage but misses.
Bartoli drops down looking for a counter takedown but Beliy sprawls and moves away.
A nice inside leg kick there by Beliy. That's going to slow Bartoli down.
Beliy throws a push kick but Bartoli slaps the foot to one side.
Bartoli feinted with a counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Beliy misses with a lunging right hand

and Bartoli counters with a single leg into guard. Beliy didn't expect that.
Beliy is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Beliy is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Beliy wants to pass to mount but Bartoli is defending the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bartoli wants to get back to his feet.
Beliy throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Beliy missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Bartoli is staying active underneath Beliy, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Beliy throws a strike but Bartoli avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

Bartoli is working an open guard so Beliy takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Beliy jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A head kick misses from Beliy.
Beliy takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bartoli slips a straight right by Beliy.
Sasha Beliy 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.
Beliy misses with a left hand

and Bartoli decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Beliy's guard.
Bartoli wants to stand but Beliy has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Beliy looking to control but Bartoli passes into half guard.
Bartoli tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Beliy slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Bartoli stopping the sweep attempt from Beliy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Beliy controlling the position.
Beliy looking for a sweep. Not yet Beliy, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Beliy looking to control.
Beliy pulls Bartoli in to control the position.
Beliy looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bartoli is one step ahead there.
Bartoli has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Beliy is proving hard to escape from.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Bartoli checks a leg kick nicely.
Beliy misses with a head kick.
Bartoli tries to counter with a takedown but Beliy is quick to defend against it.
Beliy fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Bartoli has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Valerio Bartoli is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Beliy swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Bartoli ducks under a wild hook from Beliy.
Bartoli changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Beliy's corner calls for a 1-2. Beliy obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Bartoli slips a jab and a cross from Beliy.
Bartoli half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Bartoli uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Beliy.
Bartoli feinted with a counter takedown.
Beliy tries to bum rush Bartoli with a series of wild strikes but Bartoli uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Bartoli avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Beliy misses with a left hand

and Bartoli counters with a shoot takedown. Beliy fights it but they end up in guard.
Beliy is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Bartoli dives into side control.

Beliy holds on to Bartoli's head and controls the position momentarily.
Beliy is looking for a sweep.
Valerio Bartoli has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Sasha Beliy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Beliy 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sasha Beliy!
Post fight, an emotional Sasha Beliy said 'Sorry Alex......'.