PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Eric Cain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Igor Kolobnev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Igor Kolobnev acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Cain
vs
Kolobnev

189 cm
25
180 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

179 cm
22
176 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Eric Cain!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Igor Kolobnev!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Albert Achterberg and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cain has a takedown stuffed.
Kolobnev feints a jab promting Cain to slip. Kolobnev then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Cain slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Cain misses with a kick to the body.
Cain avoids the head kick by Kolobnev.
Cain pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kolobnev throws a head kick but Cain moves out of range.
Kolobnev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cain.
Kolobnev throws a head kick that misses.

Cain fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Kolobnev to the ground. Cain is now in Kolobnev's guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Kolobnev wants to get back to his feet but Cain is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Cain wanted to stand there but Kolobnev had control of the position.
Cain tries to free his leg and advance position but Kolobnev is retaining full guard.
Kolobnev keeping moving, preventing Cain from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kolobnev is working an open guard so Cain takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Cain throws a leg kick that is checked
and Kolobnev counters with a nice leg kick.
Kolobnev tries to move into range but Cain moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Cain cracks the inside of Kolobnev's front leg.
Igor Kolobnev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cain misses the shot to the body.
Cain lands with a nice combination. Kolobnev backs away looking to recover.
Cain misses with an uppercut.
Cain scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Cain blocks the body kick.
Cain throws a leg kick that misses.
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!
Cain misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cain throws a jab but it's blocked by Kolobnev.
Kolobnev throws a sloppy head kick and Cain moves out of range easily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kolobnev.
Kolobnev plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cain punishes Kolobnev's body with a nice straight punch.
Cain throws a sloppy head kick
and Kolobnev counters with a nice leg kick.
Cain lands with a thumping leg kick.
Cain lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Cain misses with a combination
and Kolobnev counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Cain slips under a jab from Kolobnev.
Kolobnev lands a lovely overhand right.
Kolobnev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kolobnev takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A bone on bone clash there as Kolobnev blocks the leg kick.
Kolobnev on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Cain. Cain obviously looking to wear him down.
Cain shoots in for a double leg but Kolobnev sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cain looks to throw the jab but Kolobnev is out of range.

Kolobnev drives through and clinches with Cain against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kolobnev softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kolobnev keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cain's efforts to push away.
Kolobnev stalls.
Cain missing with knees to the body.

Cain gets control of Kolobnev's arms and successfully pulls guard. Cain will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Cain throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kolobnev trying to stand up but can't free himself from Cain's guard.
Kolobnev really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Cain. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Cain has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kolobnev can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kolobnev wants to stand but Cain is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cain is working an open guard so Kolobnev takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Both fighters circling a little - Kolobnev finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Kolobnev throws a head kick but Cain moves out of range.
Cain throws a head kick but Kolobnev moves out of range.
Cain comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Cain shoots for a double leg takedown but Kolobnev sprawls well. He's pushed Cain's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eric Cain. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cain throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cain is breathing heavily.
Cain blocks a head kick by Kolobnev.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kolobnev moves out of range of the body kick from Cain.
Cain connects with a high kick.
Cain misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cain misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Cain dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A jab from Kolobnev finds it's way through Cain's defenses.
Cain looks for the body kick but Kolobnev saw that one coming.
Cain avoids the head kick by Kolobnev.
Kolobnev is looking to slow Cain down with leg kicks.
A head kick misses from Kolobnev.
Cain throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kolobnev tries to clinch but Cain is having none of it.
Kolobnev lands with a shot to the body.
Cain throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Kolobnev counters with a nice low kick that buckles Cain's knee momentarily.
Cain's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kolobnev connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Cain scrambles back to his feet.
Cain feints and then cracks Kolobnev's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kolobnev down.

Kolobnev rushes Cain and presses him up against the cage.
Kolobnev prevents Cain from breaking the clinch.
Cain tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kolobnev throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Cains head.
Kolobnev with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kolobnev scores a nice knee to the body.
Kolobnev is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Nice body punch from Kolobnev - that landed with a thud.
Kolobnev unloads a knee to the mid-section. Cain lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kolobnev stalling.
Cain is trying to pull guard but Kolobnev has him pressed against the cage.
Kolobnev is working Cain over against the cage.
Cain is trying to break the clinch but Kolobnev is controlling him.
Cain tries to pull guard but Kolobnev won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eric Cain. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Knees to the body from Kolobnev.
Kolobnev works on Cain's body with a couple of short punches.
Kolobnev scores with a shot to the side of Cain's head.
Cain blocks an elbow strike from Kolobnev.
A short left from Kolobnev.
Kolobnev lands with a short shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kolobnev has Cain pushed against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cain fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Cain tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kolobnev leaning his opponent against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Cain as Kolobnev tries to tie him up.
A short right from Kolobnev on the inside.
Kolobnev lands with a left to the head.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Kolobnev tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Cain avoids it.
Kolobnev is trying to maintain a safe position but Cain gets an underhook and turns Kolobnev into the cage.
Cain fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Cain gets control of Kolobnev's arms and successfully pulls guard. Cain will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Cain is working an open guard so Kolobnev takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kolobnev scores with a head kick. Cain tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Cain tries a head kick but it misses.
Kolobnev connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Cain throws a leg kick but Kolobnev sees it coming and moves out of range.
Kolobnev scores with a kick to the midsection.
Cain tries a head kick but it misses.
Kolobnev throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

Kolobnev rushes Cain and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Cain tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kolobnev content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Kolobnev cracks Cain with a nice body shot.
Kolobnev controlling the action here for a moment.
Kolobnev with a knee to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cain jumps guard but Kolobnev stands there with Cain around his waist. Cain gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cain wants to break the clinch but can't.

Cain jumps guard and drags Kolobnev to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Cain throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Kolobnev stands up and waves to Cain to follow him.
A jab from Kolobnev finds it's way through Cain's defenses.
Kolobnev throws a front kick that sends Cain stumbling back into the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kolobnev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cain tries a head kick but it misses.
Kolobnev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cain uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kolobnev.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Kolobnev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Cain goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Kolobnev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Igor Kolobnev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Cain fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Some wild striking there from Cain.
Cain with a poor takedown
and Kolobnev counters with a nice body kick.
Kolobnev tries a head kick but it misses.
Kolobnev cracks Cain with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Cain takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Eric Cain seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kolobnev scores with the left hand. Cain knows he should have avoided that one.
Kolobnev scores with a push kick.
Kolobnev takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Eric Cain is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cain shoots in but Kolobnev avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eric Cain. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A head kick misses from Kolobnev.
Kolobnev lands with a nice body kick.
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!

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kolobnev unloads a knee to the mid-section. Cain lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kolobnev lands a good knee to the midsection. Cain won't want to take too many of those.
Cain is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kolobnev to keep the fight standing.
Kolobnev tries to land a knee to the head but Cain blocks with his arms.
Kolobnev avoiding damage.
Kolobnev blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kolobnev scores with a knee to the head.
Cain tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Cain will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kolobnev.
Cain tries to pull guard but Kolobnev holds him up against the cage and eventually Cain drops back down to his feet.
Kolobnev can't find room to land a body shot as Cain controls the action.
Cain is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kolobnev to keep the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kolobnev landing knees to the head.
Kolobnev trying to control the position but instead, Cain has worked for underhooks and has pushed Kolobnev into the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Kolobnev.
Kolobnev with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Cain tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kolobnev avoids it.
Cain tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cain tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kolobnev just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kolobnev landing knees to the head.
Kolobnev works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kolobnev is struggling to control the position.
Kolobnev receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Kolobnev tries to land knees in the clinch but Cain avoids the damage to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cain fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kolobnev works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kolobnev will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Cain up against the cage.
Kolobnev avoiding damage as Cain throws knees to the body.
Kolobnev's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Cain wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kolobnev tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kolobnev lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Cain or not.
Cain is trying to drag Kolobnev to the mat but Kolobnev just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Igor Kolobnev seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Cain tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kolobnev just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kolobnev cracks Cain with a nice body shot.
Cain jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kolobnev walks away with a smile on his face. Cain gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kolobnev lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
A left and a right from Cain both land. Nice combination.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kolobnev throws a shot to the body.
Kolobnev will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cain.
Cain shoots for a double leg takedown but Kolobnev sprawls well. He's pushed Cain's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kolobnev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cain looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Cain misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kolobnev explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Igor Kolobnev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kolobnev 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Igor Kolobnev!
A very excited looking Igor Kolobnev made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.