PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Viktor Kafka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Billy Batts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kafka comes into the arena with Welcome to the Jungle blaring out of the sound system. Batts has chosen Pro-pain - Make war (not love) as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kafka
vs
Batts

183 cm
30
192 lbs
27 - 15 - 1

186 cm
35
203 lbs
29 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction
Convicted Trap House

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 27 - 15 - 1, fighting out of New York, Viktor Kafka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Billy Batts!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Yukihiro Shimada and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kafka throws a low kick but Batts avoids it.
Kafka throws a front kick aimed at Batts's knee but Batts avoids it well.
Batts ducks under a wild hook from Kafka.
Kafka slips a straight right by Batts.
Kafka looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Batts lands a jab to Kafka's midsection.
Kafka thows a left - swing and a miss!
Batts tries to work over Kafka's front leg with a kick but Kafka checks it.
Kafka throws a series of strikes that have Batts backpedaling.
Batts throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Batts does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Kafka walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Kafka tries to move into range but Batts moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A jab from Kafka misses.
Kafka uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Batts.
Batts uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kafka.
Batts keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Batts throws a quick inside leg kick.
Batts has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Billy Batts is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kafka takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kafka uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Batts slips a jab from Kafka.
Kafka keeps Batts at a distance using the push kick.
Batts throws a low kick but Kafka avoids it.
Kafka scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Batts doesn't seem bothered though.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kafka.
Kafka lands a leg kick that knocks Batts off balance momentarily.
Batts checks the leg kick.
Kafka with a nice cross.
Batts avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A head kick misses from Batts.
Kafka throws a hook but Batts blocks it.
Kafka throws a leg kick but Batts sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kafka cracks Batts with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kafka misses with a straight right.
Batts looks to land a left hand but Kafka moved out of range nicely.
Batts fakes the leg kick and cracks Kafka in the body.
Kafka is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Batts blocks a leg kick.
Batts drops his hands momentarily and Kafka takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Kafka throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
That kick from Batts tenderised Kafka's leg. Kafka is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kafka throws a jab when Batts was well out of range.
Batts tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Batts tries to clinch up but Kafka circles away and keeps his distance.
Batts looks for the body kick but Kafka saw that one coming.

Kafka closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Batts quickly recovers to half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Batts tries to get to full guard but Kafka has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batts trying to control from the bottom.
Batts is looking to improve his position.
Batts is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Still in half guard, Kafka seems content to control.
Kafka working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Batts's thigh. Batts counters though and makes it back to full guard.

Batts working for a triangle but Kafka defends it easily.
Kafka would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Batts has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kafka can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kafka pushes down on Batts's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Kafka drops an elbow to the side of Batts's head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Batts trying to control here.
Batts gets full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Viktor Kafka dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Batts misses the jab.
Kafka ducks under a wild hook from Batts.
Batts lands a nice shot that snaps Kafka's head back.
Batts wants to land a leg kick but Kafka is out of range.
Batts throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kafka connects with a leg kick. Batts looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
A lazy left from Batts finds it's target.
Batts lands a front kick.
Kafka tries a low kick but Batts avoids it.
Batts swings for the body but Kafka moves out of range.
Batts fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kafka looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Batts checks the leg kick nicely there.
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!
Batts chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Batts will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kafka misses with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batts looks to land a right hand but Kafka moved out of range.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kafka.

Kafka gets tackled into the cage by Batts. Batts maintains the clinch.
Batts throws a head punch that misses.
Batts lands a hook to the side of the head.
Batts digs a right hand underneath Kafka's ribcage. Kafka let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Batts tries to throw a body punch but Kafka avoids it by throwing Batts back against the cage.
Batts lands a nice knee to the body.
Batts lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kafka blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kafka has Batts pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Batts manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Batts lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kafka.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Batts with a knee to the head.
Kafka blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kafka has a couple of punches blocked by Batts.
Kafka working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Batts stalling.
Kafka lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kafka wants to stall.
Batts using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kafka has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kafka blocks a body shot from Batts.
Batts tries to work over Kafka's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A nice left hand lands by Batts.

Kafka breaks the clinch.
A slapping leg kick lands for Batts.
Batts is looking to clinch.
Billy Batts seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Batts takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kafka tries to score a power double leg takedown but Batts sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kafka somewhat.
Batts lands a nice looking body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batts tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kafka is able to avoid easily.
Kafka takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Kafka throws a poor cross that misses

and Batts counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Batts.
Batts throws a head punch that misses.
Batts misses with a short punch on the inside.
Batts with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Batts tries to work over Kafka's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Batts connects with a knee to the head.
Batts is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kafka is defending well for now.
Batts struggles to land a body shot inside as Kafka controls his hands.
Batts goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kafka working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Kafka breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kafka lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Batts at a distance.
A left lands for Kafka.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batts takes a swing at Kafka's ribcage but misses.
Kafka throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Batts on the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Batts takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Batts looks to land a body kick but Kafka moved away.
Batts throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Batts.
Batts ducks under a wild hook from Kafka.
Batts fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kafka manages to avoid it.
Kafka misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Viktor Kafka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Batts throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Batts changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kafka bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kafka fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy Batts showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Decent striking displayed by Kafka there.
Batts uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kafka has time to react.
Kafka scoring well with a low kick there.
Batts tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kafka tries to land a front kick but Batts steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Batts wants to clinch.
A cross from Kafka lands.
Kafka throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Batts holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Batts lands a nice knee to the body.
Batts swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kafka lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Batts.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Batts.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kafka fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kafka lands a shot to the body.
Kafka lands a body punch in the clinch.
Batts takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kafka misses with some punches.
Kafka tries to break the clinch but Batts is controlling the position.
Kafka lands a hook to the side of the head.
Batts misses with a hook to the ribs.
Batts gets through Kafka's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Batts landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
A short right from Kafka.
Kafka lands an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Batts working Kafka over with knees to the body.
Batts scores with a nice hook to the head.
Batts with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Batts blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kafka drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Batts gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Batts trying to land knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Kafka.
Kafka lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Batts misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kafka is trying to push Batts away but Batts has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Batts tries a body shot but Kafka blocks it.
A short right from Batts on the inside.

Kafka breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Batts gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kafka throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Batts counters by moving into the clinch.
Batts struggles to land a body shot inside as Kafka controls his hands.
Batts prevents a body shot from Kafka.
Kafka working aggressively here.
Batts lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Batts lands a right hand.
Knees to the body from Batts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batts missing with knees to the body.
Kafka blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Batts tries to land a knee to the head but Kafka blocks with his arms.
Kafka lands with a light punch inside.

Kafka manages to break the clinch.
Kafka lands a nice leg kick that just misses Batts's sensitive parts.
Batts walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Nice uppercut there from Kafka.
Batts lands with a hook. Kafka tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Batts tries to land a front kick but Kafka steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kafka dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Batts. That did some damage!
Kafka fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Batts.
Kafka on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
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!
Batts looks to score with a jab to the body but Kafka is just out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kafka shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Batts's guard.
Kafka being controlled here momentarily.
Kafka controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Batts has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kafka can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Batts keeping moving, preventing Kafka from controlling successfully.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kafka slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Viktor Kafka.
I think Kafka 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Viktor Kafka!
Viktor Kafka seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
Billy Batts spoke after the fight, saying 'Shit, I think this might be it. '.