PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Johny Handicks (ranked 2751 p4p, 2464 weight class) and Valdo Calamari (ranked 356 p4p, 325 weight class). Calamari has chosen Bellini - Samba Do Brasil as his entrance music. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Handicks
vs
Calamari

175 cm
36
181
16 - 20 - 0

177 cm
24
170
7 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Johny Handicks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Valdo Calamari!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Trevor Gratis and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Handicks blocks a jab.
Calamari throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Calamari throws a jab when Handicks was well out of range.
No luck for Calamari with that takedown attempt.
Handicks seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Calamari looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Calamari moves forwards but Handicks connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Handicks scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Calamari misses with a left hand
and Handicks cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Handicks lands with a cross.
A jab from Calamari misses.
Calamari misses with a looping right.
Handicks avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Calamari rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Handicks moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Calamari swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Handicks uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Calamari.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Calamari cracks Handicks with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Nice defenses there by Calamari.
Handicks looks to throw the jab but Calamari is out of range.
Handicks takes a swing at Calamari's ribcage but misses.
Calamari throws a big shot that misses.
Handicks throws a body shot but no joy.
It seemed like Calamari was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Calamari slips under a jab.
Calamari scores with a jab.
Handicks misses with a straight left.
Calamari throws a hook to the side of Handicks's head but Handicks sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Calamari throws a hook to the side of Handicks's head but Handicks sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Handicks keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Handicks fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Calamari changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Handicks looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Calamari tries to score with some ground and pound. Handicks controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Calamari is chipping away with strikes.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Calamari has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Calamari throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Handicks is not content to let Calamari control the position.
Calamari creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Handicks sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Calamari is looking to take a break and control but Handicks is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Calamari throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Calamari working the ground and pound but Handicks is defending the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Calamari wants to lay and pray for a moment but Handicks keeps working.
Handicks is looking for a sweep.
Calamari controls the position.
Calamari tries to score with some ground and pound. Handicks controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Calamari is putting a hurting on Handicks here, landing some big shots from side control.
Calamari in side control, throwing shots but Handicks defends.
Handicks manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Calamari missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Calamari looks to land a strike but Handicks avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Calamari showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Calamari working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Calamari accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Handicks throws a series of strikes that have Calamari backpedaling.
Handicks misses with a hook.
Calamari throws a hook but Handicks avoids it easily.
Calamari 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.
Calamari misses with a looping right.
Handicks was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Handicks fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Handicks throws a series of punches but Calamari moves out of range.
Handicks takes one on the button.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Handicks on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Handicks swats away the attempt to clinch by Calamari.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Valdo Calamari will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Calamari closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Calamari throws an elbow but Handicks slips to the side and avoids it well.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Calamari working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Calamari throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Handicks works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Handicks is looking for a sweep. Calamari is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Calamari throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Calamari slips a nice elbow through Handicks's hands, connecting with Handicks's forehead.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Calamari content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Handicks is controlling Calamari's trapped leg to prevent Calamari from advancing to side control.
Calamari missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Handicks tries to roll over but Calamari keeps him under control.
Handicks keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Calamari with the ground and pound but Handicks uses the opportunity to regain guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Calamari cracks Handicks with a solid left hand.
Calamari is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Handicks wants to sweep here but Calamari controlling him for the moment.
Calamari working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Valdo Calamari has got the better of the ground game so far.
Calamari pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Handicks is keeping the position for now.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Calamari trying to control the position from guard on top but Handicks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Calamari tries for a takedown but Handicks circles away easily
and Handicks connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Johny Handicks is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Handicks throws a hook but Calamari blocks it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Calamari! But no joy.
Calamari connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Calamari scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Nice defenses there by Handicks.
Handicks is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A big right from Calamari misses.
Handicks slips under a jab from Calamari.
Handicks misses with a looping right.
A jab from Handicks finds it's way through Calamari's defenses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Handicks throws a jab when Calamari was well out of range.
Handicks lands the left hand.
Calamari throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Calamari lands with a cross.
Calamari takes a jab right on the kisser.
Calamari throws a series of strikes that have Handicks backpedaling.
Calamari misses with a hook.
As Calamari tries to get set, Handicks tries to push him back and clinch up but Calamari manages to avoid the attempt.
Handicks throws a jab when Calamari was well out of range.
Valdo Calamari seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Calamari bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Calamari uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Handicks.
Handicks jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Calamari throws out a counter right but Handicks avoids it with no problem.
Calamari misses with a hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Calamari throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Handicks looks to land a left hand but Calamari moved out of range nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Calamari shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Handicks pinned against the cage. Handicks gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Calamari lands a really nice looking cross but Handicks seems unphased.
Handicks misses with an uppercut.
A swing and a miss from Handicks.
Calamari looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Handicks ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Handicks defending well as Calamari loads up on a big left hand.
Handicks moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Calamari moves into the clinch.

Handicks pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Valdo Calamari will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Handicks swings for the body but Calamari moves out of range.
Calamari smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Handicks throws a jab when Calamari was well out of range.
Calamari lands with a straight right. Handicks didn't see that one coming.
Handicks moves out of range of the strikes.
Calamari swinging wildly here.
Handicks swings for the body but Calamari moves out of range.
Calamari lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Handicks moves out of range of the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Calamari defending well as Handicks loads up on a big left hand.
Calamari is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Calamari throws a hook but Handicks blocks it.
Calamari moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Calamari misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Calamari looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Handicks misses with an uppercut.
Calamari uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Handicks.
Handicks uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Calamari.
Calamari pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
It looked like Handicks was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Handicks throws a right and a left that both miss.
Calamari throws out a counter right but Handicks avoids it with no problem.
Handicks misses with a looping left.
Handicks misses with a straight right.
Handicks keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Calamari.
Calamari connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Calamari looks to land a left hand but Handicks moved out of range nicely.
Calamari avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Calamari lands a slapping body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Calamari throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Handicks throws a big shot that misses.
Nice defenses there by Calamari.
Handicks looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Handicks misses with a left hand
and Calamari cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Handicks misses with a hook
and Calamari counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Calamari takes the fight into the clinch.
Calamari keeps control of Handicks as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Calamari misses with a hook to the ribs.
Calamari is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Calamari throws a head punch that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Calamari manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Calamari swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Handicks wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Handicks is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Handicks tries to circle away but Calamari has him pinned against the cage.
Calamari misses with a body punch.
Handicks gets underhooks to prevent Calamari's takedown attempt.
Calamari cracks Handicks with a nice body shot.
Calamari fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Calamari misses with a punch on the inside.
Calamari works on Handicks's body with a couple of short punches.
Calamari lands with a left to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A hook to the body from Calamari.
Calamari stalling the fight.
Calamari lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Handicks backwards.

Handicks manages to break the clinch.
Calamari defending well as Handicks loads up on a big left hand.
Calamari slips a straight right by Handicks.
Calamari has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Handicks rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Calamari counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Johny Handicks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Handicks walks into a stiff left hand from Calamari.
Calamari lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A big left from Calamari misses.
Handicks lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Calamari looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Calamari will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

And that's the end of the fight!
Valdo Calamari comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Calamari 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Valdo Calamari!
Our winner, Valdo Calamari, 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.