PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marcin Kowalczyk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Runrun Runrun (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.

Kowalczyk
vs
Runrun

201 cm
19
242 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

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 Tokyo, Marcin Kowalczyk!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Runrun Runrun!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kowalczyk drives through and clinches with Runrun against the cage.
Kowalczyk tries to break the clinch but Runrun is controlling the position.
Runrun changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kowalczyk fights it off and pushes away nicely.
No joy there for Runrun, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Runrun tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kowalczyk manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kowalczyk throws a head kick that misses

and Runrun counters by clinching up.
Runrun is looking to take this one to the mat.
Runrun is trying to push Kowalczyk away but Kowalczyk has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kowalczyk is pressed up against the cage. Runrun has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kowalczyk down to the mat. Kowalczyk avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Marcin Kowalczyk has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Runrun Runrun.
Kowalczyk fails to land the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Runrun crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Kowalczyk - the referee stops the clock and Runrun gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Kowalczyk. Runrun manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

Kowalczyk clinches.
Kowalczyk has Runrun pressed against the cage, preventing Runrun from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runrun is trying to pull guard but Kowalczyk turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Runrun pressing his opponent against the cage.
Kowalczyk tries to break the clinch but Runrun is controlling the position.

Kowalczyk lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Runrun manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Runrun tries to close the distance and clinch but Kowalczyk swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Horrible takedown attempt by Runrun or perhaps it was just good defense by Kowalczyk, which made it look bad.
Runrun avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kowalczyk thuds a left hand into Runrun's body.
Runrun looks winded!
Kowalczyk throws a series of punches but Runrun avoids them all with ease.
Runrun with the counter takedown but Kowalczyk avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Runrun stuffs the takedown attempt from Kowalczyk. Kowalczyk gets slowly back to his feet.
Kowalczyk fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Runrun avoids it really well and circles away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Runrun takes a kick to the side of the head.
Kowalczyk shoots in and drives through. Runrun sprawls well.
Runrun just misses with a punch to the body.
Runrun shoots in for a double leg but Kowalczyk sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Runrun tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kowalczyk swivels and escapes.
Runrun fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kowalczyk shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Runrun defends it nicely.

Runrun tries to keep at a distance but Kowalczyk has taken the fight into the clinch.
Runrun tries to pull guard but Kowalczyk forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Runrun stops a takedown attempt from Kowalczyk.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kowalczyk pushes Runrun back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Kowalczyk drags the fight down to the ground.
Kowalczyk keeping moving, preventing Runrun from controlling successfully.
Runrun sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Runrun's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcin Kowalczyk 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.

Kowalczyk pushes Runrun up against the cage in a clinch.
Kowalczyk gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Runrun.
Kowalczyk is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Runrun can do to turn this around?
Kowalczyk scores with a shoulder strike.
Runrun with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Runrun is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kowalczyk to keep the fight standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Runrun tries for a takedown. No joy.
Marcin Kowalczyk has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Runrun Runrun.

Kowalczyk pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kowalczyk scores with a leg kick.

Kowalczyk closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runrun dodges the ground and pound from Kowalczyk.
I wouldn't like to be where Runrun is right now.
Runrun manages to work his way to half guard, despite Kowalczyk's best efforts.
Kowalczyk slips a nice elbow through Runrun's hands, connecting with Runrun's forehead.
Kowalczyk seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Runrun does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kowalczyk is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Runrun is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Runrun is trying to stand back up but Kowalczyk is controlling him

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Kowalczyk perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kowalczyk tries for a takedown but Runrun sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kowalczyk slaps away a takedown attempt from Runrun, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Runrun is breathing heavily.

Kowalczyk moves into the clinch successfully.
Runrun is looking to break free of the clinch but Kowalczyk has double underhooks.

Kowalczyk tightens his grip and picks Runrun up, before dumping him to the ground. Runrun manages to land in guard.
Runrun is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kowalczyk will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Kowalczyk sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Runrun's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalczyk throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Runrun is refusing to be controlled, as Kowalczyk sits in half guard.
Kowalczyk stops Runrun from getting back to his feet.
Runrun tries to roll over but Kowalczyk keeps him under control.

Runrun kicks Kowalczyk off and gets back to his feet.
Runrun has a takedown stuffed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kowalczyk closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Runrun's guard.
Kowalczyk looking to pass the guard.
Kowalczyk is looking to pass into half guard but Runrun pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Runrun is in guard.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Runrun trying to control but Kowalczyk is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcin Kowalczyk dominated that second round.
That's time! Kowalczyk's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Kowalczyk with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Runrun is defended easily by Kowalczyk.
Runrun dives in and grabs Kowalczyk's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kowalczyk pushes down on Runrun's head and hops out.
Runrun just misses with a punch to the body.
Kowalczyk fails in his attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kowalczyk tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kowalczyk scores with a head kick.
Kowalczyk changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Runrun tries to avoid it but Kowalczyk manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Runrun to the ground. Runrun escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Runrun shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting Kowalczyk counter with a right hand.
Marcin Kowalczyk has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Runrun Runrun.
Runrun takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalczyk wants to clinch up but Runrun keeps it at a distance.
Runrun tries to clinch but Kowalczyk moves out of range.
Runrun tries for a takedown but Kowalczyk sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Kowalczyk scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Kowalczyk wants to take a breather but Runrun is having none of it.
Runrun 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.
Kowalczyk moves into full mount! Runrun won't be happy about that!
Kowalczyk landing strikes, looking to finish!

Kowalczyk swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Runrun is now in Kowalczyk's guard. A big mistake from Kowalczyk there, giving up the dominant position!
Kowalczyk wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Runrun tries to stand but Kowalczyk is controlling from the bottom.

Kowalczyk looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Runrun has picked Kowalczyk up and slammed him! Kowalczyk can't keep hold of the triangle and Runrun manages to pass to side control!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kowalczyk tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Runrun presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Kowalczyk is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Runrun lands a nice shot to the head.
Runrun thowing shots but they're missing.

Runrun with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Runrun is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Kowalczyk has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Kowalczyk tries to hold on but Runrun postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Kowalczyk controls the position.
Kowalczyk is working to get back to half guard.
Runrun Runrun has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Marcin Kowalczyk is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Poor strikes thrown by Runrun there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

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 Marcin Kowalczyk.
Well Kowalczyk has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marcin Kowalczyk!