PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Vinny Russo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pika Kalei (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kalei has chosen New York as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Russo
vs
Kalei

181 cm
26
183 lbs
12 - 4 - 1

170 cm
31
184 lbs
16 - 11 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Crashforce Nutrition (Authentic 160Q/159Q supps!)
Crashforce Nutrition (Authentic 160Q/159Q supps!)

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 12 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Vinny Russo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Pika Kalei!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Paul Aken and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kalei ducks under a wild hook from Russo.
Kalei throws a lazy right hand but Russo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Russo gets a clinch.
Kalei blocks an uppercut.
Kalei blocks a body shot from Russo.
Kalei lands a right hand that snaps the head of Russo backwards.
A short left from Kalei.
Kalei blocking some punches.
Russo lands an uppercut.
Russo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kalei tries to work over Russo's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Russo gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kalei.
Kalei misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kalei tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Russo prevents the takedown attempt.
Kalei looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Russo lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right hand to the body from Russo.
Russo avoiding damage as Kalei throws knees to the body.
Russo makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kalei is stalling here.
Kalei can't find room to land a body shot as Russo controls the action.
Russo digs a right hand underneath Kalei's ribcage. Kalei let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kalei misses with a body punch.
Kalei tries to land a knee to the head but Russo blocks with his arms.
Russo lands with a right to the head.
Russo gets through Kalei's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kalei digs a right hand underneath Russo's ribcage. Russo let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kalei doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Russo blocks a body shot from Kalei.
Kalei tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Russo throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kaleis head.
Russo content to slow the pace in the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kalei misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalei tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kalei blocks an uppercut.
Kalei tries to throw a body punch but Russo avoids it by throwing Kalei back against the cage.
Kalei is trying to maintain a safe position but Russo gets an underhook and turns Kalei into the cage.
Kalei looking to throw knees to the head but Russo is blocking nicely.
Russo working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Russo gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Russo scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Russo working the head and body with strikes.
Russo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kalei on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Russo trying to mount his opponent but Kalei defends it.
Kalei tries to roll over but Russo keeps him under control.
Kalei makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kalei.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kalei looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Russo preventing the sweep.
Russo with a nice head shot there.
Russo makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Kalei is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Russo is aware though and is defending well.
Russo will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Russo wants to pass the guard but Kalei is keeping the position.
Russo working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Kalei has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Russo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kalei looks gassed!

Kalei throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Russo postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kalei has momentary wrist control but Russo slips an elbow through the middle.
Russo postures up and lands a big shot to Kalei's brow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Russo is looking to work some ground and pound but Kalei has wrist control.
Kalei has momentary wrist control but Russo slips an elbow through the middle.
Russo trying to control but Kalei is working from the bottom.

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

Kalei throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Kalei looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Kalei is looking for a triangle but Russo pushes his legs off easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vinny Russo dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Russo thows a body shot but no joy.
Kalei throws a head kick that misses.
Russo throws a nice looking combination but Kalei bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Kalei drives through and clinches with Russo against the cage.
Russo lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kalei tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Russo's elbow.
Kalei struggles to land a body shot inside as Russo controls his hands.
Kalei lands a left hand that snaps the head of Russo backwards.
Kalei blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A body shot lands from Russo.
Russo lands a body punch.
Russo scores with a shot to the side of Kalei's head.
Kalei tries a body shot but Russo blocks it.
Kalei misses with a body punch.
Kalei misses with a hook to the ribs.
Russo lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kalei is looking to control Russo's arms but Russo gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kalei has his back to the cage.
Russo managing to block the knees to the body from Kalei.
Kalei tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kalei has a couple of punches blocked by Russo.
Kalei fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kalei is breathing heavily.
Kalei tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Russo's elbow.
Kalei tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Russo's elbow.
Russo lands a right hand.
Kalei tries to pull guard but Russo won't allow it.
Russo lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Russo scores with a nice hook to the head.
Russo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kalei is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Russo pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Vinny Russo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pika Kalei.
Russo prevents the takedown attempt.
Kalei tries for a takedown. No joy.
Russo misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalei tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kalei struggles to land a body shot inside as Russo controls his hands.
Russo lands a nice uppercut.
Russo is working Kalei over against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Russo lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Russo misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Russo lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kalei misses with a knee to the head.
Russo softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Russo lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kalei backwards.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Russo creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A hook to the body from Russo.
Russo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A right hand to the body from Russo.
Still in the clinch, Russo scores with a nice short uppercut.
Russo lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kalei is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Russo is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kalei backwards.
Kalei is trying to break the clinch but Russo is controlling him.
Russo misses with a punch to the body.
Kalei takes a shot to the head.
Kalei has a couple of punches blocked by Russo.
Russo blocks a body shot from Kalei.
A short right from Russo on the inside.

It looks like Pika Kalei has been cut.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Russo lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kalei backwards.
Kalei misses with a body punch.
Russo stalling.

Russo pulls Kalei into guard.
Kalei throws a big right hand that misses.
Kalei works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Russo gets back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russo is trying to keep Kalei in close.
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!
Kalei throws and elbow that misses. Russo uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kalei's guard. Nice move by Russo!
Russo lands a couple of digs.
Kalei is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Russo cracks Kalei with a solid left hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Russo pushes down on Kalei's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Russo working Kalei over with strikes.
Russo looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Kalei actively working from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vinny Russo dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Pika Kalei's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Russo works Kalei's body with a nice hook.
Nice straight punches there by Russo. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Russo.
Kalei stuffs the takedown.
Kalei fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Russo manages to avoid it.
Russo wants to clinch.
Kalei connects with a jab.
Russo pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kalei looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kalei misses with a double jab.
Russo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Russo.
Kalei takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Russo.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kalei. Russo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Russo scores with a nice right hand.
Pika Kalei is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Russo is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kalei.
A low kick from Kalei is predictable there
and Russo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kalei slaps away a takedown attempt from Russo, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kalei throws a left and a right that both miss
and Russo counters with a nice uppercut.
Russo connects with a leg kick. Kalei looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Russo swings for the body but Kalei moves out of range.
Russo misses the shot to the body.
Russo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Russo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vinny Russo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Russo scores with a push kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A lazy left from Russo finds it's target.
Russo connects with a single shot there.
Pika Kalei seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Russo with a jab.
Russo feints and then cracks Kalei's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kalei down.
Kalei walks into a straight right hand from Russo.
Kalei throws a body punch but Russo moves out of range.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Russo, as that shot connected.
Nice defenses there by Russo.
Kalei throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Russo tries for a takedown but Kalei sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kalei is looking to score with low kicks.
Russo is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Russo moves in looking to clinch but Kalei pushes him off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo lunges at Kalei with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kalei's hand.
Russo lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Russo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kalei manages to avoid it.
Russo lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Russo checks a leg kick nicely.
Kalei moves out of range of the body kick.
Kalei looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Russo is fending him off so far but Kalei persists. Nope, Russo circles away and we're back to standing.
Russo checks a low kick from Kalei.
Vinny Russo is winning the standup battle so far.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Russo, right into the meat.
Russo fails with a takedown attempt.
Kalei takes a swing at Russo's ribcage but misses.
Russo connects with a solid leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russo throws the kick towards the body but Kalei avoids it.
Russo fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kalei has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Russo dips to his left and cracks Kalei with an uppercut!
Russo shoots in for a takedown but Kalei shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kalei looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Russo fails in his attempt to clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kalei uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Russo.
Kalei thows a body shot but no joy.
A decent looking cross lands there for Russo.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Russo thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Kalei if he has to take too many more of those.
Russo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Pika Kalei has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kalei throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vinny Russo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Russo has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vinny Russo!