PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Peter Szczawinski (ranked 3378 p4p, 328 weight class) and Jimi Kuala (ranked 4269 p4p, 387 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Szczawinski
vs
Kuala

183 cm
26
152 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

174 cm
25
145 lbs
4 - 0 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Peter Szczawinski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Jimi Kuala!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Colin Fray and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Szczawinski gets a double leg takedown into Kuala's guard.
Kuala wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kuala is on top in guard.

Szczawinski utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kuala controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Kuala advances to half guard.
Kuala wants to take a breather but Szczawinski is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuala working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Kuala has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kuala trying to control the action but Szczawinski is working from the bottom.
Szczawinski really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Kuala is thwarting Szczawinski's attempts to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuala is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Szczawinski is defending against the submission attempts here by Kuala.
Kuala controlling the pace.

Kuala is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Szczawinski is just riding it out for now. Kuala eventually gives up the hold.
Szczawinski won't allow Kuala to pass to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kuala trying to control from half guard but Szczawinski is working away.
Szczawinski wants to improve his position but Kuala is controlling well.

Kuala is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Szczawinski is just riding it out for now. Kuala eventually gives up the hold.

Kuala is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuala takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Szczawinski knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kuala on the ground.
Kuala moves nicely into side control.
A lull in the action here.
Kuala working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Szczawinski definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Kuala is putting a hurting on Szczawinski here, landing some big shots from side control.

Kuala wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Szczawinski, who protects the arm well.

Kuala working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kuala thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Kuala throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

Kuala looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Szczawinski can't do much from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimi Kuala dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kuala shoots in for a takedown but Szczawinski shows good takedown defense.
Szczawinski lands a nice hook to Kuala's body. Kuala takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Szczawinski fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kuala keeps the fight on the outside.
Kuala is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Szczawinski slaps away a takedown attempt from Kuala, before circling back to the center of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuala shoots and misses
and Szczawinski counters with a thumping low kick.
Peter Szczawinski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimi Kuala.
Szczawinski throws a low kick but Kuala avoids it.
It seemed like Kuala was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Szczawinski closes the distance looking to clinch

and Kuala decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Szczawinski's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Szczawinski lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Szczawinski preventing the sweep.
Szczawinski is fighting to break Kuala's control of his arms but Kuala is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuala is trying to control the position but Szczawinski postures up.
Szczawinski has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Kuala throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Szczawinski escapes and throws Kuala's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Kuala is trying to control Szczawinski's posture but Szczawinski avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuala takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Kuala regains half guard.
Szczawinski drops an elbow to the side of Kuala's head.
Kuala manages to get to full guard.
Kuala controls Szczawinski momentarily but Szczawinski frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuala managing to control the position.
Szczawinski stopping the sweep attempt from Kuala.
Kuala has control of Szczawinski's left arm, preventing Szczawinski from doing any damage.
Kuala is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Kuala prevents Szczawinski from standing back up.
My spies in White's ELITE Fitness Gym inform me that Kuala has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Kuala throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Kuala is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Szczawinski doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kuala.
Kuala with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Kuala is working for a kimura but Szczawinski is defending it quite comfortably.
Kuala moves nicely into side control.
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 Peter Szczawinski will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Szczawinski tries to clinch but Kuala moves out of range.
Kuala drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Szczawinski defends it well.
Kuala on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Nice sprawl there from Szczawinski as Kuala shoots in.

Kuala gets caught napping as Szczawinski dives in and scores a takedown. Kuala manages to retain guard.
Kuala pulls Szczawinski in close to prevent any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuala doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Kuala is looking to stand back up but Szczawinski counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Kuala.
Kuala is concentrating on defense, preventing Szczawinski from advancing position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuala makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kuala.

Szczawinski decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Kuala, up you get!

Kuala bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Szczawinski tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kuala wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Kuala is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Szczawinski is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Szczawinski avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Kuala.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuala taking a breather here.
Szczawinski is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Szczawinski being controlled for a moment.
Kuala taking a break here but Szczawinski is having none of it and regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuala missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kuala keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Kuala is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Kuala is trying to work for a kimura but Szczawinski is defending well.

Kuala is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Kuala is thwarting Szczawinski's attempts to control the position.
Szczawinski is trying is best to control the position here.
Kuala stalling.
Kuala thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Kuala is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Szczawinski defends it well.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jimi Kuala.
I think Kuala has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 28:30
Judge Josh West scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jimi Kuala!
Peter Szczawinski was interviewed post fight and said 'Good Fight!'.