PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vedran Kukavica (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Liu Kang (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Kukavica
vs
Kang

215 cm
19
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

192 cm
25
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vedran Kukavica!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Liu Kang!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, David Schapiro and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Kukavica.

Kukavica stands up and beckons Kang to his feet.
Kukavica closes the distance and clinches up with Kang, looking for a takedown. Kukavica pushes Kang against the cage but Kang circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kang 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.
Kang throws a head kick but Kukavica moves out of range.
Kang misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kang tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kukavica takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kang throws a right and a left that both miss.
A head kick misses from Kang.
Kang misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kang throws a body shot but no joy.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kukavica tries a head kick but it misses.
Kukavica will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Kukavica drives through and clinches with Kang against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kang avoiding damage as Kukavica throws knees to the body.
Kukavica has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Kang after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vedran Kukavica. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kang is pushing Kukavica up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Kukavica's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kukavica fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kang avoids it really well and circles away.
Kukavica is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kukavica tries to close the distance and clinch but Kang swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kang throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kang misses with a body kick.
Kukavica avoids a kick to the body.
Kukavica scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Kang pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kang throws a sloppy head kick and Kukavica moves out of range easily.
Kukavica tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kang paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Some wild striking there from Kang.
Kukavica throws a leg kick but Kang moved away.
Kang pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kukavica moves out of range of the strikes.
Kukavica shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kang misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Kang. No joy for Kukavica on that attempt.
Kang misses with a wild body shot.
Kang fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kukavica manages to avoid it.
Kukavica misses with a few strikes there.
Kang scores with a jab.
Kukavica misses with a head kick.
Kukavica is breathing heavily.
Kukavica on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kukavica tries to clinch but Kang is having none of it.
Kang throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kang motions for Kukavica to come forward. Kang throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kukavica takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Kang throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kukavica stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kang throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kang lands a nice shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kukavica takes one on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kang lands with a cross.
Kang pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kukavica darts in looking for a takedown but Kang gets double underhooks and turns Kukavica into the cage.
Kang scores with a shoulder strike.

Kang escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kang's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Kang duly obliges.

Oooooh!!! Kang has knocked Kukavica down with a huge combo! Kang steps away and waves a wobbly Kukavica back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Kukavica is rocked!
Kang rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kukavica moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kukavica throws a right and a left that Kang avoids nicely.
Kang throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kukavica stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Liu Kang seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kukavica takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kang tries to bum rush Kukavica with a series of wild strikes but Kukavica uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kukavica gets cracked there but stands up to it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kang misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kukavica.

Kukavica gets a takedown into half guard.
Kukavica is looking to take a break and control but Kang is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kang has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kukavica is working away from the top position though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kukavica controlling the action here.
Kang holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kang wants to get back to full guard.

Kukavica is trying to work for a kimura but Kang is defending well.
Kang keeping control of the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kukavica tries to clinch up but Kang circles away and keeps his distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kukavica doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Kang counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kukavica thinking.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kukavica takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kang takes a swing at Kukavica's ribcage but misses.
Kang misses the shot to the body.
Kang tries to score with a low kick but Kukavica moves his leg out of the way.
Kang thuds his right hand into Kukavica's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Kukavica shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kang as he jumps to the side.
Kang swings for the body but Kukavica moves out of range.
Vedran Kukavica is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Kang lands a left and a right that send Kukavica crashing to the mat, dazed. Kang thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

It looks like Vedran Kukavica has been cut.
Kang throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kukavica stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kang tries a head kick but it misses.
Kang tried to score with a low kick but Kukavica checks it.
Kang has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kang sizes up Kukavica with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Kang lands an overhand right.
Oh Kukavica is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kang jabs Kukavica to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kukavica seems to have got his legs back now.
Kang lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Kang throws a low kick but Kukavica avoids it.
Kang ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kang lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kukavica circles away quickly and effectively.
Kang fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kang goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Kang lands a slapping body shot.
Kang is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kukavica rather than just go for the knockout.
Kang scores with a one two! Kukavica had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kukavica keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Liu Kang is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kang misses with a low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kukavica takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kukavica fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kang ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kang clobbers Kukavica with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Kang throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kukavica takes a jab right on the kisser.
Kang pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Kukavica back to the cage. Kang follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Kang lands with a shot to the body.
Kang connects with a body shot.
Kang throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kang scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Kukavica takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Kang connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Liu Kang showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Vedran Kukavica's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Kang cracks Kukavica with a right hand to the side of the head.

Kukavica manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Kang on his heels. He'll look to pass Kang's guard now, I'm sure.
Kukavica wants to control from the top but Kang keeps moving.
Kang wants to get back to his feet but Kukavica is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kukavica accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kang working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kukavica.
Kang working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukavica stopping the sweep attempt from Kang.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Kang pulls Kukavica in close to his closed guard and prevents Kukavica from doing any damage or advancing position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kukavica misses with a takedown attempt - Kang sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kang fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kang lands with a nice combination. Kukavica backs away looking to recover.
Kang scores with a jab.
Kang tests Kukavica's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kukavica fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kang avoids it really well and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kukavica takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Kukavica fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vedran Kukavica. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kang throws a nice looking combination but Kukavica bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kukavica tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kukavica takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Liu Kang seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kang throws the kick towards the body but Kukavica avoids it.
Kang lands with an uppercut that bounces Kukavica off the cage and back into range.
Kukavica 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.
Kukavica blocks a head kick by Kang.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kukavica drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
No luck for Kukavica with that takedown attempt.
Kukavica avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kukavica shoots in looking for a takedown but Kang manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kukavica's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Liu Kang is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kukavica looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Nice straight punches there by Kang. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kang.
Kang lands a nice shot that snaps Kukavica's head back.
Kukavica tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kang sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kukavica somewhat.
Kang attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kang scores with a one two! Kukavica had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kukavica throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kang's waist but Kang gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kukavica off to one side.
Kang rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kukavica moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kang scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kang thuds a left hand into Kukavica's body.
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!
Kukavica blocks the body kick.
Kang changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kang moves into range and connects with a jab.
Kang throws a head kick but Kukavica moves out of range.
Kukavica fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kukavica blocks the body kick.
Kang pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Vedran Kukavica has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kang throws a series of punches but Kukavica avoids them all with ease.

And that's the end of the fight!
Liu Kang comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kang winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Liu Kang!