PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cezary Kesik (ranked 24868 p4p, 5876 weight class) and Tirako Naroggu (ranked 708 p4p, 553 weight class). Kesik comes to the cage accompanied by Kękę - Presja. Tirako Naroggu has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Cezary Kesik's chin.

Kesik
vs
Naroggu

183 cm
20
220
4 - 4 - 1

198 cm
23
205
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Cezary Kesik!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tirako Naroggu!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Cecil Peabody and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Naroggu misses with a double jab
and Kesik counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Naroggu keeps the fight on the outside.
A head kick misses from Naroggu.
Naroggu misses with a combination
and Kesik counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kesik uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Naroggu.
Naroggu misses with a series of wild punches.
Kesik connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Naroggu's hands.
Naroggu attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

Kesik closes the distance and clinches.
Kesik tries to work over Naroggu's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kesik is looking to control Naroggu's arms but Naroggu gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kesik has his back to the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kesik's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We've been told by Kesik's head coaches at Blanc Fitness Academy that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Naroggu circles away from the clinch attempt.
Naroggu circles away from the clinch attempt.
Naroggu throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Kesik clinches up with Naroggu and pushes him back against the cage.
Kesik could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Naroggu has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Kesik after a bit of a struggle.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naroggu blocks the elbow strike.

Naroggu's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Naroggu looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Naroggu avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Naroggu swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kesik tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Naroggu paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Naroggu shoots in for a takedown but Kesik shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kesik is looking to clinch.
Naroggu looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A combination from Naroggu does no damage.
Naroggu lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kesik circles away quickly and effectively.

Kesik moves into the clinch.
Naroggu wants a takedown but no success here.
Cezary Kesik has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tirako Naroggu.
Good body shot from Kesik.
Kesik lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kesik avoiding damage as Naroggu throws knees to the body.
Naroggu is trying to push Kesik away but Kesik has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kesik lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Naroggu backwards.
Kesik avoids a wild elbow strike from Naroggu.
Kesik trying to land knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kesik lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Naroggu or not.
Naroggu looks winded!
Kesik scores with a knee to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kesik makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Naroggu breaks the clinch.
Naroggu swats away the attempt to clinch by Kesik.

Kesik closes the distance and clinches.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kesik.
Naroggu unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Naroggu landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A body shot lands from Kesik.
Kesik blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kesik being controlled against the cage.

Naroggu breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kesik fails with an attempt to clinch.
Naroggu misses with a shot to the body
letting Kesik counter with a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Naroggu shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kesik sprawls well. Kesik wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Naroggu gets slowly back to his feet.

Kesik pushes Naroggu up against the cage in a clinch.

Naroggu breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kesik wants to clinch.

Naroggu feints and as Kesik raises his hands in defense, Naroggu changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Kesik wriggles free and stands up.
Naroggu misses with an uppercut
letting Kesik counter with a right hand.
Kesik shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
We've been informed that Naroggu has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
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!
Naroggu rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kesik moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kesik tries to close the distance and clinch up but Naroggu swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Naroggu rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kesik counters with a three punch combo that has Naroggu backing up. Naroggu nods at Kesik to acknowledge the strikes.
Naroggu throws the kick towards the body but Kesik avoids it.
Kesik throws a big counter combination but Naroggu scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Naroggu circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kesik doesn't manage to clinch there - Naroggu circles away.

Kesik clinches up against the cage.
Naroggu stalling in the clinch.

Naroggu is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Kesik can't fight it off and eventually Naroggu manages to take the fight to the floor. Kesik looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Naroggu throws a strike but Kesik rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Naroggu has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kesik can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Naroggu wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Cezary Kesik will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kesik misses with a double jab.
Nice takedown defense from Naroggu. No joy for Kesik on that attempt.
Naroggu looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kesik moves in looking to clinch but Naroggu pushes him off.
Naroggu throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kesik.
Naroggu throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kesik fails with an attempt to clinch.
Naroggu looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kesik shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Naroggu but Naroggu pushes him off and we're back to square one.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Naroggu! But no joy.
Naroggu rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kesik moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Naroggu keeps the fight on the outside.
Kesik fails in his attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kesik wants to clinch up but Naroggu keeps it at a distance.
Naroggu throws a counter combo.
Kesik tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kesik walks into a jab.
Tirako Naroggu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Naroggu throws a series of punches but Kesik moves out of range.
Cezary Kesik is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kesik ducks right into an uppercut from Naroggu.
Naroggu swats away the attempt to clinch by Kesik.
It seemed like Naroggu was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naroggu swats away the attempt to clinch by Kesik.
Kesik closes the distance and clinches up with Naroggu, looking for a takedown. Kesik pushes Naroggu against the cage but Naroggu circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cezary Kesik. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sloppy strikes from Naroggu. Those never looked like landing.
Kesik misses with a double jab.
Naroggu looks to land a left hand but Kesik moved out of range nicely.
Naroggu throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Kesik counter with a right hand.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kesik looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kesik on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Kesik fails in his attempt to clinch.

Naroggu shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kesik napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Kesik might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Naroggu advances to full mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Naroggu looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Naroggu goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Kesik turns into him and now he's in Naroggu's guard.

Naroggu has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kesik can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kesik wanted to stand there but Naroggu had control of the position.
Naroggu not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Naroggu is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Naroggu can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kesik is looking to stand up but Naroggu won't let him.

Naroggu has his foot on Kesik's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kesik works his way back into a safe position though.
Kesik trying to stand up but can't free himself from Naroggu's guard.

Naroggu is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Naroggu shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tirako Naroggu showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Naroggu looks to land a combination. Kesik sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Naroggu circles away from the clinch attempt.

Naroggu tries to keep at a distance but Kesik has taken the fight into the clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Naroggu takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Naroggu tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kesik avoids it.
Kesik can't find room to land a body shot as Naroggu controls the action.
Kesik trying to land knees to the body.
Naroggu has Kesik pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kesik manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Cezary Kesik has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kesik pushes off an throws an elbow but Naroggu leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Kesik gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Naroggu avoiding damage as Kesik throws knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kesik working Naroggu over with knees to the body.
Naroggu wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kesik taking a breather.
Naroggu is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kesik is defending well for now.

Naroggu pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Kesik closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Naroggu's guard.
Naroggu takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kesik has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Naroggu is proving hard to escape from.

Kesik gets to his feet. Naroggu looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Naroggu swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Naroggu takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Naroggu has closed the distance and engaged Kesik in a clinch.
Kesik is leaning against Naroggu and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Kesik presses Naroggu against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Kesik working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Naroggu is trying to break the clinch but Kesik is controlling him.
Naroggu takes an elbow to the forehead.

Kesik manages to break the clinch.

Kesik closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Naroggu trying to land knees to the body.
Kesik scores with a shot to the side of Naroggu's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kesik creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kesik scores a nice knee to the body.
Kesik lands a damaging elbow.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kesik is leaning against Naroggu and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Nice body punch from Kesik - that landed with a thud.
Kesik lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Kesik landing some nice looking knees to the body.

Kesik breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kesik is looking to clinch but Naroggu is avoiding it.
Kesik tries to clinch but Naroggu moves out of range.
Kesik tries to close the distance and clinch but Naroggu swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kesik is looking to clinch.
Kesik blocks a head kick by Naroggu.
Tirako Naroggu seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kesik fails in his attempt to clinch.
Naroggu misses with a leg kick.
Kesik tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kesik tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Naroggu paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kesik throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Naroggu's waist but Naroggu gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kesik off to one side.
Naroggu with a poor takedown
and Kesik counters with a two punch combo.
Naroggu circles away from the clinch attempt.
Naroggu keeps the fight on the outside.
Naroggu throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kesik went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Kesik moves in looking to clinch but Naroggu pushes him off.
Kesik misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kesik wants to clinch.
Kesik tries to close the distance and clinch up but Naroggu swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kesik shoots in but Naroggu avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kesik tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Naroggu paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Naroggu gets a double leg takedown into Kesik's guard.
Naroggu wants to pass the guard but Kesik is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Naroggu trying to control the position from guard on top but Kesik is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Naroggu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Naroggu loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Naroggu with a flurry of punches that miss.
Naroggu won't allow Kesik to get back to his feet.
Naroggu is stalling in the full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cezary Kesik showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kesik 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cezary Kesik!
A relieved looking Cezary Kesik thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.