PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joe Vatali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Konstantin Kalyagin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kalyagin has chosen Show Me Your Genitals as his entrance music. Konstantin Kalyagin has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Joe Vatali's chin.

Vatali
vs
Kalyagin

188 cm
27
210 lbs
23 - 7 - 0

189 cm
31
224 lbs
23 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joe Vatali!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Konstantin Kalyagin!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kalyagin scores with a jab to the jaw.
Vatali misses with a hook.
Vatali displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Vatali thuds his right hand into Kalyagin's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Kalyagin moves out of range as Vatali strikes.
Vatali lands with a hook. Kalyagin tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Vatali throws a lazy right hand but Kalyagin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kalyagin just misses with a punch to the body.

Vatali gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Vatali drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kalyagin pulls his leg out and moves away.
Nice uppercut there from Kalyagin.

It looks like Joe Vatali has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kalyagin lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Vatali throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalyagin misses with a low kick.
Vatali tries to clinch but Kalyagin is having none of it.
Kalyagin takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kalyagin displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Vatali throws out the jab.
Vatali throws a shot to the body.
Vatali ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kalyagin moves away.

Vatali clinches up with Kalyagin and pushes him back against the cage.
Kalyagin lands an uppercut.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Vatali utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Vatali keeps control of Kalyagin as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kalyagin digs a right hand underneath Vatali's ribcage. Vatali let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kalyagin misses with a punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vatali can't find room to land a body shot as Kalyagin controls the action.
Kalyagin is trying to break the clinch but Vatali is controlling him.
Kalyagin misses with the head strike.
Vatali misses with a body punch.
Vatali blocking some punches.
Vatali misses with a punch to the body.
Kalyagin throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Vatalis head.

Kalyagin manages to break the clinch.
Joe Vatali seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Vatali clinches.
Kalyagin is working Vatali over against the cage.
Vatali is breathing heavily.
Kalyagin goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kalyagin lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Vatali backwards.
Kalyagin is trying to push Vatali away but Vatali has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Vatali lands an uppercut.
Kalyagin lands a left hand.
Kalyagin lands with a left to the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Vatali.
Kalyagin misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hand to the body from Kalyagin.
Good body shot from Kalyagin.
Vatali blocks an uppercut.
Kalyagin misses with a punch to the body.
Kalyagin is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Vatali content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Vatali unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Kalyagin misses with a punch to the body.
Vatali taking a breather.

Kalyagin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Vatali thuds a left hand into Kalyagin's body.
Kalyagin connects with a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kalyagin slips under a jab.
Vatali misses with the combination.
A big left from Kalyagin misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Vatali with that takedown attempt.

Vatali fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kalyagin, pushing him back against the cage.

Kalyagin breaks from the clinch.
Vatali misses the shot to the body.
An inside leg kick lands from Kalyagin.
Kalyagin throws the kick towards the body but Vatali avoids it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kalyagin takes a swing at Vatali's ribcage but misses.
Kalyagin avoids the body shot from Vatali.
Vatali on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kalyagin. Kalyagin obviously looking to wear him down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Konstantin Kalyagin dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joe Vatali's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A low kick from Vatali misses
and Kalyagin counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kalyagin throws an overhand right that lands on Vatali's shoulder, as Vatali tries to avoid the shot.
Vatali throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kalyagin counters with an outside leg kick.

Vatali looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Kalyagin!
Vatali is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Kalyagin can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Vatali breaks from Kalyagin's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kalyagin sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Kalyagin is looking to control Vatali's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kalyagin avoid being mounted?
Vatali misses with a head shot. Kalyagin uses the momentum to regain guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kalyagin keeping full guard, as Vatali tries to pass.
Vatali postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kalyagin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Vatali throws and elbow that misses. Kalyagin uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Vatali's guard. Nice move by Kalyagin!
Vatali seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Vatali trying to keep a closed guard but Kalyagin is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vatali pulls Kalyagin in close to prevent any damage.
Kalyagin would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Kalyagin pushes down on Vatali's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Vatali is pressing down on Kalyagin's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kalyagin trying to stand up but can't free himself from Vatali's guard.
Vatali is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kalyagin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vatali wants to sweep here but Kalyagin controlling him for the moment.
Kalyagin wants to stand and escape but instead Vatali has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Vatali looking to pass the guard.
Vatali loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kalyagin utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vatali stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kalyagin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kalyagin wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vatali looking to pass the guard.
Vatali trying to control but Kalyagin is working from the bottom.
Vatali postures up.
Vatali trying to control the position from guard on top but Kalyagin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kalyagin finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A jab from Vatali misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Vatali dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Joe Vatali's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Vatali is defended easily by Kalyagin.
Vatali shoots in for a takedown but Kalyagin shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kalyagin avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kalyagin misses with a head kick.
Konstantin Kalyagin seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice uppercut there from Kalyagin.
Vatali tries to clinch there but Kalyagin circles away.
Vatali takes a swing at Kalyagin's ribcage but misses.
Vatali bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A jab from Vatali finds it's way through Kalyagin's defenses.
Kalyagin swings for the body but Vatali moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vatali slips under a jab from Kalyagin.
Vatali ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kalyagin moves away.
Kalyagin avoids the body shot from Vatali.
Kalyagin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
An inside leg kick from Kalyagin misses.
Vatali dips to his left and cracks Kalyagin with an uppercut!
Vatali fails to land with a series of punches.
Vatali blocks a leg kick.
Kalyagin falls off balance throwing a combination
and Vatali makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Kalyagin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Vatali throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vatali tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kalyagin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Vatali somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Vatali. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vatali fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kalyagin throws a leg kick
and Vatali counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Vatali connects with the punch.
Vatali misses with a body punch
and Kalyagin counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Joe Vatali's cut is getting worse.
Kalyagin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Vatali.
Kalyagin dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Vatali. That did some damage!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vatali avoids the head kick by Kalyagin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalyagin misses with a looping left.
Vatali ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kalyagin moves away.
Kalyagin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vatali.
Vatali scores with a jab to the head.
Vatali wants to clinch up but Kalyagin keeps it at a distance.
A jab from Kalyagin misses.
Vatali tries a low kick but Kalyagin avoids it.
Kalyagin throws a hook but Vatali avoids it easily.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Vatali, right into the meat.
Kalyagin misses with a double jab.
Vatali throws a looping overhand right but Kalyagin ducks down to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kalyagin takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Kalyagin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Vatali lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Vatali throws a combination. Kalyagin tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
A combination from Vatali does no damage.
Kalyagin swats away the attempt to clinch by Vatali.
Kalyagin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Vatali sees it coming and avoids it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A punch combination from Vatali misses.
Vatali digs a good hook to Kalyagin's body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Joe Vatali did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Joe Vatali's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Vatali takes the fight into the clinch.
Kalyagin misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kalyagin is trying to break free.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vatali.
Kalyagin swings wildly with an uppercut but Vatali uses good head movement to avoid it.

Kalyagin's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Vatali misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Vatali lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Kalyagin backs up against the cage.
Vatali takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kalyagin checks a leg kick.
Vatali lands with an overhand left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalyagin takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Vatali lands a jab to Kalyagin's midsection.
Vatali lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Vatali takes the fight into the clinch.
Konstantin Kalyagin seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A short left from Kalyagin.
Vatali with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kalyagin misses with a punch on the inside.
Kalyagin misses with a hook to the ribs.

Vatali has hold of one of Kalyagin's legs. Kalyagin is fighting the takedown attempt but Vatali gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Vatali trying to control but Kalyagin is working from the bottom.
Kalyagin is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Vatali stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kalyagin swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vatali missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kalyagin is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Vatali is controlling him.
Kalyagin keeping moving, preventing Vatali from controlling successfully.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vatali controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

We're going to have a standup here because Joe Vatali wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Kalyagin throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Vatali.
Vatali misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Vatali. Kalyagin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kalyagin uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Vatali.
Some bone on bone action there as Vatali checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Vatali misses with a kick to the body
enabling Kalyagin to counter with a crisp jab.
Kalyagin avoids the body shot from Vatali.
Kalyagin throws a combination that misses
and Vatali counters with a straight right hand.
Vatali tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kalyagin swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Vatali tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kalyagin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Vatali somewhat.
Kalyagin pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kalyagin throws a sloppy head kick and Vatali moves out of range easily.
Vatali lands a jab to the nose.
Kalyagin slips under a jab from Vatali.
Vatali uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kalyagin.
Vatali scores with a leg kick.
Vatali throws out a loose jab but Kalyagin uses good head movement to avoid it.

Vatali gets a takedown into half guard.
Kalyagin avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Vatali.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Vatali had his way with Konstantin Kalyagin in that round.
The cut man is working on Joe Vatali's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Vatali moves into the clinch successfully.

Kalyagin breaks the clinch.
Vatali is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kalyagin sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Vatali walks into a left hand.
No luck for Vatali with that takedown attempt.
Kalyagin lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Vatali throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Vatali swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Vatali lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Kalyagin has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Kalyagin and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Vatali tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kalyagin was well out of range. Poor timing from Vatali.
Kalyagin throws a lazy right hand but Vatali sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalyagin throws the left hand but Vatali avoids the punch easily.
Vatali dips to his left and cracks Kalyagin with an uppercut!
Konstantin Kalyagin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Vatali moves in looking to clinch but Kalyagin pushes him off.
Kalyagin defending well as Vatali loads up on a big left hand.
Vatali fails in his attempt to clinch.
Vatali fails with the takedown
and Kalyagin counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Vatali. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Vatali moves into the clinch.
Kalyagin tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Vatali's elbow.
Vatali prevents a body shot from Kalyagin.
With the fighters up against the cage, Vatali throws an elbow but misses.
Konstantin Kalyagin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vatali's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kalyagin misses with the head strike.
Vatali tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kalyagin avoids it.
Kalyagin scores with a shoulder strike.

Vatali has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Kalyagin clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
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.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vatali controls the action.
Kalyagin wants to escape the position.
Vatali 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.
Vatali is trying to control but Kalyagin is trying to escape here - he's now mounted.
Kalyagin is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Vatali wants to control the pace but Kalyagin is squirming around nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vatali breaks from Kalyagin's wrist control and lands an elbow.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Vatali cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Vatali pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Vatali landing shots from mount.
Vatali scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Kalyagin?
Kalyagin is trying desperately to improve position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The referee warns Kalyagin that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

Vatali with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Kalyagin takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Vatali working Kalyagin over with strikes here.
Vatali looking to control but Kalyagin is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vatali punishing his opponent with strikes.
BOOM! Vatali connects with a massive shot to the dome!

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Vatali showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Vatali 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 48:47
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 49:46
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 49:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Vatali!
Joe Vatali retains his light heavyweight title!