PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Willem Kriel (ranked 1414 p4p, 221 weight class) and Dimitri Vasleyiev (ranked 2052 p4p, 318 weight class). Kriel comes to the cage accompanied by Jack Parow & Freshlyground - Army Of One. 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.

Kriel
vs
Vasleyiev

178 cm
25
183 lbs
10 - 10 - 0

178 cm
26
170 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Aspire Nutrition

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 10 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Willem Kriel!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dimitri Vasleyiev!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vasleyiev fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kriel has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Kriel punishes Vasleyiev's body with a nice straight punch.
That kick from Vasleyiev tenderised Kriel's leg. Kriel is trying to keep his angry face on.
Vasleyiev connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kriel momentarily.
Kriel throws a low kick but Vasleyiev avoids it.
Vasleyiev fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Vasleyiev thows a leg kick but Kriel checks it
and Kriel makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Vasleyiev throws a shot to the body.
Kriel takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Vasleyiev throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Vasleyiev.
Vasleyiev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kriel.
Kriel looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kriel tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Vasleyiev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Vasleyiev misses with a hook
and Kriel counters with a nice low kick that buckles Vasleyiev's knee momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kriel fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Vasleyiev checks it well.
Kriel tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Vasleyiev is able to avoid easily.
Kriel checks the leg kick nicely there.
Kriel tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Vasleyiev manages to circle out of the way.
Vasleyiev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kriel moves away.
Vasleyiev throws an overhand right that lands on Kriel's shoulder, as Kriel tries to avoid the shot.
Kriel misses with a body shot
and Vasleyiev counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Kriel tries a low kick but Vasleyiev avoids it.
Kriel jabs Vasleyiev to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kriel gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Vasleyiev counters with a nice low kick that buckles Kriel's knee momentarily.
Vasleyiev misses with a wild combination.
Vasleyiev attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Kriel appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vasleyiev misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Kriel counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kriel slips a jab and a cross from Vasleyiev.
Vasleyiev fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Kriel.
Vasleyiev scores with a sloppy right hand. Kriel should have avoided that one.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vasleyiev 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.
Kriel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Vasleyiev.
Vasleyiev tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Vasleyiev pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kriel misses with a low kick.
Kriel takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Vasleyiev lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasleyiev checks a low kick from Kriel.
Kriel slips under a jab.
Vasleyiev throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kriel.
Vasleyiev misses with a combination
and Kriel counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Vasleyiev throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Vasleyiev throws a shot to the body.
Vasleyiev bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Vasleyiev throws out a leg kick but Kriel moves out of range and Vasleyiev only half commits.
It looked like Kriel was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Kriel displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Vasleyiev throws out the jab.
Kriel swings away with a body shot that misses
and Kriel takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kriel tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Vasleyiev was well out of range. Poor timing from Kriel.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vasleyiev misses with a jab to the body
and Kriel counters with a thumping low kick.
Kriel throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Vasleyiev throws a right and a left that Kriel avoids nicely.
Kriel walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vasleyiev pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kriel is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Kriel's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Vasleyiev connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kriel scrambles back to his feet.
Vasleyiev throws an off balance right hand
and Kriel counters with a nice low kick that buckles Vasleyiev's knee momentarily.
Kriel uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Vasleyiev.
Vasleyiev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kriel.
Kriel moves out of range as Vasleyiev strikes.
Kriel tried to counter with a leg kick but Vasleyiev avoided it.
Dimitri Vasleyiev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kriel moves out of range as Vasleyiev strikes.
An attempted straight right counter from Kriel misses the target.
Kriel checks a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dimitri Vasleyiev dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Vasleyiev moves away from the strike by Kriel.
Vasleyiev tries a quick counter leg kick but Kriel is wise to it.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kriel.
Vasleyiev throws a lazy uppercut
and Kriel counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Dimitri Vasleyiev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Vasleyiev throws a shot from downtown. Kriel moves away and avoids it.
Kriel ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A head kick misses from Vasleyiev.
Kriel thinks about countering with a head kick.
Kriel avoids the body shot from Vasleyiev.
Vasleyiev with a body punch. A glancing blow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vasleyiev works Kriel's body with a nice hook.
Vasleyiev dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kriel. That did some damage!
A good leg kick by Kriel.
Vasleyiev pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasleyiev connects with a solid leg kick.
Kriel uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Vasleyiev.
As Vasleyiev looks to move away, Kriel throws a big counter combo but Vasleyiev just gets out of the way.
Kriel dodges the punch combination from Vasleyiev.
Vasleyiev shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Kriel eats them both and turns towards Vasleyiev to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Kriel scores with a one two! Vasleyiev had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Kriel showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Vasleyiev.
Vasleyiev connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kriel momentarily.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Vasleyiev, as that shot connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice cross by Kriel.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vasleyiev throws out a powerful jab.
Vasleyiev works over Kriel's head and body with a nice combination.
Vasleyiev lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kriel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Vasleyiev throws a counter combo.
Vasleyiev throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Kriel counters with a stiff right hand.
Kriel tries a low kick but Vasleyiev avoids it.
Vasleyiev throws a lazy uppercut
and Kriel counters with a good low kick that Vasleyiev was not able to check.
Vasleyiev attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Vasleyiev throws a hook but Kriel avoids it easily.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Kriel might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Vasleyiev fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kriel has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasleyiev tests Kriel's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kriel lands an overhand right.
Vasleyiev with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A looping hook to the body misses from Vasleyiev. Kriel does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kriel takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kriel tries to land a leg kick but Vasleyiev saw it coming and moves away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Vasleyiev! But no joy.
Vasleyiev connects with a single shot there.
Vasleyiev throws an off balance right hand
and Kriel counters with an outside leg kick.
Vasleyiev lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Vasleyiev. Those never looked like landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Vasleyiev.

Kriel has managed to clinch.
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!
A right hand to the body from Kriel.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kriel as Vasleyiev tries to tie him up.
Vasleyiev swings wildly with an uppercut but Kriel uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vasleyiev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kriel tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Vasleyiev's elbow.
Kriel lands a right hand.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Vasleyiev as Kriel tries to tie him up.
Kriel gets through Vasleyiev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Vasleyiev manages to break the clinch.
A head kick by Kriel misses
and Vasleyiev counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dimitri Vasleyiev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Nice straight punches there by Vasleyiev. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Vasleyiev.
Kriel tests Vasleyiev's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Vasleyiev throws an overhand right that lands on Kriel's shoulder, as Kriel tries to avoid the shot.
Vasleyiev keeps the fight on the outside.
Vasleyiev throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Vasleyiev does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Kriel feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Vasleyiev moves into range and connects with a jab.
A shot to the body from Vasleyiev misses
and Kriel counters with a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vasleyiev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kriel manages to avoid it.
Vasleyiev chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kriel moves in looking to clinch but Vasleyiev pushes him off.
Vasleyiev 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.
Vasleyiev misses with a kick to the body.
Vasleyiev lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Vasleyiev misses with a looping right.
Kriel swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Vasleyiev has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kriel.
Kriel lands a jab to the nose.
Vasleyiev moves into range and connects with a jab.
Vasleyiev getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Kriel misses with a looping left.
Kriel displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Vasleyiev throws out the jab.
An attempted straight right counter from Kriel misses the target.
Vasleyiev tries to score with a low kick but Kriel moves his leg out of the way.
Kriel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Willem Kriel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kriel throws the kick towards the body but Vasleyiev avoids it.
Vasleyiev swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Vasleyiev shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kriel tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A looping hook to the body misses from Kriel. Vasleyiev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Jab, jab by Vasleyiev - just one landing.
Kriel throws a chopping leg kick but Vasleyiev manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Vasleyiev throws a push kick but Kriel slaps the foot to one side.
Vasleyiev scores with a jab.
Vasleyiev does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Kriel tries to close the distance and clinch up but Vasleyiev swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kriel.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasleyiev punishes Kriel's body with a nice straight punch.
Vasleyiev avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Vasleyiev looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kriel takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Vasleyiev connects with an inside leg kick.
Dimitri Vasleyiev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kriel misses with a hook.
Vasleyiev throws a low kick but it's checked well by Kriel.
Vasleyiev scores with a nice head shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Vasleyiev misses the target.
Kriel on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kriel takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Vasleyiev scores with a nice head shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vasleyiev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kriel was well out of range. Poor timing from Vasleyiev.
Vasleyiev scores with a decent looking hook.
Some bone on bone action there as Kriel checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vasleyiev lands with a nice body punch.
Vasleyiev scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A jab from Vasleyiev does it's job there.
Vasleyiev missing with a left hand there. Kriel was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A bone on bone clash there as Vasleyiev blocks the leg kick.
Vasleyiev dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kriel takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Vasleyiev misses the shot to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dimitri Vasleyiev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Vasleyiev 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dimitri Vasleyiev!