PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Erik Koch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Russel Kane (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Koch comes to the cage accompanied by Devil Driver-"Clouds over Califorina". Kane has chosen Song 2- Blur as his entrance music. Russel Kane will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Koch
vs
Kane

179 cm
26
157 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

180 cm
26
164 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Good chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Erik Koch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Russel Kane!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Radbod Blank and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koch doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Kane counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kane.
Kane trying to control but Koch is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kane is fighting to break Koch's control of his arms but Koch is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Koch trying to keep a closed guard but Kane is proving a slippery customer.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Erik Koch just wasn't active enough.
Koch fails with the takedown
and Kane counters with a two punch combo.
Erik Koch seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kane lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kane shoots in and gets a takedown into Koch's guard.
Koch looking to control but Kane passes into half guard.
Koch is refusing to be controlled, as Kane sits in half guard.
Koch is looking to improve his position.
Kane trying to control the action but Koch is working from the bottom.

Kane is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Koch defends it well.
Koch is looking to improve his position.
Kane throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kane is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Koch is trying to get back to full guard.
Kane stops Koch from getting back to his feet.
Kane thows a huge punch but Koch dodges it nicely.
Kane is trying to control the action in half guard but Koch is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Koch is looking for a sweep. Kane is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kane is looking to take a break and control but Koch is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Russel Kane hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Koch gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Kane counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Koch's guard now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erik Koch. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kane prevents Koch from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Koch has his foot on Kane's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kane works his way back into a safe position though.
Kane controls from within his opponent's guard.
Kane looking to pass the guard.
Kane passes Koch's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Kane seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Koch keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Kane maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Koch could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Kane has cracked it and Koch is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Kane!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:02 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Russel Kane!