PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Toktogulovich Bakiyev (ranked 1985 p4p, 198 weight class) and Michael Jai White (ranked 2089 p4p, 209 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.

Bakiyev
vs
Jai White

171 cm
42
163 lbs
32 - 38 - 1

190 cm
25
199 lbs
8 - 10 - 0

Excellent boxer
Experienced

World class boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 38 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Toktogulovich Bakiyev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Michael Jai White!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Shirou Masuda and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
White misses with a shot to the body
and Bakiyev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
White throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Bakiyev stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
White misses with a hook
and Bakiyev counters with a stiff right hand.
White takes one to the chin there.
Bakiyev looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Bakiyev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The fighters circling - Bakiyev throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that White has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Bakiyev just misses with a punch to the body.
White throws a poor cross that misses
and Bakiyev counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps White thinking.
White misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bakiyev.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
White misses with a hook. Bakiyev ducked under it nicely.
White ducks under a wild hook from Bakiyev.
White misses with an uppercut
and Bakiyev counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
White scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
White throws a body punch but Bakiyev moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bakiyev tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but White was well out of range. Poor timing from Bakiyev.
Bakiyev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from White.
White misses with an uppercut
and Bakiyev counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A jab from Bakiyev finds it's way through White's defenses.
White throws a hook but Bakiyev avoids it easily.
White thows a left - swing and a miss!
White lands a really nice looking cross but Bakiyev seems unphased.
White throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bakiyev lands a nice shot to the body.
Bakiyev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
White is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
White throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
White scores with a jab to the head.
Michael Jai White seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
White avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bakiyev thows a left - swing and a miss!
White misses with an uppercut.
White closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A looping hook to the body misses from White. Bakiyev does a little dance to reset his feet.
White ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bakiyev moves away.
Bakiyev fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. White looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Bakiyev misses the body punch
and White counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Bakiyev thinking.
White throws an off balance right hand
letting Bakiyev counter with a right hand.
Bakiyev waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract White.
Bakiyev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but White moves away.
Bakiyev takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Toktogulovich Bakiyev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
White lands a really nice looking cross but Bakiyev seems unphased.

Bakiyev is rocked!
Bakiyev leaves his chin hanging out and White seizes the opportunity with an uppercut! Bakiyev crumbles to the floor in a heap! The referee steps in and tends to the downed fighter! What a knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Michael Jai White!