PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Chisulo Kalagho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shinju Yoshida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chisulo Kalagho could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Shinju Yoshida's chin.

Kalagho
vs
Yoshida

177 cm
19
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

178 cm
24
155 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Chisulo Kalagho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Shinju Yoshida!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, John Kavanagh and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kalagho shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Kalagho landing some decent shots from guard.
Yoshida looking for a sweep. Not yet Yoshida, not yet.
Kalagho pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Yoshida is keeping the position for now.
Kalagho trying to control but Yoshida is working from the bottom.
Kalagho advances to half guard.
Kalagho is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Yoshida told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kalagho goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Yoshida is on top in guard.

Yoshida postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Kalagho is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Yoshida, into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yoshida is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kalagho slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Yoshida tries to improve position but can't.
Kalagho advances to full mount.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Kalagho cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Yoshida sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalagho trying to pass the guard but Yoshida defending well.
Kalagho is working hard here to advance position.
Kalagho is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Yoshida!
Yoshida wants to try and get back to his feet.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Kalagho cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Kalagho lands a big elbow.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yoshida is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

Kalagho jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Yoshida is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Yoshida and Kalagho has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kalagho is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Yoshida knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Kalagho working the ground and pound.
Kalagho has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Yoshida tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kalagho wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Kalagho is putting a hurting on Yoshida here, landing some big shots from side control.

Kalagho working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Kalagho grinds an elbow into Yoshida's temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kalagho has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Kalagho wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Yoshida tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kalagho avoids the attempt from Yoshida to control.
Yoshida keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Yoshida tries to hold on but Kalagho pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chisulo Kalagho dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kalagho throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Yoshida tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Kalagho is in Yoshida's guard.
Kalagho looking to pass the guard.
Kalagho content to stall in guard here.
Kalagho passes Yoshida's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Kalagho is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kalagho is working for a kimura but Yoshida is defending it quite comfortably.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kalagho wants to lay and pray for a moment but Yoshida keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yoshida wants to improve his position but Kalagho is controlling well.

Kalagho wants to work for an arm triangle but Yoshida is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Kalagho working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Kalagho trying to pass the guard but Yoshida defending well.

Yoshida looking for submissions off his back.

Yoshida is defending against the submission attempts here by Kalagho.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Kalagho seems to be looking for submissions.

Kalagho is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kalagho frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Yoshida is bucking up trying to escape but Kalagho cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalagho takes his opponent's back. Perhaps a chance to lock up a rear naked choke here.
Yoshida is keeping busy.
Yoshida turns into Kalagho and is now in his guard.

Kalagho is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Yoshida is aware though and is defending well.
Yoshida wants to pass the guard but Kalagho is keeping the position.
Kalagho manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Yoshida manages to get himself to full guard.

Yoshida wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Kalagho manages to pass to side control.
Kalagho is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Yoshida can do to turn this around?
Kalagho wants to free his trapped foot but Yoshida is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kalagho is looking to take a break and control but Yoshida is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kalagho is working for a kimura but Yoshida is defending it quite comfortably.
Kalagho moves into full mount! Yoshida won't be happy about that!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chisulo Kalagho dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Kalagho shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Yoshida is trying to defend but Kalagho finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Kalagho is pressing down on Yoshida's thigh, looking to free his foot. Yoshida is holding on for now.
Yoshida is in trouble now - Kalagho has advanced to mount!
Yoshida gives up his back whilst trying to strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kalagho is looking for a rear naked choke here but Yoshida reverses the position brilliantly into Kalagho's guard!

Yoshida got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kalagho has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Yoshida has managed to get both his arms back between Kalagho's legs - danger averted.
Kalagho seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalagho trying to keep a closed guard but Yoshida is proving a slippery customer.
Yoshida preventing the sweep.

Kalagho is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Yoshida has his hands clasped together but Kalagho extends and breaks Yoshida's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Kalagho.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:44 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Chisulo Kalagho!