PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between AK Kalasznikov (ranked 7496 p4p, 254 weight class) and Yukihisa Kitajima (ranked 5471 p4p, 196 weight class). AK Kalasznikov could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Yukihisa Kitajima's chin.

Kalasznikov
vs
Kitajima

222 cm
25
300 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

222 cm
25
270 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, AK Kalasznikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Yukihisa Kitajima!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Felipe Paraventi and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kalasznikov moves into the clinch.

Kitajima breaks from the clinch.
Kitajima keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
It seemed like Kitajima was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kalasznikov tries to clinch there but Kitajima circles away.

Kitajima closes the distance and clinches.

Kitajima jumps guard and drags Kalasznikov to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Kitajima pushes Kalasznikov off and scrambles back to his feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kalasznikov is defended easily by Kitajima.
Kitajima shoots for a double leg takedown but Kalasznikov sprawls well. He's pushed Kitajima's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kitajima shoots in but Kalasznikov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kitajima takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kalasznikov instigates a clinch.
Kalasznikov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kitajima blocks it with crossed arms.
Kalasznikov taking a breather.

Kitajima's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Kalasznikov moves into range and clinches up with Kitajima.
Kitajima tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kalasznikov avoids it.
Kalasznikov gets underhooks to prevent Kitajima's takedown attempt.
AK Kalasznikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yukihisa Kitajima.

Kitajima manages to break the clinch.
No luck for Kitajima with that takedown attempt.
Kalasznikov is looking to counter punch.

Kalasznikov has closed the distance and engaged Kitajima in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kitajima tries for a takedown. No joy.
Kitajima displaying some good clinch control by pressing Kalasznikov up against the cage.
Kitajima avoiding damage as Kalasznikov throws knees to the body.
Kalasznikov has Kitajima pressed against the cage.
Kitajima tries to land knees in the clinch but Kalasznikov avoids the damage to the body.
Kitajima avoiding damage.
Kalasznikov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Kitajima after a bit of a struggle.
Kalasznikov prevents the takedown attempt.
Kitajima keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kalasznikov's efforts to push away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Kitajima.
Kitajima prevents Kalasznikov from breaking the clinch.
Kitajima misses with a body punch.
Kalasznikov leaning against his opponent.
Kitajima tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kalasznikov smiles and moves away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kitajima.
Kalasznikov is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Kitajima.

Kalasznikov forces Kitajima back against the cage and clinches.
Kitajima softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kalasznikov looking for a takedown.
Kalasznikov stalling the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kalasznikov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kitajima fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Kalasznikov clinches.
Kitajima tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kalasznikov taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Come on Kalasznikov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Kalasznikov stops a takedown attempt from Kitajima.
Kalasznikov lands an uppercut.
Kitajima goes for a takedown attempt but Kalasznikov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Kitajima avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kitajima tries to clinch but Kalasznikov moves out of range.
As Kitajima backs away, Kalasznikov returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that AK Kalasznikov will probably get the nod.
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.

Kalasznikov throws a nice looking combination but Kitajima bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
AK Kalasznikov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kitajima tries to clinch there but Kalasznikov circles away.
Kalasznikov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kitajima swivels and escapes.
Kalasznikov sets himself, and Kitajima steps forward looking for the clinch! Kalasznikov avoids it this time.
A head kick misses from Kalasznikov.

Kitajima has closed the distance and engaged Kalasznikov in a clinch.
Kalasznikov is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Kitajima is looking for a takedown.
Kalasznikov has had enough of the clinch but Kitajima keeps him there for the moment.
Kalasznikov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kitajima walks away with a smile on his face. Kalasznikov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kitajima shoots and misses
letting Kalasznikov counter with a right hand.
AK Kalasznikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yukihisa Kitajima.

Kitajima takes the fight into the clinch.
Kalasznikov tries to work over Kitajima's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalasznikov displaying some good clinch control by pressing Kitajima up against the cage.

Kitajima escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kitajima swats away the attempt to clinch by Kalasznikov.
Kitajima swats away the attempt to clinch by Kalasznikov.
Kalasznikov shoots in looking for a takedown but Kitajima manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kalasznikov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kalasznikov.
Kitajima replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Kalasznikov blocks it well.
Kalasznikov tries to clinch but Kitajima is having none of it.
Kalasznikov sets himself, and Kitajima steps forward looking for the clinch! Kalasznikov avoids it this time.
Kalasznikov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kitajima swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kitajima.
Kitajima tries to clinch but Kalasznikov moves out of range.
Kalasznikov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kitajima swivels and escapes.
Kitajima avoids the head kick by Kalasznikov.
Kitajima wants to clinch up but Kalasznikov keeps it at a distance.
Kalasznikov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Kitajima clinches.

Kitajima escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kalasznikov swats away the attempt to clinch by Kitajima.
AK Kalasznikov is winning the standup battle so far.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kitajima or perhaps it was just good defense by Kalasznikov, which made it look bad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Kitajima. No joy for Kalasznikov on that attempt.

Kalasznikov clinches with his opponent.
Kalasznikov is pressed up against the cage. Kitajima has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kalasznikov down to the mat. Kalasznikov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kalasznikov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kitajima is fending him off so far but Kalasznikov persists. Nope, Kitajima circles away and we're back to standing.
Kitajima shoots in for a takedown but Kalasznikov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kitajima shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kalasznikov pinned against the cage. Kalasznikov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kalasznikov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kitajima is breathing heavily.
Kalasznikov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kitajima tries to close the distance and clinch but Kalasznikov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kalasznikov moves into the clinch successfully.
Kitajima is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Kitajima is pressed up against the cage. Kalasznikov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kitajima down to the mat. Kitajima avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kitajima throws a head kick but Kalasznikov moves out of range.
Kitajima fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kalasznikov fails to land with a series of punches.
Kalasznikov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kitajima as he avoids it easily.
Kitajima throws a head kick that half lands.

It looks like AK Kalasznikov has been cut.
Kalasznikov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A good leg kick by Kitajima.

Kalasznikov has closed the distance and engaged Kitajima in a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kalasznikov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kitajima to keep the fight standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that AK Kalasznikov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on AK Kalasznikov's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kitajima shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kalasznikov defends it nicely.
Kitajima shoots in looking for a takedown. Kalasznikov tries to sprawl out of it but Kitajima keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kalasznikov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kalasznikov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kalasznikov fails with an attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kitajima darts in and clinches Kalasznikov up against the cage.
Kitajima is struggling to control the position.
Kitajima is looking for a takedown.
AK Kalasznikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yukihisa Kitajima.
Kitajima keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kalasznikov's efforts to push away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kitajima tries to pull guard but Kalasznikov won't allow it.
Kitajima is looking to take this one to the mat.
Kalasznikov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kitajima looking for a takedown.
Kitajima takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kitajima managing to block the knees to the body from Kalasznikov.
Kitajima fails to pull guard.
Kalasznikov prevents the takedown attempt.
Kalasznikov wants to get back to striking at distance but Kitajima won't allow it.
Kitajima prevents the takedown attempt.
Kitajima prevents Kalasznikov from breaking the clinch.
Kalasznikov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kitajima prevents it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Kalasznikov is trying to pull guard but Kitajima turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Kalasznikov pulls guard successfully.
Kitajima prevents Kalasznikov from getting back to his feet.
Kitajima stopping the sweep attempt from Kalasznikov.
Kalasznikov is trying to control the position but Kitajima postures up.
Kalasznikov wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Kitajima stopping the sweep attempt from Kalasznikov.
Kitajima trying to control the position from guard on top but Kalasznikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kitajima sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Kalasznikov's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kalasznikov is defending against the submission attempts here by Kitajima.
Kalasznikov is trying is best to control the position here.
Kalasznikov is looking to control Kitajima's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kalasznikov avoid being mounted?

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Kalasznikov clinches up with Kitajima and pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kalasznikov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kitajima tries for a takedown but Kalasznikov manages to get underhooks.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kitajima.

Kitajima breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kalasznikov slaps away a takedown attempt from Kitajima, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kalasznikov fails with an attempt to clinch.
And Kitajima tries to counter it with a takedown but Kalasznikov pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Kitajima has a takedown stuffed.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kalasznikov tries to land a front kick but Kitajima steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kalasznikov is defended easily by Kitajima.

And that's the end of the fight!
AK Kalasznikov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kalasznikov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... AK Kalasznikov!