PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Joseph Striken (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Draco Kevolle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Striken
vs
Kevolle

195 cm
23
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

179 cm
25
158 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Joseph Striken!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Draco Kevolle!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Illya Tyunina and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Striken blocks a jab.
Kevolle misses with a two punch combination.
Draco Kevolle seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kevolle misses with a jab, cross combination.
Striken takes one to the chin there.
Striken really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Kevolle throws a looping overhand right but Striken ducks down to avoid it.
Kevolle avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kevolle scores with a decent looking hook.

Striken closes the distance and pushes Kevolle back into the cage.
Kevolle blocks an uppercut.
Kevolle wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Striken has him pressed against the cage.
Kevolle takes an elbow to the temple.
Striken taking a breather.
Kevolle is trying to break free.
Striken connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kevolle's face.
I was talking to Striken's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Striken struggles to land a body shot inside as Kevolle controls his hands.

Striken breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
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!
Striken throws a right and a left that Kevolle avoids nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Kevolle.
Kevolle misses with a lunging right hand
and Striken counters with a nice body kick.
Kevolle missing with a left hand there. Striken was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Striken closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kevolle circles away.
Kevolle misses with a jab to the body

and Striken counters by clinching up.
Striken blocks an elbow strike from Kevolle.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kevolle tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kevolle tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Striken smiles and moves away.
Kevolle throws a looping overhand right but Striken ducks down to avoid it.
Striken avoids the body shot from Kevolle.
Kevolle swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Horrible takedown attempt by Striken or perhaps it was just good defense by Kevolle, which made it look bad.
Kevolle clobbers Striken with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Striken walks into a straight right hand from Kevolle.
Kevolle might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Striken walks into a jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kevolle connects with a body shot that sends Striken's belly button to the back.
Striken misses with a head kick.
Kevolle stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joseph Striken. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Striken is breathing heavily.
Kevolle looks to land a combination but Striken avoids it well.
Kevolle scores with a crisp jab that stopped Striken in his tracks.
Kevolle cracks Striken with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Striken is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kevolle sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kevolle with the counter takedown but Striken avoids it easily.
Kevolle fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Kevolle swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Striken.
Kevolle throws a right hand that Striken ducks under and follows up with a left that Striken also avoids with ease.
Kevolle fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Striken on the side of the head.
Kevolle takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kevolle bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Striken's head backwards.
Jab by Kevolle.
Striken throws a series of punches but Kevolle avoids them all with ease.
Striken shoots in for a double leg but Kevolle sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kevolle lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Kevolle misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kevolle misses with a wild combination.
Kevolle listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Draco Kevolle is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice jab there from Kevolle.
Jab, jab by Kevolle - just one landing.
Kevolle smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
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!
Good standup being displayed there by Kevolle as he connects with a hook.
Kevolle misses the shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Striken takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kevolle swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kevolle swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A counter left hand to the body from Striken misses its target.
Striken on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kevolle stuns Striken with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nice uppercut lands for Kevolle. That snapped Striken's head back.
Striken tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kevolle paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kevolle drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Striken defends it well.
Nice body punch from Kevolle.
Kevolle smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Kevolle throws the left hand but Striken avoids the punch easily.

Striken fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Kevolle to the ground. Striken is now in Kevolle's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Striken trying to control but Kevolle is working from the bottom.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kevolle can do anything to dispel that myth.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Draco Kevolle dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Striken on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Striken avoids the body shot from Kevolle.
Kevolle on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Striken. Striken obviously looking to wear him down.
Striken is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Striken is looking to land body kicks.
Striken scores with a head kick. Kevolle tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Striken fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Striken showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kevolle.
Striken looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kevolle cracks Striken with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Striken takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
A left and a right from Kevolle both land. Nice combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kevolle stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kevolle cracks Striken with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Striken takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kevolle fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kevolle connects with a jab.
Kevolle scores with a nice strike.
A slow jab from Kevolle misses its intended target.
Striken throws a quick counter head kick but Kevolle was just out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kevolle. Striken does a little dance to reset his feet.
Good shot there by Kevolle.
Striken shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Striken on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kevolle darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Nice defenses there by Striken.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice defenses there by Striken.
Kevolle smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Striken shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kevolle as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joseph Striken. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kevolle takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Nice jab there from Kevolle.
Striken stalks Kevolle and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kevolle's face. Kevolle staggers backwards, shaken.
Nice cross by Kevolle.
Kevolle stuns Striken with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Kevolle gets a takedown into half guard.
Kevolle winds up and cracks Striken with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Striken tries to get to full guard but Kevolle has control of the leg.
Kevolle is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kevolle takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kevolle throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are battling for position here. Striken manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Kevolle working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Striken's head.
Kevolle scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kevolle throws an elbow that misses. Striken uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kevolle's guard. Nice move by Striken!

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Striken pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kevolle is keeping the position for now.
Striken trying to control the position from guard on top but Kevolle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Striken prevents Kevolle from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Striken trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kevolle keeping moving, preventing Striken from controlling successfully.
Kevolle has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kevolle wants to get back to his feet but Striken is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Striken would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Jab from Kevolle.
Kevolle thuds a left hand into Striken's body.
Kevolle is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Draco Kevolle showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Kevolle is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kevolle getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Kevolle moves into range and connects with a jab.
Striken takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Striken goes for a double leg but Kevolle avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kevolle continues to drive forward.
Kevolle dodges the punch combination from Striken.
Kevolle lands an overhand right.
Kevolle is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kevolle fails to land with a series of punches.
Kevolle throws a right and a left that Striken avoids nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kevolle lands a glancing blow to the side of Striken's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Striken takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kevolle looks to throw the jab but Striken is out of range.
Joseph Striken is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Striken thuds his shin into the meat of Kevolle's side.
Striken on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Striken shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Kevolle lands a nice looking body shot.
Kevolle moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nice uppercut there from Kevolle.
Kevolle misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Striken.
Kevolle lands a slapping body shot.
Draco Kevolle seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kevolle keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kevolle throws a looping overhand right but Striken ducks down to avoid it.
Kevolle lands a really nice looking cross but Striken seems unphased.
Striken tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kevolle digs a good body shot into Striken's ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Striken takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kevolle throws a shot to the body.
Kevolle rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Striken moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A swing and a miss from Kevolle.
Striken throws a big counter combination but Kevolle scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Striken.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joseph Striken. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Striken goes for a double leg but Kevolle avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kevolle continues to drive forward.
Kevolle is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Striken is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Striken takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Striken uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kevolle.
Striken steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kevolle.
Striken fails with a takedown attempt.
Striken is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kevolle sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kevolle works Striken's body with a nice hook.
Decent striking displayed by Kevolle there.
Kevolle slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Striken gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Striken avoids a punch combination nicely.
Striken appears to be looking for a big counter.
Nice uppercut lands for Kevolle. That snapped Striken's head back.
Kevolle throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Striken attempts a counter takedown but Kevolle avoids it well and moves away.
Striken shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kevolle as he jumps to the side.
Kevolle fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Striken on the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kevolle throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Nice cross by Kevolle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Striken closes the distance and clinches.

Striken manages to break the clinch.
Kevolle with a jab.
Striken on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Striken shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kevolle pinned against the cage. Kevolle gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kevolle lands a right hook to the body.
Kevolle with a nice cross.
Joseph Striken has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kevolle with a hook.

And that's the end of the fight!
Draco Kevolle comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kevolle winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 26:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Draco Kevolle!
After winning the bout, Draco Kevolle thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.