PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mateh Kazana (ranked 24928 p4p, 0 weight class) and Khon Saroth (ranked 24863 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys are coming into the fight with injuries so let's see if that has a bearing on the fight. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Kazana
vs
Saroth

173 cm
25
156 lbs
1 - 6 - 0

172 cm
25
157 lbs
1 - 16 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Knockout power

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 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mateh Kazana!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 16 - 1, fighting out of New York, Khon Saroth!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Alyssa Summers and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kazana closes the distance and clinches.
Saroth managing to block the knees to the body from Kazana.
Saroth is trying to pull guard but Kazana has him pressed against the cage.

Kazana breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kazana leaves Saroth with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Saroth shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kazana but Kazana pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Mateh Kazana has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khon Saroth.
Kazana throws a head kick that half lands.

Kazana clinches up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kazana wants a takedown.
Kazana is breathing heavily.
Kazana is trying to pull guard but Saroth turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Saroth letting Kazana take a breather here.
Saroth wants to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazana tries to work over Saroth's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kazana throws a punch but it's blocked by Saroth.
Saroth can't get the takedown.
Kazana blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Saroth taking a breather.
Saroth has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kazana is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Saroth is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kazana to keep the fight standing.
Saroth is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kazana to keep the fight standing.

Kazana escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Saroth shoots in for a takedown but Kazana shows good takedown defense.
Saroth fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Saroth gets tackled into the cage by Kazana. Kazana maintains the clinch.
Saroth is looking to break free of the clinch but Kazana has double underhooks.
Saroth misses with a body punch.

Kazana jumps into guard, dragging Saroth to the mat.
Saroth wants to control from the top but Kazana keeps moving.
Kazana pulls Saroth in close to prevent any damage.
Kazana keeping moving, preventing Saroth from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saroth throws a big elbow that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saroth passes into half guard.
Kazana wants to get back to full guard.
Kazana is refusing to be controlled, as Saroth sits in half guard.
Kazana avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Saroth.
Kazana trying to hold on to Saroth's head to control him but Saroth postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Saroth tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kazana paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Saroth fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kazana avoids it really well and circles away.
Saroth looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kazana fails with a takedown attempt.
Saroth tries for a takedown but Kazana sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Saroth scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A nice inside leg kick there by Saroth. That's going to slow Kazana down.
Saroth tries for a takedown but Kazana sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mateh Kazana dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Saroth dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Saroth shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kazana but Kazana pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kazana tries to counter by clinching up but Saroth breaks away and moves out of range.
Saroth moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

It looks like Mateh Kazana has been cut.
Saroth misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kazana appears to be looking for a big counter.
Saroth will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
An attempted straight right counter from Kazana misses the target.
A solid leg kick lands there for Saroth.
Saroth misses with a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kazana tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Saroth defends well and Kazana ends up having to push Saroth into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Saroth closes the distance and clinches up with Kazana, looking for a takedown. Saroth pushes Kazana against the cage but Kazana circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Mateh Kazana has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khon Saroth.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Saroth.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saroth lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kazana's sensitive parts.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kazana gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Saroth is looking for a takedown.

Kazana manages to pull guard.
Saroth working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kazana's head.
Saroth works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Saroth is trying to control the action in half guard but Kazana is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saroth might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Kazana haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Kazana is trying to stand.
Saroth looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Saroth trying to control from half guard but Kazana is working away.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Saroth closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kazana circles away.
Saroth fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kazana avoids it really well and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saroth throws a nice outside leg kick.
Saroth has a takedown stuffed.
Kazana attempts a counter takedown but Saroth avoids it well and moves away.
Saroth misses with a takedown

and Kazana counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kazana.

Kazana's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Saroth lands with a kick to the ribs.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Saroth, right into the meat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saroth is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kazana sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Saroth throws a nice inside leg kick.
Saroth shoots for a double leg takedown but Kazana sprawls well. He's pushed Saroth's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kazana wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Kazana sizes up Saroth with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Saroth tries to clinch there but Kazana circles away.

Kazana has managed to clinch.
Come on Kazana - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Saroth is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kazana to keep the fight standing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Saroth has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Kazana after a bit of a struggle.
Saroth can't get the takedown.
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 Mateh Kazana will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mateh Kazana's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Kazana leaves Saroth with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kazana circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mateh Kazana is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Saroth with a poor takedown

and Kazana counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kazana.

Kazana decides to pull guard.
Kazana utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Saroth avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Saroth trying to control but Kazana is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kazana working for a triangle but Saroth defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saroth trying to control but Kazana is working from the bottom.

Saroth gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Saroth fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kazana avoids it really well and circles away.
Mateh Kazana has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Khon Saroth.

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.
The fight stays on the outside here - Saroth looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kazana throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Saroth changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Saroth shoots for a double leg takedown but Kazana sprawls well. He's pushed Saroth's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Saroth shoots in but Kazana avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kazana half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Saroth connects with a high kick.
Saroth lets loose with a powerful body kick. Kazana will feel that in the morning.
Saroth closes the distance and clinches up with Kazana, looking for a takedown. Saroth pushes Kazana against the cage but Kazana circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Saroth tries to clinch up but Kazana circles away and keeps his distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saroth lands with a nice combination. Kazana backs away looking to recover.
Saroth throws a nice outside leg kick.

Kazana gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Saroth has Kazana pressed against the cage, preventing Kazana from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Saroth tries to pull guard but Kazana forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Kazana wants to get back to striking at distance but Saroth won't allow it.
Saroth with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kazana blocks an uppercut.
Saroth fails to pull guard.
Saroth wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Saroth tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kazana using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Saroth has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kazana fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Saroth is looking for a takedown.
Kazana throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kazana can't break the clinch.
Saroth is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kazana to keep the fight standing.
Saroth is trying to maintain a safe position but Kazana gets an underhook and turns Saroth into the cage.
Saroth is looking to break free of the clinch but Kazana has double underhooks.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Saroth throws a knee to the head but misses.
Khon Saroth has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mateh Kazana is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Saroth fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Mateh Kazana.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kazana, 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mateh Kazana!
Mateh Kazana bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.