PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Allistar Thorn (ranked 23900 p4p, 651 weight class) and Be Koto (ranked 6758 p4p, 571 weight class). 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.

Thorn
vs
Koto

185 cm
18
164 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

170 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Allistar Thorn!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Be Koto!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Aleksandr Martynov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thorn takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Thorn throws a lazy head kick

and Koto counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Koto.
Thorn is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Koto is controlling him.
Thorn is pulling down on Koto's head to control his posture.
Thorn is looking to stand up but Koto isn't so interested in that idea.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thorn looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Thorn pushes Koto off and gets back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thorn lands a nice looking kick to the body. Koto takes a step back to recover.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thorn misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A looping hook to the body misses from Thorn. Koto does a little dance to reset his feet.
Allistar Thorn seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thorn misses the shot to the body.
Koto steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Thorn.
Thorn throws a body kick that misses

and Koto counters with a takedown into side control.
Thorn is trying to get back to half guard.
Thorn wants to get back to his feet but Koto drags him back down.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thorn is trying to improve his position.
Thorn manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Koto thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Thorn's head.
Thorn is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Russian Bears Training Center that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thorn pushes Koto off looking to stand but Koto dives back in and keeps control.
Koto perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Koto escapes and gets back to his feet.
Thorn jabs Koto to the body, keeping him at a distance.
A head kick by Thorn misses
and Koto counters with a series of strikes. Thorn will be more careful next time no doubt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Thorn throws a head kick that half lands.

It looks like Be Koto has been cut.
Thorn is breathing heavily.
Koto lands with a right hand.

Thorn moves into range and clinches up with Koto.
Thorn will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Koto up against the cage.
Thorn is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Thorn tries to throw a body punch but Koto avoids it by throwing Thorn back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koto fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Koto has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Thorn is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Koto pulls guard effortlessly.
Thorn knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Koto on the ground.

Thorn decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Koto ducks under a wild hook from Thorn.
Koto feints the counter takedown.
Thorn fails to land with a series of punches.
Thorn connects with a body shot that sends Koto's belly button to the back.
Thorn misses with a looping left.
Thorn misses with the body kick

and Koto counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Koto.

Thorn pushes Koto off and scrambles back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thorn throws a lazy uppercut

and Koto counters with a nice double leg into side control. Thorn won't be happy with that.
Thorn is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thorn wants to control but Koto postures up.
Koto slows the pace down.
Thorn is trying to control Koto's posture but Koto avoids it.
Thorn is trying to improve his position.

Thorn throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Thorn misses with a low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Allistar Thorn dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Be Koto's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Thorn throws a right and a left that Koto avoids nicely.
Thorn will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Thorn is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Koto can do to turn this around?
A head kick by Thorn misses

and Koto decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Thorn's guard.
Thorn is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Thorn wants to control but Koto passes easily into half guard.
Thorn is staying active underneath Koto, 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.
Thorn looks like he's trying to stand up.
Thorn wants to improve his position but Koto is controlling well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koto throwing shots but Thorn is blocking nicely.

Koto maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Thorn could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Koto has cracked it and Thorn is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Koto!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:33 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Be Koto!