PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Henry The Crab (ranked 4090 p4p, 202 weight class) and Kosma Wawelski (ranked 3126 p4p, 153 weight class). Kosma Wawelski will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

The Crab
vs
Wawelski

170 cm
20
140 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

170 cm
21
140 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Henry The Crab!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kosma Wawelski!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Tarja Halkonen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wawelski dives in and grabs The Crab's left leg, looking for a takedown. The Crab pushes down on Wawelski's head and hops out.

Wawelski dives in and scores a takedown into The Crab's guard.

The Crab working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Wawelski doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Wawelski manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
We've been hearing good reports from The Crab's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

Wawelski drops back looking for a leg! The Crab is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and The Crab manages to kick Wawelski off! Wawelski jumps back into The Crab's guard.
The Crab wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Wawelski is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The Crab is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Wawelski throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wawelski being controlled here momentarily.
Wawelski trying to control but The Crab is working from the bottom.

Wawelski is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Wawelski being controlled here momentarily.
My spies in Holding Cell inform me that Wawelski has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Wawelski is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

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.

Wawelski closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Wawelski lands in his opponent's guard.

Wawelski drops back looking for a leg! The Crab is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and The Crab manages to kick Wawelski off! Wawelski jumps back into The Crab's guard.
Wawelski slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
The Crab is trying to control Wawelski's posture but Wawelski avoids it.
Wawelski misses with the ground and pound.

Wawelski tries for a kimura but The Crab is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wawelski throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
The Crab is not content to let Wawelski control the position.

Wawelski is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but The Crab is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Wawelski slows the pace down.
Wawelski working away.

Wawelski goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, The Crab has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Wawelski but great work by The Crab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Crab taking a breather here.
Wawelski is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wawelski wants to improve his position but The Crab is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The Crab is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kosma Wawelski 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.

The Crab throws a looping overhand right but Wawelski ducks down to avoid it.
The Crab lands a nice hook to Wawelski's body. Wawelski takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Nice takedown defense from The Crab. No joy for Wawelski on that attempt.
Wawelski throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
It looked like The Crab wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Wawelski fails in his attempt to clinch.
Wawelski looks for a takedown but The Crab sprawls well.
Wawelski tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Wawelski shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has The Crab pinned against the cage. The Crab gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Henry The Crab has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kosma Wawelski.
Wawelski tries to clinch but The Crab moves out of range.
Wawelski slips a jab from The Crab.
Despite the aggression on Wawelski's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
The Crab keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters circling - The Crab throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
The Crab connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Wawelski momentarily.
Wawelski shoots in but no luck this time.
Wawelski drops his hands momentarily and The Crab takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
The Crab cracks a nice hook into Wawelski's ribs.
The Crab looks for the body kick but Wawelski saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - The Crab throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Wawelski decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Wawelski is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, The Crab has managed to free his arm - good work.
Wawelski prevents The Crab from improving his position.
Wawelski throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Wawelski is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and The Crab defends it well.
The Crab keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

The Crab actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Crab is controlling Wawelski's trapped leg to prevent Wawelski from advancing to side control.
The Crab trying to control from the bottom.
Ground and pound from Wawelski.
The Crab is in trouble now - Wawelski has advanced to mount!
Wawelski punching from mount but The Crab doing a good job of avoiding damage.

Wawelski jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… The Crab is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by The Crab and Wawelski has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Wawelski wants to lay and pray for a moment but The Crab keeps working.

Wawelski tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Crab tries to buck Wawelski off but Wawelski is having none of it.

Wawelski tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The Crab is looking to regain half guard here but Wawelski keeps moving and retains side control.
Wawelski tries to move to mount but The Crab blocks the move with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Wawelski in the domination position with The Crab hanging on.

Wawelski wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by The Crab, who protects the arm well.
The Crab isn't going anywhere.
Wawelski tries to advance to mount but The Crab denies him.
The Crab is not content to let Wawelski control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wawelski works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kosma Wawelski will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Wawelski closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Wawelski is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, The Crab has escaped the position, nice work there.

Wawelski is trying to get an arm triangle but The Crab is defending well.
The Crab can't do much from the bottom here.

Wawelski is trying to get an arm triangle but The Crab is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Wawelski is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, The Crab has escaped the position, nice work there.
The Crab tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Crab can't do much from the bottom here.
The Crab managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Wawelski.

Wawelski tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Wawelski has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Wawelski with a couple of short strikes.
Wawelski thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
The Crab wants to control but Wawelski is having none of it.
Henry The Crab has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wawelski has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Wawelski sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
The Crab keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Kosma Wawelski has got the better of the ground game so far.
Wawelski throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for The Crab because Wawelski loaded up on that one.
The Crab reaches up to try and control the position but Wawelski seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! The Crab rolls and tries to escape and now Wawelski has his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Crab tries to escape but Wawelski has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
The Crab is working hard here to advance position.

The Crab defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Wawelski's arms.
The Crab trying to control the position but Wawelski manages to sink in the hooks.
The Crab is covering up but some of the strikes from Wawelski are getting through and doing damage.
Wawelski is controlling the position but The Crab somehow manages to roll and ends up with half guard.
The Crab is trying to control but can't.

Wawelski is looking for a kimura here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Crab is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Wawelski is trying to control the action in half guard but The Crab is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The Crab is pressing down on Wawelski's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Wawelski trying to control but The Crab is working from the bottom.

The Crab is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
The Crab trying to keep a closed guard but Wawelski is proving a slippery customer.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kosma Wawelski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Wawelski 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kosma Wawelski!
An out of breath Kosma Wawelski thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.