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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Giorgi Kvaratskhelia (ranked 892 p4p, 582 weight class) and Diego Veron (ranked 117 p4p, 84 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 180 cm
29
222
12 - 4 - 0 |
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186 cm
29
205
9 - 1 - 0 |
Great wrestler
Basic striking
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Giorgi Kvaratskhelia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Diego Veron!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, James Atkins and James Glass.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kvaratskhelia takes one on the button.
Kvaratskhelia throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Veron's waist but Veron gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kvaratskhelia off to one side.
Veron misses with a looping right.
Kvaratskhelia shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Veron sprawls well. Veron wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kvaratskhelia gets slowly back to his feet.
Veron lands a jab to the nose.
Veron cracks Kvaratskhelia with an open hand slap.
Excellent takedown into side control there by Kvaratskhelia.
Veron defending against the ground and pound.
Kvaratskhelia tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Veron parries the strikes from Kvaratskhelia easily there. Kvaratskhelia is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Veron to escape.
Veron sneaks back into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kvaratskhelia sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Veron defending well though.
Kvaratskhelia has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Kvaratskhelia missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Veron taking some punishment here, with Kvaratskhelia in his half guard.
Veron trying to control from the bottom.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kvaratskhelia thows a huge punch but Veron dodges it nicely.
Veron has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Veron regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Kvaratskhelia.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Veron is on top in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Veron stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kvaratskhelia swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kvaratskhelia can't keep his opponent in guard - Veron advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Kvaratskhelia keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kvaratskhelia wants to improve his position but Veron is controlling well.
Kvaratskhelia preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Veron is pressing down on Kvaratskhelia's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kvaratskhelia is holding on for now.
Kvaratskhelia trying to control here.
Veron is nestled in close to Kvaratskhelia, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Veron landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Kvaratskhelia wants to improve his position but Veron is controlling well.
Veron has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Veron in particular looking to stall.
Veron not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Veron wants to control but Kvaratskhelia is keeping him busy.
Kvaratskhelia blocking the ground and pound attempt from Veron.
Kvaratskhelia keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kvaratskhelia is pressing down on Veron's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Veron accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kvaratskhelia bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Veron's guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Veron managing to control the position.
Kvaratskhelia loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kvaratskhelia throws a big elbow that misses.
Kvaratskhelia keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Veron's head.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kvaratskhelia is looking to work some ground and pound but Veron has wrist control.
Kvaratskhelia lands a couple of digs.
Veron lands a couple of shots from the bottom.
Veron is trying to keep Kvaratskhelia in close.
Kvaratskhelia missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Veron controls Kvaratskhelia momentarily but Kvaratskhelia frees himself.
Kvaratskhelia working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Veron's head.
Kvaratskhelia throwing strikes from guard but Veron blocks nicely.
Veron trying to keep a closed guard but Kvaratskhelia is proving a slippery customer.
Kvaratskhelia loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kvaratskhelia missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kvaratskhelia throwing strikes from guard but Veron blocks nicely.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kvaratskhelia loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kvaratskhelia throws a big right hand that misses.
Kvaratskhelia with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Kvaratskhelia scoring with punches to the head and body.
Veron not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kvaratskhelia in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Veron is trying to keep Kvaratskhelia in close.
Veron preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kvaratskhelia loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kvaratskhelia postures up.
Kvaratskhelia working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Veron's head.
Kvaratskhelia throws a strike but Veron rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Veron working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Veron stays in close to Kvaratskhelia's body and controls the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Giorgi Kvaratskhelia dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.
Kvaratskhelia looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Veron is fending him off so far but Kvaratskhelia persists. Nope, Veron circles away and we're back to standing.
Kvaratskhelia throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Veron's waist but Veron gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kvaratskhelia off to one side.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kvaratskhelia.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Giorgi Kvaratskhelia. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kvaratskhelia shoots in looking for a takedown. Veron tries to sprawl out of it but Kvaratskhelia keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Veron manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kvaratskhelia fails with a takedown attempt.
Kvaratskhelia looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Veron is fending him off so far but Kvaratskhelia persists. Nope, Veron circles away and we're back to standing.
Veron scores with a jab. Kvaratskhelia acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Kvaratskhelia changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Veron tries to avoid it but Kvaratskhelia manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Veron to the ground. Veron escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kvaratskhelia closes the distance and clinches up with Veron, looking for a takedown. Kvaratskhelia pushes Veron against the cage but Veron circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Veron misses with an uppercut. Kvaratskhelia saw that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Veron lands a really nice looking cross but Kvaratskhelia seems unphased.
Veron throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Veron throws a jab but it's blocked by Kvaratskhelia.
Veron just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromKvaratskhelia.
Veron jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kvaratskhelia has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kvaratskhelia there as he acknowledges the shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Veron misses the target.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kvaratskhelia tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Veron defends well and Kvaratskhelia ends up having to push Veron into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Kvaratskhelia has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Veron avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kvaratskhelia tries to score a body lock takedown but Veron shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kvaratskhelia tries for a takedown. No joy.
Veron turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Veron has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Veron creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Veron looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Veron is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kvaratskhelia has escaped the position, nice work there.
Veron trying to control the position but Kvaratskhelia is working away.
Kvaratskhelia struggling a bit here.
Kvaratskhelia is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Veron is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Veron wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kvaratskhelia, who protects the arm well.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kvaratskhelia is trying to get back to half guard.
Veron tries to move to mount but Kvaratskhelia blocks the move with his legs.
Kvaratskhelia can't do much from the bottom here.
Veron wants to control but Kvaratskhelia is keeping him busy.
Veron in side control, throwing shots but Kvaratskhelia defends.
Veron remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Kvaratskhelia is looking for a sweep.
Veron working the head and body with strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kvaratskhelia takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Veron taking a breather here.
Kvaratskhelia tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kvaratskhelia can't do much from the bottom here.
Veron wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kvaratskhelia, who protects the arm well.
Kvaratskhelia tries to buck Veron off but Veron is having none of it.
Veron throws an elbow but Kvaratskhelia slips to the side and avoids it well.
Kvaratskhelia tries to bench press Veron off him but Veron keeps the position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Veron looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Kvaratskhelia tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Veron wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Who's going to make the next move?
Veron trying to control the position but Kvaratskhelia is working away.
Veron tries for a kimura but Kvaratskhelia is defending well.
Veron throws a strike aimed at the side of Kvaratskhelia's head but Kvaratskhelia avoids it well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The ground and pound from Veron seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Kvaratskhelia tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Veron just content to control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Diego Veron showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!
A cross from Veron lands.
Veron throws a hook but Kvaratskhelia avoids it easily.
Kvaratskhelia shoots in for a takedown but Veron shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kvaratskhelia tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Veron defends well and Kvaratskhelia ends up having to push Veron into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Veron works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Diego Veron has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kvaratskhelia avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Veron stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kvaratskhelia swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kvaratskhelia managing to control the position.
Kvaratskhelia continues to stall.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Veron missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Veron throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kvaratskhelia works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kvaratskhelia has control of Veron's left arm, preventing Veron from doing any damage.
Kvaratskhelia working a defensive guard here.
Veron trying to control but Kvaratskhelia is working from the bottom.
Veron is fighting to break Kvaratskhelia's control of his arms but Kvaratskhelia is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Kvaratskhelia wants to sweep here but Veron controlling him for the moment.
Veron looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Let's hope that Veron has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A lazy left from Veron finds it's target.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Veron misses with a hook. Kvaratskhelia ducked under it nicely.
Kvaratskhelia gets tackled into the cage by Veron. Veron maintains the clinch.
Kvaratskhelia has Veron pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Veron manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Giorgi Kvaratskhelia. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kvaratskhelia manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Kvaratskhelia is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Veron trying to control the position from guard on top but Kvaratskhelia is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Veron controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Veron throwing strikes but missing.
Veron trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Veron's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Kvaratskhelia avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kvaratskhelia trying to control the position.
Kvaratskhelia has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Kvaratskhelia bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Veron's guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Veron looking to control.
Veron wants to sweep here but Kvaratskhelia controlling him for the moment.
Veron preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kvaratskhelia working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Veron's head.
Veron working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kvaratskhelia.
Veron avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Veron trying to keep a closed guard but Kvaratskhelia is proving a slippery customer.
Veron working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kvaratskhelia.
Veron avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kvaratskhelia with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kvaratskhelia is fighting to break Veron's control of his arms but Veron is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Veron is trying to control the position but Kvaratskhelia postures up.
Kvaratskhelia in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Veron is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Kvaratskhelia throwing strikes from guard but Veron blocks nicely.
Veron manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kvaratskhelia manages to get himself to full guard.
Veron slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Veron is fighting to break Kvaratskhelia's control of his arms but Kvaratskhelia is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Veron trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Veron looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kvaratskhelia is on top in guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
Diego Veron comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Veron 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:29
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Diego Veron!
A relieved looking Diego Veron thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
39% |
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