PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rudi Kardi (ranked 1334 p4p, 1487 weight class) and Elwyn Donal (ranked 196 p4p, 216 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kardi
vs
Donal

200 cm
21
213
4 - 0 - 2

190 cm
22
210
6 - 1 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Good chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Urban Fighter
Bondi MMA ðŸï¸

Northern Zombie
Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 2, fighting out of London, Rudi Kardi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Elwyn Donal!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Eddie Farnsworth and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kardi takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Kardi closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Donal to the mat! Donal manages to get full guard.
Kardi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Donal works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Donal manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kardi manages to get himself to full guard.

Kardi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Donal is aware though and is defending well.

Kardi escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Donal gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Donal wants to get up but he can't break Kardi's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kardi looking for a guillotine here but Donal defends easily.
Kardi tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kardi has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Donal has passed into side control.
Kardi is looking to regain half guard here but Donal keeps moving and retains side control.
Kardi throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.
Kardi is trying to get back to half guard.
Kardi throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.
Kardi 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.
Kardi tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kardi gets back to half guard.

Kardi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kardi is looking to improve his position.
Donal keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Donal wants to free his trapped foot but Kardi is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Kardi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Kardi actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kardi wants to get back to full guard.

Kardi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Kardi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Donal pulls his head out easily.
Kardi wants to get back to full guard.
Donal really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kardi. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Kardi looking for submissions off his back.

Kardi looking for submissions off his back.
Donal wants to control but Kardi is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four 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.
Donal prevents Kardi from improving his position.
Kardi moves into full guard.

Kardi is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kardi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Donal is one step ahead there.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Donal is stalling in the full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rudi Kardi dominated that round.
That's time! Kardi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kardi walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

It looks like Rudi Kardi has been cut.
Kardi throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Donal's waist but Donal gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kardi off to one side.
Donal throws out a counter right but Kardi avoids it with no problem.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kardi is defended easily by Donal.
Donal is looking for the big counter here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kardi shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rudi Kardi. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kardi fails with the takedown.
Donal appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Rudi Kardi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kardi tries for a takedown but Donal circles away easily
and Donal counters with a stiff right hand.
A combination from Donal does no damage.
Donal keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A little jabbing left from Donal on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donal throws a push kick but Kardi slaps the foot to one side.
Kardi moves out of range as Donal strikes.
Kardi looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Kardi tries to close the distance and clinch but Donal swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Some wild striking there from Donal.
Donal throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Donal digs a good hook to Kardi's body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Donal misses with a wild body shot.
Kardi tries to counter with a takedown but Donal is quick to defend against it.
Kardi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Kardi gets a double leg takedown into Donal's guard.
Kardi stands and throws Donal's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Kardi tries for a kimura but Donal is defending well.
Donal felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kardi tries for a kimura but Donal is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kardi is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Donal is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Kardi is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Donal has escaped the position, nice work there.
Donal can't do much from the bottom here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kardi creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Donal sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Elwyn Donal showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Rudi Kardi's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kardi moves out of range of the body kick from Donal.
Kardi looks for a takedown but Donal sprawls well.
Donal looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kardi fails to land the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kardi feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Kardi trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Donal manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kardi looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Donal is stalling in the full guard.
Rudi Kardi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Kardi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Donal is aware though and is defending well.

Kardi looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Kardi had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Donal defends it easily.
Donal stopping the sweep attempt from Kardi.

Kardi looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

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.

Donal avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Kardi has an active guard here but Donal has managed to pass into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Donal trying to control the pace.

Kardi looking for submissions off his back.

Kardi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Donal is controlling the pace.

Kardi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Kardi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kardi tries to get to full guard but Donal has control of the leg.

Kardi looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Kardi actively working from the bottom here.
Kardi is looking to improve his position.

Kardi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kardi is looking to improve his position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kardi throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Elwyn Donal just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Rudi Kardi's cut.
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.

Kardi fails with a takedown attempt.
Donal turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Donal circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kardi shoots in and drives through. Donal sprawls well.
Kardi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Donal as he jumps to the side.
Donal counters with a body kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rudi Kardi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kardi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A little jabbing left from Donal on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kardi shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Donal but Donal pushes him off and we're back to square one.

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.
Kardi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Donal is fending him off so far but Kardi persists. Nope, Donal circles away and we're back to standing.
A little jabbing left from Donal on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Elwyn Donal is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kardi shoots and misses
and Donal counters with a nice uppercut.
Donal defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kardi.
Donal only half commits to the counter leg kick.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Donal tries to sprawl but Kardi drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Kardi is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Kardi uses his free foot to push down on Donal's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Donal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kardi throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Kardi thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Donal wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Kardi.

Kardi jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Donal is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Donal and Kardi has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Kardi wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Donal, who protects the arm well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Donal tries to bench press Kardi off him but Kardi keeps the position.

Kardi looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Kardi in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Donal is looking for a sweep.

Kardi goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Donal has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Kardi but great work by Donal.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kardi is trying to get back to half guard.
Kardi is working hard here to advance position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Elwyn Donal will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Rudi Kardi's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Kardi shoots in but no luck this time.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kardi.
Donal swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kardi dives in and grabs Donal's left leg, looking for a takedown. Donal pushes down on Kardi's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rudi Kardi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kardi shoots in for a double leg but Donal sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Donal looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Donal fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kardi checks it well.
Donal is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kardi.
Kardi attempts a counter takedown but Donal avoids it well and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kardi has a takedown stuffed.
Donal misses with a wild body shot.
Kardi fails with the takedown.
It seemed like Donal was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kardi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Donal swivels and escapes.
Kardi with a poor takedown
and Donal cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donal throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kardi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kardi has his takedown stuffed
and Donal counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Rudi Kardi's cut is getting worse.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Kardi goes for a double leg but Donal avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Donal continues to drive forward.

Donal breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kardi fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Donal avoids it really well and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Donal catches Kardi with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Elwyn Donal is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kardi takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Kardi manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Donal on his heels. He'll look to pass Donal's guard now, I'm sure.
Donal keeping full guard, as Kardi tries to pass.

Kardi has gone for a leg lock! Donal slips out almost immediately though and dives into Kardi's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kardi is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Donal has his hands clasped together but Kardi extends and breaks Donal's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Kardi.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:25 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Rudi Kardi!
Rudi Kardi retains his light heavyweight title!