PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sid Vernon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Villi Kotobalavu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kotobalavu is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by "Another Body Murdered" by Faith No more & Boo-Yaa Tribe. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Vernon
vs
Kotobalavu

192 cm
24
179 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

180 cm
24
182 lbs
11 - 3 - 2

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ka-POW Clothing
Supersize Me

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Sid Vernon!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 2, fighting out of Sydney, Villi Kotobalavu!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Donatello Bradman and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vernon's corner calls for a 1-2. Vernon obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Vernon lands with a thumping leg kick.
Vernon throws a big shot that misses.
Kotobalavu avoids a kick to the body.
Kotobalavu pivots, looking for a leg kick but Vernon is out of range and Kotobalavu settles back down.
Vernon ducks under a wild hook from Kotobalavu.

Vernon takes the fight into the clinch.
Vernon is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kotobalavu is defending well for now.
Kotobalavu blocks an elbow strike from Vernon.
Kotobalavu takes a knee to the side of the body.
Kotobalavu looking to stall.
Vernon with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kotobalavu manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Vernon tries to land a knee to the head but Kotobalavu blocks with his arms.
Vernon misses with an elbow over the top.
Vernon connects with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Vernon.
Vernon connects with a knee to the head.
Kotobalavu leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vernon utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Vernon scores with a knee to the head.
Kotobalavu works on Vernon's body with a couple of short punches.
Vernon tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Vernon using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kotobalavu has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Vernon unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Kotobalavu wants to stall.
Vernon lands an elbow just above Kotobalavu 's eye.

It looks like Villi Kotobalavu has been cut.
Vernon trying to land knees to the body.
Kotobalavu leaning against his opponent.
Kotobalavu utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Vernon blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Vernon with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kotobalavu looking to slow down the pace here.
Vernon lands a damaging elbow.
Vernon connects with a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kotobalavu lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Vernon just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kotobalavu's brow.
Vernon looking to throw knees to the head but Kotobalavu is blocking nicely.
Vernon using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kotobalavu has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Vernon with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Vernon connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kotobalavu's face.
Vernon lands a damaging elbow.
Vernon throws an elbow that misses.
Vernon with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kotobalavu takes a knee right on the jaw!
Vernon is breathing heavily.
Vernon lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kotobalavu throws an elbow but misses.
Kotobalavu managing to block the knees to the body from Vernon.
Vernon lands an elbow inside that Kotobalavu shrugs off.
Kotobalavu dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Vernon using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kotobalavu has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kotobalavu lands a hook to the side of the head.
Knees to the body from Kotobalavu.
A short right from Kotobalavu on the inside.

Kotobalavu escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vernon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vernon on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kotobalavu. Kotobalavu obviously looking to wear him down.
Vernon avoids a kick to the body.
Vernon fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kotobalavu throws a leg kick
and Vernon counters with an inside leg kick.
Vernon pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Vernon pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A low kick from Vernon misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Kotobalavu showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Vernon.
Kotobalavu attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Vernon throws a leg kick that is checked
and Kotobalavu counters with a nice body kick.
Vernon tries to land a front kick but Kotobalavu steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kotobalavu does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Both fighters circling a little - Kotobalavu finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Vernon throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vernon tries a head kick but it misses.
Kotobalavu moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Vernon checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Kotobalavu lands a nice shot that snaps Vernon's head back.
Vernon throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Vernon misses with a straight left.
Kotobalavu attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Vernon looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Kotobalavu avoids the head kick by Vernon.
Vernon wants to clinch
and Kotobalavu counters with an inside leg kick.
A low kick from Kotobalavu is predictable there
and Vernon counters with a flying knee. Nice.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kotobalavu.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vernon connects with a high kick.
Vernon misses with a low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Villi Kotobalavu dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Villi Kotobalavu's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kotobalavu misses with a looping left.
Vernon tries to clinch up.
Kotobalavu lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Kotobalavu in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Kotobalavu blocks a low kick nicely.
Vernon tries to clinch up but Kotobalavu circles away and keeps his distance.
Kotobalavu thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Vernon if he has to take too many more of those.
Vernon avoids the body shot from Kotobalavu.
A bone on bone clash there as Vernon blocks the leg kick.
Kotobalavu throws a front kick aimed at Vernon's knee but Vernon avoids it well.
Sid Vernon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A left lands for Kotobalavu.
Vernon misses with a leg kick
and Kotobalavu counters with a good low kick that Vernon was not able to check.
A head kick by Vernon misses
and Kotobalavu counters with a thumping low kick.
Kotobalavu throws a leg kick that is checked
and Vernon makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Kotobalavu blocks a head kick by Vernon.
Good leg kick by Kotobalavu there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Vernon tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kotobalavu is able to avoid easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vernon misses with a head kick.
Kotobalavu checks a low kick from Vernon.
A nice inside leg kick there by Vernon. That's going to slow Kotobalavu down.
Vernon misses with a wild combination.
Vernon tries a head kick but it misses.
An inside leg kick from Kotobalavu misses.
Kotobalavu throws a leg kick
and Vernon counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Vernon takes a jab right on the kisser.
Kotobalavu avoids the head kick by Vernon.
Vernon checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Vernon throws a jab when Kotobalavu was well out of range.
Vernon lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kotobalavu's sensitive parts.
Vernon does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Kotobalavu throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Nice shot by Kotobalavu.
Kotobalavu throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Vernon stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kotobalavu misses with a body kick.
A head kick by Vernon misses
and Kotobalavu counters with a low kick, right behind Vernon 's knee.
Kotobalavu will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kotobalavu is looking to chop away at Vernon's legs.
A good leg kick by Kotobalavu.
Kotobalavu checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Vernon throws a lazy head kick
and Kotobalavu counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kotobalavu throws out a loose jab but Vernon uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vernon is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Vernon fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kotobalavu stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Vernon.
Kotobalavu pivots, looking for a leg kick but Vernon is out of range and Kotobalavu settles back down.

Vernon pushes Kotobalavu up against the cage in a clinch.
Kotobalavu takes an elbow to the temple.
Vernon landing knees to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kotobalavu pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Kotobalavu takes a knee to the side of the body.
With the fighters up against the cage, Vernon throws an elbow but misses.
Vernon trying to land knees to the body.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kotobalavu is trying to stall.
Kotobalavu is trying to break the clinch but Vernon is controlling him.
Vernon tries to land a knee to the head but Kotobalavu blocks with his arms.
Vernon creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Vernon lands an elbow inside that Kotobalavu shrugs off.
Vernon missing with knees to the body.
With the fighters up against the cage, Vernon throws an elbow but misses.
Kotobalavu managing to block the knees to the body from Vernon.
Kotobalavu landing knees to the body.
Nice elbow from Vernon.
Vernon tries to throw a body punch but Kotobalavu avoids it by throwing Vernon back against the cage.
Vernon throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Kotobalavu breaks the clinch.
Kotobalavu tries to work over Vernon's front leg with a kick but Vernon checks it.
Vernon lands a two punch combo.
Vernon moves out of range of the body kick from Kotobalavu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Vernon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A nice combination there by Vernon.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Vernon misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kotobalavu.
Vernon throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kotobalavu stalling in the clinch but Vernon improves position.
Kotobalavu stalling in the clinch.
Kotobalavu lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

Kotobalavu breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Vernon shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Vernon tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kotobalavu throws and low kick but Vernon moves out of range easily.
Kotobalavu blocks a head kick by Vernon.
Vernon tries a low kick but Kotobalavu avoids it.
Nice uppercut there from Kotobalavu.
Vernon throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Villi Kotobalavu showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Villi Kotobalavu's cut.
That's time! Vernon's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Vernon keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kotobalavu throws a leg kick that is checked
and Vernon counters with a slapping leg kick.
Vernon feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Kotobalavu's calf.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kotobalavu can't break the clinch.
Vernon throws a knee to the head but misses.
Vernon tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Vernon throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kotobalavu stalling against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Vernon trying to land knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kotobalavu lands a nice shot to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Vernon just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kotobalavu's brow.
Nice elbow from Vernon.
Kotobalavu blocks a body shot from Vernon.
Vernon missing with knees to the body.
Vernon tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kotobalavu avoids it.
Kotobalavu blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Vernon misses with a knee strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kotobalavu working Vernon over with knees to the body.
Kotobalavu tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Vernon avoids it.
Vernon misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kotobalavu.
Vernon blocks the elbow strike.
Vernon connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kotobalavu's face.
Vernon tries to land knees in the clinch but Kotobalavu avoids the damage to the body.
Vernon landing knees to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kotobalavu blocks an elbow strike from Vernon.
Vernon misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kotobalavu.
Vernon throws an elbow but it misses.
Kotobalavu takes a knee right on the jaw!
Vernon blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Vernon tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kotobalavu working Vernon over with knees to the body.
Vernon managing to block the knees to the body from Kotobalavu.
Vernon using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Vernon tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Vernon tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kotobalavu avoids it.
Kotobalavu pushes Vernon back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Kotobalavu has Vernon pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on Kotobalavu's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Vernon throws an elbow but it misses.
Kotobalavu taking a breather.
Kotobalavu takes an elbow to the temple.
Vernon looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Vernon tries to land knees in the clinch but Kotobalavu avoids the damage to the body.
Vernon lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Kotobalavu takes an elbow to the forehead.
Vernon is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kotobalavu is defending well for now.
Vernon misses with an elbow over the top.
Vernon with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A left hand lands to the body for Kotobalavu.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Vernon lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Kotobalavu pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kotobalavu throws a solid leg kick but Vernon takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kotobalavu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kotobalavu lands a slapping body shot.
Kotobalavu throws a leg kick
and Vernon counters with a solid body kick.
Kotobalavu avoids the head kick by Vernon.

Vernon closes the distance and clinches.
Kotobalavu blocks an elbow strike from Vernon.
Kotobalavu blocks an elbow strike from Vernon.
Vernon scores with a knee to the head.
Kotobalavu wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Vernon throws an elbow that misses.
Kotobalavu stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Vernon lands an elbow inside that Kotobalavu shrugs off.
Kotobalavu takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kotobalavu avoiding damage as Vernon throws knees to the body.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kotobalavu.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Vernon softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kotobalavu throws an elbow but misses.
Kotobalavu stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vernon misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Vernon lands a nice elbow.
Vernon throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Vernon tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Vernon looking to throw knees to the head but Kotobalavu is blocking nicely.
Kotobalavu slows down the pace here.
Vernon looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kotobalavu taking a breather.
Vernon with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kotobalavu is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Kotobalavu blocks an elbow strike from Vernon.
Vernon has Kotobalavu pressed against the cage, preventing Kotobalavu from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kotobalavu blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Sid Vernon has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Vernon throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Vernon tries to land a knee to the head but Kotobalavu blocks with his arms.
Vernon with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Vernon creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kotobalavu taking a breather.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Villi Kotobalavu really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Villi Kotobalavu's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Vernon throws a leg kick that misses.
Kotobalavu wants to land a leg kick but Vernon is out of range.
Vernon blocks a leg kick.
Villi Kotobalavu seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Vernon thows a leg kick but Kotobalavu checks it
and Kotobalavu counters with a stiff right hand.
Kotobalavu throws a half hearted mid kick.
Vernon connects with a solid leg kick.
Vernon throws a front kick aimed at Kotobalavu's knee but Kotobalavu avoids it well.
Vernon lands with a kick to the ribs.
Kotobalavu thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Vernon if he has to take too many more of those.
Vernon connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A head kick misses from Vernon.
Vernon throws a leg kick which misses Kotobalavu's front leg but catches the back leg as Kotobalavu tries to avoid it.
Vernon lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Vernon with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Vernon blocks a low kick nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vernon moves in looking to clinch but Kotobalavu pushes him off.
Kotobalavu swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Vernon.
Vernon moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Vernon is looking to chop away at Kotobalavu's legs.
Vernon throws a leg kick
and Kotobalavu counters with a stiff right hand.
Vernon connects with a solid leg kick.
Vernon lands a nice looking body shot.
Vernon tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Vernon feints and then cracks Kotobalavu's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kotobalavu down.
Vernon moves in looking to clinch but Kotobalavu pushes him off.
Kotobalavu misses with a low kick.
Kotobalavu tries to land a leg kick but Vernon saw it coming and moves away.
Vernon looks to land a combination but Kotobalavu avoids it well.
Vernon throws a hook but Kotobalavu blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vernon thumps Kotobalavu with a low kick.
Kotobalavu scoring well with a low kick there.
Kotobalavu tries to move into range but Vernon moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kotobalavu on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kotobalavu tries a head kick but it misses.
An inside leg kick lands from Kotobalavu.
Vernon wants to clinch
and Kotobalavu makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Vernon fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kotobalavu moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Kotobalavu shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A low kick from Vernon is predictable there
and Kotobalavu counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kotobalavu moves out of range of the strikes.
Vernon throws a leg kick which misses Kotobalavu's front leg but catches the back leg as Kotobalavu tries to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kotobalavu checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Kotobalavu turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Vernon is looking to clinch but Kotobalavu is avoiding it.
Kotobalavu throws a leg kick but Vernon sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Vernon feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Kotobalavu's calf.
Vernon scoring well with a low kick there.
Vernon tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Kotobalavu counters with an outside leg kick.
Vernon misses with a low kick.
Vernon throws a leg kick that is checked
and Kotobalavu counters with a low kick, right behind Vernon 's knee.
Vernon pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kotobalavu throws a looping overhand right but Vernon ducks down to avoid it.
Kotobalavu throws a front kick aimed at Vernon's knee but Vernon avoids it well.
Vernon throws a leg kick that is checked
and Kotobalavu counters with an inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Vernon blocks the leg kick.
Vernon lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kotobalavu's sensitive parts.
Vernon moves out of range of the strikes.
Vernon feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Kotobalavu's calf.
Vernon takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kotobalavu swats away the attempt to clinch by Vernon.
Kotobalavu is looking to chop away at Vernon's legs.
Vernon pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Vernon wants to land a leg kick but Kotobalavu is out of range.
Vernon looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Kotobalavu tries to keep at a distance but Vernon has taken the fight into the clinch.
Vernon is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kotobalavu is defending well for now.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Villi Kotobalavu will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Villi Kotobalavu's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Vernon moves into the clinch successfully.
Vernon with a knee to the head.
Kotobalavu blocks an elbow strike from Vernon.
Vernon using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kotobalavu has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Vernon has Kotobalavu pressed against the cage, preventing Kotobalavu from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kotobalavu just leaning against Vernon, taking a breather.
Kotobalavu is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Vernon blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Vernon lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Knees to the body from Vernon.
Vernon managing to block the knees to the body from Kotobalavu.
Vernon managing to block the knees to the body from Kotobalavu.
Kotobalavu effectively controlling the action here.
Kotobalavu swings wildly with an uppercut but Vernon uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kotobalavu throws an elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vernon throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Vernon lands a nice knee to the body.
Vernon with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Vernon with a knee to the head.
Vernon misses with a knee to the head.
A shot in the inside from Kotobalavu.
Vernon misses with a knee strike.
Kotobalavu lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Sid Vernon has been cut.
Kotobalavu takes an elbow to the temple.
Vernon tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kotobalavu looking to stall.
The referee calls for Kotobalavu to work.
Kotobalavu has had enough of the clinch but Vernon keeps him there for the moment.
Kotobalavu misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Vernon lands a knee to the head.
The referee is keeping an eye on Kotobalavu - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Kotobalavu takes an elbow to the forehead.
Kotobalavu trying to control the position but instead, Vernon has worked for underhooks and has pushed Kotobalavu into the cage.
Villi Kotobalavu is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vernon using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kotobalavu has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Vernon working Kotobalavu over with knees to the body.
Vernon throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kotobalavu misses with a punch on the inside.
Kotobalavu blocks an elbow strike.
Vernon connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kotobalavu's face.
Vernon tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kotobalavu holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Kotobalavu wants to stall.
Kotobalavu throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Vernon blocks it with crossed arms.
Vernon trying to land knees to the body.
Vernon throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kotobalavu blocks it with crossed arms.
Vernon looking to throw knees to the head but Kotobalavu is blocking nicely.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kotobalavu misses with a punch on the inside.
Vernon tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kotobalavu landing knees to the body.
Vernon avoiding damage as Kotobalavu throws knees to the body.
Nice elbow from Vernon.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Kotobalavu tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Vernon throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kotobalavu takes an elbow to the temple.
Sid Vernon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vernon utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Vernon throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kotobalavu blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A right hand to the body from Kotobalavu.
Kotobalavu slowing the pace effectively.
Vernon landing knees to the head.
Vernon misses with a knee to the head.
Kotobalavu managing to block the knees to the body from Vernon.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Kotobalavu.
Kotobalavu misses with a body punch.
Kotobalavu blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Vernon struggles to land a body shot inside as Kotobalavu controls his hands.
Kotobalavu misses with a knee to the head.
Kotobalavu is looking to control Vernon's arms but Vernon gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kotobalavu has his back to the cage.
Kotobalavu blocks an elbow strike from Vernon.
Vernon looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Vernon goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kotobalavu avoids the elbow strike from Vernon, against the cage.

Kotobalavu breaks from the clinch.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kotobalavu lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Vernon has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Vernon and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Kotobalavu throws a low kick but it's checked well by Vernon.
Vernon on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kotobalavu. Kotobalavu obviously looking to wear him down.
Kotobalavu throws a nice outside leg kick.
Vernon throws a sloppy head kick and Kotobalavu moves out of range easily.
Vernon wants to land a leg kick but Kotobalavu is out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sid Vernon showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kotobalavu has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 46:49
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 46:49
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Villi Kotobalavu!
Villi Kotobalavu is the new welterweight champion!