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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Vladimir Van Kirkland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Reza Katebi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Van Kirkland's entrance music is DJ Vadim - The Terrorist. A fine choice. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.
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180 cm
34
164 lbs
26 - 18 - 0 |
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175 cm
31
165 lbs
15 - 16 - 1 |
Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible |
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Excellent grappler
Good low kicks
Fast |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division. Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner. With a record of
26 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Vladimir Van Kirkland! And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner. With a record of
15 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Reza Katebi! The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, William Peck and Trevor Gratis.
![](https://www.mmatycoon.com/images/fight/round1.jpg) The bell rings for round one and we are underway! Katebi is looking to chop away at Van Kirkland's legs. An attempted straight right counter from Van Kirkland misses the target. Katebi scores with a punch to the head. Katebi dips to his left and cracks Van Kirkland with an uppercut! Van Kirkland has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance. Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Van Kirkland!
Katebi does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy. Van Kirkland paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button. Katebi tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him. Katebi blocks a head kick by Van Kirkland.
Katebi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Van Kirkland. Van Kirkland sets himself, and Katebi steps forward looking for the clinch! Van Kirkland avoids it this time. Katebi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Van Kirkland. Van Kirkland defending well as Katebi loads up on a big left hand. Katebi looks to score with a combo but nothing lands. Katebi cracks Van Kirkland with a right hand to the side of the head. 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! Nice uppercut lands for Van Kirkland. That snapped Katebi's head back.
Van Kirkland misses with a low kick. Nice cross by Katebi. Katebi takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Katebi does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy. Van Kirkland lands a jab to Katebi's midsection. Van Kirkland tries to land a leg kick but Katebi saw it coming and moves away.
![](https://www.mmatycoon.com/images/fight/1.gif) That's one minute gone in the round. Van Kirkland with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Van Kirkland smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button. Van Kirkland ducks under a wild hook from Katebi. Van Kirkland throws a big counter combination but Katebi scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage. Van Kirkland feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Katebi's calf. Van Kirkland throws out a token jab with nothing on it. Katebi throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Van Kirkland on the side of the head. Van Kirkland uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Katebi. Van Kirkland throws a right and a left that Katebi avoids nicely. Katebi throws a push kick but Van Kirkland slaps the foot to one side. Van Kirkland throws a head kick that misses. Katebi throws a jab but it's blocked by Van Kirkland. Van Kirkland pushing out the jab but it's not landing. It seemed like Katebi was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it. Van Kirkland gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Katebi. Van Kirkland is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Van Kirkland throws a lazy right hand but Katebi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily. Vladimir Van Kirkland is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs. Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show! Van Kirkland slips a straight right by Katebi. Katebi looks to land a left hand but Van Kirkland moved out of range nicely. Katebi misses with a wild combination.
![](https://www.mmatycoon.com/images/fight/2.gif) That's two minutes gone in the round. Van Kirkland fakes a head shot and lands one to the body. Katebi throws a right and a left that Van Kirkland avoids nicely. Van Kirkland throws a head kick that misses. Van Kirkland throws a nice head kick!
Katebi has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Katebi there as he acknowledges the shot. Wow, both these guys are really going for it! Katebi's jab looks to have found its range, popping Van Kirkland under the eye. A punch lands to the side of Van Kirkland 's head but he takes it in his stride. Van Kirkland ducks under a wild hook from Katebi. Katebi throws a series of punches but Van Kirkland avoids them all with ease. Katebi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Van Kirkland. Van Kirkland takes a swing at Katebi's ribcage but misses. Katebi takes one to the side of the head.
Katebi listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut. Katebi scores with a head kick.
Van Kirkland throws a quick inside leg kick. Katebi takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Katebi looks to land a left hand but Van Kirkland moved out of range nicely. Katebi takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Katebi is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Van Kirkland had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
![](https://www.mmatycoon.com/images/fight/3.gif) That's three minutes gone in the round. Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Katebi, as that shot connected.
Van Kirkland tries to work over Katebi's front leg with a kick but Katebi checks it. Katebi is looking to chop away at Van Kirkland's legs. Katebi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Van Kirkland sees it coming and avoids it easily. A big left from Katebi misses. Van Kirkland swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect. Sloppy strikes from Van Kirkland. Those never looked like landing. Katebi scores with a jab. Van Kirkland lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Katebi's coach down at MANTIS MMA was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Katebi's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight. Katebi tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him. Van Kirkland throws a hook but Katebi blocks it. Van Kirkland throws a series of punches but Katebi moves out of range. Katebi lands with a kick to the ribs.
Van Kirkland throws a hook but Katebi avoids it easily. Katebi misses with a straight left. Katebi throws a lazy uppercut
and Van Kirkland connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle. We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out! Van Kirkland defending well as Katebi loads up on a big left hand. Katebi avoids the head kick by Van Kirkland.
Katebi fails with the takedown.
![](https://www.mmatycoon.com/images/fight/4.gif) That's four minutes gone in the round. Katebi on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere. Nice jab there from Katebi. A left and a right from Katebi both land. Nice combination. Katebi throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Van Kirkland misses with a lunging right hand
and Katebi counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters. Van Kirkland slips a jab and a cross from Katebi.
Van Kirkland lands with a nice body punch. Van Kirkland throws out a loose jab but Katebi uses good head movement to avoid it. Katebi takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Van Kirkland bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut. Katebi looks to land a right hand but Van Kirkland moved out of range. Katebi throws an overhand right that lands on Van Kirkland's shoulder, as Van Kirkland tries to avoid the shot. As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action. Van Kirkland connects with a nice looking jab.
Van Kirkland jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Katebi lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Van Kirkland has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Van Kirkland and we're back underway with a touch of gloves. Katebi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Van Kirkland.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Vladimir Van Kirkland will probably get the nod. Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Van Kirkland loads up on a big right hand but Katebi slips the punch. Katebi lands a slapping body shot.
Katebi avoids a lazy jab quite easily. Katebi throws a leg kick but Van Kirkland checks it. Katebi blocks a jab. Katebi only half commits to the counter leg kick. Van Kirkland jabs Katebi right on the nose. Katebi blinks but takes it well. Van Kirkland throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A jab from Van Kirkland finds it's way through Katebi's defenses. Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Katebi might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Van Kirkland has got the better of the exchanges. Van Kirkland throws a chopping leg kick but Katebi manages to avoid taking any serious damage. Van Kirkland swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target. Van Kirkland is looking to chop away at Katebi's legs. Katebi blocks a low kick nicely. Katebi throws a head kick that misses. We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Van Kirkland misses with a right hand and Katebi counters with a lovely straight right hand! Van Kirkland defending well as Katebi loads up on a big left hand. Van Kirkland swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Van Kirkland throws an off balance right hand
and Katebi counters with a nice double leg into half guard. Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd. Van Kirkland is looking to improve his position.
![](https://www.mmatycoon.com/images/fight/1.gif) That's one minute gone in the round. Van Kirkland is looking to escape. Van Kirkland is looking to control Katebi's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Van Kirkland avoid being mounted? The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily. Van Kirkland is trying to stand up here but Katebi is controlling him well. Katebi throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Van Kirkland is defending against the submission attempts here by Katebi.
Van Kirkland moves into full guard.
![](https://www.mmatycoon.com/images/fight/2.gif) 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. Katebi is looking to work some ground and pound but Van Kirkland has wrist control. Van Kirkland is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Katebi has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan. Van Kirkland controlling Katebi's posture.
![](https://www.mmatycoon.com/images/fight/refstandup3.gif) The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity. Katebi shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Van Kirkland as he jumps to the side. Nice cross by Van Kirkland.
![](https://www.mmatycoon.com/images/fight/3.gif) That's three minutes gone in the round. Sloppy strikes from Van Kirkland. Those never looked like landing. Van Kirkland takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A big right from Katebi misses. A telegraphed right hand from Van Kirkland misses the target. Van Kirkland tries a switch kick but it misses it's target. Katebi lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Van Kirkland lands with an uppercut that bounces Katebi off the cage and back into range. Van Kirkland throws a leg kick which misses Katebi's front leg but catches the back leg as Katebi tries to avoid it. Van Kirkland misses with an uppercut. Katebi takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Van Kirkland lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Katebi misses with a hook. Vladimir Van Kirkland is winning the standup battle so far. 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! Katebi slips a jab and a cross from Van Kirkland.
Katebi is trying to counter with his kicks. Katebi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Van Kirkland. Van Kirkland throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Katebi lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Van Kirkland has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Van Kirkland and we're back underway with a touch of gloves. Katebi throws out a loose jab but Van Kirkland uses good head movement to avoid it. Sloppy strikes from Van Kirkland. Those never looked like landing.
![](https://www.mmatycoon.com/images/fight/4.gif) That's four minutes gone in the round. Van Kirkland ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Katebi moves away. Van Kirkland jabs at Katebi's body. Nice sprawl there from Van Kirkland as Katebi shoots in. Van Kirkland looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it. Katebi will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Van Kirkland appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick. Van Kirkland scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one. Katebi looks to throw the jab but Van Kirkland is out of range. A big right from Van Kirkland misses. Katebi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target. Van Kirkland throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Katebi's head. Good standup being displayed there by Van Kirkland as he connects with a hook. Katebi takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket. Nice defenses there by Katebi. Van Kirkland on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Katebi has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye. Van Kirkland throws out a token jab with nothing on it. And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Vladimir Van Kirkland dominated that second 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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!
Katebi slips under a jab. Katebi defending well as Van Kirkland loads up on a big left hand. Katebi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh. Katebi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Van Kirkland moves away. Van Kirkland throws an overhand right that lands on Katebi's shoulder, as Katebi tries to avoid the shot. It seemed like Katebi was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it. Van Kirkland is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Katebi can do to turn this around? Katebi thows a left - swing and a miss! Van Kirkland slips under a jab from Katebi. Van Kirkland swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect. Van Kirkland waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Katebi. Van Kirkland uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Katebi.
Katebi scores with a sloppy right hand. Van Kirkland should have avoided that one. Katebi misses with a hook
letting Van Kirkland counter with a right hand. Van Kirkland uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Katebi.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up. Nice defenses there by Katebi. A good leg kick by Katebi. A combination from Van Kirkland does no damage. Nice defenses there by Van Kirkland. Katebi throws a looping overhand right but Van Kirkland ducks down to avoid it. Katebi closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
![](https://www.mmatycoon.com/images/fight/1.gif) That's one minute gone in the round. Van Kirkland moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination. Van Kirkland uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Katebi.
Van Kirkland moves out of range as Katebi strikes. Katebi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way. Katebi scoring well with a low kick there.
Katebi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired. Good shot there by Van Kirkland. Van Kirkland staying out of range there. Katebi scores with a hook. Van Kirkland blocks a low kick nicely.
Katebi shoots in and gets a takedown into Van Kirkland's guard. Katebi throws a strike but Van Kirkland rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top. Van Kirkland being controlled here momentarily. Van Kirkland advances position into side control! The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
![](https://www.mmatycoon.com/images/fight/2.gif) That's two minutes gone in the round. 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! Katebi is trying to work for a sweep but Van Kirkland has mounted him! Katebi regains half guard. Van Kirkland perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there. The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work. Van Kirkland prevents Katebi from improving his position.
![](https://www.mmatycoon.com/images/fight/3.gif) That's three minutes gone in the round. Van Kirkland is keen to just control but Katebi is a slippery customer. Van Kirkland performing his best blanket impression for a moment. Van Kirkland wants to pass the guard but Katebi is defending well.
![](https://www.mmatycoon.com/images/fight/4.gif) 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. Katebi wants to control but Van Kirkland passes into side.
Vladimir Van Kirkland is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach. Van Kirkland wants to control but Katebi is keeping him busy.
Van Kirkland decides to stand back up. Van Kirkland misses with a head kick.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over. Katebi defending well as Van Kirkland loads up on a big left hand. Katebi appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick. Katebi attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin. Van Kirkland moves out of range as Katebi throws a body kick.
Reza Katebi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here! Katebi misses with a low kick as Van Kirkland jumps back. Van Kirkland is looking to counter punch.
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 Vladimir Van Kirkland. Well I reckon that's a shut out for Van Kirkland, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:27 Judge William Peck scores the fight 29:28 Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vladimir Van Kirkland! During a confident post fight interview, Vladimir Van Kirkland thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
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S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
68% |
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