PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hesus Kashka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sasha Hulskan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Kashka
vs
Hulskan

150 cm
23
150 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

150 cm
19
153 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

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 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Hesus Kashka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sasha Hulskan!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Roosa Järviläinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hulskan closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Kashka is looking to regain half guard here but Hulskan keeps moving and retains side control.

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

Hulskan is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kashka is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Kashka is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Hulskan tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

Hulskan is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kashka is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kashka is pushing Hulskan's head away, looking to escape. Hulskan manages to hold on to the position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Kashka's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kashka tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hulskan wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Hulskan wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kashka, who protects the arm well.

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

Hulskan goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Kashka has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Hulskan but great work by Kashka.
Kashka wants to stand but Hulskan has his arm trapped.
Kashka cracks Hulskan with a big elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kashka working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Kashka is breathing heavily.
Hulskan is looking to reverse the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hulskan is not content to let Kashka control the position.
Hulskan is trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hulskan tries to control but Kashka manages to take his back.
Hulskan avoids the strikes from Kashka.
Kashka is riding his opponent, not letting Hulskan buck him off.
Hulskan is really stuck here.

Kashka is looking for the choke from the back position but Hulskan is controlling his hands well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hulskan is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Kashka just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Hulskan is trying to break free.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kashka misses with a body kick.
Hulskan shoots in but Kashka avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Hulskan blocks a head kick by Kashka.
Kashka doesn't manage to clinch there - Hulskan circles away.
Hulskan with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kashka connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hulskan should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Kashka moves into the clinch.

Kashka manages to break the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Kashka as Hulskan shoots in.
Hesus Kashka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sasha Hulskan.
Kashka stuffs the takedown attempt from Hulskan. Hulskan gets slowly back to his feet.
Hulskan misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hulskan with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kashka counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hulskan gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Kashka counters by clinching up.

Hulskan is fighting off a takedown attempt but Kashka is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Hulskan to the mat. Hulskan regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hulskan is trying to control the position but Kashka postures up.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Hulskan has eaten all the pies!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kashka trying to control but Hulskan is working from the bottom.
Kashka not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Hesus Kashka just wasn't active enough.
Hulskan shoots in for a double leg but Kashka sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kashka throws a push kick but Hulskan slaps the foot to one side.
Hulskan shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kashka sprawls well. Kashka wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hulskan gets slowly back to his feet.
Hulskan with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kashka counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Kashka misses the jab.

Kashka closes the distance and clinches.

Kashka breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hulskan fails with the takedown
and Kashka counters with a three punch combo that has Hulskan backing up. Hulskan nods at Kashka to acknowledge the strikes.

Kashka closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Hulskan quickly recovers to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kashka lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Kashka slips a nice elbow through Hulskan's hands, connecting with Hulskan's forehead.
Kashka has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Hulskan works to full guard.
Kashka trying to control but Hulskan is working from the bottom.
Kashka throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hulskan works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kashka trying to stand up but can't free himself from Hulskan's guard.
Kashka trying to control the position from guard on top but Hulskan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Hesus Kashka wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Kashka stuffs the takedown attempt from Hulskan. Hulskan gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kashka.
Hulskan gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Kashka counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Hulskan!
Kashka tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Kashka controlling from side mount.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kashka tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hesus Kashka dominated that second round.
That's time! Kashka's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Hulskan fails with the takedown.
Kashka ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hulskan moves away.

Hulskan closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Kashka quickly recovers to half guard.

Hulskan is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kashka is just riding it out for now. Hulskan eventually gives up the hold.

Hulskan wants to work for an arm triangle but Kashka is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Hulskan is working for a kimura but Kashka is defending it quite comfortably.
Hesus Kashka overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kashka pushes Hulskan off looking to stand but Hulskan dives back in and keeps control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hulskan is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Hulskan 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.
Kashka desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Kashka wants to improve his position but Hulskan is controlling well.

Kashka looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kashka is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Hulskan 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.

Hulskan is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kashka on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kashka tries to get out of the position.
Kashka wants to control but Hulskan is keeping busy.
Kashka tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kashka pushes Hulskan off looking to stand but Hulskan dives back in and keeps control.
Kashka wants to get back to full guard.

Hulskan is working for a submission of some sort.

Hulskan is working for a kimura but Kashka is defending it quite comfortably.

Kashka pushes Hulskan off and gets back to his feet.
Hulskan tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kashka swivels and escapes.
Hulskan shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kashka as he jumps to the side.
Hesus Kashka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sasha Hulskan.
Hulskan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kashka fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hulskan manages to avoid it.
Kashka displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hulskan.
Hulskan misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Kashka to counter with a crisp jab.
Kashka closes the distance and lands a one-two.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Hulskan fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kashka sprawls well initially but Hulskan persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Hulskan 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.
Hulskan prevents Kashka from standing back up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kashka trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sasha Hulskan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hulskan 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sasha Hulskan!