PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alex Shlemenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kumo LaRusso (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shlemenko comes into the arena with Rolex blaring out of the sound system. LaRusso has chosen The crystal method-coming back as his entrance music. Kumo LaRusso acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Shlemenko
vs
LaRusso

175 cm
22
177 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

180 cm
26
168 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Knockout power

RAGS of a RONIN

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alex Shlemenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kumo LaRusso!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
LaRusso jabs Shlemenko right on the nose. Shlemenko blinks but takes it well.
Shlemenko takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
A right-left combo lands from LaRusso.
LaRusso on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Shlemenko. Shlemenko obviously looking to wear him down.
Shlemenko tries to land a leg kick but LaRusso saw it coming and moves away.
LaRusso lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Shlemenko tries to close the distance and clinch up but LaRusso swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Shlemenko rushes LaRusso and presses him up against the cage.
LaRusso lands a right hand.
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!
LaRusso has a couple of punches blocked by Shlemenko.
A short right from LaRusso on the inside.
Shlemenko is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but LaRusso is defending well.
Shlemenko blocking some punches.
A short right from LaRusso on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from LaRusso.
LaRusso fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
LaRusso makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
LaRusso lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Shlemenko backwards.
LaRusso keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Shlemenko's efforts to push away.
A short left from LaRusso.

Shlemenko is rocked!
Shlemenko drops to a knee looking for a takedown but LaRusso gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right from LaRusso.
LaRusso prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Shlemenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A right hook to the body lands for LaRusso.
Shlemenko drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Shlemenko is breathing heavily.
A short right hand to the side of the head by LaRusso.
Shlemenko tries to pull guard but LaRusso holds him up against the cage and eventually Shlemenko drops back down to his feet.
LaRusso lands an uppercut.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that LaRusso has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
LaRusso lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
LaRusso softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
LaRusso throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Shlemenkos head.
LaRusso gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Shlemenko.
Nice body punch from LaRusso.
Shlemenko is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but LaRusso is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from LaRusso.
LaRusso makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
LaRusso makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A nice right hand lands inside from LaRusso.
Oh Shlemenko is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
LaRusso pushes Shlemenko against the cage. LaRusso is working some dirty boxing. LaRusso pushes off with a quick right hook! Shlemenko goes down! Shlemenko tries to stand but stumbles back to his kness! LaRusso moves in to finish and the ref steps in to prevent any more damage!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:23 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kumo LaRusso!
Post fight, an emotional Kumo LaRusso said 'Grownstone KO'd you and now I beat you senseless...I think it's time to hang up the gloves ya bum'.
Alex Shlemenko spoke after the fight, saying 'Don't give a fuck and fight back'.