PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Vladimir Kalishnikov (ranked 2498 p4p, 2172 weight class) and Takahiro Yoshida (ranked 308 p4p, 271 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kalishnikov
vs
Yoshida

178 cm
28
165
7 - 3 - 1

175 cm
25
162
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

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 7 - 3 - 1, fighting out of London, Vladimir Kalishnikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Takahiro Yoshida!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, John Kavanagh and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yoshida misses with a wild body shot.
Kalishnikov lands a glancing blow to the side of Yoshida's head.
Kalishnikov cracks Yoshida with an open hand slap.
Yoshida swings for the body but Kalishnikov moves out of range.
Yoshida fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kalishnikov avoids it really well and circles away.

Kalishnikov clinches with his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yoshida drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kalishnikov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Yoshida.
Vladimir Kalishnikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Takahiro Yoshida.
Yoshida drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yoshida looking for a takedown.

Kalishnikov ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Kalishnikov no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Kalishnikov is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Yoshida controls from within his opponent's guard.
Kalishnikov is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at DK MMA that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Kalishnikov looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Kalishnikov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Yoshida throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kalishnikov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kalishnikov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Yoshida on the ground.
Yoshida stays in close to Kalishnikov's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yoshida trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kalishnikov has Yoshida pulled in close to control his posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kalishnikov trying to keep a closed guard but Yoshida is proving a slippery customer.
Kalishnikov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Yoshida.
Kalishnikov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Well, if Kalishnikov is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Kalishnikov wants to control but Yoshida is keeping him busy.
Yoshida won't allow Kalishnikov to pass to mount.
The fighters are battling for position here. Yoshida manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Yoshida keeping moving, preventing Kalishnikov from controlling successfully.
Yoshida keeping full guard, as Kalishnikov tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalishnikov won't allow Yoshida to sweep him here.

Yoshida escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kalishnikov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Yoshida working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kalishnikov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kalishnikov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Yoshida is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kalishnikov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Kalishnikov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kalishnikov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Yoshida has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Yoshida tries to roll over but Kalishnikov keeps him under control.
Kalishnikov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
We've been informed that Yoshida has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kalishnikov is trying to control. Yoshida wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Still in half guard, Kalishnikov seems content to control.
Kalishnikov wants to take a breather but Yoshida is having none of it.
Kalishnikov is really struggling to control Yoshida but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Kalishnikov content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Yoshida is trying to get back to full guard.
Well, if Kalishnikov is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Yoshida is staying active underneath Kalishnikov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kalishnikov sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Yoshida is looking for a sweep. Kalishnikov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Kalishnikov dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Yoshida shoots and misses
and Kalishnikov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Yoshida with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kalishnikov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Yoshida swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Kalishnikov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kalishnikov stuffs the takedown attempt from Yoshida. Yoshida gets slowly back to his feet.
Vladimir Kalishnikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Takahiro Yoshida.
Yoshida doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Kalishnikov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Kalishnikov is pressed up against the cage. Yoshida has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kalishnikov down to the mat. Kalishnikov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Yoshida fails with the takedown
enabling Kalishnikov to counter with a crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yoshida gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Yoshida throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Yoshida shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Yoshida was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kalishnikov struggling a bit here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yoshida tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Kalishnikov wants to control but Yoshida postures up.
Takahiro Yoshida has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kalishnikov manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Yoshida moves into full guard.
Yoshida striking off his back but it's not causing Kalishnikov any problems.
Yoshida tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Yoshida throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kalishnikov sitting in guard, not really doing much.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yoshida is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Kalishnikov trying to control but Yoshida postures up.
Yoshida throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kalishnikov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Yoshida can do to turn this around?
Kalishnikov is holding on to half guard well.
Kalishnikov is trying to control but can't.
Yoshida is looking to take a break and control but Kalishnikov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Yoshida is looking for a kimura here.
Yoshida missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Yoshida in particular looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yoshida throwing shots but Kalishnikov is blocking nicely.
Yoshida missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Yoshida prevents Kalishnikov from improving his position.
Yoshida looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Yoshida throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Yoshida takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Kalishnikov is not content to let Yoshida control the position.
Kalishnikov trying to control from the bottom.
Yoshida is keen to just control but Kalishnikov is a slippery customer.
Kalishnikov is trying to control but can't.
Yoshida throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yoshida trying to control the action but Kalishnikov is working from the bottom.
Kalishnikov wants to improve his position but Yoshida is controlling well.
Yoshida is trying to control the action in half guard but Kalishnikov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Yoshida is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kalishnikov has managed to free his arm - good work.
Yoshida thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kalishnikov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Yoshida is working away from the top position though.
Kalishnikov is holding on to half guard well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kalishnikov is looking to improve his position.
Still in half guard, Yoshida seems content to control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Takahiro Yoshida will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Kalishnikov.

Yoshida manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Kalishnikov on his heels. He'll look to pass Kalishnikov's guard now, I'm sure.
Kalishnikov controls Yoshida momentarily but Yoshida frees himself.
Yoshida is looking to work some ground and pound but Kalishnikov has wrist control.
Kalishnikov is trying to control the position but Yoshida postures up.
Kalishnikov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kalishnikov working a defensive guard here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yoshida showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kalishnikov is on top in guard.

Kalishnikov trying to control the position from guard on top but Yoshida is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yoshida doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

Yoshida is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kalishnikov is aware though and is defending well.
Kalishnikov looking to pass the guard.
Kalishnikov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Kalishnikov forces his way into half guard.
Yoshida is looking for a sweep. Kalishnikov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Yoshida throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Kalishnikov works his foot free and advances to mount.
Yoshida is trying desperately to improve position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalishnikov controlling the position easily from mount.
Yoshida bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Kalishnikov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Kalishnikov trying to control the position.
Yoshida throws a big elbow that misses.
Yoshida engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Kalishnikov is controlling Yoshida's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yoshida seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Kalishnikov working a defensive guard here.
Yoshida is working Kalishnikov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Kalishnikov trying to control the position.
Yoshida works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Yoshida throwing shots but Kalishnikov is blocking nicely.
Yoshida perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Yoshida throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kalishnikov wants to get back to full guard.
Kalishnikov trying to control here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kalishnikov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Yoshida slows the pace down in half guard.
Kalishnikov controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Yoshida lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Yoshida throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kalishnikov is looking to improve his position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Yoshida controlling the action here.
Kalishnikov is trying to get back to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Takahiro Yoshida comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Yoshida has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Takahiro Yoshida!