PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yanji Klushinwa (ranked 2120 p4p, 254 weight class) and Twisty Kneereaper (ranked 2101 p4p, 251 weight class). Twisty Kneereaper will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Klushinwa
vs
Kneereaper

191 cm
26
195 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

177 cm
21
185 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Yanji Klushinwa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Twisty Kneereaper!
The judges for this bout are Ben Hemmingworth, Ron Honeybunn and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kneereaper chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kneereaper has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Klushinwa is landing a low percentage of strikes.

Klushinwa closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Kneereaper quickly recovers to half guard.
Kneereaper is trying to get back to full guard.
Kneereaper slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Kneereaper looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Klushinwa passes into side control.
Kneereaper tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Klushinwa wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kneereaper manages to work his way to half guard, despite Klushinwa's best efforts.

Kneereaper is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Klushinwa pulls his head out easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Klushinwa not doing much here.
Klushinwa will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kneereaper tries to roll over but Klushinwa keeps him under control.
Klushinwa is looking to advance position but Kneereaper won't allow it.
Klushinwa perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Kneereaper actively working from the bottom here.
Kneereaper tries to get to full guard but Klushinwa has control of the leg.

That's two 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.
Klushinwa takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Kneereaper is not content to let Klushinwa control the position.
Kneereaper is looking to get back to full guard here but Klushinwa has managed to pass to side control instead.
Kneereaper is looking to regain half guard here but Klushinwa keeps moving and retains side control.
Kneereaper manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Kneereaper is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kneereaper manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kneereaper looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Klushinwa has picked Kneereaper up and slammed him! Kneereaper can't keep hold of the triangle and Klushinwa manages to pass to side control!
Kneereaper tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Klushinwa wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Kneereaper is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Klushinwa off and has taken his back!

Kneereaper has managed to slip his arm under Klushinwa's chin. This could be all over... yep, Klushinwa is tapping out! Submission win for Kneereaper.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Twisty Kneereaper!
A relieved looking Twisty Kneereaper thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.