PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Apollinaire Aury (ranked 3716 p4p, 3783 weight class) and David Khinchegashvili (ranked 469 p4p, 475 weight class). Aury's entrance music is Party Up. A fine choice. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Aury
vs
Khinchegashvili

196 cm
20
205
4 - 3 - 0

188 cm
20
213
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Katman Drip Inc.
New Standard

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Apollinaire Aury!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, David Khinchegashvili!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Ben Zyskovitsi and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aury shoots in for a takedown but Khinchegashvili shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Khinchegashvili walks into a jab.
Khinchegashvili avoids a punch combination nicely.
Aury fails to land the takedown.

Aury looking to score a takedown here. Khinchegashvili is defending well but Aury drives through and ends up in Khinchegashvili's guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Khinchegashvili seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Aury trying to control but Khinchegashvili is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Aury drops back looking for a leg! Khinchegashvili is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Khinchegashvili manages to kick Aury off! Aury jumps back into Khinchegashvili's guard.
Khinchegashvili is pulling down on Aury's head. It's preventing any offense from Aury, at least for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Khinchegashvili is on top in guard.

Aury had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Khinchegashvili defends it easily.

That's two 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.
Aury has control of Khinchegashvili's left arm, preventing Khinchegashvili from doing any damage.

Aury working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Khinchegashvili doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Khinchegashvili manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Khinchegashvili really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Aury. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Khinchegashvili won't allow Aury to get back to his feet.
Aury managing to control the position.
Aury can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Khinchegashvili controls the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aury wants to stand but Khinchegashvili is controlling the position.
Khinchegashvili trying to control but Aury is working from the bottom.

Aury is looking for a triangle here but Khinchegashvili uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Khinchegashvili working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Aury is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Khinchegashvili's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Aury pushes Khinchegashvili off looking to stand but Khinchegashvili dives back in and keeps control.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Aury is trying hard to land a takedown here. Khinchegashvili sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Apollinaire Aury. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Aury misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Aury fails to land the takedown.
Khinchegashvili throws out a counter right but Aury avoids it with no problem.
Aury shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Khinchegashvili defends it nicely.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nice defenses there by Khinchegashvili.
Khinchegashvili darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

It looks like Apollinaire Aury has been cut.
Khinchegashvili lands with a good body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but David Khinchegashvili will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Apollinaire Aury's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Khinchegashvili scores with a jab. Aury acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Khinchegashvili cracks Aury with a good jab.
Aury misses with a takedown attempt - Khinchegashvili sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A countering left hand to the body from Khinchegashvili misses.

Aury closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Aury is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Khinchegashvili keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Let's hope that Khinchegashvili 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khinchegashvili is trying to control but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aury is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Khinchegashvili to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.

Aury drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Aury jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Aury trying to control the position from guard on top but Khinchegashvili is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Khinchegashvili.

Aury throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Khinchegashvili tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Aury is in Khinchegashvili's guard.

Aury drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Khinchegashvili manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Aury has Khinchegashvili in his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Aury looking for a guillotine here but Khinchegashvili defends easily.
Aury keeping moving, preventing Khinchegashvili from controlling successfully.
Aury wants to stand up but Khinchegashvili is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aury pulls Khinchegashvili in to control the position.
Khinchegashvili won't allow Aury to get back to his feet.
Aury controls Khinchegashvili momentarily but Khinchegashvili frees himself.
Khinchegashvili tries to stand but Aury is controlling from the bottom.

Aury is looking for a triangle here but Khinchegashvili uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Khinchegashvili controls the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Aury wants to get back to his feet but Khinchegashvili drags him back down.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Aury changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Khinchegashvili looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Aury tries for a kimura but Khinchegashvili is defending well.
Khinchegashvili can't do much from the bottom here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but David Khinchegashvili will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Apollinaire Aury's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Aury misses with a hook
and Khinchegashvili makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Aury shoots in for a takedown but Khinchegashvili shows good takedown defense.
Khinchegashvili connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Aury momentarily.
Aury tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Khinchegashvili defends well and Aury ends up having to push Khinchegashvili into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Aury has been working on his balance at Gold Samurai's Gym, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Khinchegashvili.
Aury can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Apollinaire Aury. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Khinchegashvili prevents the takedown attempt.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Khinchegashvili.
Khinchegashvili effectively controlling the action here.
Khinchegashvili misses with a hook from the clinch.
Khinchegashvili misses with a hook to the ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khinchegashvili scores with a knee to the head.
Aury is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Aury has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Khinchegashvili after a bit of a struggle.
Khinchegashvili has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Aury prevents a body shot from Khinchegashvili.
Aury takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khinchegashvili lands a right hand.
Khinchegashvili scores with a nice hook to the head.

Aury is rocked!
Khinchegashvili lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Oh Aury is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Khinchegashvili lands a good knee to the midsection. Aury won't want to take too many of those.
Khinchegashvili lands with a short shot to the head.
Khinchegashvili with the Thai clinch, moves his hips back and unleashes a brutal knee to the head! Aury drops to the mat in a crumpled heap! Huuuuuuge knee there! WOW!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:25 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Knee). David Khinchegashvili!