PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sasa Gusi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Kalishevski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gusi's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Marsirala Kralja Petra Garda. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Gusi
vs
Kalishevski

175 cm
22
185 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

182 cm
21
179 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sasa Gusi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Kalishevski!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Igor Prikhodko and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kalishevski stuffs the takedown attempt from Gusi. Gusi gets slowly back to his feet.
Kalishevski throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Gusi.

It looks like Sasa Gusi has been cut.
Gusi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kalishevski circles away.

Gusi closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kalishevski to the mat! Kalishevski manages to get full guard.
Gusi thows a big elbow that misses.
Kalishevski is trying to keep Gusi in close.
Gusi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kalishevski keeping full guard, as Gusi tries to pass.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gusi stops Kalishevski from standing up.
Gusi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kalishevski swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kalishevski avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kalishevski keeping full guard, as Gusi tries to pass.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kalishevski pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sasa Gusi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalishevski scores with a head kick.
Gusi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sasa Gusi. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Gusi scores a takedown into full mount!
Kalishevski is in all sorts of trouble here.
Gusi moves to the back.
Kalishevski has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Gusi thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.

Gusi has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Kalishevski has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Gusi is breathing heavily.
Gusi throwing sloppy strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gusi is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Kalishevski is defending well though. Gusi let's go of the attempt for now.

Gusi goes for a risky armbar from back mount and it's not paid off. Kalishevski escapes and is now in half guard on top.

Kalishevski stands up and beckons Gusi to join him on the feet.
Kalishevski throws a head kick but Gusi moves out of range.
Kalishevski stuffs the takedown.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Gusi.
Gusi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kalishevski sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gusi somewhat.
Gusi takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gusi takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Kalishevski connects with a solid leg kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Kalishevski.
Kalishevski lands with a kick to the temple. Gusi shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Kalishevski tries a head kick but it misses.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Kalishevski. Gusi shrugs it off though.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kalishevski connects with a high kick.
Kalishevski bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Kalishevski throws a leg kick which misses Gusi's front leg but catches the back leg as Gusi tries to avoid it.
Kalishevski throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Gusi.
Kalishevski delivers a nice body kick.
Kalishevski lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ivan Kalishevski is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kalishevski.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gusi is defended easily by Kalishevski.

Kalishevski closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kalishevski unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Kalishevski landing knees to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kalishevski.
Kalishevski crunches a lovely knee into Gusi's ribcage.
Kalishevski tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kalishevski.
Gusi tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kalishevski smiles and moves away.
Kalishevski lands with a nice body kick.
Gusi avoids the head kick by Kalishevski.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gusi shoots for a double leg takedown but Kalishevski sprawls well. He's pushed Gusi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kalishevski scores with a head kick.
Kalishevski lands a head kick. Gusi smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Kalishevski lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Kalishevski dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sasa Gusi's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kalishevski thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Gusi if he has to take too many more of those.
Sasa Gusi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A head kick misses from Kalishevski.
Gusi on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kalishevski. Kalishevski obviously looking to wear him down.

Gusi tries to keep at a distance but Kalishevski has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kalishevski connects with a knee to the head.

Sasa Gusi's cut is getting worse.
Kalishevski content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Gusi tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kalishevski smiles and moves away.
Kalishevski lands a high kick!
Gusi fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A head kick misses from Kalishevski.
Gusi will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Kalishevski has closed the distance and engaged Gusi in a clinch.
Kalishevski has Gusi pressed against the cage.
Kalishevski connects with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalishevski landing knees to the head.
Kalishevski tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kalishevski lands a good knee to the midsection. Gusi won't want to take too many of those.
Knees to the body from Kalishevski.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Gusi tries to pull guard but Kalishevski won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sasa Gusi. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Gusi has picked Kalishevski up - he's going for a ride! Gusi dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Gusi wants to pass the guard but Kalishevski is defending well.
Kalishevski has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kalishevski is trying to get back to full guard.
Kalishevski is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Kalishevski has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Gusi is working away from the top position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gusi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kalishevski wants to get back to his feet.

Gusi seems to be working for a kimura but Kalishevski defends the submission attempt.

Gusi is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A head kick from Kalishevski lands but Gusi takes it in his stride.
Gusi shoots in but no luck this time.

Kalishevski forces Gusi back against the cage and clinches.
Kalishevski is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalishevski utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kalishevski with a knee to the head.
Kalishevski is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Gusi tries to pull guard but Kalishevski won't allow it.
Kalishevski unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A knee to the head by Kalishevski.
Kalishevski lands a knee to the body.
Kalishevski looking to throw knees to the head but Gusi is blocking nicely.
Kalishevski throws a knee to the head but misses.
Gusi jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kalishevski walks away with a smile on his face. Gusi gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Good leg kick by Kalishevski there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Gusi takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Kalishevski looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Kalishevski.
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!
Kalishevski throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kalishevski instigates a clinch.
Kalishevski with a knee to the head.

Sasa Gusi's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Gusi tries to pull guard but Kalishevski holds him up against the cage and eventually Gusi drops back down to his feet.
Kalishevski misses with a knee to the head.
Kalishevski lands a knee to the body.
The referee calls for Kalishevski to work.
Kalishevski scores a nice knee to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kalishevski.
Gusi scores with a nice hook to the head.
Gusi jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kalishevski walks away with a smile on his face. Gusi gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kalishevski cracks the inside of Gusi's front leg.
Gusi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kalishevski tries to avoid it but Gusi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kalishevski to the ground. Kalishevski escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Gusi is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Kalishevski moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kalishevski dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Gusi. That did some damage!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Kalishevski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Sasa Gusi's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Kalishevski pushes Gusi up against the cage in a clinch.
Gusi tries to pull guard but Kalishevski holds him up against the cage and eventually Gusi drops back down to his feet.
Gusi fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Gusi fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sasa Gusi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kalishevski working Gusi over with knees to the body.
Kalishevski prevents the takedown attempt.
Kalishevski landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Gusi jumps guard but Kalishevski stands there with Gusi around his waist. Gusi gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kalishevski has Gusi pushed against the cage.
Kalishevski with a knee to the head.
Kalishevski connects with a knee to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gusi tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kalishevski lands a knee to the body.
Kalishevski misses with a knee strike.
Kalishevski slowing the pace effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalishevski with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kalishevski landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Kalishevski displaying some good clinch control by pressing Gusi up against the cage.
Kalishevski lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kalishevski putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Gusi in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Gusi jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kalishevski walks away with a smile on his face. Gusi gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kalishevski throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Gusi on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kalishevski. Kalishevski obviously looking to wear him down.
Gusi on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kalishevski. Kalishevski obviously looking to wear him down.

Kalishevski fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gusi, pushing him back against the cage.
A knee to the head by Kalishevski.
Kalishevski stops a takedown attempt from Gusi.
Gusi takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalishevski is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Kalishevski landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Kalishevski with a knee to the head.
Gusi jumps guard but Kalishevski stands there with Gusi around his waist. Gusi gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kalishevski just leaning against Gusi, taking a breather.
The crowd are getting on Kalishevski's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Gusi drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Kalishevski gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Kalishevski connects with a nasty looking knee right to Gusi's face.
Kalishevski's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ivan Kalishevski.

Gusi darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Kalishevski won't allow Gusi to pass to mount.
Kalishevski is trying to control but can't.
Kalishevski gets full guard.
Kalishevski wants to get back to his feet but Gusi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Gusi wants to pass the guard but Kalishevski is keeping the position.
Kalishevski really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gusi. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kalishevski looking for a sweep. Not yet Kalishevski, not yet.
Sasa Gusi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ivan Kalishevski is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kalishevski controls Gusi momentarily but Gusi frees himself.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kalishevski fakes the leg kick and cracks Gusi in the body.
Gusi shoots for a takedown but Kalishevski saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Kalishevski fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Gusi, pushing him back against the cage.
Gusi tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Gusi tries to pull guard but Kalishevski holds him up against the cage and eventually Gusi drops back down to his feet.
Gusi fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A knee to the head by Kalishevski.
Gusi fails to pull guard.
Gusi tries to pull guard but Kalishevski holds him up against the cage and eventually Gusi drops back down to his feet.
Gusi tries to score a body lock takedown but Kalishevski shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Kalishevski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kalishevski 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Kalishevski!