PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight kickboxing rules bout between Gde Vkaragande (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and William Bird (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vkaragande comes to the ring accompanied by Morbid Angel - God of Emptiness. 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.

Vkaragande
vs
Bird

169 cm
27
141 lbs
5 - 2 - 1

170 cm
21
144 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

World class MT
Good gas tank

PRIME DESIGNS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Gde Vkaragande!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, William Bird!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Hirohito Nitta and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A clash of legs there as Vkaragande blocks the low kick.
Vkaragande misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A head kick by Vkaragande misses
and Bird counters with a stiff right hand.
Vkaragande tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bird misses with a kick to the body.
Bird takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Vkaragande throws a head kick that misses.
Vkaragande is looking to clinch but Bird is avoiding it.
Vkaragande throws a leg kick
and Bird makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Vkaragande connects with a leg kick. Bird looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
A low kick from Bird is predictable there
and Vkaragande counters with a nice kick to the body.
Bird scores with a jab to the head.
Bird keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vkaragande fails to land with a series of punches.
Bird steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Vkaragande. That one must have hurt.
Vkaragande throws a push kick but Bird slaps the foot to one side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bird throws a shot from downtown. Vkaragande moves away and avoids it.
Vkaragande throws a series of punches but Bird moves out of range.
Vkaragande tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Vkaragande shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Bird eats them both and turns towards Vkaragande to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Vkaragande on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Bird misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bird throws a front kick that sends Vkaragande stumbling back into the ropes.
Vkaragande lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Vkaragande jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bird swats away the attempt to clinch by Vkaragande.
Bird pivots, looking for a leg kick but Vkaragande is out of range and Bird settles back down.
Vkaragande wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bird blocks a head kick by Vkaragande.
A head kick misses from Vkaragande.
A nice leg kick lands there from Bird.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bird misses with a body punch
and Vkaragande counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Bird scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Bird is looking to land body kicks.
Vkaragande is looking to land body kicks.
Vkaragande misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Vkaragande closes the distance looking to clinch
enabling Bird to counter with a crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Vkaragande misses.
Bird uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Vkaragande.
Vkaragande does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Vkaragande misses with an attempted mid kick.
Vkaragande tries a head kick but it misses.
Bird misses with a hook. Vkaragande ducked under it nicely.
Bird wants to clinch.
Bird uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Vkaragande.
Vkaragande looks to throw a body kick
and Bird counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bird with a jab.
Vkaragande tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bird swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Vkaragande throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bird throws a nice outside leg kick.
Bird throws the left hand but Vkaragande avoids the punch easily.
Vkaragande tries to clinch up.
Vkaragande tries to clinch but Bird is having none of it.
Vkaragande misses with a double jab.
Vkaragande fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bird lands a nice looking body kick.
Bird just misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bird connects with a single shot there.
Bird fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Vkaragande on the side of the head.
A head kick misses from Vkaragande.
Vkaragande uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bird.
Bird wants to land a leg kick but Vkaragande is out of range.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Vkaragande cracks the inside of Bird's front leg.
Bird keeps Vkaragande at a distance using the push kick.
Bird lands a nice shot to the body.
Bird with a hook.
A head kick misses from Bird.
Vkaragande doesn't manage to clinch there - Bird circles away.
Vkaragande throws a leg kick but Bird sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Vkaragande lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Vkaragande attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Vkaragande tries to bum rush Bird with a series of wild strikes but Bird uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
The fight stays on the outside here - Vkaragande looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Vkaragande with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Bird to score with a decent uppercut.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Vkaragande sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Bird dodges the punch combination from Vkaragande.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vkaragande throws a half hearted mid kick.
Bird lands with a kick to the ribs.
Vkaragande bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Vkaragande throws a body kick that misses.
Vkaragande misses with a head kick.

Bird moves into the clinch.
Vkaragande is looking to control Bird's arms but Bird gets an underhook and turns him. Now Vkaragande has his back to the ropes.
Vkaragande is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Bird creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Vkaragande's defenses.

Vkaragande breaks from the clinch.

Bird has taken the fight to the clinch.
Bird prevents Vkaragande from breaking the clinch.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Bird lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Gde Vkaragande has been cut.
Bird landing knees to the head.
A bit of stalling here from Vkaragande.
Bird scores with a shot to the side of Vkaragande's head.
Vkaragande with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Vkaragande working hard to break the clinch.
Vkaragande has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Nice body punch from Bird.
Vkaragande is breathing heavily.
Bird creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Vkaragande's defenses.
Bird landing knees to the head.
Bird digs a right hand underneath Vkaragande's ribcage. Vkaragande let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Bird landing knees to the head.
Bird lands an elbow inside.

Vkaragande is rocked!
Vkaragande using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bird has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Oh Vkaragande is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Bird tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Vkaragande seems to have got his legs back now.
Bird digs a right hand underneath Vkaragande's ribcage. Vkaragande let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A left hand lands to the body for Bird.
Bird utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Vkaragande is trying to push Bird away but Bird has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Bird trying to land knees to the body.
Bird misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Vkaragande.
Vkaragande tries to break the clinch but Bird is controlling the position.

Vkaragande's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Vkaragande tries a low kick but Bird avoids it.
Vkaragande is looking to score with low kicks.
That kick from Bird tenderised Vkaragande's leg. Vkaragande is trying to keep his angry face on.
Bird lands a really nice looking cross but Vkaragande seems unphased.
Bird blocks a head kick by Vkaragande.
Vkaragande throws a right and a left that Bird avoids nicely.
Vkaragande on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Bird. Bird obviously looking to wear him down.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Vkaragande misses with a series of wild punches.
Vkaragande walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Bird.
Bird moves out of range of the body kick from Vkaragande.
Vkaragande will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
A chopping leg kick lands by Bird.
Vkaragande gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Bird.
Vkaragande throws a body kick that misses.
A nice leg kick lands there from Bird.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vkaragande throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Bird's corner calls for a 1-2. Bird obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Vkaragande tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Bird manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Vkaragande keeps the fight on the outside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William Bird dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Gde Vkaragande's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Bird lands a body shot.
Gde Vkaragande seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bird throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Bird scores with a punch to the head.
Danga de danga de dang - Vkaragande scores with a four punch combination!
Vkaragande looks to throw a body kick
and Bird counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Vkaragande tries to clinch but Bird is having none of it.
Vkaragande misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bird.
Bird thuds his shin into the meat of Vkaragande's side.
Vkaragande on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Bird. Bird obviously looking to wear him down.
Vkaragande misses with a low kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Vkaragande takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Vkaragande scores with a spinning back kick!
That kick from Bird tenderised Vkaragande's leg. Vkaragande is trying to keep his angry face on.
Vkaragande is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bird connects with a body shot that sends Vkaragande's belly button to the back.
Bird fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Vkaragande on the side of the head.
Vkaragande throws a solid leg kick but Bird takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Vkaragande.
Vkaragande avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Vkaragande tries to clinch but Bird moves out of range.
Danga de danga de dang - Vkaragande scores with a four punch combination!
Nice uppercut lands for Bird. That snapped Vkaragande's head back.
Vkaragande takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A slapping body kick lands there for Bird.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Bird, as that shot connected.
William Bird seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bird swats away the attempt to clinch by Vkaragande.
A punch lands to the side of Vkaragande 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vkaragande fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Vkaragande throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Bird looks to land a body kick but Vkaragande moved away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vkaragande fails to land with a series of punches.
Bird throws a big shot that misses.
Vkaragande throws a sloppy head kick and Bird moves out of range easily.
Vkaragande avoids the head kick by Bird.
Vkaragande throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bird lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Vkaragande fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Bird has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Bird with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Bird slips under a jab.
Bird misses with a kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bird misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Vkaragande stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Bird.
Some bone on bone action there as Bird checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Vkaragande ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bird moves away.
Bird tries to clinch but Vkaragande is having none of it.
Bird with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Bird misses with a wild body shot.
Vkaragande moves out of range of the body kick from Bird.
Bird misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vkaragande.
Vkaragande moves out of range of the body kick.
Bird uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Vkaragande has time to react.
Vkaragande lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vkaragande throws a right hand that Bird ducks under and follows up with a left that Bird also avoids with ease.
Bird feints and then cracks Vkaragande's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Vkaragande down.
Vkaragande misses with a kick to the body.
Vkaragande connects with a solid leg kick.
Bird throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The fight stays on the outside here - Vkaragande looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Vkaragande throws a right hand that Bird ducks under and follows up with a left that Bird also avoids with ease.
Bird scores with a leg kick.
Vkaragande tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bird throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Vkaragande stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Vkaragande moves out of range as Bird strikes.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Vkaragande dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Bird. That did some damage!
Bird avoids the head kick by Vkaragande.
Vkaragande tries to close the distance and clinch but Bird swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Vkaragande closes the distance and clinches.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Bird connects with a knee to the head.
Vkaragande on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Vkaragande escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vkaragande looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A big left from Bird misses.
Bird wants to clinch.
Bird moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Bird fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Vkaragande, pushing him back against the ropes.
Bird throws an elbow that misses.
Vkaragande with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Vkaragande throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Bird lands a nice uppercut.
Bird misses with a knee strike.
Bird lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Vkaragande throws a knee to the head but misses.
Bird keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Vkaragande's efforts to push away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Bird obliges.
Vkaragande misses with a hook from the clinch.
Vkaragande wants to break free but Bird has control.
Vkaragande on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Bird.
Vkaragande is trying to force a seperation but Bird has the dominant position.
Vkaragande blocks the elbow strike.
Bird with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Vkaragande wants to get back to striking at distance but Bird won't allow it.
Bird lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Bird lands with a light punch inside.
Vkaragande takes an elbow to the temple.
Vkaragande with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bird with a knee to the head.
Vkaragande is trying to push Bird away but Bird has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Bird throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Vkaragande blocks it with crossed arms.

Vkaragande breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A leg kick checked by Bird.
Sloppy strikes from Vkaragande. Those never looked like landing.
Gde Vkaragande is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Bird misses with a series of wild punches.
Vkaragande misses with a few strikes there.
Vkaragande jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Vkaragande closes the distance and clinches.
Bird using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Bird pushes Vkaragande back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bird misses with an elbow strike.
Vkaragande blocks a body shot from Bird.
Bird keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Vkaragande's efforts to push away.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Bird as Vkaragande tries to tie him up.
Vkaragande is trying to break free.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Bird.
Bird lands a nice elbow.
Bird working Vkaragande over with knees to the body.
Bird lands a good knee to the midsection. Vkaragande won't want to take too many of those.
Bird creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Vkaragande's defenses.
Vkaragande tries a knee to the head but Bird blocks it.
Bird lands a hook to the side of the head.
Bird lands an elbow just above Vkaragande 's eye.

Gde Vkaragande's cut is getting worse.
Bird controlling the action here for a moment.
Bird lands an elbow just above Vkaragande 's eye.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vkaragande takes an elbow to the temple.
Bird throws an elbow that misses.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

William Bird showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Gde Vkaragande's cut.
That's time! Vkaragande's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Vkaragande misses with a looping right.
Vkaragande tries to land a front kick but Bird steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Bird throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Vkaragande throws a leg kick that is checked
and Bird counters with a nice kick to the body.
Vkaragande throws a nice inside leg kick.
Vkaragande buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Vkaragande swings for the body but Bird moves out of range.
Vkaragande pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Vkaragande is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Vkaragande connects with an inside leg kick.
Bird fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

Vkaragande gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bird tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Vkaragande avoids it.
Vkaragande is trying to push Bird away but Bird has him pressed against the ropes, so he's going nowhere.
Vkaragande is trying to break the clinch but Bird is controlling him.
Vkaragande wants to break the clinch but can't.
Vkaragande tries to break the clinch but Bird is controlling the position.

Vkaragande breaks from the clinch.
A leg kick checked by Bird.
Bird looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bird goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Bird takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A slapping body kick lands there for Bird.
Vkaragande misses with a few strikes there.
Bird misses with a wild body shot.
Vkaragande throws a head kick but Bird moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bird closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
A short left from Bird.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Bird managing to block the knees to the body from Vkaragande.
Vkaragande is trying to break the clinch but Bird is controlling him.
Vkaragande's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Bird scores with a nice hook to the head.
Bird throws a knee to the head but misses.
Vkaragande looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bird crunches a lovely knee into Vkaragande's ribcage.
Vkaragande tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
William Bird seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Bird stalling in the clinch but Vkaragande improves position.
Bird with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Vkaragande tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Bird avoiding damage as Vkaragande throws knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bird takes an elbow to the temple.
Bird creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Vkaragande takes a shot to the head.
Bird lands a left hand that snaps the head of Vkaragande backwards.
Vkaragande using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bird has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Vkaragande throws an elbow but misses.
Vkaragande fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bird missing with knees to the body.
Vkaragande tries to land knees in the clinch but Bird avoids the damage to the body.
Vkaragande prevents a body shot from Bird.
Vkaragande taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Vkaragande is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Bird is defending well for now.
Nice elbow from Vkaragande.
Bird lands with a right to the head.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Bird.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vkaragande is trying to break free.
Bird pushes off an throws an elbow but Vkaragande leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Bird connects with a nasty looking knee right to Vkaragande's face.

Gde Vkaragande's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Bird takes a knee to the side of the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Vkaragande tries to land knees in the clinch but Bird avoids the damage to the body.
Knees to the body from Bird.
Bird scores with a shot to the side of Vkaragande's head.
Bird cracks Vkaragande on the bridge of the nose with a nasty looking elbow! Vkaragande crumples to the floor in pain, holding his face! It doesn't look like he's going to beat the count - he's out of it! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:39 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Elbows). William Bird!
William Bird very nearly forgot to thank London eXchange - Laundry / Recovery amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.