PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight kickboxing rules bout between Spas Spasov (ranked 2246 p4p, 258 weight class) and Ken Irrawaddy (ranked 2107 p4p, 249 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Irrawaddy's choice of entrance music: Laos Rules!. 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.

Spasov
vs
Irrawaddy

180 cm
28
159 lbs
12 - 14 - 1

173 cm
23
155 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Excellent MT
Granite chin

Groove Gear
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 12 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Spas Spasov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ken Irrawaddy!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Shigeki Sano and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spasov closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Spasov has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Roosters Coop in the buildup to the fight.
Spas Spasov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Spasov lands a nice looking body shot.
Irrawaddy with a jab.
A shot to the liver by Irrawaddy. Beautiful body shot.
Spasov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Spasov displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Irrawaddy throws a body punch but Spasov moves out of range.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Spasov tries to clinch there but Irrawaddy circles away.
Irrawaddy lands with a right hand.

Irrawaddy moves into the clinch.
Irrawaddy goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Irrawaddy digs a right hand underneath Spasov's ribcage. Spasov let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Irrawaddy stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Irrawaddy can't find room to land a body shot as Spasov controls the action.
Irrawaddy blocks a body shot from Spasov.
Irrawaddy throws a head punch that misses.
Spasov misses with a body punch.
Spasov tries to throw a body punch but Irrawaddy avoids it by throwing Spasov back against the ropes.
Spasov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Spasov can't find room to land a body shot as Irrawaddy controls the action.
Spasov has a couple of punches blocked by Irrawaddy.
Irrawaddy has a couple of punches blocked by Spasov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spasov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Irrawaddy's elbow.
Spasov misses with a punch to the body.
Spasov lands a right hand.
Spasov tries to work over Irrawaddy's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Irrawaddy lands a left hand that snaps the head of Spasov backwards.
Irrawaddy scores with a shoulder strike.
A nice left hand lands by Irrawaddy.
Irrawaddy tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Irrawaddy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A left and a right from Spasov both land. Nice combination.
Spasov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Irrawaddy counters with a straight right hand.
Spasov misses with a two punch combination.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Irrawaddy throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Good standup being displayed there by Irrawaddy as he connects with a hook.
Irrawaddy waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Spasov.
Irrawaddy throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Spasov.
Spasov appears to be looking for a big counter.
Irrawaddy takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

Spasov closes the distance and pushes Irrawaddy back into the ropes.
Good body shot from Spasov.
Irrawaddy has a couple of punches blocked by Spasov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Irrawaddy.
Irrawaddy lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Irrawaddy lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Spasov backwards.
Spasov working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Irrawaddy stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Irrawaddy tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Spasov can't find room to land a body shot as Irrawaddy controls the action.
Spasov lands a nice shot to the body.
Irrawaddy misses with a short punch on the inside.

Irrawaddy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Irrawaddy stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Spasov slips a jab and a cross from Irrawaddy.
Irrawaddy uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Irrawaddy looks to land a combination but Spasov avoids it well.
Irrawaddy has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Spasov misses with a series of wild punches.
Spasov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Irrawaddy.
Spasov tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Irrawaddy manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ken Irrawaddy dominated that round.
That's time! Spasov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Spasov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Irrawaddy lands a shot to the body.
Irrawaddy lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Irrawaddy tries a body shot but Spasov blocks it.
Irrawaddy throws a head punch that misses.
Irrawaddy tries to work over Spasov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Irrawaddy lands with a light punch inside.
Spasov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Irrawaddy misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Irrawaddy struggles to land a body shot inside as Spasov controls his hands.
Spasov lands a shot to the body.
Good body shot from Spasov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A right hook to the body lands for Irrawaddy.
Spasov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Irrawaddy misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ken Irrawaddy seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Spasov working hard to break the clinch.
Irrawaddy digs a right hand into Spasov's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Spasov's gas tank.
Irrawaddy blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Spasov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spasov is trying to force a seperation but Irrawaddy has the dominant position.
Spasov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Irrawaddy has him pressed against the ropes.
Irrawaddy working aggressively here.
Spasov stalling in the clinch but Irrawaddy improves position.
Irrawaddy lands a hook that snaps the head of Spasov backwards.
Irrawaddy doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Spasov breaks from the clinch.
Spasov throws a nice looking combination but Irrawaddy bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Spasov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Spasov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Irrawaddy.
Spasov misses with a double jab
and Irrawaddy counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Spasov thinking.
A big right from Irrawaddy misses.
Spasov's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Irrawaddy connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Spasov scrambles back to his feet.
Irrawaddy thuds a left hand into Spasov's body.
Spasov is looking to clinch.
Spasov lands a nice shot that snaps Irrawaddy's head back.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Spasov takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spasov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Spasov throws a left and a right that both miss
and Irrawaddy counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Spasov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Spasov gets tackled into the ropes by Irrawaddy. Irrawaddy maintains the clinch.
Spasov struggles to land a body shot inside as Irrawaddy controls his hands.
Irrawaddy throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Spasovs head.
Irrawaddy lands a hook that snaps the head of Spasov backwards.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Irrawaddy tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Spasov's elbow.

Irrawaddy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Spasov gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Spasov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Some wild striking there from Irrawaddy.
Irrawaddy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Spasov throws a series of punches but Irrawaddy moves out of range.
Spas Spasov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Spasov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Irrawaddy.
Spasov walks into a straight right hand from Irrawaddy.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Irrawaddy dodges the punch combination from Spasov.

Spasov pushes Irrawaddy up against the ropes in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ken Irrawaddy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Spasov fails to land with a series of punches.
Spasov misses with an uppercut.
Nice defenses there by Irrawaddy.
Irrawaddy misses with a straight left.
Irrawaddy throws a hook but Spasov avoids it easily.

Spasov takes the fight into the clinch.

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

Irrawaddy has closed the distance and engaged Spasov in a clinch.
Irrawaddy tries to throw a body punch but Spasov avoids it by throwing Irrawaddy back against the ropes.
Spas Spasov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A short right from Spasov on the inside.
Spasov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Irrawaddy stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spasov blocks a body shot from Irrawaddy.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Irrawaddy lands an uppercut.
Irrawaddy scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Irrawaddy throws a head punch that misses.
Irrawaddy lands a hook that snaps the head of Spasov backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Spasov.
Irrawaddy lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Spasov misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Irrawaddy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Irrawaddy stuns Spasov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Spasov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Irrawaddy tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Spasov was well out of range. Poor timing from Irrawaddy.
Spasov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ken Irrawaddy seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Spasov wants to clinch but Irrawaddy slips to the side
letting Irrawaddy counter with a right hand.
Spasov misses with a combination
and Irrawaddy counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A swing and a miss from Irrawaddy.
Spasov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Irrawaddy throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Spasov on the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A punch lands to the side of Spasov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Irrawaddy fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Spasov manages to avoid it.
Irrawaddy moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Irrawaddy dodges the punch combination from Spasov.
A countering left hand to the body from Irrawaddy misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Irrawaddy 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Spasov misses with the combination.
Spasov defending well as Irrawaddy loads up on a big left hand.
Nice jab there from Irrawaddy.
Irrawaddy throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ken Irrawaddy is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Spasov throws a series of punches but Irrawaddy avoids them all with ease.
Irrawaddy looks to score with a jab to the body but Spasov is just out of range.
Spasov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Irrawaddy.
Irrawaddy ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Irrawaddy fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Spasov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Ken Irrawaddy is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Irrawaddy blocks a jab.
Irrawaddy connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Irrawaddy jabs Spasov right on the nose. Spasov blinks but takes it well.
A combination from Spasov does no damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ken Irrawaddy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Irrawaddy has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ken Irrawaddy!