PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kong King (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ruslan Smirnov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Kong King has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Kong King seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

King
vs
Smirnov

168 cm
21
140 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

167 cm
28
142 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Powerful

Key Clothing LLC

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 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kong King!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ruslan Smirnov!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Johanna Lukiainen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
King throws a shot to the body.

Smirnov gets a takedown into half guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
King is looking to improve his position.

Smirnov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Smirnov is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Smirnov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Smirnov wants to pass to mount but King is defending the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
King wants to get back to full guard.
King moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
King keeping moving, preventing Smirnov from controlling successfully.
Smirnov tries to free his leg and advance position but King is retaining full guard.
Smirnov throws an elbow that misses. King uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Smirnov's guard. Nice move by King!
King has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Smirnov controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov wants to sweep but no luck.

Smirnov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
King stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Smirnov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
King controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Smirnov is looking for a triangle but King pushes his legs off easily.

Smirnov looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! King has picked Smirnov up and slammed him! Smirnov can't keep hold of the triangle and King manages to pass to side control!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smirnov manages to work his way to half guard, despite King's best efforts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like King is going to stand back up.

Smirnov looking for submissions off his back.
King takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
King is looking to stand up but he'll have to free his leg first. Instead, Smirnov manages to get to full guard.
King trying to control but Smirnov is working from the bottom.
Smirnov trying to keep a closed guard but King is proving a slippery customer.

King gets to his feet - Smirnov follows without any prompting.
Smirnov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov moves away from the strike by King.
Smirnov takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
King takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Nice uppercut there from King.
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!
King misses with a straight right.
Smirnov misses with a takedown attempt - King sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
No joy there for Smirnov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts King, as that shot connected.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
King smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
King throws a shot from downtown. Smirnov moves away and avoids it.
Smirnov throws a jab when King was well out of range.
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 Kong King will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

King throws a body punch but Smirnov moves out of range.
King stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and King wants it to stay on the feet.

Smirnov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Smirnov is looking to take a break and control but King is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Smirnov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Smirnov wants to lay and pray for a moment but King keeps working.

Smirnov is working for a submission of some sort.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smirnov frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Smirnov goes for an armbar but King turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from King.
Smirnov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Smirnov looking for a sweep. Not yet Smirnov, not yet.

King gets to his feet - Smirnov follows without any prompting.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Smirnov slips a straight right by King.
Good leg kick by King there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Smirnov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
King uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Smirnov.
King throws a jab when Smirnov was well out of range.

King drives through with a takedown into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
King wants to get up but he can't break Smirnov's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Smirnov keeping full guard, as King tries to pass.

King stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Donk. King catches Smirnov right on the button with a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
King misses the jab.
King misses with a wild body shot.
King turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Smirnov ducks under a wild hook from King.

Smirnov gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows King to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Smirnov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. King is aware though and is defending well.
Smirnov trying to control the position.
King content to stall in guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
King tries to free his leg and advance position but Smirnov is retaining full guard.
Smirnov wants to sweep here but King controlling him for the moment.
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!
Smirnov looking to control.
King is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Kong King has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Smirnov connects with a body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Horrible takedown by Smirnov or perhaps it was just good defense by King which made him look bad.
Kong King has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ruslan Smirnov.
King with a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kong King dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

King displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Smirnov.
King throws out a loose jab but Smirnov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kong King is winning the standup battle so far.
Horrible takedown by Smirnov or perhaps it was just good defense by King which made him look bad.
Nice body punch from King.
Smirnov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Smirnov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract King.
King tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Smirnov was well out of range. Poor timing from King.

King is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Smirnov's half guard.
King trying to control the pace.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smirnov trying to control from the bottom.

Smirnov looking for submissions off his back.
King wants to stand but Smirnov has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Smirnov is controlling King's position as best he can from this difficult position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Smirnov is trying to get back to full guard.
King controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kong King has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
King lands a jab.
Smirnov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
King misses with a looping right.
King checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
King defending well as Smirnov loads up on a big left hand.
King tests Smirnov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
King sizes up Smirnov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King throws a body punch but Smirnov moves out of range.
Smirnov blocks a jab.
Smirnov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by King. King obviously looking to wear him down.
King slaps away a takedown attempt from Smirnov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kong King has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ruslan Smirnov.
Smirnov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
King digs a good hook to Smirnov's body.
Smirnov misses with a straight right.
King throws a nice inside leg kick.
A jab lands there for King.

Smirnov gets caught napping as King dives in and scores a takedown. Smirnov manages to retain guard.
Ruslan Smirnov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Smirnov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
King's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Smirnov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Smirnov is trying to control the position but King postures up.

Smirnov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. King defends it easily.
King stands up over Smirnov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Smirnov wants to sweep here but King controlling him for the moment.

Smirnov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

King gets to his feet. Smirnov looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Kong King is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Good leg kick by Smirnov there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kong King showed his dominance in that final round.
Well King has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kong King!
During a confident post fight interview, Kong King thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.