PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Walsh (ranked 4403 p4p, 4566 weight class) and Caylib Verdansk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Verdansk is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Men in black. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Walsh
vs
Verdansk

171 cm
19
137
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
20
169
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

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 St Petersburg, James Walsh!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Caylib Verdansk!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Valeri Chadov and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Verdansk lands a front kick.
Verdansk misses with a double jab.
Walsh misses with a takedown
and Verdansk counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Verdansk looks to land a combination. Walsh sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Walsh rushes Verdansk and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Verdansk breaks from the clinch.

Walsh is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Verdansk's half guard.

Verdansk manages to escape and get back to his feet!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Verdansk lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

It looks like James Walsh has been cut.

Walsh moves into the clinch.
Verdansk prevents the takedown attempt.
Verdansk stalling against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Walsh has clasped his hands together around Verdansk's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Verdansk taking a bit of punishment here - Walsh scoring with strikes.
Verdansk wants to control but Walsh postures up.

Walsh decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Walsh fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Walsh. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Verdansk is looking to clinch.
Walsh throws a low kick, looking for Verdansk's leg but Verdansk calmly moves out of range.
Verdansk lands a nice looking kick to the body. Walsh takes a step back to recover.
Walsh shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Verdansk counters with a slapping leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Walsh has managed to clinch.
Verdansk tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Walsh smiles and moves away.
Verdansk throws a right and a left that both miss.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Walsh has closed the distance and engaged Verdansk in a clinch.
Walsh just leaning against Verdansk, taking a breather.
Walsh fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Verdansk wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Walsh tries to pull guard but Verdansk holds him up against the cage and eventually Walsh drops back down to his feet.

Verdansk's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verdansk will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Walsh lands a nice shot that snaps Verdansk's head back.
Verdansk throws a front kick that sends Walsh stumbling back into the cage.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Verdansk enables Walsh to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Verdansk manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Walsh is breathing heavily.
Verdansk is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Walsh is controlling him.
Walsh stopping the sweep attempt from Verdansk.
Walsh stops Verdansk from standing up.
Walsh sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Walsh won't allow Verdansk to get back to his feet.

Walsh decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Verdansk, up you get!

Verdansk drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Walsh bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Walsh throws a quick inside leg kick.
Walsh throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Walsh takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Caylib Verdansk will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on James Walsh's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nice sprawl there from Verdansk as Walsh shoots in.
Verdansk throws a leg kick which misses Walsh's front leg but catches the back leg as Walsh tries to avoid it.

Walsh has managed to clinch.
Walsh effectively controlling the action here.
Walsh using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Verdansk has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Verdansk tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Walsh smiles and moves away.
Verdansk is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Verdansk moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Verdansk feints and then cracks Walsh's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Walsh down.

Walsh looking to score a takedown here. Verdansk is defending well but Walsh drives through and ends up in Verdansk's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verdansk is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Verdansk looking for a sweep. Not yet Verdansk, not yet.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Walsh tries to free his leg and advance position but Verdansk is retaining full guard.
Verdansk doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Verdansk is looking to stand up but Walsh isn't so interested in that idea.
Walsh sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Verdansk is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Walsh fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Walsh pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Verdansk avoids the head kick by Walsh.
Verdansk pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Walsh tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Verdansk throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Verdansk closes this distance looking for a takedown but Walsh circles away.
Verdansk throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Verdansk is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Verdansk tries to keep at a distance but Walsh has taken the fight into the clinch.
Verdansk goes for a takedown attempt but Walsh pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
James Walsh has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Caylib Verdansk.
Verdansk lands with a slapping head kick.
Verdansk avoids the head kick by Walsh.
Walsh scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
James Walsh is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Walsh shoots in and gets a takedown into Verdansk's guard.

Verdansk wriggles free and stands up.
James Walsh seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Walsh shoots for a double leg takedown but Verdansk sprawls well. He's pushed Walsh's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Verdansk throws a nice head kick!
Verdansk shoots in looking for a takedown. Walsh tries to sprawl out of it but Verdansk keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Walsh manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Walsh closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Walsh is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Walsh looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Caylib Verdansk showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on James Walsh's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Walsh drives through and clinches with Verdansk against the cage.
Verdansk is looking to break free of the clinch but Walsh has double underhooks.
Walsh misses with an elbow over the top.
Verdansk tries to circle away but Walsh has him pinned against the cage.
Walsh tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Verdansk just stands there and leans against the cage.
Walsh wants to take the fight to the mat but Verdansk manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Walsh misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Walsh is trying to pull guard but Verdansk has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Walsh. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Walsh stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Verdansk pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verdansk circles away from the clinch attempt
letting Verdansk counter with a right hand.
Verdansk misses with a series of wild punches.
Walsh on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

Walsh has closed the distance and engaged Verdansk in a clinch.
Walsh is trying to pull guard but Verdansk turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Walsh pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Walsh keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A combination from Verdansk does no damage.
Verdansk lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Nice takedown defense from Verdansk. No joy for Walsh on that attempt.
Walsh tries to score a power double leg takedown but Verdansk sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Walsh somewhat.
Verdansk tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Walsh looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Verdansk scores with a jab. Walsh acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Walsh shoots in but Verdansk avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Walsh doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Verdansk counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Walsh is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Verdansk lands with a slapping head kick.
Verdansk lands with a slapping head kick.
Verdansk tries to clinch up.
Verdansk lands a high kick!

Walsh has closed the distance and engaged Verdansk in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Verdansk breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Verdansk lands a head kick!

Walsh moves into range and clinches up with Verdansk.
James Walsh has scored more points in the clinch so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Walsh has picked Verdansk up - he's going for a ride! Walsh dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Verdansk is trying to stand up here but Walsh is controlling him well.
Walsh thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Walsh thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Verdansk's head.
Walsh is trying to control the action in half guard but Verdansk is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
James Walsh has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Caylib Verdansk is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
James Walsh overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Verdansk kicks off Walsh and gets to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Caylib Verdansk comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Verdansk 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight for Caylib Verdansk!
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight for Caylib Verdansk!
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight for Caylib Verdansk!

Caylib Verdansk wins by unanimous decision!
Caylib Verdansk decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.