PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Yury Vesnev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wasim Kayani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kayani has chosen Audioslave - Exploder as his entrance music. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Vesnev
vs
Kayani

170 cm
36
159 lbs
32 - 12 - 1

170 cm
33
167 lbs
27 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Mohito Fightwear
Pearson Specter Litt

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Yury Vesnev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Wasim Kayani!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kayani bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A little jabbing left from Kayani on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A big right from Kayani misses.
Kayani pulls out of a head kick attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kayani.
Vesnev tries to counter with a takedown but Kayani is quick to defend against it.
Kayani misses with a hook. Vesnev ducked under it nicely.
Kayani has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Vesnev is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Vesnev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A swing and a miss from Kayani.
Vesnev throws a big shot that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kayani walks into a straight right hand from Vesnev.
Vesnev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kayani throws out the jab.
Vesnev attempts a counter takedown but Kayani avoids it well and moves away.
Vesnev has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Gym Beam in the buildup to the fight.
Nice shot lands for Kayani.
Kayani tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kayani jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kayani.
Kayani throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Vesnev takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Vesnev will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A good leg kick by Kayani.
Vesnev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kayani looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kayani.
Kayani throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A big left from Kayani misses.
Vesnev throws a shot from downtown. Kayani moves away and avoids it.
Kayani connects with a solid leg kick.
Vesnev tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vesnev wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Vesnev takes a swing at Kayani's ribcage but misses.
Kayani thinks about the counter body kick.
Kayani steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Vesnev.
Kayani wants to slow Vesnev down by chopping away at his legs.
Vesnev lands a jab to the nose.
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!
Vesnev looks to land a left hand but Kayani moved out of range nicely.
Vesnev scores with a nice head shot.
Kayani lands a slapping body shot.
Vesnev throws a lazy right hand but Kayani sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A nice combination there by Kayani.
Vesnev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kayani.
Vesnev misses with a wild body shot.
Kayani lands a nice shot that snaps Vesnev's head back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kayani keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Vesnev.

Vesnev throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Kayani tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Vesnev is in Kayani's guard.
Kayani not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Vesnev is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Kayani looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vesnev sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Kayani's guard.
Vesnev is thwarting Kayani's attempts to control the position.
Vesnev drops an elbow to the side of Kayani's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kayani is looking to improve his position.
Kayani is pressing down on Vesnev's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Vesnev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kayani is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vesnev keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kayani's head.
Vesnev trying to control but Kayani is working from the bottom.
Vesnev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Wasim Kayani will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kayani misses with a head kick.
Kayani lands with a right hand.
Kayani throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Kayani fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Vesnev throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kayani.
Kayani on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Vesnev moves out of range of the body kick.
Kayani keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kayani only half commits to the counter leg kick.
A head kick misses from Kayani.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kayani is looking to slow Vesnev down with leg kicks.
Kayani connects with a high kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kayani throws a sloppy head kick and Vesnev moves out of range easily.
Vesnev misses with an uppercut. Kayani saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vesnev misses with a right hand
and Kayani counters with a nice uppercut.
Vesnev scores with a nice right hand.
Kayani staying out of range there.
Kayani slips under a jab from Vesnev.
Kayani catches Vesnev with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kayani swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kayani throws a right and a left that Vesnev avoids nicely.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Vesnev dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Vesnev checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Vesnev misses with a left hand
and Kayani cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Vesnev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kayani looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Vesnev misses with a shot to the body
and Kayani counters with a thumping low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Kayani misses

and Vesnev counters with a single leg into guard. Kayani didn't expect that.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vesnev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kayani trying to keep a closed guard but Vesnev is proving a slippery customer.
Kayani has momentary wrist control but Vesnev slips an elbow through the middle.
Vesnev wants to control from the top but Kayani keeps moving.
Vesnev throwing strikes from guard but Kayani blocks nicely.
Kayani working a defensive guard here.
Vesnev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vesnev trying to control the position from guard on top but Kayani is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kayani avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kayani keeping full guard, as Vesnev tries to pass.
Kayani has Vesnev pulled in close to control his posture.
Vesnev lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Vesnev lands a couple of elbows.
Vesnev postures up.
Kayani has his hands on Vesnev's head, controlling the position.
Vesnev looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Kayani working for a triangle but Vesnev defends it easily.
Yury Vesnev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Kayani is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Vesnev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kayani works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kayani is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Vesnev postures up and lands a big shot to Kayani's brow.
Kayani has momentary wrist control but Vesnev slips an elbow through the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Wasim Kayani will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Vesnev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kayani.
Kayani was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Kayani ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Vesnev avoids the body shot from Kayani.
Vesnev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Vesnev checks a low kick from Kayani.
Vesnev has his takedown stuffed
and Kayani counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Vesnev slips under a jab from Kayani.
Vesnev tries to counter with a takedown but Kayani is quick to defend against it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kayani throws a nice inside leg kick.
Vesnev smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Vesnev avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vesnev checks a low kick from Kayani.
Wasim Kayani seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Vesnev misses with a takedown attempt - Kayani sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kayani throws a sloppy head kick and Vesnev moves out of range easily.
Vesnev throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kayani cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kayani pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Vesnev ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Vesnev drops down looking for a counter takedown but Kayani sprawls and moves away.
Kayani throws a lazy right hand but Vesnev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Vesnev attempts a counter takedown but Kayani avoids it well and moves away.
Vesnev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kayani.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Vesnev, as that shot connected.
Vesnev is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Kayani takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Vesnev throws a body punch but Kayani moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good work by Vesnev as he checks the leg kick.
Vesnev attempts a counter takedown but Kayani avoids it well and moves away.
Kayani misses with a straight left.
Vesnev loads up on a big right hand but Kayani slips the punch.
Kayani tries a head kick but it misses.
Vesnev tries to counter with a takedown but Kayani is quick to defend against it.
Vesnev uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kayani.
Vesnev half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Vesnev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kayani.
Vesnev throws a leg kick
and Kayani counters with a nice low kick that buckles Vesnev's knee momentarily.
Vesnev blocks a head kick by Kayani.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jab by Vesnev.
Vesnev slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Vesnev throws a hook but Kayani avoids it easily.
Vesnev misses with a shot to the body
and Kayani counters with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kayani uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Vesnev moves away from the strike by Kayani.
Vesnev avoids the head kick by Kayani.
Vesnev appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Kayani takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kayani throws a lazy right hand but Vesnev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kayani connects with a looping right hand.
Kayani tries to score with a low kick but Vesnev moves his leg out of the way.
Vesnev changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Kayani checks a low kick from Vesnev.

Vesnev darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Kayani wants to improve his position but Vesnev is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kayani keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ground and pound from Vesnev.
Kayani regains full guard. Nicely done.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vesnev preventing the sweep.
Vesnev postures up and lands a big shot to Kayani's brow.
Vesnev's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Vesnev is working Kayani over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Kayani throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Vesnev preventing the sweep.
Vesnev throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Wasim Kayani just about did enough to take it.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kayani lands a glancing blow to the side of Vesnev's head.
Vesnev defending well as Kayani loads up on a big left hand.
Kayani on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Vesnev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kayani defends it nicely.
Vesnev lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A decent looking cross lands there for Vesnev.
Vesnev lands with a nice body punch.
Vesnev throws a series of punches but Kayani avoids them all with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kayani tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Vesnev is able to avoid easily.
Kayani looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Vesnev swings and misses with a shot to the body
enabling Kayani to counter with a crisp jab.
Kayani lands an overhand right.
Vesnev darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Vesnev moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A decent looking cross lands there for Vesnev.
Kayani tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kayani will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vesnev misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Kayani to counter with a crisp jab.
Kayani slaps away a takedown attempt from Vesnev, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yury Vesnev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vesnev throws out a loose jab but Kayani uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vesnev lands a head shot.
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!
Kayani jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Vesnev misses with a straight right.
Vesnev lands a nice shot to the body.
A jab lands there for Vesnev.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Vesnev.
Kayani wants to control but Vesnev postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kayani trying to control but Vesnev flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Vesnev lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Vesnev connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Kayani to escape the position.
Vesnev has the hooks in. Kayani is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Vesnev lands punches and elbows.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Vesnev's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Kayani takes a big shot to the side of the head.
Vesnev lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Vesnev lands with a hammerfist to the side of Kayani's head.
Vesnev lands with a hammerfist to the side of Kayani's head.

Kayani is rocked!
Vesnev wants to control but Kayani manages to buck him off and is now in Vesnev's guard! Nice work there by Kayani!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kayani throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Vesnev works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Vesnev keeping moving, preventing Kayani from controlling successfully.
Kayani is looking to work some ground and pound but Vesnev has wrist control.
Kayani postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kayani tries to free his leg and advance position but Vesnev is retaining full guard.
Kayani trying to control the position from guard on top but Vesnev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Vesnev looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kayani stands and throws Vesnev's legs to the side, diving into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yury Vesnev had his way with Wasim Kayani in that round.
That's time! Vesnev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A nice inside leg kick there by Kayani. That's going to slow Vesnev down.
Kayani misses with a looping left.
Vesnev tries to counter with a takedown but Kayani is quick to defend against it.
Kayani misses with a head kick.
Vesnev drops down looking for a counter takedown but Kayani sprawls and moves away.
Kayani misses with a head kick.
Kayani tries a head kick but it misses.
Vesnev half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Vesnev misses with a hook.
Kayani looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Vesnev misses with a jab to the body
and Kayani counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vesnev lands a body shot.
Vesnev takes one to the side of the head.
Kayani looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kayani just misses with a punch to the body.
Wasim Kayani seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vesnev looks to score with a jab to the body but Kayani is just out of range.
Vesnev swings widly with a right hand
and Kayani counters with a straight right hand.

Vesnev drives through with a takedown into Kayani's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Kayani working a defensive guard here.
Vesnev working some strikes from top position.
Vesnev cracks Kayani with a solid left hand.

Vesnev avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Vesnev stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kayani swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Yury Vesnev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wasim Kayani is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kayani seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Kayani utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Vesnev preventing the sweep.
Vesnev postures up and lands a big shot to Kayani's brow.
Vesnev trying to control the position from guard on top but Kayani is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vesnev is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Vesnev trying to control but Kayani is working from the bottom.
Vesnev controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vesnev is fighting to break Kayani's control of his arms but Kayani is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kayani pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kayani 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.
Kayani drops his hands momentarily and Vesnev takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Vesnev misses with a shot to the body
and Kayani counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Vesnev swings for the body but Kayani moves out of range.
Kayani throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Kayani falls off balance throwing a combination

and Vesnev counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Vesnev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kayani keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kayani wants to get back to full guard.
Kayani is positioning himself well to prevent Vesnev advancing to mount.
Vesnev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Vesnev working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Ground and pound from Vesnev.
Kayani is still in real trouble! Can Vesnev finish him?
Vesnev working over Kayani with some ground and pound. Kayani looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Vesnev is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kayani is just riding it out for now. Vesnev eventually gives up the hold.
Kayani gets full guard.

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 Yury Vesnev.
I think Kayani 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 46:49
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 49:47
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 50:46

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Yury Vesnev!
A very excited looking Yury Vesnev made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.