PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lyov Kirijenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lu Kuan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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
Kuan

195 cm
37
220 lbs
27 - 27 - 1

194 cm
32
205 lbs
13 - 8 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 27 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Lyov Kirijenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Lu Kuan!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Winston Howard and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kirijenko blocks a head kick by Kuan.
Kirijenko 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.
Kirijenko throws a low kick but Kuan avoids it.
Nice shot by Kirijenko.
Kirijenko misses the jab.
A head kick by Kuan misses
and Kirijenko counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kuan throws a lazy head kick
and Kuan takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kuan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kirijenko throws out the jab.
Despite the aggression on Kuan's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Kirijenko throws a big shot that misses.
Kuan keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kirijenko.
Kirijenko scores with a jab. Kuan acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Kirijenko throws a series of punches but Kuan avoids them all with ease.
Kuan falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kirijenko counters with a right hand to the body.
Nice defenses there by Kuan.
Kirijenko tries a head kick but it misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kuan throws a head kick but Kirijenko moves out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Kirijenko misses the target.
Kirijenko misses with a straight right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuan throws a leg kick
letting Kirijenko counter with a right hand.
Kirijenko throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kuan sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kirijenko moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromKuan.

Kirijenko closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Kuan did well to prevent Kirijenko getting side control.
Kuan tries to kick Kirijenko off in order to stand up. Kirijenko Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Kuan is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the ropes but Kirijenko has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Kirijenko misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Kirijenko wants to control but Kuan is keeping him busy.
Kuan managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Kirijenko.
Kirijenko is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Kuan will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Kuan taking punishment in the form of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuan takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Kuan manages to get back to half guard.
Kuan is controlling Kirijenko's trapped leg to prevent Kirijenko from advancing to side control.
Kuan looks like he's trying to stand up.
Kuan keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kirijenko wants to free his trapped foot but Kuan is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Kuan is trying to maintain the position but Kirijenko is very close to passing his half guard.
Kuan blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kirijenko.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kirijenko thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kuan's head.
Kirijenko working Kuan over with strikes.
Kirijenko trying to control from half guard but Kuan is working away.
Kirijenko takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Kuan has hold of Kirijenko's hands but Kirijenko slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Kuan is trying to control but can't.
Kirijenko thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kuan's head.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kirijenko thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kuan's head.
Kuan is trying to maintain the position but Kirijenko is very close to passing his half guard.
Kirijenko prevents Kuan from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirijenko slows the pace down in half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kuan throws a chopping leg kick but Kirijenko manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kirijenko throws a shot from downtown. Kuan moves away and avoids it.
Lyov Kirijenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kirijenko throws a low kick but Kuan avoids it.
Kuan moves out of range of the body kick.
Kuan tries a head kick but it misses.
Kirijenko throws a body punch but Kuan moves out of range.
Kirijenko misses with a low kick.
Kirijenko lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kuan at a distance.
Kirijenko throws a looping overhand right but Kuan ducks down to avoid it.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kirijenko.
Kuan misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kuan staying out of range there.
Kuan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kirijenko moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Kuan throws a head kick that half lands.

Kirijenko closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Kuan wants to break free but Kirijenko has control.
Kirijenko effectively controlling the action here.
Kuan wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kuan lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kirijenko backwards.

Kuan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kirijenko throws an off balance right hand

and Kuan holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Kuan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kirijenko throws a hook but Kuan blocks it.
Kuan checks the leg kick.
Kirijenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kuan is trying to counter with his kicks.
Good work by Kuan as he checks the leg kick.
Kirijenko throws a nice looking combination but Kuan bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Kuan lands a high kick!
Kirijenko scores with a body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kirijenko cracks Kuan with an open hand slap.
Kirijenko wants to land a leg kick but Kuan is out of range.
Kuan raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Kuan tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kirijenko swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kirijenko throws a hook but Kuan avoids it easily.
Kirijenko fails with the takedown.
Kirijenko misses with a kick to the body.
Kuan tries to work over Kirijenko's front leg with a kick but Kirijenko checks it.
Kuan tries a head kick but it misses.
Kuan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kirijenko.
As Kirijenko backs off Kuan throws a huge counter combo but Kirijenko manages to avoid it all.
Kuan tries to clinch but Kirijenko moves out of range.
Kirijenko avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kuan throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Kuan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Kirijenko drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Kuan scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Kuan will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kirijenko throws a looping overhand right but Kuan ducks down to avoid it.
Kuan is looking to chop away at Kirijenko's legs.

Kuan tries to sprawl but Kirijenko drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Kuan has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kirijenko is working away from the top position though.
Kuan has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Kuan moves into full guard.
Kuan looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kirijenko is one step ahead there.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Kirijenko wants to control from the top but Kuan keeps moving.
Kirijenko stopping the sweep attempt from Kuan.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Kirijenko working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Kuan utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kirijenko stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kuan swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kirijenko postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kirijenko has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kirijenko in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Kuan wants to control but Kirijenko passes easily into half guard.
Kirijenko missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Kuan kicks Kirijenko off and gets back to his feet.
Kirijenko looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Kirijenko takes a swing at Kuan's ribcage but misses.

Kirijenko fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kuan sprawls well initially but Kirijenko persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Kirijenko slows the pace down in half guard.
Kuan trying to control here.
Kirijenko thows a huge punch but Kuan dodges it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lyov Kirijenko 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. And we move into the final round!

Kirijenko misses with a hook
and Kuan counters with a slapping leg kick.
A head kick misses from Kuan.
Kuan lands a nice shot that snaps Kirijenko's head back.
Kirijenko tries to clinch but Kuan is having none of it.
Kirijenko shoots for a takedown but Kuan saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kirijenko circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kirijenko just misses with a punch to the body.
Kirijenko connects with the punch.
Kirijenko closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Kuan moves forwards but Kirijenko connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kirijenko misses with a takedown attempt - Kuan sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kirijenko throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Kuan tries to close the distance and clinch but Kirijenko swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kuan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kirijenko throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kuan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kirijenko shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kuan napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Kirijenko trying to control the position but Kuan is working away.

Kirijenko swings around for an armbar but Kuan sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Kirijenko's guard.
Kuan is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Kirijenko controls Kuan momentarily but Kuan frees himself.
Kirijenko managing to control the position.
Kuan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kirijenko working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kuan doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kuan manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kirijenko is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kuan can do to turn this around?

Kirijenko throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Kuan escapes and throws Kirijenko's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Kuan wants to stand but Kirijenko is controlling his arm.
Kirijenko manages to get back to half guard.
Kirijenko is refusing to be controlled, as Kuan sits in half guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Lu Kuan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kuan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kirijenko connects with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuan turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Lyov Kirijenko is winning the standup battle so far.
Kirijenko shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kuan sprawls well. Kuan wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kirijenko gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lyov Kirijenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kuan lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kuan looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kirijenko misses with a hook. Kuan ducked under it nicely.
Kuan checks the leg kick nicely there.
A low kick from Kirijenko is predictable there
and Kuan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kuan lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Kirijenko defending well as Kuan loads up on a big left hand.
A quick step to the side and Kirijenko tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kirijenko lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirijenko tries for a takedown but Kuan circles away easily
and Kuan counters with a head kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kuan moves forwards but Kirijenko connects with a nice, crisp jab.
An inside leg kick from Kuan misses.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kuan.
Kuan misses with a head kick.
Kirijenko swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Kuan keeps the fight on the outside.
Kuan connects with a high kick.
Kuan throws a sloppy head kick and Kirijenko moves out of range easily.
Kirijenko misses with a body shot.
Nice body punch from Kirijenko.
Kirijenko throws a shot from downtown. Kuan moves away and avoids it.
Kuan takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kuan loads up on a big right hand but Kirijenko slips the punch.
Kirijenko throws a body punch but Kuan moves out of range.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Kuan misses
and Kirijenko counters with a straight right hand.
Kuan avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kirijenko shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kuan defends it nicely.
Kirijenko throws a predictable looking body shot

and Kuan counters with a head kick that drops Kirijenko to the mat! Kirijenko scrambles across the canvas and gets back to his feet, still wobbly!

Kirijenko is rocked!
Kuan tries to close the distance and clinch but Kirijenko swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Oh Kirijenko is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kirijenko throws the left hand but Kuan avoids the punch easily.
Kirijenko blocks a head kick by Kuan.
Kirijenko misses with a hook. Kuan ducked under it nicely.
Kirijenko throws a hook but Kuan blocks it.
Kuan throws a leg kick
and Kirijenko cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kirijenko seems to have got his legs back now.
Kirijenko shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kuan tries a head kick but it misses.
Kuan throws a sloppy head kick and Kirijenko moves out of range easily.
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!
Kuan throws a head kick but Kirijenko moves out of range.
Kuan is breathing heavily.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Kirijenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kuan.
A head kick misses from Kuan.
Kuan throws a leg kick that misses.
A good leg kick by Kuan.
Kirijenko jabs Kuan to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kirijenko slips under a jab.
Kirijenko throws a head kick but Kuan moves out of range.
Kirijenko throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kuan moves out of range as Kirijenko throws a body kick.
Kirijenko throws a sloppy head kick and Kuan moves out of range easily.
Kuan throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Kirijenko's head.
Kuan connects with a leg kick. Kirijenko looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Kuan tries a head kick but it misses.

Kuan clinches.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Kirijenko manages to break the clinch.
Kuan throws a head kick that misses
and Kirijenko counters with a straight right hand.
Kuan scores with a leg kick.
Kuan chopping away at his opponent's legs.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kirijenko.
Kirijenko darts in looking for a takedown but Kuan gets double underhooks and turns Kirijenko into the ropes.
Kuan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kuan tries to move into range but Kirijenko moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

Kuan gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kirijenko accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kirijenko with a nice head shot there.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Kuan tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kuan keeping moving, preventing Kirijenko from controlling successfully.
Kirijenko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kuan looking for a sweep. Not yet Kuan, not yet.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Kirijenko cracks Kuan with a solid left hand.
Kirijenko is in close to Kuan's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Kirijenko trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kirijenko forces his way into half guard.
Kirijenko controlling the action here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Kuan takes the fight into the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kuan.
Lu Kuan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kuan wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kuan scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kuan lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kirijenko backwards.
Kuan with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Kuan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kirijenko misses with a leg kick.
Kirijenko pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Lu Kuan.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight for Lyov Kirijenko!
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight for Lyov Kirijenko!
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight for Lyov Kirijenko!

Lyov Kirijenko wins by unanimous decision!
Lyov Kirijenko thanked the fans post fight for their support.