PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Michail Podolski (ranked 78 p4p, 8 weight class) and Koulouraki Souvlaki (ranked 161 p4p, 19 weight class). Souvlaki has chosen Greek Anthem as his entrance music. Koulouraki Souvlaki acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Podolski
vs
Souvlaki

168 cm
24
148 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

174 cm
34
146 lbs
17 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing
Aspire Nutrition

Aspire Clothing
My$tic Clothing ~ (`10%Laundry`)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Michail Podolski!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Koulouraki Souvlaki!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Sam Margolis and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Souvlaki will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Podolski scores with a leg kick.
Podolski throws a body punch but Souvlaki moves out of range.
Podolski misses with a wild combination.
Podolski buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Souvlaki slips a jab and a cross from Podolski.
We've been told by Podolski's head coaches at Bare knuckle Fighters that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Podolski motions for Souvlaki to come forward. Podolski throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Souvlaki lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Souvlaki works the jab nicely.
Souvlaki lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Podolski circles away quickly and effectively.
Souvlaki has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Souvlaki dives in for a single leg takedown but Podolski sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Podolski jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Podolski fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Podolski keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Souvlaki.
Souvlaki shoots for a double leg takedown but Podolski sprawls well. He's pushed Souvlaki's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Podolski went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Michail Podolski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Koulouraki Souvlaki.
Souvlaki shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Michail Podolski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Souvlaki showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Podolski.
A little jabbing left from Souvlaki on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Podolski throws a poor cross that misses
and Souvlaki counters with a lovely straight right hand!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Podolski.
Podolski thows a leg kick but Souvlaki checks it

and Souvlaki counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Souvlaki sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Podolski defending well though.
Podolski gets full guard.
Souvlaki throws a big elbow that misses.
Souvlaki scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Souvlaki slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Souvlaki throws a big elbow that misses.
Souvlaki is working Podolski over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Souvlaki makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

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!
Podolski preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Souvlaki trying to control the position from guard on top but Podolski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Souvlaki is looking to work some ground and pound but Podolski has wrist control.
Souvlaki working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Podolski working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Souvlaki.
Souvlaki throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Souvlaki wants to control from the top but Podolski keeps moving.
Souvlaki working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Podolski looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Souvlaki throws a strike but Podolski rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Souvlaki manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Podolski manages to get himself to full guard.

Souvlaki scoring with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Souvlaki working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Souvlaki content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Souvlaki with a flurry of punches that miss.
Souvlaki wants to control from the top but Podolski keeps moving.
Souvlaki chips away with some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Podolski looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Souvlaki throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Podolski works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Souvlaki throwing strikes but missing.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Souvlaki throws an elbow that misses. Podolski uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Souvlaki's guard. Nice move by Podolski!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Souvlaki wants to sweep here but Podolski controlling him for the moment.
Souvlaki seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Souvlaki is striking but Podolski is not phased and passes to half guard.
Podolski prevents Souvlaki from improving his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Koulouraki Souvlaki will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Podolski throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The fighters circling - Podolski throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Souvlaki fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Podolski was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

Souvlaki drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The ground and pound from Souvlaki seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Souvlaki tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Souvlaki tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Souvlaki throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Podolski works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Podolski gets full guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Podolski holds on and takes a little breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Podolski utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Podolski is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Podolski preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Podolski keeping moving, preventing Souvlaki from controlling successfully.
Souvlaki chips away with some ground and pound.
Souvlaki looking to pass the guard.
Souvlaki wants to control from the top but Podolski keeps moving.
Souvlaki is fighting to break Podolski's control of his arms but Podolski is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Souvlaki throws an elbow that misses. Podolski uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Souvlaki's guard. Nice move by Podolski!

Souvlaki wants to sweep here but Podolski controlling him for the moment.
Souvlaki bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Podolski's guard.

Souvlaki throwing strikes from guard but Podolski blocks nicely.
Podolski working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Souvlaki.
Souvlaki loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Souvlaki lands a couple of digs.
Souvlaki cracks Podolski with a solid left hand.
Souvlaki postures up in Podolski's guard and throws a big left but Podolski blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Souvlaki throws an elbow that misses. Podolski uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Souvlaki's guard. Nice move by Podolski!

Souvlaki wants to sweep here but Podolski controlling him for the moment.
Souvlaki throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Souvlaki has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Souvlaki is on top in guard.

Podolski utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Souvlaki controlling from the top position.
Souvlaki working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Souvlaki won't allow Podolski to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Souvlaki slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Podolski pulls Souvlaki in close to his closed guard and prevents Souvlaki from doing any damage or advancing position.
Souvlaki throwing strikes but missing.
Souvlaki postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Souvlaki forces his way into half guard.
Souvlaki throwing shots but Podolski is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Koulouraki Souvlaki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Souvlaki fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Podolski sprawls well initially but Souvlaki persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Souvlaki is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Podolski doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Souvlaki.
Souvlaki is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Souvlaki lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Koulouraki Souvlaki has got the better of the ground game so far.
Podolski is staying active underneath Souvlaki, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Podolski is doing well to control the position and prevent Souvlaki from advancing to side control.
Souvlaki trying to mount his opponent but Podolski defends it.
Podolski avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Souvlaki.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Souvlaki missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Podolski blocking the ground and pound attempt from Souvlaki.

Souvlaki seems to be looking for submissions.
Souvlaki not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Souvlaki throwing shots but Podolski is blocking nicely.
Souvlaki wants to control but Podolski is keeping him busy.
Souvlaki not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Souvlaki is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Souvlaki is keen to just control but Podolski is a slippery customer.
Souvlaki has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Souvlaki working the head and body with strikes.
Podolski on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Souvlaki is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Souvlaki not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Souvlaki is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Podolski has managed to free his arm - good work.
Podolski is positioning himself well to prevent Souvlaki advancing to mount.
Souvlaki throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Souvlaki trying to control from half guard but Podolski is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Podolski wants to get back to full guard.
Souvlaki is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Nice strikes from Souvlaki there.
Podolski keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Souvlaki working over Podolski with some ground and pound. Podolski looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Podolski taking some punishment here, with Souvlaki in his half guard.

Podolski is rocked!
Souvlaki thows a huge punch but Podolski dodges it nicely.
Oh Podolski is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Souvlaki seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Souvlaki wants to pass to mount but Podolski is defending the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Souvlaki throws a strike but Podolski avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Podolski seems to have got his legs back now.
Souvlaki trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Souvlaki distracts Podolski with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Podolski avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Souvlaki is looking to work some ground and pound but Podolski has wrist control.
Souvlaki in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Souvlaki accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Souvlaki stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Podolski swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Podolski keeping moving, preventing Souvlaki from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Koulouraki Souvlaki really dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Souvlaki dives in for a single leg takedown but Podolski sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
A left and a right from Souvlaki both land. Nice combination.
Souvlaki fails to land the takedown.
Podolski tries a low kick but Souvlaki avoids it.
Souvlaki tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Podolski swivels and escapes.
Michail Podolski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Koulouraki Souvlaki.
Podolski throws a right and a left that Souvlaki avoids nicely.
Podolski misses with a right hand

and Souvlaki counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Podolski!
Sloppy strikes there by Souvlaki.
Souvlaki sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Podolski is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
The strikes coming from Souvlaki are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Podolski avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Souvlaki.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Souvlaki with the ground and pound but Podolski regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Souvlaki throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Podolski to regain full guard.
Souvlaki with a nice head shot there.
Souvlaki postures up in Podolski's guard and throws a big left but Podolski blocks it.
Souvlaki postures up and lands a big shot to Podolski's brow.
Souvlaki is working Podolski over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Souvlaki wants to control from the top but Podolski keeps moving.
Souvlaki throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Souvlaki postures up in Podolski's guard and throws a big left but Podolski blocks it.
Souvlaki throws a big right hand that misses.
Souvlaki throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Podolski working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Souvlaki.
Podolski keeping moving, preventing Souvlaki from controlling successfully.
Souvlaki is working Podolski over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Souvlaki missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Souvlaki drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Podolski manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Souvlaki has Podolski in his guard.

Podolski postures up.
Souvlaki wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Podolski controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Podolski preventing the sweep.
Souvlaki is pulling down on Podolski's head. It's preventing any offense from Podolski, at least for the moment.
Souvlaki looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Podolski puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Souvlaki is looking to improve his position.
Souvlaki slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Souvlaki wants to improve his position but instead Podolski has moved into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Podolski blocks the strikes from Souvlaki.
Podolski is controlling the pace.
Souvlaki works his way to full guard. Good work.
Souvlaki has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Podolski has passed into side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Souvlaki is looking to reverse the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Koulouraki Souvlaki will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Podolski misses with an uppercut.
Podolski misses the shot to the body.
Souvlaki fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Souvlaki.
A little feinted left hand from Podolski on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Podolski throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Souvlaki counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Podolski is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Souvlaki trying to control but Podolski is working from the bottom.
Souvlaki throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Souvlaki postures up in Podolski's guard and throws a big left but Podolski blocks it.
Souvlaki lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Souvlaki postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Souvlaki stays in close to Podolski's body and controls the position.
Souvlaki postures up in Podolski's guard and throws a big left but Podolski blocks it.
Podolski keeping moving, preventing Souvlaki from controlling successfully.
Souvlaki is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Souvlaki shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Podolski is trying to defend but Souvlaki finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Souvlaki is looking for a kimura but Podolski is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Souvlaki to get the leverage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Souvlaki landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Souvlaki lands with a punch from half guard.
Souvlaki throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Souvlaki sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Podolski defending well though.
Podolski is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Souvlaki's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Souvlaki's back!
Souvlaki wants to escape the position.
Podolski is riding his opponent, not letting Souvlaki buck him off.
Podolski has the hooks in. Souvlaki is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Souvlaki breaks Podolski's hooks off and manages to turn into his 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!
Souvlaki content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Souvlaki wants to control from the top but Podolski keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Souvlaki postures up in Podolski's guard and throws a big left but Podolski blocks it.
Souvlaki is in close to Podolski's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Souvlaki looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Souvlaki postures up and lands a big shot to Podolski's brow.
Michail Podolski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Souvlaki controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Souvlaki is in close to Podolski's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Souvlaki trying to control the position from guard on top but Podolski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Podolski is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Podolski has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Souvlaki can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Souvlaki missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Souvlaki accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Souvlaki working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Souvlaki controlling from the top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Koulouraki Souvlaki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Souvlaki 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Glass scores the fight 44:50
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 46:48
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 45:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Koulouraki Souvlaki!
Koulouraki Souvlaki is the new featherweight champion!
Koulouraki Souvlaki very nearly forgot to thank My$tic Clothing ~ (`10%Laundry`) amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.