PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mateh Kazana (ranked 4734 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hakkamunoi Phouthong (ranked 3392 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Kazana
vs
Phouthong

173 cm
25
156 lbs
2 - 7 - 0

175 cm
25
157 lbs
2 - 18 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite 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 2 - 7 - 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 2 - 18 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hakkamunoi Phouthong!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, John Roberts and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kazana rushes Phouthong and presses him up against the cage.
Kazana tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A frustrated look appears on Phouthong's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Kazana breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kazana fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Phouthong throws a body kick that misses.
Phouthong slips a jab and a cross from Kazana.
Kazana checks a leg kick.
Phouthong shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

Kazana moves into the clinch successfully.

Kazana breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Phouthong throws a hook but Kazana blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Phouthong.
Kazana shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Phouthong sprawls well. Phouthong wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kazana gets slowly back to his feet.
Kazana is breathing heavily.
Kazana avoids a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kazana rushes Phouthong and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Phouthong jumps guard but Kazana stands there with Phouthong around his waist. Phouthong gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kazana manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Phouthong has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Kazana after a bit of a struggle.
Kazana missing with knees to the body.

Phouthong ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Phouthong no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Phouthong has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Kazana is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Kazana prevents Phouthong from breaking the clinch.
Phouthong is trying to pull guard but Kazana has him pressed against the cage.
Mateh Kazana has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hakkamunoi Phouthong.
Kazana is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Phouthong is defending well.
Phouthong wants to take the fight to the mat but Kazana manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Kazana gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Kazana breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kazana rushes Phouthong and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kazana struggles to land a body shot inside as Phouthong controls his hands.
Kazana gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Phouthong.
We've been informed that Phouthong has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Phouthong gets underhooks to prevent Kazana's takedown attempt.
Phouthong wants to break the clinch but can't.
Phouthong tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kazana just stands there and leans against the cage.
Phouthong tries to pull guard but Kazana holds him up against the cage and eventually Phouthong drops back down to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Phouthong stops a takedown attempt from Kazana.

Kazana's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Kazana has managed to clinch.
Phouthong has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kazana avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazana drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Kazana jumps guard.
Kazana is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Phouthong gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Phouthong throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

Kazana pushes Phouthong up against the cage in a clinch.
Kazana prevents the takedown attempt.
Kazana content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Phouthong is pressed up against the cage. Kazana has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Phouthong down to the mat. Phouthong avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Phouthong smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Kazana dodges the punch combination from Phouthong.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phouthong throws a sloppy head kick and Kazana moves out of range easily.

Kazana rushes Phouthong and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Phouthong is looking to break free of the clinch but Kazana has double underhooks.
Phouthong is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Phouthong is trying to break free.
Phouthong tries to pull guard but Kazana won't allow it.
Phouthong tries to break the clinch but Kazana is controlling the position.
Kazana content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Kazana pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Phouthong is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Kazana closes the distance and pushes Phouthong back into the cage.
Phouthong is trying to pull guard but Kazana has him pressed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mateh Kazana dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kazana clinches up against the cage.

Phouthong pulls guard effortlessly.
Kazana is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Phouthong wants to get back to his feet but Kazana is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Phouthong keeping moving, preventing Kazana from controlling successfully.
Phouthong wants to stand up but Kazana is controlling him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kazana pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Phouthong is keeping the position for now.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kazana has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Phouthong is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kazana is controlling him.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

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

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

Kazana darts in and clinches Phouthong up against the cage.

Kazana pulls guard successfully.
Kazana is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kazana is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Phouthong can do to turn this around?
Phouthong stopping the sweep attempt from Kazana.

Phouthong gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Phouthong tries to clinch there but Kazana circles away.
Phouthong looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Phouthong throws a head kick but Kazana moves out of range.
Phouthong lands with a kick to the temple. Kazana shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Kazana avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Phouthong.
Hakkamunoi Phouthong is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Kazana has Phouthong up against the cage in a clinch.
Phouthong jumps guard but Kazana stands there with Phouthong around his waist. Phouthong gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kazana holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Kazana breaks the clinch.
Phouthong tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Kazana has closed the distance and engaged Phouthong in a clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Kazana breaks the clinch.
Kazana blocks a head kick by Phouthong.
Hakkamunoi Phouthong seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kazana instigates a clinch.

Kazana escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kazana keeps the fight on the outside.
Phouthong is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kazana shoots in looking for a takedown. Phouthong tries to sprawl out of it but Kazana keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Phouthong manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hakkamunoi Phouthong seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Phouthong tries to clinch but Kazana is having none of it.
Phouthong fails in his attempt to clinch.
Phouthong fails with an attempt to clinch.
Mateh Kazana is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Phouthong is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kazana will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Phouthong tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kazana manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Phouthong is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kazana takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Phouthong moves in looking to clinch but Kazana pushes him off.

Kazana shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Kazana stands up and beckons Phouthong to join him on the feet.
Phouthong tries a head kick but it misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kazana darts in looking for a takedown but Phouthong gets double underhooks and turns Kazana into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mateh Kazana. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Phouthong looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Phouthong scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Kazana closes the distance and pushes Phouthong back into the cage.
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.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Kazana avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
No luck for Kazana with that takedown attempt.

Kazana clinches up with Phouthong and pushes him back against the cage.

Phouthong pulls guard successfully.
Phouthong keeping moving, preventing Kazana from controlling successfully.

Phouthong pushes Kazana off and gets back to his feet.
Phouthong goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Phouthong misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Phouthong fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kazana checks it well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kazana lets loose with a powerful body kick. Phouthong will feel that in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazana goes for a double leg but Phouthong avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Phouthong continues to drive forward.
Phouthong misses with a double jab.
Kazana circles away from the clinch attempt.

Kazana clinches up with Phouthong and pushes him back against the cage.
Phouthong tries to circle away but Kazana has him pinned against the cage.
Phouthong is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mateh Kazana. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Phouthong is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Kazana escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kazana tries to close the distance and clinch up but Phouthong swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Phouthong throws a counter combo.
Phouthong throws a head kick but Kazana moves out of range.
Phouthong throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kazana on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Phouthong. Phouthong obviously looking to wear him down.
Kazana tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Phouthong throws a nice head kick!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kazana will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kazana avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Phouthong looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kazana looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Phouthong is fending him off so far but Kazana persists. Nope, Phouthong circles away and we're back to standing.
Kazana on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

Kazana gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Phouthong tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kazana smiles and moves away.

Phouthong tries to keep at a distance but Kazana has taken the fight into the clinch.
Phouthong is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Kazana pulls guard successfully.
Kazana is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Kazana on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kazana tries to get out of the position.

Phouthong stands up from Kazana's guard - Phouthong perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazana circles away from the clinch attempt.
Phouthong stuffs the takedown attempt from Kazana. Kazana gets slowly back to his feet.
Phouthong tries to clinch up.
Phouthong tries a head kick but it misses.
Kazana shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Phouthong tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Kazana counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Phouthong doesn't manage to clinch there - Kazana circles away.
Kazana fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Phouthong tries to clinch but Kazana is having none of it.

Kazana closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Phouthong is pressed up against the cage. Kazana has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Phouthong down to the mat. Phouthong avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kazana circles away from the clinch attempt.
Phouthong feints and then cracks Kazana's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kazana down.
Phouthong doesn't manage to clinch there - Kazana circles away.
Sloppy strikes from Kazana. Those never looked like landing.
Kazana circles away from the clinch attempt.
A solid body kick from Phouthong.
Phouthong tries to clinch up.
Kazana throws a quick inside leg kick.
A jab from Phouthong does it's job there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kazana swats away the attempt to clinch by Phouthong.
Phouthong tries to clinch up.

Phouthong tries to keep at a distance but Kazana has taken the fight into the clinch.
Hakkamunoi Phouthong 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.
Phouthong throws a knee to the head but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hakkamunoi Phouthong comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kazana 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mateh Kazana!
A very excited looking Mateh Kazana rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.