PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ian Key (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jan Klaasen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Jan Klaasen was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Key
vs
Klaasen

174 cm
18
193 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

178 cm
19
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Likes musicals

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 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ian Key!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jan Klaasen!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Illya Tyunina and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Klaasen shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Klaasen was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Klaasen throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Key stops Klaasen from passing to mount.
Klaasen throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Klaasen working the body and head with strikes.
Key sneaks back into half guard.
Key pushes Klaasen off looking to stand but Klaasen dives back in and keeps control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Klaasen trying to control the pace.
Ground and pound from Klaasen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Key trying to control here.
Klaasen tries to stand but can't do so whilst Key controls his leg.
Klaasen trying to pass the guard but Key defending well.
Key wants to get back to his feet.
Klaasen sitting and controlling from the half guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Key tries to kick Klaasen off but Klaasen keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

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.

Klaasen closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Key quickly recovers to half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Klaasen wants to stand but his hand is trapped. Key uses the opportunity to regain full guard.
Klaasen wants to get up but he can't break Key's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Key is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Key wants to stand but his hand is trapped. Klaasen uses the opportunity to regain full guard.
Key is looking to stand up but Klaasen won't let him.
Klaasen seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Key trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Klaasen is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Key is controlling him.
Key tries to stand but Klaasen is controlling from the bottom.

Key gets to his feet. Klaasen looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Key moves out of range of the body kick.

Klaasen bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Klaasen wants to stand but Key is controlling his arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Klaasen scoring with punches from side control.
Klaasen wants to stand but Key has his arm trapped.
Key wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Key is trying to work for a sweep but Klaasen has mounted him!
Klaasen landing strikes from the mount and Key is in trouble!
Key wants to control but Klaasen is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Key wants to try and get back to his feet.
Klaasen tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jan Klaasen dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Klaasen misses with an attempted mid kick.

Klaasen looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Nice strikes from Klaasen there.
Klaasen is taking a breather. Key says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Klaasen is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Key is just riding it out for now. Klaasen eventually gives up the hold.
Klaasen works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Klaasen pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Klaasen unloading with bombs!
Key has given up his back, trying to stand up. Not clever.
Key trying to get back to his feet but Klaasen is in full control for now.
Klaasen really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Key.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Klaasen is working the ground and pound. Can Key escape?
Klaasen keeps control of the position easily here as Key tries to buck him off.
Key is trying to get back to his feet but Klaasen has full control of the position and if anything, Key has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Key preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Klaasen.

Key defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Klaasen looking for the RNC.

Klaasen has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Key has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Key trying to get back to his feet but Klaasen is in full control for now.

Klaasen is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Key has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Klaasen is breathing heavily.

Klaasen is looking for the choke from the back position but Key is controlling his hands well.
Klaasen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Key trying to control the hands but Klaasen breaks the grip.
You can see the frustration on Key's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Klaasen not allowing Key to control his hands.
Key trying to get back to his feet but Klaasen is in full control for now.
Key is in bad spot here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Key trying to get back to his feet but Klaasen is in full control for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jan Klaasen 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! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Klaasen throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Key tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Klaasen is in Key's guard.
Key looking for a sweep. Not yet Key, not yet.
Key working a defensive guard here.
Klaasen throws a strike but Key rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

There's a bit of a scramble here and now Klaasen is on top in guard.

Key wants to sweep but no luck.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Klaasen drops back, looking for a kneebar! Key looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Key looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Key!

Key stands up and beckons Klaasen to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Klaasen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Key attempts a counter takedown but Klaasen avoids it well and moves away.

Klaasen decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Klaasen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Key has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Klaasen is working away from the top position though.
Klaasen performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Let's hope that Klaasen has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Klaasen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Key keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Klaasen trying to mount his opponent but Key defends it.
Key wants to control but Klaasen is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Key could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Key pushes Klaasen off looking to stand but Klaasen dives back in and keeps control.
Klaasen wants to stand up but Key has a hold of him and won't allow it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Klaasen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Klaasen is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Key tries to clinch up but Klaasen circles away and keeps his distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Klaasen clinches.

Klaasen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Klaasen clinches up against the cage.
Key is trying to force a seperation but Klaasen has the dominant position.
Key is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Klaasen leaning against his opponent.
Klaasen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Key has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Klaasen is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Klaasen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Key needs to keep his hands up - Klaasen had a free shot at his head there.

Klaasen clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Klaasen has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Key clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Klaasen is hanging on to Key's back as he tries to escape.
Klaasen lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Key hold on?!

Klaasen looking to break Key's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Key remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Klaasen will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Klaasen controls the position.

Key manages to escape to his feet.

Klaasen looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Key!

And that's the end of the fight!
Jan Klaasen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Klaasen has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 26:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 26:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jan Klaasen!