PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lyov Kirijenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Titus Kahoohalphala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kahoohalphala is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Diablo Swing Orchestra - Ragdoll Physics. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kirijenko
vs
Kahoohalphala

195 cm
37
220 lbs
27 - 26 - 1

195 cm
34
215 lbs
22 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 26 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Lyov Kirijenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Titus Kahoohalphala!
The judges for this bout are Ben Watson, Chris Dean and Francis DeMontford.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kirijenko shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Kahoohalphala manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Kirijenko in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kirijenko is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Kahoohalphala is looking to sweep but instead, Kirijenko has passed into half guard.
Ground and pound from Kirijenko.
Kahoohalphala taking some punishment here, with Kirijenko in his half guard.

Kahoohalphala looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kirijenko prevents Kahoohalphala from improving his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kirijenko wants to take a breather but Kahoohalphala is having none of it.
Kirijenko lands with a punch from half guard.

Kirijenko is looking for a kimura here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kahoohalphala looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kirijenko lands strikes from half guard.
Kahoohalphala is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kirijenko's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kirijenko's back!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kahoohalphala gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Kahoohalphala lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Kahoohalphala.
Kahoohalphala scores with punches to the body.
Kirijenko just trying to survive but Kahoohalphala is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Kirijenko covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Kirijenko looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Can Kirijenko hold on?! Kahoohalphala is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Kahoohalphala lands a shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kahoohalphala lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.

Kirijenko is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kahoohalphala throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Kahoohalphala landing with strikes.
Oh Kirijenko is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kahoohalphala has the hooks in. Kirijenko is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Kirijenko seems to have got his legs back now.
Kirijenko is trapped and Kahoohalphala is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Kahoohalphala thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.

Kirijenko is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Kahoohalphala is punishing Kirijenko with some ground and pound.
Kahoohalphala is not going to allow Kirijenko to sit and survive in this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kahoohalphala looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Kahoohalphala is trying to stick to Kirijenko's back but Kirijenko is turning into Kahoohalphala. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Kahoohalphala's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Kirijenko.
Kahoohalphala controls Kirijenko momentarily but Kirijenko frees himself.
Kirijenko throwing strikes but missing.
Kahoohalphala looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kahoohalphala manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kirijenko manages to get himself to full guard.

Kahoohalphala stands up over Kirijenko, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kirijenko is on top in guard.

Kahoohalphala preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirijenko throws an elbow that misses. Kahoohalphala uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kirijenko's guard. Nice move by Kahoohalphala!
Kirijenko trying to control the position.
Kahoohalphala preventing the sweep.
Kirijenko keeping moving, preventing Kahoohalphala from controlling successfully.
Kirijenko avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kahoohalphala works over Kirijenko with some ground and pound from guard.
Kirijenko working a defensive guard here.

Kirijenko had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kahoohalphala defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Titus Kahoohalphala dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kahoohalphala moves forwards but Kirijenko connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kirijenko fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Lyov Kirijenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kahoohalphala pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Kirijenko back to the cage. Kahoohalphala follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Kirijenko throws a shot from downtown. Kahoohalphala moves away and avoids it.
Kirijenko keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kahoohalphala.
Kirijenko is looking to counter punch.
Titus Kahoohalphala is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kahoohalphala blocks a jab.
Kahoohalphala takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kirijenko tries to bum rush Kahoohalphala with a series of wild strikes but Kahoohalphala uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kahoohalphala uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kirijenko.
Kirijenko looks for a takedown but Kahoohalphala sprawls well.
Kahoohalphala unleashes a big counter combination but Kirijenko bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kahoohalphala looks to land a left hand but Kirijenko moved out of range nicely.
Kirijenko throwing a counter right hand but Kahoohalphala manages to avoid it.
Kirijenko throws a series of punches but Kahoohalphala moves out of range.
Nice cross by Kahoohalphala.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kahoohalphala uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kirijenko.

Kahoohalphala lands a jab followed by a vicious hook that sends Kirijenko sprawling to the canvas. Kahoohalphala follows him down, looking for the kill. Can Kirijenko hang on?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kahoohalphala seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Kahoohalphala is thwarting Kirijenko's attempts to control the position.
Titus Kahoohalphala has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kirijenko flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Kirijenko trying to control but Kahoohalphala postures up.
Kahoohalphala lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Kirijenko is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Kahoohalphala jumps into side control!
Kahoohalphala creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Check out the look on Kahoohalphala's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Kahoohalphala lands a few punches from side control.
Kahoohalphala has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kirijenko is looking to regain half guard here but Kahoohalphala keeps moving and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kahoohalphala connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Kirijenko some visible discomfort.
Kahoohalphala lands a huge shot from side control! Kirijenko is out cold! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:28 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Titus Kahoohalphala!
A victorious Titus Kahoohalphala thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.