PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jerome Le Banner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vlad Kalashnikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Le Banner's entrance music is Bomfunk MC's - Freestyler. A fine choice. Vlad Kalashnikov 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!

Le Banner
vs
Kalashnikov

190 cm
23
260 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

200 cm
26
258 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jerome Le Banner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Vlad Kalashnikov!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Ben Zyskovitsi and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Le Banner defending well as Kalashnikov loads up on a big left hand.
Le Banner getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Kalashnikov slaps away a takedown attempt from Le Banner, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kalashnikov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Le Banner counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kalashnikov doesn't manage to clinch there - Le Banner circles away.

Kalashnikov takes the fight into the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kalashnikov.
Le Banner on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Le Banner takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Jerome Le Banner has been cut.
Kalashnikov lands a nice elbow.
Kalashnikov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Le Banner wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kalashnikov has him pressed against the cage.
Kalashnikov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Le Banner blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Le Banner being controlled against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Le Banner tries to break free but Kalashnikov pushes him back against the cage.
Kalashnikov lands a knee to the head.
Kalashnikov stalling.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Vlad Kalashnikov.
Le Banner circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kalashnikov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Le Banner misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kalashnikov slips a jab and a cross from Le Banner.
Le Banner misses with a combination

and Kalashnikov moves into the clinch.
Kalashnikov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Le Banner's defenses.
Come on Kalashnikov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Kalashnikov lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalashnikov dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Kalashnikov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Kalashnikov takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Vlad Kalashnikov.
Kalashnikov tries to clinch up but Le Banner circles away and keeps his distance.
Nice uppercut there from Le Banner.
Kalashnikov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Le Banner paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kalashnikov moves out of range as Le Banner strikes.
Kalashnikov tries to clinch there but Le Banner circles away.
Kalashnikov blocks a head kick by Le Banner.
Le Banner throws a right and a left that Kalashnikov avoids nicely.
Le Banner throws a left and a right that both miss

and Kalashnikov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Le Banner being controlled against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on Kalashnikov's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Le Banner wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kalashnikov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kalashnikov slowing the pace effectively.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Vlad Kalashnikov.
Le Banner swings widly with a right hand
and Kalashnikov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Le Banner misses with a wild combination.
Le Banner lands a jab-cross combination.
Kalashnikov tries to clinch but Le Banner is having none of it.
Le Banner avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Le Banner throws a combination that misses
and Kalashnikov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Le Banner circles away from the clinch attempt.
A low kick from Le Banner misses
and Kalashnikov counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kalashnikov drives through and clinches with Le Banner against the cage.
Kalashnikov tries to land a knee to the head but Le Banner blocks with his arms.
Le Banner being controlled against the cage.
Kalashnikov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kalashnikov controlling the action here for a moment.
Le Banner wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Le Banner wants to get back to striking at distance but Kalashnikov won't allow it.
Le Banner can't break the clinch.
Kalashnikov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Le Banner avoids a wild elbow strike from Kalashnikov.
Kalashnikov has a couple of punches blocked by Le Banner.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vlad Kalashnikov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jerome Le Banner's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kalashnikov cracks the inside of Le Banner's front leg.
Le Banner misses with a wild combination.
Kalashnikov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Le Banner moves away.
Kalashnikov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Jab, jab by Kalashnikov - just one landing.
Le Banner is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kalashnikov.
Le Banner takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Le Banner misses with a two punch combination.
Le Banner misses with a few strikes there.
Le Banner shoots in for a takedown but Kalashnikov shows good takedown defense.

Kalashnikov forces Le Banner back against the cage and clinches.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kalashnikov.
Kalashnikov manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Le Banner blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Kalashnikov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Le Banner blocks an elbow strike from Kalashnikov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalashnikov stalling in the clinch but Le Banner improves position.
Le Banner can't break the clinch.
Kalashnikov pushes Le Banner back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kalashnikov leaning his opponent against the cage.
Kalashnikov receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Vlad Kalashnikov.
Kalashnikov doesn't manage to clinch there - Le Banner circles away.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Le Banner throws a left and a right that both miss

and Kalashnikov counters by moving into the clinch.
Le Banner takes an elbow to the temple.
Kalashnikov lands a left hand.
Kalashnikov lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Le Banner wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Le Banner wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kalashnikov has him pressed against the cage.
Kalashnikov misses with some punches.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalashnikov lands an elbow that stopped Le Banner in his tracks for a moment.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kalashnikov.
Kalashnikov lands a nice knee to the body.
Kalashnikov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Kalashnikov works on Le Banner's body with a couple of short punches.
A right hand to the body from Kalashnikov.
Kalashnikov swings wildly with an uppercut but Le Banner uses good head movement to avoid it.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Kalashnikov takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Le Banner's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalashnikov manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Vlad Kalashnikov.
Le Banner takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Kalashnikov tries to clinch up but Le Banner circles away and keeps his distance.
Le Banner lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Le Banner swats away the attempt to clinch by Kalashnikov.
Kalashnikov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Le Banner rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kalashnikov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Le Banner scores a takedown into full mount!
You get the feeling that Kalashnikov really doesn't like being in this position too much.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Le Banner gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!

Le Banner tries to keep at a distance but Kalashnikov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kalashnikov lands a left hand.
Kalashnikov has Le Banner pushed against the cage.
Kalashnikov lands a nice shot to the body.
Kalashnikov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kalashnikov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kalashnikov stalls.
Kalashnikov gets through Le Banner's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vlad Kalashnikov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jerome Le Banner's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Le Banner tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kalashnikov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Le Banner somewhat.
Kalashnikov throws a shot to the body.
Kalashnikov jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Le Banner takes one to the chin there.
Kalashnikov tries to clinch up but Le Banner circles away and keeps his distance.
Le Banner scores with a nice head shot.
Le Banner swings for the body but Kalashnikov moves out of range.
Le Banner circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kalashnikov tries to clinch but Le Banner moves out of range.
Le Banner scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

Kalashnikov darts in and clinches Le Banner up against the cage.
Kalashnikov stalling in the clinch.
Le Banner takes an elbow to the forehead.
Kalashnikov is struggling to control the position.
Kalashnikov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalashnikov trying to stall but Le Banner improves his position.
Kalashnikov tries a knee to the head but Le Banner blocks it.
Kalashnikov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Le Banner is keeping busy.
Kalashnikov trying to land knees to the body.
Kalashnikov cracks Le Banner with a nice body shot.
Kalashnikov taking a breather.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Vlad Kalashnikov.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Le Banner.
Jerome Le Banner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kalashnikov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Le Banner manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Le Banner avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Kalashnikov, right into the meat.
Kalashnikov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Le Banner paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kalashnikov looks to clinch
and Kalashnikov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Le Banner throws a leg kick

and Kalashnikov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Kalashnikov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Le Banner is defending well for now.
Vlad Kalashnikov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalashnikov dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Kalashnikov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kalashnikov digs a right hand underneath Le Banner's ribcage. Le Banner let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kalashnikov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Kalashnikov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Vlad Kalashnikov.
Le Banner misses with a hook. Kalashnikov ducked under it nicely.
Le Banner misses with the combination.
Le Banner chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Le Banner slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kalashnikov tries to clinch there but Le Banner circles away.
Jerome Le Banner is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalashnikov throws a head kick that half lands.
Le Banner misses with a body shot.
Le Banner misses with a head kick.
Le Banner throws a right and a left that Kalashnikov avoids nicely.
A jab from Le Banner does it's job there.
Kalashnikov misses with a series of wild punches.
Kalashnikov tries to close the distance and clinch but Le Banner swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Le Banner throws a combination that misses

and Kalashnikov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Le Banner escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A punch combination from Le Banner misses.

Kalashnikov closes the distance and clinches.
Le Banner blocks the elbow strike.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Le Banner wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kalashnikov has him pressed against the cage.
Kalashnikov is pushing Le Banner up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kalashnikov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Le Banner's brow.
Jerome Le Banner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Le Banner as Kalashnikov tries to tie him up.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Vlad Kalashnikov.
Le Banner swats away the attempt to clinch by Kalashnikov.
Le Banner avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kalashnikov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Kalashnikov tries to clinch up.
Le Banner keeps the fight on the outside.
A combination from Le Banner does no damage.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kalashnikov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Le Banner shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kalashnikov sprawls well. Kalashnikov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Le Banner gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jerome Le Banner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Le Banner lands with a hook. Kalashnikov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Le Banner fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vlad Kalashnikov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kalashnikov 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vlad Kalashnikov!