PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Israel Kirzner (ranked 5498 p4p, 4009 weight class) and Khabib Gaethje (ranked 431 p4p, 354 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kirzner
vs
Gaethje

170 cm
19
143
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
145
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Israel Kirzner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Khabib Gaethje!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Chris Downing and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gaethje lands with a slapping head kick.
Gaethje pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kirzner definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
A head kick by Gaethje misses

and Kirzner counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kirzner.
Kirzner lands a hook that snaps the head of Gaethje backwards.
Kirzner lands a nice uppercut.
Kirzner softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Gaethje is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kirzner leaning against his opponent.
Kirzner displaying some good clinch control by pressing Gaethje up against the cage.
A short right from Kirzner on the inside.
Kirzner keeps control of Gaethje as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kirzner lands a shot to the body.
Gaethje's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gaethje is trying to force a seperation but Kirzner has the dominant position.
A body shot lands from Kirzner.
Kirzner lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaethje is trying to pull guard but Kirzner has him pressed against the cage.
Kirzner lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Kirzner.
Kirzner lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Gaethje backwards.
Kirzner keeps control of Gaethje as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kirzner.
Gaethje fails to pull guard.
Israel Kirzner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khabib Gaethje.
Kirzner has Gaethje pressed against the cage, preventing Gaethje from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kirzner lands an uppercut.
Kirzner scores with a nice hook to the head.
Gaethje is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Good body shot from Kirzner.
Kirzner lands a body shot.
Nice body punch from Kirzner - that landed with a thud.
Gaethje looks winded!
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kirzner.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kirzner lands a hook that snaps the head of Gaethje backwards.
Kirzner lands a body shot in the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Kirzner.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kirzner leaning against his opponent.
Kirzner lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kirzner scores with a shoulder strike.

Gaethje is rocked!
Kirzner scores with a shot to the side of Gaethje's head.
Gaethje is still on wobbly legs! Can Kirzner finish him?

Kirzner breaks from the clinch.
Kirzner pivots, looking for a leg kick but Gaethje is out of range and Kirzner settles back down.
Gaethje seems to have recovered his senses.
A head kick misses from Gaethje.
Kirzner fails to land with a series of punches.
Gaethje misses with a head kick.
Kirzner throws a body shot but no joy.
Gaethje throws a lazy right hand but Kirzner sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gaethje pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Some wild striking there from Kirzner.

Kirzner decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kirzner controlling the pace.
Kirzner drops an elbow to the side of Gaethje's head.
Kirzner missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kirzner not doing much here.
Gaethje trying to control from the bottom.
Kirzner perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Kirzner throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kirzner content to control rather than advance.
Kirzner throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kirzner takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Gaethje misses with an uppercut. Kirzner saw that one coming.
Kirzner throws a body shot but no joy.
Gaethje throws a jab when Kirzner was well out of range.
Kirzner ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gaethje jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Israel Kirzner dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kirzner fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Gaethje misses with a straight right.
Gaethje avoids the body shot from Kirzner.
Kirzner thuds a left hand into Gaethje's body.
Kirzner misses the jab.
Gaethje displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kirzner.
Kirzner misses with the combination.
Gaethje lands a head kick. Kirzner smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Gaethje lands a head kick. Kirzner smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gaethje pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kirzner steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gaethje.
Kirzner appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Kirzner jabs Gaethje to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kirzner tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kirzner is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gaethje can do to turn this around?
Gaethje jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kirzner tries to counter by clinching up but Gaethje breaks away and moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaethje looks to throw the jab but Kirzner is out of range.
Gaethje throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Kirzner moves into the clinch successfully.
Gaethje goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kirzner prevents it.
Kirzner pushes Gaethje back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
The referee calls for Kirzner to work.
Kirzner lands a right hand that snaps the head of Gaethje backwards.
Nice body punch from Kirzner - that landed with a thud.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kirzner as Gaethje tries to tie him up.
Kirzner avoiding damage as Gaethje throws knees to the body.
Gaethje tries to pull guard but Kirzner forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Kirzner breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gaethje misses with a hook. Kirzner ducked under it nicely.
Khabib Gaethje is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kirzner swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gaethje throws a sloppy head kick and Kirzner moves out of range easily.
Kirzner looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kirzner misses with a wild body shot.
Kirzner scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Kirzner goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Gaethje keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kirzner with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gaethje throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Kirzner ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gaethje moves away.
Gaethje avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kirzner throws a series of punches but Gaethje avoids them all with ease.
Gaethje scores with a head kick. Kirzner tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Gaethje connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kirzner is looking to wear down Gaethje with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Kirzner blocks a head kick by Gaethje.
Kirzner throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gaethje's waist but Gaethje gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kirzner off to one side.
Kirzner lands with a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Gaethje blocks the leg kick.
Kirzner throws a shot to the body.

Kirzner closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Kirzner keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Kirzner has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Kirzner.
Kirzner's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirzner looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Kirzner seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Kirzner prevents Gaethje from improving his position.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Kirzner in particular looking to stall.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Israel Kirzner dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Gaethje lands a jab to the head.
Gaethje swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kirzner was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Gaethje 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.
Gaethje misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Kirzner has Gaethje up against the cage in a clinch.
Kirzner prevents Gaethje from breaking the clinch.
Kirzner stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Kirzner.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Gaethje is trying to force a seperation but Kirzner has the dominant position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kirzner dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
A short right from Kirzner on the inside.
Kirzner is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Come on Kirzner - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirzner works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Gaethje takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kirzner scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kirzner lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A hook to the body from Kirzner.
Kirzner lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Gaethje.
Kirzner lands a body punch in the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kirzner.

Kirzner escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gaethje misses with a head kick.
As Gaethje tries to get set, Kirzner tries to push him back and clinch up but Gaethje manages to avoid the attempt.
Gaethje misses with a head kick.
Gaethje misses with a two punch combination.
Gaethje uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kirzner.

Kirzner moves into the clinch.
Gaethje is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kirzner pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kirzner stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kirzner.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kirzner working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kirzner lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kirzner.
Kirzner lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Gaethje backwards.
Gaethje is looking to break free of the clinch but Kirzner has double underhooks.
Kirzner lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kirzner works on Gaethje's body with a couple of short punches.
The referee calls for Kirzner to work.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Nice body punch from Kirzner.
Kirzner stalling against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Gaethje's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Gaethje is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kirzner gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Israel Kirzner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khabib Gaethje.
Kirzner leaning his opponent against the cage.
Gaethje misses with some punches.
Kirzner lands with a left to the head.
Gaethje is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kirzner to keep the fight standing.
Gaethje wants to take the fight to the mat but Kirzner manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Gaethje is trying to pull guard but Kirzner turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Kirzner stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kirzner controlling the action here for a moment.
Good body shot from Kirzner.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirzner stalling the fight.
Gaethje is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Kirzner is defending well.
Kirzner is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Gaethje is defending well.
Kirzner is pressed up against the cage. Gaethje has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kirzner down to the mat. Kirzner avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kirzner throws a body punch but Gaethje moves out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Kirzner. Those never looked like landing.
Kirzner fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gaethje manages to avoid it.
Kirzner 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.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kirzner. Gaethje does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gaethje avoids the body shot from Kirzner.
Kirzner misses with a wild body shot.
Gaethje misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Kirzner has taken the fight to the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Kirzner - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Khabib Gaethje has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Israel Kirzner is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kirzner managing to block the knees to the body from Gaethje.

And that's the end of the fight!
Israel Kirzner showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kirzner has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Israel Kirzner!