PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rodrigo Verson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Buakaw Kit (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Verson
vs
Kit

173 cm
26
150 lbs
15 - 7 - 0

172 cm
25
155 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Charlie Wang's Nutrition and 95 % Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rodrigo Verson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Buakaw Kit!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kit motions for Verson to come forward. Kit throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kit wants to slow Verson down by chopping away at his legs.
Verson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kit.
Rodrigo Verson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Verson has a takedown stuffed.
Verson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kit as he jumps to the side.

Verson drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Verson misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

Verson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Verson swings around for an armbar but Kit sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Verson's guard.
Kit is looking to work some ground and pound but Verson has wrist control.

Verson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kit defends well.
Verson 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.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Verson has an active guard here but Kit has managed to pass into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kit is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Verson sees it coming and defends easily.

Verson looking for submissions off his back.
Verson is staying active underneath Kit, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kit slows the pace down in half guard.
Verson tries to get to full guard but Kit has control of the leg.

Verson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kit pulls his head out easily.

Verson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kit seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Verson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Verson tries to roll over but Kit keeps him under control.

Verson actively working from the bottom here.
Kit thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Verson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kit pulls his head out easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Verson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Verson wants to get back to full guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Verson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kit pulls his head out easily.
Verson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kit.
Verson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Verson is not content to let Kit control the position.

Verson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kit pulls his head out easily.
Verson is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Verson is working hard here to advance position.
Kit seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Verson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Verson looking for submissions off his back.
Kit trying to control from half guard but Verson is working away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Verson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Verson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rodrigo Verson will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kit is looking to slow Verson down with leg kicks.

Verson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Verson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kit works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Verson drops back looking for a leg! Kit is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kit manages to kick Verson off! Verson jumps back into Kit's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Verson is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Kit is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Kit has escaped and now he's on top!
Kit trying to control but Verson is working from the bottom.

Verson is looking for a triangle but Kit pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verson keeping full guard, as Kit tries to pass.

Verson has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kit can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Verson working for submissions but it's allowed Kit to get to half guard.
Kit lands with a punch from half guard.

Verson looking for submissions off his back.
Kit is trying to control the action in half guard but Verson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Rodrigo Verson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Verson looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Verson is looking for a sweep. Kit is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kit wants to take a breather but Verson is having none of it.
Verson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kit lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Verson looking for submissions off his back.
Kit seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Verson does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Verson looking for submissions off his back.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice strikes from Kit there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kit looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Verson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Verson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kit pulls his head out easily.
Kit wants to control but Verson is keeping him busy.

Verson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kit pulls his head out easily.

Kit is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Verson sees it coming and defends easily.
Kit takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Verson looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Verson wants to improve his position but Kit is controlling well.

Verson actively working from the bottom here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Verson with the active half guard here but Kit passes nicely into side control.
Kit works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kit trying to control the position but Verson is working away.
Verson is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Buakaw Kit will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Nice body punch from Kit.

Verson shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Verson was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Verson thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Verson working some short elbows here. He postures up to throw some more ground and pound but Kit slips a leg through to get back to half guard. Nice work.

Verson is looking for a kimura but Kit is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Verson to get the leverage.

Verson is looking for a kimura here.
Kit regains full guard. Nicely done.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kit utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kit wants to sweep but no luck.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kit is on top in guard.

Verson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kit must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Verson keeping moving, preventing Kit from controlling successfully.

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

Verson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kit got a little sloppy there for a moment and Verson has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kit has managed to get both his arms back between Verson's legs - danger averted.

Verson working for a triangle but Kit defends it easily.

Verson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kit gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kit trying to control the position from guard on top but Verson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kit scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kit wants to control from the top but Verson keeps moving.
Kit's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Kit stopping the sweep attempt from Verson.

Verson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kit controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Kit trying to control but Verson is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Buakaw Kit.
Verson shoots in and drives through. Kit sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Verson on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Verson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kit fails to land the takedown.
Verson checks a leg kick nicely.
Verson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kit is fending him off so far but Verson persists. Nope, Kit circles away and we're back to standing.
Kit throws a low kick but Verson moves out of range easily.
Kit throws a nice looking combination but Verson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kit lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A nice inside leg kick there by Kit. That's going to slow Verson down.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Kit throws a wild body kick that Verson sees coming a mile off.
Verson shoots in but Kit avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rodrigo Verson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kit connects with a jab.
Verson misses with a takedown attempt - Kit sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kit misses with a few strikes there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Buakaw Kit comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kit has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Buakaw Kit!
An out of breath and clearly excited Buakaw Kit thanked Charlie Wang's Nutrition and 95 % Laundry for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).