PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Khasan Khaliev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lech Licholaj (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Khasan Khaliev could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Lech Licholaj's chin.

Khaliev
vs
Licholaj

182 cm
18
173 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

180 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Khasan Khaliev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Lech Licholaj!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Licholaj looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Licholaj moves into the clinch successfully.
Licholaj throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Khaliev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Khaliev tries a head kick but it misses.

Licholaj clinches up with Khaliev and pushes him back against the cage.
Licholaj lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Licholaj pushes off an throws an elbow but Khaliev leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Licholaj lands a nice elbow.
Khaliev blocks the elbow strike.
Licholaj gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Khaliev wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Licholaj looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Licholaj lands a nice elbow.
Licholaj gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Licholaj pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Licholaj just misses with a elbow thrown towards Khaliev's brow.
Licholaj lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khaliev blocks an elbow strike from Licholaj.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Khaliev dodges an elbow strike from Licholaj.
Licholaj lands a nice elbow.
Khaliev takes an elbow to the temple.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Licholaj just misses with a elbow thrown towards Khaliev's brow.
Licholaj looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Licholaj.
Licholaj lands an elbow that stopped Khaliev in his tracks for a moment.
Licholaj gets underhooks to prevent Khaliev's takedown attempt.
Khaliev tries to break the clinch but Licholaj is controlling the position.
Khaliev takes an elbow to the forehead.
Khaliev has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Khaliev tries to pull guard but Licholaj won't allow it.
Licholaj lands an elbow inside that Khaliev shrugs off.
Khaliev blocks an elbow strike from Licholaj.
Licholaj lands an elbow just above Khaliev 's eye.
Licholaj lands a damaging elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Licholaj misses with an elbow over the top.
With the fighters up against the cage, Licholaj throws an elbow but misses.
Licholaj lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Khaliev is trying to break free.
Licholaj lands a nice elbow.
Licholaj lands a nice elbow.
Khaliev blocks an elbow strike from Licholaj.
Licholaj lands an elbow just above Khaliev 's eye.
Licholaj lands a nice elbow.
Licholaj lands a nice elbow.
Licholaj throws an elbow but it misses.

Khaliev manages to break the clinch.
Licholaj tries to close the distance and clinch but Khaliev swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Khaliev throws a body kick that misses.
Khaliev looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Lech Licholaj is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Licholaj gets a clinch.
Licholaj misses with an elbow over the top.
Licholaj prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khasan Khaliev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Khaliev blocks an elbow strike from Licholaj.
Licholaj comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khaliev dodges an elbow strike from Licholaj.
Khaliev is trying to drag Licholaj to the mat but Licholaj just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Licholaj misses with an elbow over the top.
Licholaj is pressed up against the cage. Khaliev has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Licholaj down to the mat. Licholaj avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Licholaj tries to clinch there but Khaliev circles away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Khaliev takes an elbow to the temple.
Khaliev takes an elbow to the forehead.
Khaliev dodges an elbow strike from Licholaj.
Khaliev blocks an elbow strike.
Khaliev dodges an elbow strike from Licholaj.
Licholaj lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Khaliev blocks an elbow strike.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Licholaj.
Licholaj gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khaliev blocks the elbow strike.
Licholaj comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Khaliev takes an elbow to the forehead.
Licholaj misses with an elbow over the top.
With the fighters up against the cage, Licholaj throws an elbow but misses.
Licholaj throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Nice elbow from Licholaj.
Khaliev wants a takedown but no success here.
Licholaj pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Licholaj lands a damaging elbow.
Licholaj misses with an elbow over the top.
Licholaj is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Licholaj lands an elbow inside.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Khaliev dodges an elbow strike from Licholaj.
Licholaj lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Licholaj misses with an elbow over the top.
Licholaj pushes off an throws an elbow but Khaliev leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lech Licholaj dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Licholaj doesn't manage to clinch there - Khaliev circles away.

Khaliev moves into range and clinches up with Licholaj.
Licholaj throws an elbow that misses.
Khaliev dodges an elbow strike from Licholaj.
Licholaj creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Licholaj throws an elbow but it misses.
Khaliev avoids a wild elbow strike from Licholaj.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Licholaj looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Lech Licholaj seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Licholaj lands an elbow inside that Khaliev shrugs off.
Nice elbow from Licholaj.
Licholaj throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Licholaj lands an elbow just above Khaliev 's eye.
Licholaj misses with an elbow over the top.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Licholaj throws an elbow but it misses.
Khaliev blocks the elbow strike.
Licholaj throws an elbow but it misses.
Khaliev blocks an elbow strike from Licholaj.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Licholaj.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khaliev blocks an elbow strike.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Licholaj just misses with a elbow thrown towards Khaliev's brow.
Licholaj throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Khaliev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Licholaj tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Khaliev paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Licholaj closes the distance and clinches.
Licholaj looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Licholaj pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Khaliev dodges an elbow strike from Licholaj.
Licholaj has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Licholaj comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Licholaj throws an elbow that misses.
Khaliev takes an elbow to the temple.
Khaliev tries to pull guard but Licholaj won't allow it.
Licholaj creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Khaliev tightens his grip and picks Licholaj up, before dumping him to the ground. Licholaj manages to land in guard.
Licholaj is trying to keep Khaliev in close.
Khaliev's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Licholaj working a defensive guard but Khaliev passes into half guard.
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!
Khaliev sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Licholaj tries to roll over but Khaliev keeps him under control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Licholaj can do anything to dispel that myth.
Licholaj wants to get back to full guard but Khaliev has passed into side control.
Licholaj takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Licholaj looks to move to half guard but instead Khaliev has passed into mount! Damn!

Khaliev is working for a guillotine from mount but Licholaj frees his head quite easily.
Khaliev working the ground and pound effectively.

Khaliev looking for a guillotine from mount but Licholaj is having none of it.
The referee warns Licholaj that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Licholaj is looking to improve his position but Khaliev isn't that keen on the idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khaliev content just to control the position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Licholaj wants to hold on but Khaliev pushes him away.
Licholaj is wriggling around trying to escape.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Khaliev working for a submission but Licholaj is keeping him at bay.
Licholaj really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Khaliev. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Khaliev connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Khaliev fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Licholaj tries to hold on but Khaliev postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khasan Khaliev dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Licholaj tries to clinch there but Khaliev circles away.
Licholaj moves to clinch but Khaliev breaks away
and Khaliev counters with a right hand to the body.

Licholaj has taken the fight to the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Licholaj.
Licholaj pushes off an throws an elbow but Khaliev leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Licholaj lands a nice elbow.
Khaliev blocks an elbow strike.
Khaliev is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Khaliev avoids a wild elbow strike from Licholaj.
Licholaj lands a damaging elbow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Licholaj lands a damaging elbow.
Licholaj throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Licholaj pushes off an throws an elbow but Khaliev leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Licholaj misses with an elbow over the top.
Licholaj throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Licholaj is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khaliev tries to circle away but Licholaj has him pinned against the cage.
Khaliev jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Licholaj walks away with a smile on his face. Khaliev gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Licholaj has managed to clinch.
Licholaj creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Licholaj misses with an elbow strike.
Khaliev blocks an elbow strike from Licholaj.
Licholaj looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Licholaj lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Khaliev tries to pull guard but Licholaj won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khasan Khaliev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Khaliev blocks an elbow strike from Licholaj.

Khaliev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Licholaj has Khaliev up against the cage in a clinch.
Khaliev dodges an elbow strike from Licholaj.
Licholaj lands an elbow that stopped Khaliev in his tracks for a moment.
Licholaj throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Licholaj throws an elbow but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Licholaj lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Licholaj lands an elbow just above Khaliev 's eye.
Licholaj lands a damaging elbow.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Licholaj lands an elbow just above Khaliev 's eye.
Khaliev goes for a takedown attempt but Licholaj pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Licholaj closes the distance and pushes Khaliev back into the cage.
Licholaj lands an elbow inside that Khaliev shrugs off.
Khaliev pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Licholaj.
Licholaj pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Licholaj comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Khaliev blocks the elbow strike.
Khaliev wants to take the fight to the mat but Licholaj manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Khaliev takes an elbow to the temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khaliev avoids the elbow strike from Licholaj, against the cage.
Khaliev avoids a wild elbow strike from Licholaj.
Licholaj pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Khaliev's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Licholaj comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Khaliev avoids the elbow strike from Licholaj, against the cage.
Licholaj comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Licholaj pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Khaliev can't break the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Licholaj throws an elbow but misses.
Khaliev dodges an elbow strike from Licholaj.
Licholaj creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Khaliev's defenses.
Licholaj creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Khaliev's defenses.
Khaliev blocks an elbow strike from Licholaj.
Licholaj misses with an elbow over the top.
Khaliev avoids a wild elbow strike from Licholaj.
Khaliev blocks the elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khaliev avoids a wild elbow strike from Licholaj.
Licholaj lands an elbow inside that Khaliev shrugs off.
Licholaj pushes off an throws an elbow but Khaliev leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Licholaj lands an elbow just above Khaliev 's eye.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Licholaj throws an elbow that misses.
Licholaj throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Licholaj creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Khaliev tries to circle away but Licholaj has him pinned against the cage.
Licholaj creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Khaliev's defenses.

Khaliev pulls guard.
Licholaj trying to control but Khaliev is working from the bottom.
Licholaj would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lech Licholaj comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Licholaj 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 26:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 26:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lech Licholaj!