PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Tony Russell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Inikagi Kimura (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.

Russell
vs
Kimura

180 cm
25
137 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
KO power

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Tony Russell !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Inikagi Kimura!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Hugh Johnson and Ben Hemmingworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kimura uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Russell .
Kimura tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Russell was well out of range. Poor timing from Kimura.
An attempted straight right counter from Russell misses the target.

Kimura shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Russell is trying to defend but Kimura finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Kimura thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Russell 's head.
Russell won't allow Kimura to pass to mount.
Kimura thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Russell is trying to maintain the position but Kimura is very close to passing his half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kimura is controlling the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kimura is thwarting Russell 's attempts to control the position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Kimura looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Kimura thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Russell 's head.
Russell has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kimura is working away from the top position though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kimura tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

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.

Russell clinches.

Kimura pulls guard effortlessly.
Russell trying to control the position from guard on top but Kimura is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Russell trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Kimura working for submissions but it's allowed Russell to get to half guard.
Kimura wants to control but Russell is keeping busy.

Russell seems to be working for a kimura but Kimura defends the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kimura punching from the bottom.
Kimura is trying to get back to full guard.
Kimura wants to control but Russell is keeping busy.
Russell seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kimura does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Russell blocks the strikes from Kimura.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Russell is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kimura doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Russell .

Russell is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Kimura actively working from the bottom here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Russell connects with a body shot.
Russell throws out a powerful jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Inikagi Kimura will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kimura misses with a series of wild punches.
Russell really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Russell throws a right hand that Kimura ducks under and follows up with a left that Kimura also avoids with ease.

Russell gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Kimura drags the fight down to the ground.

Kimura looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Russell passes into half guard.

Russell is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kimura has managed to free his arm - good work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kimura tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Russell has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Kimura tries to reverse the position but Russell maintains control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russell wants to control the pace but Kimura is squirming around nicely.
Kimura is controlling an arm, preventing Russell from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Kimura is squirming around, avoiding Russell 's attempts to control the action.
Kimura is desperately trying to improve his position but Russell has a good base and remains in mount.
Kimura really wants to buck Russell off and get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kimura is looking to improve his position but Russell isn't that keen on the idea.
Russell wants to control the pace but Kimura is squirming around nicely.
Kimura tries to hold on but Russell pushes him away.
Kimura working to try and regain half guard.
Inikagi Kimura has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kimura wants to hold on but Russell pushes him away.
Kimura has given up his back here. Will Russell look for the submission or keep pounding away?

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Russell patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Kimura is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Russell gets his way!
Kimura is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Russell off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Russell is not going to allow Kimura to sit and survive in this position.

Russell is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Kimura defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Russell trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Russell working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Kimura preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Russell .
Russell slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A lull in the action here.
Kimura trying to control the hands but Russell won't let him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Russell dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Russell lands a jab to Kimura's midsection.
Kimura throws a low kick but it's checked well by Russell .
Russell bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

Kimura tries to keep at a distance but Russell has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kimura stalling the fight.
Kimura misses with a hook to the ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kimura breaks the clinch.

Kimura scores with a takedown into Russell 's guard.
Kimura postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kimura forces his way into half guard.

Russell looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Russell trying to control but Kimura postures up.
Kimura tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Russell .

Kimura is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Russell gets full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Russell is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kimura is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Russell bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kimura's guard.

Russell stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kimura swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kimura wants to sweep here but Russell controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russell prevents Kimura from getting back to his feet.
Kimura throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kimura wants to stand but Russell is controlling the position.
Russell wants to pass the guard but Kimura is keeping the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kimura avoids the body shot from Russell .
Kimura wants to counter the offense by Russell and move into the clinch position.

Kimura dives in and scores a takedown into Russell 's guard.
Kimura takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Russell controls Kimura momentarily but Kimura frees himself.
Kimura must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Russell looking for a guillotine here but Kimura defends easily.
Russell is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kimura with a flurry of punches that miss.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Russell wants to control but Kimura passes easily into half guard.
Russell wants to control but Kimura is keeping busy and won't allow it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Inikagi Kimura comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kimura has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight for Tony Russell !
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight for Tony Russell !
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight for Tony Russell !

Tony Russell wins by unanimous decision!