PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nicol Bolas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Igor Kawoski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Igor Kawoski told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Bolas
vs
Kawoski

178 cm
25
210 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

189 cm
22
202 lbs
2 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Nicol Bolas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Igor Kawoski!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kawoski throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Bolas's waist but Bolas gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kawoski off to one side.
Kawoski fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Kawoski shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bolas is looking for a sweep. Kawoski is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Kawoski is working for a kimura here but Bolas manages to reverse the position and he's now in Kawoski's guard.

Bolas is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Bolas lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Kawoski has his foot on Bolas's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bolas works his way back into a safe position though.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kawoski keeping moving, preventing Bolas from controlling successfully.

Kawoski looking for a guillotine here but Bolas defends easily.
Bolas stands up over Kawoski, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bolas is stalling in the full guard.

Kawoski has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bolas can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bolas trying to control the position from guard on top but Kawoski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bolas trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Kawoski is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kawoski looks gassed!
Bolas working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kawoski's head.
Bolas chips away with some ground and pound.

Kawoski has his foot on Bolas's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bolas works his way back into a safe position though.
Bolas passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bolas is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kawoski defends it well.
Kawoski wants to get back to full guard.

Kawoski looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Kawoski looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Bolas is looking for a kimura but Kawoski is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Bolas to get the leverage.
Kawoski is trying to stand up here but Bolas is controlling him well.

Kawoski actively working from the bottom here.
Bolas is keen to just control but Kawoski is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bolas is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kawoski defends it well.
Bolas is trying to control the action in half guard but Kawoski is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Bolas 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.

Kawoski actively working from the bottom here.
Kawoski looks like he's trying to stand up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Bolas slaps away a takedown attempt from Kawoski, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nicol Bolas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Igor Kawoski.

Bolas looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Bolas trying to control from half guard but Kawoski is working away.

Kawoski looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bolas seems to be working for a kimura but Kawoski defends the submission attempt.

Kawoski looking for a kimura from the bottom but Bolas passes into side control!
Kawoski is not content to let Bolas control the position.
Kawoski is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Bolas's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Kawoski slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Bolas postures up in Kawoski's guard and throws a big left but Kawoski blocks it.
Bolas stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kawoski swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Nicol Bolas will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kawoski with a poor takedown

and Bolas counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Kawoski is looking to improve his position.
Bolas is trying to control the action in half guard but Kawoski is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Kawoski is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Bolas pulls his head out easily.
Nicol Bolas overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kawoski tries to get to full guard but Bolas has control of the leg.
Kawoski slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Kawoski is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Kawoski has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bolas can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Kawoski throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kawoski looking for a guillotine here but Bolas defends easily.
Bolas trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Kawoski is looking for a triangle but Bolas pushes his legs off easily.
Bolas postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Kawoski can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Bolas controls the pace.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Bolas's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kawoski manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Bolas manages to get himself to full guard.

Kawoski got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bolas has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kawoski has managed to get both his arms back between Bolas's legs - danger averted.

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

Bolas has his foot on Kawoski's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kawoski works his way back into a safe position though.

Kawoski drops back looking for a leg! Bolas is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Bolas manages to kick Kawoski off! Kawoski jumps back into Bolas's guard.

Kawoski postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Bolas is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Kawoski, into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kawoski is looking for a triangle but Bolas pushes his legs off easily.

Kawoski is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Bolas loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Bolas avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Kawoski has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bolas can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Bolas throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bolas is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Kawoski is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Kawoski working for a triangle but Bolas defends it easily.
Bolas trying to control but Kawoski is working from the bottom.

Kawoski working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bolas doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bolas manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Bolas drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bolas jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Kawoski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Kawoski shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Bolas counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Bolas wants to take a breather but Kawoski is having none of it.

Bolas is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Kawoski looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Bolas is trying to control the action in half guard but Kawoski is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Bolas wants to work for an arm triangle but Kawoski is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Kawoski regains full guard. Nicely done.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bolas with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Bolas got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kawoski has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Bolas has managed to get both his arms back between Kawoski's legs - danger averted.

Bolas drops back looking for a leg! Kawoski is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kawoski manages to kick Bolas off! Bolas jumps back into Kawoski's guard.
Bolas wants to control from the top but Kawoski keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bolas throws a big right hand that misses.

Kawoski is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Bolas defends well.
Bolas throwing strikes but missing.
Bolas is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Kawoski keeping moving, preventing Bolas from controlling successfully.

Kawoski is looking for a triangle but Bolas pushes his legs off easily.
Bolas might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Kawoski had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Bolas defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kawoski throws his legs up looking for a submission but Bolas uses it to pass to side control.
Bolas scores with punches from side control.

Bolas is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kawoski is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Kawoski wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Bolas wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kawoski, who protects the arm well.
Kawoski is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Bolas's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Kawoski tries to get to full guard but Bolas has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bolas trying to mount his opponent but Kawoski defends it.

Kawoski looking for subs from the bottom but Bolas mounts him!
Kawoski working to try and regain half guard.
Kawoski bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Kawoski drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Bolas dives on top into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kawoski has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bolas can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Kawoski is looking for a triangle but Bolas pushes his legs off easily.
Bolas is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Kawoski is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Bolas is pushing down on Kawoski's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kawoski is fighting to maintain full guard but Bolas has managed to sneak the leg through.
Kawoski taking some punishment here, with Bolas in his half guard.

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

Kawoski looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Igor Kawoski.
I think Kawoski has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Igor Kawoski!