PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kauno Kaalikorva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maek Houzo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kaalikorva
vs
Houzo

180 cm
22
192 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

177 cm
27
192 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Syndicate Drugs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kauno Kaalikorva!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Maek Houzo!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kaalikorva fails with an attempt to clinch.
Houzo closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kaalikorva fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Houzo manages to avoid it.
Kauno Kaalikorva seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kaalikorva looks to throw the jab but Houzo is out of range.
Kaalikorva fails with a takedown attempt.
Kaalikorva misses the shot to the body.
Kaalikorva throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kaalikorva throws a series of punches but Houzo moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kaalikorva misses with a wild body shot.
Houzo moves out of range as Kaalikorva strikes.
Kaalikorva wants to clinch up but Houzo keeps it at a distance.
Kaalikorva connects with the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot to de liver by Kaalikorva. Beautiful body shot.
Houzo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kaalikorva tries to clinch but Houzo is having none of it.
Kaalikorva lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Houzo takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Houzo darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Kaalikorva tries to get to full guard but Houzo has control of the leg.
Kaalikorva is trying to maintain the position but Houzo is very close to passing his half guard.
Kaalikorva gets back to full guard.
Houzo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kaalikorva swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kaalikorva is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Houzo is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kaalikorva looking to control.

Houzo avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Houzo swings for the body but Kaalikorva moves out of range.
Kaalikorva tries to clinch up but Houzo circles away and keeps his distance.
Houzo scores with a punch to the head.
Kaalikorva scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kaalikorva looks to land a right hand but Houzo moved out of range.
A jab from Kaalikorva misses.
Kaalikorva looks to land a right hand but Houzo moved out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kaalikorva, as that shot connected.
Houzo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kaalikorva paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Houzo slips a straight right by Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A jab lands there for Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kaalikorva with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kaalikorva on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Houzo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Houzo shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling Kaalikorva to counter with a crisp jab.
Houzo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kaalikorva.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaalikorva looks to clinch

so Houzo counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Kaalikorva wants to get back to his feet but Houzo is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Houzo sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Kaalikorva's guard.
Kaalikorva tries to roll over but Houzo keeps him under control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Houzo wants to pass to mount but Kaalikorva is defending the position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kaalikorva manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Houzo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Houzo scoring with punches to the head and body.
Houzo distracts Kaalikorva with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Houzo with a flurry of punches that miss.
Houzo preventing the sweep.

Houzo got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kaalikorva has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Houzo has managed to get both his arms back between Kaalikorva's legs - danger averted.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kaalikorva wants to stand up but Houzo is controlling him.
Kaalikorva not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maek Houzo dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kaalikorva throws a lazy right hand but Houzo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A jab lands there for Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kaalikorva. Houzo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kaalikorva throws a hook but Houzo blocks it.
Houzo gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Kaalikorva holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Kaalikorva lands an elbow that stopped Houzo in his tracks for a moment.
Houzo is trying to drag Kaalikorva to the mat but Kaalikorva just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Kaalikorva lands a body shot in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kaalikorva stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kaalikorva is trying to stall.
Houzo goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kaalikorva prevents it.
Kauno Kaalikorva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maek Houzo.
Kaalikorva lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kaalikorva stops a takedown attempt from Houzo.
Kaalikorva utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaalikorva stops a takedown attempt from Houzo.
Kaalikorva effectively controlling the action here.
Kaalikorva lands with a right to the head.
Nice body punch from Kaalikorva.
Houzo is breathing heavily.
Kaalikorva working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Houzo tries to pull guard but Kaalikorva holds him up against the cage and eventually Houzo drops back down to his feet.
Kaalikorva lands a nice shot to the body.

Kaalikorva is trying to trip Houzo. He has hold of a leg but Houzo is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Kaalikorva persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Kaalikorva slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Houzo keeping full guard, as Kaalikorva tries to pass.

Kaalikorva thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Houzo looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kaalikorva stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Houzo swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kaalikorva stays in close to Houzo's body and controls the position.
Houzo looking to control.
Kaalikorva tries to free his leg and advance position but Houzo is retaining full guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Houzo throws a body punch but Kaalikorva moves out of range.
Kaalikorva tries to clinch there but Houzo circles away.
Kaalikorva tries to close the distance and clinch but Houzo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kaalikorva throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Houzo sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Houzo throws a solid leg kick but Kaalikorva takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Houzo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Houzo misses with a straight left.

Kaalikorva has Houzo up against the cage in a clinch.
Houzo is trying to drag Kaalikorva to the mat but Kaalikorva just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Kaalikorva lands a shoulder strike.
Houzo jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kaalikorva walks away with a smile on his face. Houzo gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Houzo gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kaalikorva scores with a punch to the head.
Kaalikorva fails with an attempt to clinch.
Houzo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kaalikorva swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Houzo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kaalikorva.
Donk. Kaalikorva catches Houzo right on the button with a cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaalikorva dives in and grabs Houzo's left leg, looking for a takedown. Houzo pushes down on Kaalikorva's head and hops out.
Houzo moves away from the strike by Kaalikorva.
Houzo dives in and grabs Kaalikorva's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kaalikorva pushes down on Houzo's head and hops out.
Kaalikorva misses with a looping right.
Kaalikorva throws a jab when Houzo was well out of range.
Kaalikorva pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A swing and a miss from Houzo.
Kaalikorva swings for the body but Houzo moves out of range.
Kaalikorva tests Houzo's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kaalikorva tries to clinch there but Houzo circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kauno Kaalikorva dominated that second round.
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.

Kaalikorva clinches with his opponent.
Good body shot from Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva is leaning against Houzo and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Kaalikorva lands a hook to the side of the head.
Houzo tries to pull guard but Kaalikorva won't allow it.
A short body shot lands from Kaalikorva as the two fighters clinch.
Kaalikorva lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kaalikorva lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kaalikorva lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kaalikorva pushes Houzo back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Houzo being controlled against the cage.
Houzo has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kaalikorva is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Houzo takes an elbow to the temple.
Kaalikorva digs a right hand underneath Houzo's ribcage. Houzo let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kaalikorva gets through Houzo's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kaalikorva makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Kaalikorva as the two fighters clinch.
Kaalikorva scores with a hook to the body.
Kaalikorva working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kaalikorva scores with a hook to the body.
Kaalikorva lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kaalikorva lands a hook that snaps the head of Houzo backwards.
Kaalikorva pressing his opponent against the cage.
Kaalikorva is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Houzo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kaalikorva lands a good knee to the midsection. Houzo won't want to take too many of those.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaalikorva with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kaalikorva lands a nice uppercut.
Houzo wants a takedown.
Kauno Kaalikorva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maek Houzo.
Houzo is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kaalikorva pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kaalikorva is working Houzo over against the cage.
A body shot lands from Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kaalikorva unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Kaalikorva lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kaalikorva stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kaalikorva scores with a knee to the head.
Kaalikorva lands a right hand that snaps the head of Houzo backwards.
A short right from Kaalikorva.
A short left from Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

Kaalikorva turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Kaalikorva just content to control the position.
Houzo tries to buck Kaalikorva off but Kaalikorva is having none of it.
Kaalikorva trying to control the action but Houzo is working from the bottom.
Kaalikorva moves into full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Houzo gets back to half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Kaalikorva 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.
Kaalikorva wants to free his trapped foot but Houzo is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Houzo is looking to improve his position.
Houzo works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaalikorva trying to control the position from guard on top but Houzo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Houzo has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kaalikorva can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Houzo being controlled here, momentarily.
Houzo utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kaalikorva trying to control but Houzo is working from the bottom.
Kaalikorva is looking to work some ground and pound but Houzo has wrist control.
Kaalikorva trying to control but Houzo is working from the bottom.
Houzo has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
No joy there for Kaalikorva, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

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.
Houzo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kaalikorva.
Houzo throws a lazy right hand but Kaalikorva sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kaalikorva lands a body shot.
Houzo slips under a jab.
Houzo circles away from the clinch attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kaalikorva tries to clinch up but Houzo circles away and keeps his distance.

Kaalikorva has closed the distance and engaged Houzo in a clinch.
Kaalikorva lands a right hand that snaps the head of Houzo backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kauno Kaalikorva clearly takes that round.
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.

Houzo moves out of range of the strikes.
Houzo swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Houzo misses with a body shot.
Kaalikorva tests Houzo's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kaalikorva swings for the body but Houzo moves out of range.
Kaalikorva lands a head shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Houzo defending well as Kaalikorva loads up on a big left hand.
Houzo connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kaalikorva connects with a right hand. Houzo shakes it off.
Kaalikorva has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaalikorva lands a jab to Houzo's midsection.
Houzo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kaalikorva misses with a straight left.

Houzo shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Houzo showed some decent athleticism there.
Kaalikorva is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kaalikorva manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Houzo throwing strikes from guard but Kaalikorva blocks nicely.
Kaalikorva is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Kaalikorva working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Houzo doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Houzo manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Houzo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kaalikorva swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kaalikorva is trying to keep Houzo in close.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Houzo stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Houzo wants it to stay on the feet.
Kaalikorva takes one to the chin there.
Kaalikorva misses with a straight right.
Kaalikorva lands a jab to the nose.
Kaalikorva is looking to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Houzo misses the shot to the body.
Houzo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kaalikorva throws out the jab.
Kaalikorva scores with a nice head shot.
Kaalikorva lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Kaalikorva tries to clinch up.

Kaalikorva moves into the clinch.
Houzo tries to break the clinch but Kaalikorva is controlling the position.
Houzo can't get the takedown.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kaalikorva throws an elbow but misses.
A right hook to the body lands for Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva prevents a takedown attempt there.
Houzo looking for a takedown.
Kauno Kaalikorva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maek Houzo.
Still in the clinch, Kaalikorva scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kaalikorva softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A knee to the head by Kaalikorva.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaalikorva working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kaalikorva comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Kaalikorva content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Houzo fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kaalikorva stops a takedown attempt from Houzo.
Houzo takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kaalikorva lands on the inside with an uppercut.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Knees to the body from Kaalikorva.
A short left from Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva lands with a left to the head.
A shot in the inside from Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva lands a left hand that snaps the head of Houzo backwards.
Kaalikorva prevents the takedown attempt.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kaalikorva.
Houzo drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kaalikorva pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kaalikorva throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Houzo stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kaalikorva is looking to clinch but Houzo is avoiding it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kauno Kaalikorva had his way with Maek Houzo in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Kaalikorva lunges at Houzo with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Houzo's hand.
A shot to de liver by Kaalikorva. Beautiful body shot.
Houzo staying out of range there.
Kaalikorva ducks under a wild hook from Houzo.
Kaalikorva misses with a wild body shot.
Kaalikorva moves in looking to clinch but Houzo pushes him off.
Houzo misses with a looping right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kaalikorva darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Maek Houzo has got the better of the ground game so far.

Kaalikorva is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Houzo is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaalikorva is keen to just control but Houzo is a slippery customer.
Kaalikorva prevents Houzo from improving his position.
Houzo is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Kaalikorva lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Houzo wants to control but Kaalikorva is keeping busy.
Houzo wants to improve his position but Kaalikorva is controlling well.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kaalikorva tries to clinch but Houzo moves out of range.

That's two 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.
A swing and a miss from Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva throws an overhand right that lands on Houzo's shoulder, as Houzo tries to avoid the shot.

Houzo rushes Kaalikorva and presses him up against the cage.
Houzo is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kaalikorva gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kaalikorva lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Houzo jumps guard but Kaalikorva stands there with Houzo around his waist. Houzo gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kaalikorva prevents a takedown attempt there.
Kauno Kaalikorva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maek Houzo.
Kaalikorva throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Houzos head.

Houzo tightens his grip and picks Kaalikorva up, before dumping him to the ground. Kaalikorva manages to land in guard.

Kaalikorva working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Houzo doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Houzo manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Houzo won't allow Kaalikorva to get back to his feet.
Houzo postures up in Kaalikorva's guard and throws a big left but Kaalikorva blocks it.
Houzo won't allow Kaalikorva to sweep him here.
Houzo trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Houzo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kaalikorva is keeping the position for now.
Kaalikorva is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kaalikorva is adopting a defensive guard.
Houzo with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Kauno Kaalikorva is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kaalikorva wants to stand and escape but Houzo is having none of it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kaalikorva throws a lazy right hand but Houzo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nice defenses there by Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Houzo blocks a jab.
Houzo misses with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Houzo moves out of range of the strikes.
Kaalikorva tries to close the distance and clinch but Houzo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kaalikorva connects with a jab.
Maek Houzo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kaalikorva wants to clinch.
Kaalikorva moves in looking to clinch but Houzo pushes him off.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kaalikorva bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Houzo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva swings and misses with a hook to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Kauno Kaalikorva.
I think Kaalikorva has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 49:46
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 49:45
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 49:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kauno Kaalikorva!
Kauno Kaalikorva retains his middleweight title!