PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brian Clough (ranked 5904 p4p, 186 weight class) and Ray Kalani (ranked 5812 p4p, 179 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Clough
vs
Kalani

186 cm
18
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

150 cm
18
300 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Brian Clough!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ray Kalani!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Roger Salmon and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Clough gets caught flat footed, as Kalani shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Clough looking for a sweep. Not yet Clough, not yet.
Clough is working hard here to advance position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kalani thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Kalani wants to pass the guard but Clough is keeping the position.
Kalani being controlled here momentarily.
Clough will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Kalani is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Clough is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Clough has escaped and now he's on top!

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kalani looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kalani throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Clough looking to pass the guard.

Kalani looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Clough passes into side control.

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.
Kalani is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Kalani struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalani is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Kalani manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Kalani wants to control but Clough is keeping him busy.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kalani prevents Clough from improving his position.

Kalani is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Clough is just riding it out for now. Kalani eventually gives up the hold.
Clough controlling the position well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kalani is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Clough keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Kalani is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Kalani dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Clough uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kalani has time to react.
Clough lunges at Kalani with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kalani's hand.
Kalani has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kalani dives in for a single leg takedown but Clough sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Clough connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kalani fails to land the takedown.
Clough lands with a straight right. Kalani didn't see that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice cross by Clough.
A punch lands to the side of Kalani 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Kalani shoots for a double leg takedown but Clough sprawls well. He's pushed Kalani's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Brian Clough has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ray Kalani.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalani doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Kalani takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Clough tried to score with a low kick but Kalani checks it.

Kalani drives through with a takedown into guard.
Clough keeping full guard, as Kalani tries to pass.
Kalani is breathing heavily.

Kalani drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Clough dives on top into guard.

Kalani working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Clough doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Clough manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Clough slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Clough looking to pass the guard.
Clough is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Kalani looking for a guillotine here but Clough defends easily.
Clough looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kalani can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kalani is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Clough defends well.
Clough looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

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.
Clough's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Clough trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Clough is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Kalani has his foot on Clough's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Clough works his way back into a safe position though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Kalani has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Clough can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Clough dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Kalani walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Ray Kalani is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Clough goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Kalani fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Clough connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kalani momentarily.

It looks like Ray Kalani has been cut.
Clough paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kalani with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Clough to score with a decent uppercut.
Clough motions for Kalani to come forward. Clough throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Kalani feints and as Clough raises his hands in defense, Kalani changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kalani is fighting to break Clough's control of his arms but Clough is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kalani postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Clough is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Kalani, into his guard.

Kalani takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Kalani looking for a guillotine here but Clough defends easily.

Kalani isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Clough stacks Kalani on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Clough!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalani is trying to control Clough's posture but Clough avoids it.

Clough stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Brian Clough is winning the standup battle so far.
Clough works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Kalani feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Clough controlling the position.
Kalani trying to move into half guard but instead Clough has managed to sweep!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalani trying to keep a closed guard but Clough is proving a slippery customer.
Clough passes into half guard.
Clough content to control rather than advance.
Clough continues to stall.
Clough tries to pass to full mount but Kalani defends it.
Well, if Clough is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

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.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kalani is trying to control but Clough manages to pass to mount!

And that's the end of the fight!
Brian Clough showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Clough has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Josh West scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brian Clough!
Brian Clough thanked the fans post fight for their support.