PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kimai Waciuri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Claudiu Lupu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Kimai Waciuri has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Waciuri
vs
Lupu

206 cm
19
245 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

201 cm
25
258 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Good chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kimai Waciuri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Claudiu Lupu!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Daniel Blasius and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jab, jab by Waciuri - just one landing.
Lupu steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Waciuri.
Lupu keeps the fight on the outside.

Waciuri tries to sprawl but Lupu drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Lupu content to control rather than advance.
Lupu thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Waciuri's head.
Lupu wants to stand up but Waciuri is controlling the position.

Lupu is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Waciuri doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Lupu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lupu thows a huge punch but Waciuri dodges it nicely.
Lupu looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Lupu thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Waciuri is looking to escape.

Waciuri is defending against the submission attempts here by Lupu.
Lupu not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lupu content to control rather than advance.
Lupu wants to free his trapped foot but Waciuri is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Waciuri is trying to stand back up but Lupu is controlling him
Lupu with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Claudiu Lupu hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Lupu steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Waciuri.

Waciuri gets caught napping as Lupu dives in and scores a takedown. Waciuri manages to retain guard.
Lupu trying to control but Waciuri is working from the bottom.
Lupu is looking to stand up but Waciuri won't let him.

Lupu thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lupu would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Claudiu Lupu dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Lupu fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Waciuri sprawls well initially but Lupu persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Lupu trying to pass the guard but Waciuri defending well.

Lupu is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Waciuri is just riding it out for now. Lupu eventually gives up the hold.
Lupu wants to stand up but Waciuri is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lupu trying to control the pace.
Lupu is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Claudiu Lupu hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Waciuri scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Waciuri lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Lupu looks to land a combination but Waciuri avoids it well.
Waciuri tries to clinch but Lupu is having none of it.
Waciuri comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Lupu shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Waciuri but Waciuri pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Waciuri scores with a sloppy right hand. Lupu should have avoided that one.
Lupu fails with an attempt to clinch.
Waciuri scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Waciuri jabs Lupu right on the nose. Lupu blinks but takes it well.
Waciuri lunges at Lupu with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Lupu's hand.
Lupu takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lupu throws a sloppy head kick and Waciuri moves out of range easily.
Waciuri scores with a leg kick.

Waciuri gets a clinch.
Waciuri landing knees to the body.
Lupu is breathing heavily.
Waciuri lands with a left to the head.
Waciuri lands an elbow that stopped Lupu in his tracks for a moment.
A knee to the head by Waciuri.
Waciuri comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Lupu tries to pull guard but Waciuri won't allow it.
The referee calls for Waciuri to work.
Waciuri landing knees to the head.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Waciuri creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Lupu's defenses.
A short right from Waciuri.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Waciuri putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Lupu in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Waciuri lands a nice elbow.
A frustrated look appears on Lupu's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A knee to the head by Waciuri.
Waciuri lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Waciuri lands a body punch.
Waciuri unloads a knee to the mid-section. Lupu lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Lupu is trying to drag Waciuri to the mat but Waciuri just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Kimai Waciuri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Claudiu Lupu.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Lupu as Waciuri tries to tie him up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Waciuri lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Waciuri is fighting off a takedown attempt but Lupu is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Waciuri to the mat. Waciuri regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Waciuri wants to stand up but Lupu is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kimai Waciuri dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Waciuri lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Waciuri turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Waciuri fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Lupu gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Lupu throws a head punch that misses.
Knees to the body from Waciuri.
Waciuri lands a knee to the head.
Waciuri landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Waciuri scores with a knee to the head.
Waciuri throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Lupus head.
Knees to the body from Waciuri.
Waciuri landing knees to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Waciuri scores a nice knee to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Waciuri is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Waciuri gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Waciuri lands with a short shot to the head.
Waciuri lands a damaging elbow.
Waciuri crunches a lovely knee into Lupu's ribcage.
A short left from Waciuri.
Waciuri connects with a knee to the head.
Waciuri scores with a knee to the head.
Waciuri is looking to control Lupu's arms but Lupu gets an underhook and turns him. Now Waciuri has his back to the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Waciuri.
Lupu takes a knee right on the jaw!
Waciuri gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Waciuri lands a nice elbow.
Waciuri lands a knee to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lupu wants to break the clinch but can't.
Waciuri lands a nice elbow.
Waciuri lands a right hand that snaps the head of Lupu backwards.
Lupu fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Waciuri lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Waciuri landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Waciuri lands a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from Waciuri.
Waciuri putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Lupu in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Lupu takes an elbow to the forehead.
Lupu is looking for a takedown.
Waciuri stalling in the clinch.
Waciuri lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Waciuri landing some nice looking knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Waciuri lands a right hand that snaps the head of Lupu backwards.
Waciuri working Lupu over with knees to the body.
Waciuri lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Waciuri lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Lupu backwards.
Lupu jumps guard but Waciuri turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Kimai Waciuri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Claudiu Lupu.
Waciuri comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Waciuri obliges.
Waciuri lands an elbow inside that Lupu shrugs off.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Waciuri.
A right hand to the body from Waciuri.
Waciuri working Lupu over with knees to the body.
Waciuri digs a right hand underneath Lupu's ribcage. Lupu let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Waciuri lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Waciuri lands a nice knee to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Waciuri lands a body punch in the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Waciuri.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Waciuri connects with a knee to the head.
Come on Waciuri - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Kimai Waciuri has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Waciuri lands with a right to the head.
Lupu is trying to break the clinch but Waciuri has him pressed against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Waciuri creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Waciuri with a knee to the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Waciuri putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Lupu in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Waciuri with a knee to the head.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Waciuri.
Lupu fails to pull the fight into his guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kimai Waciuri showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Waciuri has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 29:28
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kimai Waciuri!