PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kauno Kaalikorva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Toivo Halaus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Toivo Halaus acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Kaalikorva
vs
Halaus

180 cm
20
186 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

180 cm
20
201 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kauno Kaalikorva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Toivo Halaus!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yukihiro Shimada and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some bone on bone action there as Kaalikorva checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Kaalikorva swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Halaus.
Halaus takes one on the button.
Kaalikorva lands a really nice looking cross but Halaus seems unphased.
Kaalikorva connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Halaus stuffs the takedown attempt from Kaalikorva. Kaalikorva gets slowly back to his feet.
Kauno Kaalikorva seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kaalikorva avoids a kick to the body.
Halaus tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kaalikorva paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Halaus throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Kaalikorva.

It looks like Kauno Kaalikorva has been cut.
Halaus tries a low kick but Kaalikorva avoids it.
Kaalikorva throws a series of punches but Halaus avoids them all with ease.
A solid body kick from Kaalikorva.
A jab from Kaalikorva misses.
Halaus moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Halaus is looking to land body kicks.
A slapping leg kick lands for Halaus.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kaalikorva scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Kaalikorva lunges at Halaus with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Halaus's hand.
Halaus takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A nice combination there by Kaalikorva.
Halaus thows a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaalikorva thows a left - swing and a miss!
Some wild striking there from Kaalikorva.
Halaus shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Kaalikorva connects with a right hand. Halaus shakes it off.

Kaalikorva shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Halaus napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Halaus is pushing Kaalikorva's head away, looking to escape. Kaalikorva manages to hold on to the position though.
Kaalikorva wants to lay and pray for a moment but Halaus keeps working.
Kaalikorva controls the position from side control.
Halaus is pushing Kaalikorva's head away, looking to escape. Kaalikorva manages to hold on to the position though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kaalikorva tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Kaalikorva has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Kaalikorva working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kaalikorva is looking to take a break and control but Halaus is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Halaus tries to escape but Kaalikorva is in control.
Kaalikorva wants to control but Halaus is keeping him busy.

Kaalikorva thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Halaus manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Halaus seems to be working for a kimura but Kaalikorva defends the submission attempt.
Kaalikorva tries to roll over but Halaus keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halaus trying to control the action but Kaalikorva is working from the bottom.
Kaalikorva is pressing down on Halaus's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kaalikorva bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Halaus's guard.
Kaalikorva trying to control but Halaus is working from the bottom.
Kaalikorva forces his way into half guard.

Kaalikorva is working for a submission of some sort.

Kaalikorva is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kaalikorva looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Kaalikorva is breathing heavily.
Kaalikorva seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Halaus does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Halaus looks like he's trying to stand up.

Kaalikorva is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Halaus wants to control but Kaalikorva is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kauno Kaalikorva dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kauno Kaalikorva's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Halaus lands with a slapping head kick.
Kaalikorva misses with a body shot.
Kaalikorva misses with a wild body shot.
Kaalikorva shoots for a takedown but Halaus saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kaalikorva ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Halaus moves away.
A big right from Kaalikorva misses.
Kaalikorva swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kaalikorva bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Halaus's head backwards.
Halaus fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kaalikorva is out of range.
A swing and a miss from Kaalikorva.
Halaus on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kaalikorva misses the jab.
Kaalikorva loads up on a big right hand but Halaus slips the punch.
A shot to the body from Halaus misses
and Kaalikorva counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kaalikorva blocks a leg kick.
Halaus throws a body kick that misses.
Kaalikorva shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Halaus as he jumps to the side.
Kaalikorva cracks a nice hook into Halaus's ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaalikorva connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kaalikorva gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Halaus misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva looks to land a right hand but Halaus moved out of range.
Toivo Halaus is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Halaus ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Halaus ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kaalikorva moves away.
Kaalikorva listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Kaalikorva loads up on a big right hand but Halaus slips the punch.

Kaalikorva changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Halaus looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Kaalikorva trying to control the action but Halaus is working from the bottom.
Halaus is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Kaalikorva is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Halaus knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Halaus gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Kaalikorva is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Kaalikorva is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Halaus has managed to free his arm - good work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Halaus pushes Kaalikorva off looking to stand but Kaalikorva dives back in and keeps control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halaus wants to get back to full guard.

Kaalikorva is working for a submission of some sort.

Kaalikorva is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Kaalikorva tries to pass the half guard into mount. Halaus knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Halaus controlling the position well.
Kaalikorva throwing shots but Halaus is blocking nicely.

That's four 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.
Halaus looks like he's trying to stand up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Halaus throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kaalikorva sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nice uppercut there from Kaalikorva.
Halaus tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Halaus connects with a high kick.
Kaalikorva rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Halaus moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Halaus plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
A jab from Kaalikorva misses.
Kaalikorva is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Halaus tries to clinch up but Kaalikorva circles away and keeps his distance.
Halaus looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kaalikorva looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Halaus throws a leg kick but Kaalikorva checks it.
Kaalikorva scores with a hook to the body. Halaus takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kaalikorva checks a low kick from Halaus.
Kaalikorva lands a jab to the nose.
Kaalikorva thows a leg kick but Halaus checks it
and Halaus counters with a thumping low kick.
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 Kauno Kaalikorva will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kauno Kaalikorva's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Kaalikorva lands a with a good body shot.
Kaalikorva tries for a takedown but Halaus sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kaalikorva blocks a low kick nicely.
Halaus moves forwards but Kaalikorva connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Good standup being displayed there by Kaalikorva as he connects with a hook.
Halaus bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kaalikorva checks a leg kick.
Kaalikorva dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kaalikorva looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Halaus takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
A jab from Kaalikorva finds it's way through Halaus's defenses.
Halaus throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kaalikorva lands a nice looking body shot.
A jab from Halaus does it's job there.
Nice uppercut there from Kaalikorva.
Halaus looks to clinch
and Kaalikorva counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kaalikorva avoids a kick to the body.
Kaalikorva works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Halaus takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Kaalikorva looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kaalikorva is working for a submission of some sort.
Kaalikorva stops Halaus from getting back to his feet.

Kaalikorva is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Halaus is looking to escape.
Kaalikorva takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Kaalikorva is looking to advance position but Halaus won't allow it.
Kaalikorva is working hard here to advance position.

Kaalikorva is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Halaus sees it coming and defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Halaus is trying to stand.
Kaalikorva wants to lay and pray for a moment but Halaus keeps working.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kaalikorva misses with a hook. Halaus ducked under it nicely.
Kaalikorva connects with a crisp jab.
Halaus tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kaalikorva paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kaalikorva shoots in for a double leg but Halaus sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Halaus moves away from the strike by Kaalikorva.

Kaalikorva fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Halaus sprawls well initially but Kaalikorva persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Halaus is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kaalikorva is stalling here. Halaus is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Kaalikorva seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Halaus has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Toivo Halaus has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaalikorva is looking to reverse the position.

Halaus stands up.
Kaalikorva throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Halaus counter with a right hand.
Kaalikorva blocks a leg kick.
Kaalikorva throws a jab when Halaus was well out of range.
Halaus has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Halaus tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kauno Kaalikorva is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Halaus misses with a head kick.
Kaalikorva keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Halaus walks into a straight right hand from Kaalikorva.

Halaus gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kaalikorva dodges an elbow strike from Halaus.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kaalikorva as Halaus tries to tie him up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Halaus fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The referee calls for Kaalikorva to work.
Kaalikorva fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kauno Kaalikorva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kaalikorva is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Halaus pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kaalikorva has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Halaus avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Halaus trying to stall but Kaalikorva improves his position.
Kaalikorva lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Halaus lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kaalikorva throws a punch but it's blocked by Halaus.
Halaus throws an elbow that misses.

Kaalikorva gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Halaus regains guard.

Kaalikorva got a little sloppy there for a moment and Halaus has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kaalikorva has managed to get both his arms back between Halaus's legs - danger averted.
Kaalikorva stands and throws Halaus's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kaalikorva avoids the strikes from the bottom by Halaus.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kauno Kaalikorva showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kaalikorva, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:28
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kauno Kaalikorva!