PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Aleksander Kazimierz (ranked 1981 p4p, 2327 weight class) and Tiaoali Lvavatai (ranked 144 p4p, 165 weight class). Kazimierz's entrance music is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WJFjXtHcy4. A fine choice. Lvavatai is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: You Can Get It If You Really Want. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Kazimierz
vs
Lvavatai

175 cm
41
140
28 - 35 - 2

171 cm
33
144
18 - 18 - 1

Great wrestler
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Good kicks
Granite chin

Furnace Performance 🔥

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 35 - 2, fighting out of London, Aleksander Kazimierz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tiaoali Lvavatai !
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Stewart Dunkirk and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kazimierz shoots in but Lvavatai avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A swing and a miss from Lvavatai .
Kazimierz fails with the takedown
and Kazimierz takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Lvavatai avoids the body shot from Kazimierz.
Lvavatai avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kazimierz throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Lvavatai 's waist but Lvavatai gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kazimierz off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksander Kazimierz. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kazimierz fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Lvavatai sprawls well initially but Kazimierz persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Kazimierz content to control rather than advance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazimierz is looking to stall here but Lvavatai recovers full guard.
Kazimierz not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Kazimierz is pushing down on Lvavatai 's leg trying to pass to half guard. Lvavatai is fighting to maintain full guard but Kazimierz has managed to sneak the leg through.
Kazimierz stalling.
Lvavatai is trying to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kazimierz not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kazimierz with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Lvavatai is looking to escape.
Lvavatai on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Kazimierz in particular looking to stall.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazimierz tries to clinch but Lvavatai is having none of it.
Kazimierz tries to clinch up.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kazimierz or perhaps it was just good defense by Lvavatai , which made it look bad.
Kazimierz throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Aleksander Kazimierz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kazimierz tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lvavatai manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kazimierz tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Lvavatai defends well and Kazimierz ends up having to push Lvavatai into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Lvavatai escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kazimierz tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lvavatai is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Kazimierz shoots for a takedown but Lvavatai saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kazimierz closes the distance and clinches up with Lvavatai , looking for a takedown. Kazimierz pushes Lvavatai against the cage but Lvavatai circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kazimierz shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Lvavatai counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Lvavatai throws a nice head kick!
Kazimierz misses with a takedown
and Lvavatai counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Lvavatai throws a hook but Kazimierz avoids it easily.
Lvavatai fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Kazimierz.
Lvavatai cracks Kazimierz with a good jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kazimierz misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lvavatai tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kazimierz tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lvavatai comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tiaoali Lvavatai dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kazimierz is looking to land body kicks.
Kazimierz moves to clinch but Lvavatai breaks away
and Lvavatai counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Kazimierz is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Tiaoali Lvavatai seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kazimierz tries to close the distance and clinch but Lvavatai swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Kazimierz throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Lvavatai was covering up waiting for the punch and Kazimierz finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Kazimierz trying to control the position from guard on top but Lvavatai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kazimierz tries to free his leg and advance position but Lvavatai is retaining full guard.
Kazimierz prevents Lvavatai from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kazimierz stands and steps away. Lvavatai gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Kazimierz closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lvavatai circles away.
Kazimierz tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Lvavatai defends well and Kazimierz ends up having to push Lvavatai into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Kazimierz jumps guard but Lvavatai stands there with Kazimierz around his waist. Kazimierz gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksander Kazimierz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kazimierz is trying to pull guard but Lvavatai turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Kazimierz pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Lvavatai avoids a punch combination nicely.
Lvavatai throws a big counter head kick but Kazimierz avoids it with no problem.
Lvavatai throws a nice head kick!
Kazimierz misses with a right hand
and Lvavatai counters with a straight right hand.
Kazimierz throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Lvavatai sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A nice side step and Lvavatai releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lvavatai stuffs the takedown.
Kazimierz misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Lvavatai gets tackled into the cage by Kazimierz. Kazimierz maintains the clinch.
Lvavatai looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Lvavatai breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kazimierz closes the distance but Lvavatai moves to the side
and Lvavatai counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Lvavatai tries to bum rush Kazimierz with a series of wild strikes but Kazimierz uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kazimierz is looking to counter the offense by Lvavatai and move into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kazimierz takes a swing at Lvavatai 's ribcage but misses.
Kazimierz tries to clinch up.
Kazimierz lands with an uppercut that bounces Lvavatai off the cage and back into range.
Kazimierz closes the distance but Lvavatai moves to the side
and Lvavatai counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazimierz throws a body shot but no joy.
Aleksander Kazimierz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lvavatai stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Lvavatai wants it to stay on the feet.
Kazimierz slips under a jab.
Kazimierz shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Lvavatai counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Lvavatai has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nice shot lands for Lvavatai .
Kazimierz misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Lvavatai looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Lvavatai throws a hook to the side of Kazimierz's head but Kazimierz sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kazimierz tries to clinch up
and Lvavatai counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kazimierz has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kazimierz doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kazimierz has Lvavatai pressed against the cage, preventing Lvavatai from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Lvavatai wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kazimierz effectively controlling the action here.
Lvavatai looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Lvavatai takes a shot to the head.

Lvavatai breaks from the clinch.
Kazimierz tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lvavatai swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kazimierz closes the distance looking to clinch
and Lvavatai counters with a nice uppercut.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tiaoali Lvavatai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Kazimierz with a poor takedown
and Lvavatai counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Lvavatai jabs Kazimierz to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kazimierz fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lvavatai circles away from the clinch attempt.
Lvavatai looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kazimierz misses with a kick to the body.
Kazimierz moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromLvavatai .
Kazimierz looks for a takedown but Lvavatai sprawls well.
Lvavatai throws out a counter right but Kazimierz avoids it with no problem.

Kazimierz looking to score a takedown here. Lvavatai is defending well but Kazimierz drives through and ends up in Lvavatai 's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kazimierz postures up in Lvavatai 's guard and throws a big left but Lvavatai blocks it.
Lvavatai keeping moving, preventing Kazimierz from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kazimierz accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazimierz working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kazimierz slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Our spies down at at Kalashnikov ELITE MMA Gym inform us that Lvavatai has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Kazimierz trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Kazimierz stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Kazimierz throws a head kick but Lvavatai moves out of range.

Kazimierz clinches up against the cage.
Kazimierz tries to pull guard but Lvavatai won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksander Kazimierz. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kazimierz pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kazimierz gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Lvavatai counters with a low kick, right behind Kazimierz 's knee.
Tiaoali Lvavatai is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lvavatai throws a series of punches but Kazimierz moves out of range.
Lvavatai swats away the attempt to clinch by Kazimierz.
Kazimierz shoots in looking for a takedown but Lvavatai manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kazimierz's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kazimierz looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Lvavatai appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Lvavatai misses with a straight left.
Kazimierz seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Kazimierz throws a left and a right that both miss
enabling Lvavatai to counter with a crisp jab.
Kazimierz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kazimierz. Lvavatai does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kazimierz throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kazimierz with a lazy takedown attempt
and Lvavatai counters with a stiff right hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lvavatai lands a leg kick that knocks Kazimierz off balance momentarily.
Lvavatai pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kazimierz tries to close the distance and clinch but Lvavatai swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kazimierz moves out of range as Lvavatai strikes.
Kazimierz shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting Lvavatai counter with a right hand.
Aleksander Kazimierz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kazimierz darts in trying to clinch
and Lvavatai counters with a two punch combo.
Kazimierz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lvavatai paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Lvavatai throws a fast counter high kick but Kazimierz manages to duck under it in time.
Lvavatai tries to bum rush Kazimierz with a series of wild strikes but Kazimierz uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kazimierz drops down looking for a counter takedown but Lvavatai sprawls and moves away.
Kazimierz is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Tiaoali Lvavatai is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lvavatai misses the jab.
Kazimierz throws a sloppy head kick and Lvavatai moves out of range easily.
Kazimierz looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Lvavatai throws out a counter right but Kazimierz avoids it with no problem.
Kazimierz slips under a jab.
Kazimierz swings and misses with a shot to the body
letting Lvavatai counter with a right hand.
Kazimierz tries to clinch up
and Kazimierz takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
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!
Kazimierz works Lvavatai 's body with a nice hook.
Kazimierz wants to clinch
and Lvavatai counters with a stiff right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tiaoali Lvavatai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Lvavatai winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tiaoali Lvavatai !
A relieved looking Tiaoali Lvavatai thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.