PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Raphael Bowie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lyov Kirijenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bowie comes into the arena with 300 Violin Orchestra - Jorge Quintero blaring out of the sound system. Raphael Bowie could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Lyov Kirijenko's chin.

Bowie
vs
Kirijenko

195 cm
29
210 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

195 cm
30
220 lbs
20 - 18 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Raphael Bowie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Lyov Kirijenko!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, John Mangel and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kirijenko throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bowie sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bowie's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kirijenko connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Bowie scrambles back to his feet.
Kirijenko misses with a body shot.
Bowie throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kirijenko tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bowie was well out of range. Poor timing from Kirijenko.
Kirijenko pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kirijenko has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.

Kirijenko drives through with a takedown into Bowie's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Kirijenko keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Bowie's head.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Kirijenko trying to control but Bowie is working from the bottom.
Bowie keeping full guard, as Kirijenko tries to pass.
We've been hearing good reports from Bowie's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Kirijenko wants to get up but he can't break Bowie's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Bowie looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bowie tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kirijenko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Bowie looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Bowie preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirijenko controls from within his opponent's guard.
Kirijenko working some strikes from top position.
Kirijenko tries to free his leg and advance position but Bowie is retaining full guard.
Kirijenko wants to control from the top but Bowie keeps moving.
Bowie working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kirijenko.
Kirijenko postures up in Bowie's guard and throws a big left but Bowie blocks it.

Bowie working for a triangle but Kirijenko defends it easily.
Bowie avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bowie keeping moving, preventing Kirijenko from controlling successfully.

Bowie looking for a guillotine here but Kirijenko defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kirijenko working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Kirijenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Bowie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kirijenko throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bowie works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kirijenko wants to control from the top but Bowie keeps moving.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kirijenko missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bowie looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kirijenko sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Bowie keeping moving, preventing Kirijenko from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Lyov Kirijenko wasn't active enough on the ground.
Bowie throws a lazy right hand but Kirijenko sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bowie throws a jab but it's blocked by Kirijenko.
Kirijenko blocks a head kick by Bowie.
Kirijenko connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kirijenko misses with a low kick as Bowie jumps back.
Kirijenko shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kirijenko thows a body shot but no joy.
Bowie avoids a kick to the body.
Kirijenko throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bowie sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Kirijenko throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Bowie was covering up waiting for the punch and Kirijenko finishes the takedown easily into guard.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirijenko works over Bowie with some ground and pound from guard.
Kirijenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Bowie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kirijenko wants to pass the guard but Bowie is keeping the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kirijenko controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Bowie working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Kirijenko has passed into half guard!
Bowie is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kirijenko scores with a couple of nice shots.
Bowie moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Bowie is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Kirijenko rolls with it to try and escape but Bowie cranks on the arm and Kirijenko is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Raphael Bowie!
Raphael Bowie thanked the fans post fight for their support.