PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Helio Kimura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gibesi Aymeric (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Gibesi Aymeric was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Kimura
vs
Aymeric

180 cm
27
205 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

190 cm
27
216 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Good chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Helio Kimura!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Gibesi Aymeric!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Igor Prikhodko and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aymeric tries to clinch up.

Aymeric darts in and clinches Kimura up against the cage.

Aymeric escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kimura swats away the attempt to clinch by Aymeric.
Aymeric fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gibesi Aymeric seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kimura fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Aymeric avoids it really well and circles away.
Aymeric tries to clinch but Kimura moves out of range.
Aymeric tries to clinch up.
Aymeric tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Kimura counters with a takedown into side control.
Aymeric is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kimura wants to lay and pray for a moment but Aymeric keeps working.
Kimura landing strikes.
Kimura tries to move into full mount but can't pass Aymeric's legs.
Aymeric pushes Kimura away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Kimura gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Kimura tries to move to mount but Aymeric blocks the move with his legs.
Kimura wants to control but Aymeric is keeping him busy.
Aymeric wants to get back to his feet.

Kimura is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Aymeric knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aymeric is not content to let Kimura control the position.

Kimura is trying to get an arm triangle but Aymeric is defending well.
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!
Kimura tries to move to mount but Aymeric blocks the move with his legs.
Aymeric is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Kimura tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Aymeric really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kimura. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Kimura looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Kimura tries to advance to mount but Aymeric denies him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aymeric tries to escape but Kimura is in control.

Kimura looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Aymeric is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Kimura has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Kimura is looking to take a break and control but Aymeric is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Kimura thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Aymeric stops Kimura from passing to mount.
Kimura prevents Aymeric from escaping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kimura stands up and beckons Aymeric to his feet.
Kimura keeps the fight on the outside.
Aymeric tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Kimura looking to score a takedown here. Aymeric is defending well but Kimura drives through and ends up in Aymeric's guard.
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!
Aymeric keeping full guard, as Kimura tries to pass.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Aymeric can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kimura prevents Aymeric from getting back to his feet.
Kimura is looking to stand up but Aymeric won't let him.
Kimura prevents Aymeric from getting back to his feet.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Kimura thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kimura trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Aymeric is looking to stand up but Kimura isn't so interested in that idea.
Kimura pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Aymeric is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Helio Kimura dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Aymeric fails in his attempt to clinch.
Helio Kimura is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Aymeric doesn't manage to clinch there - Kimura circles away.
Aymeric is looking to clinch but Kimura is avoiding it.
Aymeric is looking to clinch.

Kimura looking to score a takedown here. Aymeric is defending well but Kimura drives through and ends up in Aymeric's guard.
Kimura tries to free his leg and advance position but Aymeric is retaining full guard.
Kimura stops Aymeric from standing up.
Aymeric keeping full guard, as Kimura tries to pass.
Kimura trying to control the position from guard on top but Aymeric is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kimura wants to pass the guard but Aymeric is keeping the position.
Aymeric is looking to stand up but Kimura isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aymeric scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Aymeric wants to clinch

and Kimura counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Helio Kimura overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Aymeric tries to kick Kimura off but Kimura keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aymeric is breathing heavily.

Kimura seems to be looking for submissions.

Kimura is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Aymeric tries to kick Kimura off but Kimura keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Kimura is looking for a kimura but Aymeric is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kimura to get the leverage.
Kimura trying to control the action but Aymeric is working from the bottom.
Kimura looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
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!
Aymeric is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kimura wants to stand up but Aymeric has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Kimura wants to take a breather but Aymeric is having none of it.
Aymeric is trying to stand.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Kimura is working for a submission of some sort.

Kimura is looking for a kimura here.
Kimura works his foot free and advances to mount.

Kimura is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Aymeric has managed to escape the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aymeric's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Aymeric is trying to escape the mount but Kimura keeps good control and instead manages to take Aymeric's back.
Aymeric trying to get back to his feet but Kimura is in full control for now.
Aymeric is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Kimura off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

Kimura is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Aymeric defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Aymeric looking very determined here, making life difficult for Kimura.
Aymeric holding both Kimura 's hands and preventing any damage.

Kimura is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Aymeric knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Aymeric for a finish.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Kimura is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Aymeric knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Aymeric for a finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aymeric has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

Kimura working for a choke but Aymeric is defending well.

Kimura looking for the choke from the back.
Aymeric is trying to get back to his feet but Kimura has full control of the position and if anything, Aymeric has just worked his way into a worse spot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Kimura is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Helio Kimura dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kimura fails with the takedown.
Aymeric wants to clinch up but Kimura keeps it at a distance.
Aymeric tries to close the distance and clinch but Kimura swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Aymeric tries to clinch up.
Aymeric tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Aymeric looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Aymeric fails with an attempt to clinch.
Aymeric wants to clinch up but Kimura keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kimura swats away the attempt to clinch by Aymeric.
Aymeric wants to clinch.
Aymeric wants to clinch but Kimura slips to the side

and Kimura counters with a shoot takedown. Aymeric fights it but they end up in guard.
Aymeric is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Aymeric wriggles free and stands up.
Aymeric takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Aymeric tries to clinch up but Kimura circles away and keeps his distance.
Aymeric tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Kimura counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Kimura is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kimura tries to pass the half guard into mount. Aymeric knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kimura is looking for a kimura but Aymeric is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kimura to get the leverage.
Kimura is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Aymeric can do to turn this around?

Kimura is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kimura stops Aymeric from getting back to his feet.
Kimura has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Kimura working for a submission but Aymeric is keeping him at bay.

Kimura has hold of Aymeric's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Aymeric manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Aymeric is trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kimura throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Kimura throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Aymeric because Kimura loaded up on that one.
Aymeric is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, Kimura has taken his back.

Kimura working for a choke but Aymeric is defending well.

Kimura is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Aymeric has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Aymeric holding both Kimura 's hands and preventing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kimura looking for the choke from the back.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Aymeric looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.

Aymeric fending off the submission attempt from Kimura.
Aymeric controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

Kimura is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Aymeric has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Kimura has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Aymeric has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Aymeric is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Helio Kimura clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Aymeric tries to close the distance and clinch but Kimura swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Kimura tries to keep at a distance but Aymeric has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kimura tries for a takedown but Aymeric manages to get underhooks.
Kimura can't get the takedown.
Kimura goes for a takedown attempt but Aymeric pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Helio Kimura. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kimura circles away from the clinch attempt.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Aymeric tries to clinch but Kimura is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kimura tries to keep at a distance but Aymeric has taken the fight into the clinch.
Aymeric is pressed up against the cage. Kimura has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Aymeric down to the mat. Aymeric avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Aymeric fails in his attempt to clinch.
Aymeric doesn't manage to clinch there - Kimura circles away.
Aymeric tries to clinch up.
Aymeric looks to clinch

and Kimura counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Aymeric!

Kimura working for a guillotine from mount but Aymeric is in no mood to give up.

Kimura wants to finish this one by submission but Aymeric is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Kimura.
Aymeric is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kimura is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Aymeric can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kimura working for a submission but Aymeric is keeping him at bay.
Aymeric wants to try and get back to his feet.

Kimura is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Aymeric can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Aymeric tries to buck Kimura off but he can't manage it.
Kimura connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Aymeric has left one of his arms exposed and Kimura doesn't need a second invitation. He's isolated it and locked on a tight armbar. Aymeric screams and taps out, obviously in a lot of pain. Hopefully there isn't permanent damage to that arm.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:19 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Helio Kimura!
Helio Kimura retains his light heavyweight title!