PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kenji Koko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Isailo Ljotic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Koko
vs
Ljotic

190 cm
25
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
193 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Sully's Bar & Grill

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kenji Koko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Isailo Ljotic!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Peter Branson and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koko lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ljotic circles away quickly and effectively.
Koko leaves Ljotic with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Ljotic pushes Koko up against the cage in a clinch.
Koko is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Come on Ljotic - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Ljotic is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kenji Koko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Isailo Ljotic.
Ljotic can't get the takedown.
Koko stops a takedown attempt from Ljotic.
Ljotic blocks a punch to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koko lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Koko wants to get back to striking at distance but Ljotic won't allow it.
Koko can't find room to land a body shot as Ljotic controls the action.
Ljotic is looking for a takedown.
Koko looking to slow down the pace here.
Koko is trying to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koko working hard to break the clinch.
Ljotic's coach down at Rabid Dog was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Ljotic's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

Ljotic gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Koko pushes Ljotic off and gets back to his feet.
Koko misses with a wild combination.

Ljotic has closed the distance and engaged Koko in a clinch.
Ljotic blocks a body shot from Koko.
Koko tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Koko is trying to push Ljotic away but Ljotic has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Ljotic wants to take the fight to the mat but Koko manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Koko breaks the clinch.
Ljotic shoots in for a takedown but Koko shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ljotic shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Koko pinned against the cage. Koko gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Koko wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Ljotic drives through with a takedown into Koko's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Ljotic throws a big elbow that misses.
Koko looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Ljotic wants to control from the top but Koko keeps moving.
Ljotic stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Koko swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Koko wants to stand up but Ljotic is controlling him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Koko keeping moving, preventing Ljotic from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ljotic looking to sit in guard and control but Koko gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Koko gets to his feet. Ljotic looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Ljotic gets a clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Koko working hard to break the clinch.

Ljotic gets a trip takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ljotic looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Koko with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Ljotic landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Ljotic missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koko is staying active underneath Ljotic, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Ljotic passes the guard and advances to mount!
Ljotic scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Koko?
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ljotic with a couple of short strikes.
Ljotic working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Ljotic with shots to the head and body - Koko looks very uncomfortable down there.
Ljotic tries to control but Koko wriggling away.
Ljotic landing strikes from the mount and Koko is in trouble!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Isailo Ljotic will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ljotic misses with a takedown attempt - Koko sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Ljotic has managed to clinch.
Koko tries to break free but Ljotic pushes him back against the cage.
Koko tries to break the clinch but Ljotic is controlling the position.
Ljotic has Koko pressed against the cage, preventing Koko from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Ljotic is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ljotic tries to score a body lock takedown but Koko shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kenji Koko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Isailo Ljotic.
Ljotic wants a takedown but no success here.
Ljotic is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Koko gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ljotic is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Koko is looking to control Ljotic's arms but Ljotic gets an underhook and turns him. Now Koko has his back to the cage.
Ljotic keeps control of Koko as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Koko has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Ljotic looking for a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koko stalling in the clinch but Ljotic improves position.

Koko manages to break the clinch.
Ljotic on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Koko keeps the fight on the outside.
Ljotic fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Koko misses the shot to the body.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Ljotic shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Koko pinned against the cage. Koko gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ljotic moves forwards but Koko connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Koko jabs Ljotic right on the nose. Ljotic blinks but takes it well.
Koko throws a series of strikes that have Ljotic backpedaling.
Kenji Koko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A left lands for Koko.

Ljotic closes the distance and clinches.

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!
Ljotic drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Koko is pressed up against the cage. Ljotic has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Koko down to the mat. Koko avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Ljotic is breathing heavily.
Koko scores with a decent looking hook.
Koko jabs Ljotic right on the nose. Ljotic blinks but takes it well.
Koko misses with a series of wild punches.

Ljotic pushes Koko up against the cage in a clinch.
Ljotic is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ljotic drops down looking for an ankle pick but Koko pulls his leg out and moves away.
Koko lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Ljotic shoots in but Koko avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ljotic clinches up against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ljotic.
Ljotic drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Koko gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Ljotic has Koko pressed against the cage, preventing Koko from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Koko working aggressively here.

Koko is fighting off a takedown attempt but Ljotic is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Koko to the mat. Koko regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Koko is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Ljotic dives into side control.
Koko avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Ljotic.
Ljotic wants to lay and pray for a moment but Koko keeps working.
Koko knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ljotic on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ljotic laying and praying for a moment but Koko takes advantage and regains half guard.
Koko wants to get back to his feet.
Ljotic throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ljotic lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Ljotic throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Koko looks like he's trying to stand up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenji Koko dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Ljotic has Koko up against the cage in a clinch.
Koko is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Ljotic prevents a body shot from Koko.
Koko is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Isailo Ljotic seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Ljotic drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Koko tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ljotic's elbow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koko is pressed up against the cage. Ljotic has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Koko down to the mat. Koko avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Koko dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ljotic slips a jab and a cross from Koko.
Koko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ljotic.
Koko lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ljotic circles away quickly and effectively.
Koko scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ljotic moves into the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Koko fails to land.
Koko is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ljotic.
Ljotic tries for a takedown but Koko manages to get underhooks.
Kenji Koko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Isailo Ljotic.
Koko content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Koko prevents Ljotic from breaking the clinch.

Ljotic lands a takedown into guard.
Ljotic throws a strike but Koko rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Isailo Ljotic has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ljotic tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Koko would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ljotic looking to hit a scissor sweep but Koko is one step ahead there.
Ljotic lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Koko preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Koko manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Koko fails to land.
Ljotic leaning against his opponent.
Ljotic drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Koko gets underhooks to prevent Ljotic's takedown attempt.
Ljotic takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Koko is trying to break free.
Ljotic has Koko pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Koko manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Koko misses with a punch to the body.
Ljotic goes for a takedown in the clinch but Koko prevents it.
Koko tries to circle away but Ljotic has him pinned against the cage.
Koko misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koko wants to break free but Ljotic has control.

Ljotic has Koko pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Ljotic pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Koko tumbling to the mat - Ljotic dives into Koko's guard.
Ljotic is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Let's hope that Ljotic has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ljotic wants to pass the guard but Koko is keeping the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kenji Koko showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Koko has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Michael Johnstone scores the fight 29:28
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kenji Koko!
Kenji Koko managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Sully's Bar & Grill, into his post fight interview.