PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Te Huna (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stepan Varlamovs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stepan Varlamovs is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Te Huna
vs
Varlamovs

187 cm
25
210 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

190 cm
19
205 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Solid boxing
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, James Te Huna!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Stepan Varlamovs!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Skip Squint and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Te Huna stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Te Huna wants it to stay on the feet.
A left and a right from Te Huna both land. Nice combination.
Varlamovs shoots in and drives through. Te Huna sprawls well.
Te Huna throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Varlamovs on the side of the head.
Varlamovs doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Te Huna counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Varlamovs thinking.
James Te Huna has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stepan Varlamovs.
Varlamovs on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Te Huna digs a good body shot into Varlamovs's ribs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Varlamovs walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
James Te Huna seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Varlamovs gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Te Huna connects with the punch.
Varlamovs showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Te Huna.
Varlamovs on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Te Huna connects with a good right hand that stumbles Varlamovs. Varlamovs circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Te Huna works the jab nicely.
Te Huna comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Varlamovs walks into a stiff left hand from Te Huna.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Te Huna with a hook.
Varlamovs drops his hands momentarily and Te Huna takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Te Huna lands a head shot.
Varlamovs fails with the takedown.
Varlamovs looks winded!
Varlamovs has a takedown stuffed.
Te Huna shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Varlamovs eats them both and turns towards Te Huna to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Te Huna displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Te Huna lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Varlamovs moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Te Huna.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Te Huna.
Te Huna connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
James Te Huna is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Te Huna scores with a hook to the body. Varlamovs takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab from Te Huna.
Varlamovs takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Varlamovs is trying desperately to land a takedown but Te Huna is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Varlamovs.
Te Huna lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Varlamovs walks into a straight right hand from Te Huna.
Varlamovs fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Varlamovs shoots for a takedown but Te Huna saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Te Huna connects with a jab.
Te Huna lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Nice jab there from Te Huna.
Te Huna throws a left and a right that both miss

and Varlamovs counters by moving into the clinch.
Te Huna is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Varlamovs is defending well.

Te Huna is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Varlamovs can't fight it off and eventually Te Huna manages to take the fight to the floor. Varlamovs looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Te Huna trying to control the position from guard on top but Varlamovs is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Te Huna looking to sit in guard and control but Varlamovs gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Te Huna on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Te Huna tries to get out of the position.
Varlamovs chips away with some ground and pound.
Varlamovs lands a couple of digs.
Varlamovs with a flurry of punches that miss.
Varlamovs has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Varlamovs throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Varlamovs tries to free his leg and advance position but Te Huna is retaining full guard.
Varlamovs working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Varlamovs lands a couple of digs.
Varlamovs throws a big elbow that misses.
Varlamovs in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Varlamovs is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Varlamovs keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Te Huna's head.
Te Huna utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Te Huna working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Varlamovs.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Varlamovs with a flurry of punches that miss.
Varlamovs working some strikes from top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Te Huna dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Varlamovs slips a straight right by Te Huna.
Nice takedown defense from Te Huna. No joy for Varlamovs on that attempt.
Te Huna looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Varlamovs fails with a takedown attempt.
Varlamovs walks into a jab.
Te Huna scores with a hook.
Te Huna clobbers Varlamovs with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Varlamovs fails to land the takedown.
James Te Huna has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stepan Varlamovs.
Te Huna stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Te Huna wants it to stay on the feet.
Te Huna jabs Varlamovs right on the nose. Varlamovs blinks but takes it well.
Varlamovs shoots in for a takedown but Te Huna shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Varlamovs is breathing heavily.
Te Huna lands with a hook. Varlamovs tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Te Huna dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Te Huna tests Varlamovs's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Te Huna throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Te Huna comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Te Huna connects with a crisp jab.
Varlamovs has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Te Huna scores with a one two! Varlamovs had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
James Te Huna is winning the standup battle so far.
Te Huna connects with a body shot.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Te Huna!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Te Huna throws a series of strikes that have Varlamovs backpedaling.
Varlamovs tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Te Huna swivels and escapes.
Te Huna connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Te Huna scores with a sloppy right hand. Varlamovs should have avoided that one.
Jab, jab by Te Huna - just one landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Te Huna, as that shot connected.
Te Huna works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Te Huna displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Varlamovs.
Varlamovs takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Te Huna punishes Varlamovs's body with a nice straight punch.
Te Huna uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Good standup being displayed there by Te Huna as he connects with a hook.
Te Huna throws a big shot that misses.
Te Huna dips to his left and cracks Varlamovs with an uppercut!
Varlamovs takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Te Huna misses with an uppercut. Varlamovs saw that one coming.
Varlamovs shoots in looking for a takedown. Te Huna tries to sprawl out of it but Varlamovs keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Te Huna manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Te Huna swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Varlamovs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Te Huna scores with a hook.
Te Huna scores with a decent looking hook.
Varlamovs takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Te Huna is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Varlamovs can do to turn this around?
Te Huna ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Varlamovs moves away.

Varlamovs shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Te Huna manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Varlamovs is looking to work some ground and pound but Te Huna has wrist control.
Te Huna avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Varlamovs scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Te Huna is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Te Huna has momentary wrist control but Varlamovs slips an elbow through the middle.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Varlamovs accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Varlamovs loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Varlamovs throws a big elbow that misses.
Varlamovs lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
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!
Te Huna is pulling down on Varlamovs's head. It's preventing any offense from Varlamovs, at least for the moment.
Varlamovs landing some decent shots from guard.
Stepan Varlamovs has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Te Huna not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Te Huna dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Te Huna displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Varlamovs.
Nice uppercut lands for Te Huna. That snapped Varlamovs's head back.
Varlamovs misses with a takedown attempt

and Te Huna counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Varlamovs!

Te Huna goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Varlamovs rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Te Huna's guard! Nice work there by Varlamovs!
Te Huna is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Varlamovs trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Varlamovs working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Varlamovs with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Varlamovs missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Varlamovs postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Varlamovs throwing strikes from guard but Te Huna blocks nicely.
Varlamovs postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Varlamovs working some strikes from top position.
Te Huna utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Te Huna controls Varlamovs momentarily but Varlamovs frees himself.
Varlamovs in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Varlamovs is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Te Huna is adopting a defensive guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Varlamovs is working Te Huna over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Varlamovs working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Varlamovs accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Varlamovs is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Varlamovs throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Varlamovs in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Te Huna utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Te Huna tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Varlamovs missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Te Huna avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Varlamovs loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Varlamovs preventing the sweep.
Varlamovs throwing strikes but missing.
Varlamovs missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Te Huna utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Varlamovs missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Varlamovs throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Varlamovs stopping the sweep attempt from Te Huna.
Te Huna is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Varlamovs with a nice head shot there.
Varlamovs distracts Te Huna with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Varlamovs trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Varlamovs stands up over Te Huna, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Varlamovs lands a couple of decent looking shots.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Varlamovs throws a big elbow that misses.
Varlamovs throwing strikes but missing.
Stepan Varlamovs has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
James Te Huna is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Te Huna is trying to control the position from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stepan Varlamovs comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Te Huna has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Te Huna!