PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kakashi Hataki (ranked 1855 p4p, 3375 weight class) and Grigori Golov (ranked 233 p4p, 364 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.

Hataki
vs
Golov

173 cm
26
157
5 - 1 - 0

178 cm
26
160
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
KO power

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

Carnage
BE Younick

Nutritional Shaved Ice

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kakashi Hataki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Grigori Golov!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Chris Saunders and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice defenses there by Golov.
Golov misses the shot to the body.
Hataki paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Hataki lands with a good body shot.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Golov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
A jab from Hataki does it's job there.
Golov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hataki.
Golov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Golov defending well as Hataki loads up on a big left hand.
Hataki throws a body punch but Golov moves out of range.
Golov avoids the body shot from Hataki.
A big right from Golov misses.
Golov throws a hook but Hataki blocks it.
Golov misses with a takedown attempt - Hataki sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Hataki misses the target.
Hataki with a body punch. A glancing blow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Golov feints and as Hataki raises his hands in defense, Golov changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hataki is trying to keep Golov in close.
Golov with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hataki working for a triangle but Golov defends it easily.

Hataki had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Golov defends it easily.
Golov stopping the sweep attempt from Hataki.
Hataki being controlled here, momentarily.
Hataki controls Golov momentarily but Golov frees himself.

Hataki throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Hataki throws his legs up looking for a submission but Golov uses it to pass to side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Golov creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Hataki is looking for a sweep.
Hataki manages to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Golov is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Hataki gets back to full guard.
Hataki trying to keep a closed guard but Golov is proving a slippery customer.

Hataki is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Golov defends well.
Hataki wants to sweep here but Golov controlling him for the moment.
Golov trying to control the position from guard on top but Hataki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hataki looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Golov passes into side control.
Hataki struggling a bit here.
Golov is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Hataki's shoulder. That is not cool.
Hataki is trying to control Golov's posture but Golov avoids it.
Hataki trying to control but Golov flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Golov avoiding Hataki 's attempts to control his hands.
Hataki wants to get back to his feet.
Hataki can't escape the position.
Golov trying to control momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
I really don't envy Hataki right now.
Golov is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Hataki tries to roll but Golov sticks to his back.
Golov tries to get the hooks in deep but Hataki pushed the leg off.
Hataki trying to control the position but Golov manages to sink in the hooks.
Hataki is really stuck here.
Golov is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Hataki is really stuck here.
Hataki trying to control the hands but Golov won't let him.
Golov controlling from the back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Grigori Golov will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hataki wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Grigori Golov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hataki tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Golov was well out of range. Poor timing from Hataki.
Golov connects with a jab.
Golov just misses with a punch to the body.
Kakashi Hataki is winning the standup battle so far.
Golov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hataki misses with a few strikes there.
Golov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hataki missing with a left hand there. Golov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hataki feints a jab promting Golov to slip. Hataki then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Golov slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Hataki misses with a body shot.
Golov throws a hook but Hataki avoids it easily.

Golov gets caught flat footed, as Hataki shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hataki trying to control the position from guard on top but Golov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hataki postures up in Golov's guard and throws a big left but Golov blocks it.
Golov is trying to keep Hataki in close.
Hataki postures up and lands a big shot to Golov's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hataki prevents Golov from getting back to his feet.
Golov looking for a sweep. Not yet Golov, not yet.
Golov keeping moving, preventing Hataki from controlling successfully.
Grigori Golov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Golov can't keep his opponent in guard - Hataki advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Hataki seems to be working for a kimura but Golov defends the submission attempt.
Hataki throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Golov tries to get to full guard but Hataki has control of the leg.

Hataki looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Hataki looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Golov with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hataki throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hataki is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Hataki decides to return to a standing position.
Hataki is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Golov can do to turn this around?
Hataki misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Golov.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Golov.
A decent looking cross lands there for Golov.
Kakashi Hataki is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hataki takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Golov takes a swing at Hataki's ribcage but misses.
Hataki swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Golov avoids the body shot from Hataki.
Golov throws the left hand but Hataki avoids the punch easily.
Golov throws a body punch but Hataki moves out of range.
Golov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hataki throws out the jab.
Golov dips to his left and cracks Hataki with an uppercut!
Golov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hataki uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Golov.
Golov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Hataki's hands.
Hataki lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Golov backs up against the cage.
Hataki displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Golov.
Golov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
The fighters circle momentarily. Golov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Hataki misses the shot to the body.
Hataki throws a series of punches but Golov avoids them all with ease.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Golov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Hataki makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Kakashi Hataki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Grigori Golov.
Hataki scores with the left hand. Golov knows he should have avoided that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Golov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hataki as he jumps to the side.
Golov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Hataki misses with a wild body shot.
Golov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hataki moves away.
Hataki is looking to wear down Golov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Hataki throws a body shot but no joy.
Golov misses with a body shot.
Golov has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Golov shoots in for a double leg but Hataki sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Golov closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Hataki tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hataki is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Golov off and has taken his back!
Golov manages to reverse the position and now he's in Hataki's guard. Nice work there by Golov.
Golov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hataki not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kakashi Hataki dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Hataki connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Hataki slips under a jab.
Golov misses with a takedown attempt - Hataki sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Golov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Hataki is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Golov lands a nice shot to the body.
Hataki slaps away a takedown attempt from Golov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hataki with a hook.
A telegraphed right hand from Golov misses the target.

Golov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Hataki is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hataki trying to control here.
Golov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Golov prevents Hataki from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hataki actively working from the bottom here.
Well, if Golov is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Hataki looking for submissions off his back.
Golov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Hataki is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Golov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Golov's back!
Golov trying to control but not successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hataki throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Golov trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Will Hataki go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Hataki is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Golov is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Hataki scores with strikes from the back.
Even with his hooks in, Hataki manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Hataki. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Golov tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Golov taking shots to the head.
Hataki landing strikes from the mount and Golov is in trouble!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Golov is in all sorts of trouble here.
Golov wants to hold on but Hataki pushes him away.
Golov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Hataki haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Golov is desperately trying to improve his position but Hataki has a good base and remains in mount.
Hataki lands a heavy elbow.
Hataki looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Hataki unloading with bombs!
Hataki connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Golov in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Hataki working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Golov takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Hataki has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Hataki working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Golov holds on for dear life.
Hataki connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hataki lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Hataki tries to control but Golov wriggling away.
Hataki landing punches.
Golov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Hataki breaks from Golov's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Hataki landing strikes, looking to finish!
Golov is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Hataki lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Golov taking shots to the head.
Hataki lands a nice shot to the head.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Golov can do anything to dispel that myth.

Hataki is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Golov has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Hataki landing punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kakashi Hataki showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hataki 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 Paul Gruel scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kakashi Hataki!
A very excited looking Kakashi Hataki made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.