PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kazuma Kiryu (ranked 743 p4p, 957 weight class) and Charles Bukowski (ranked 114 p4p, 155 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Kiryu
vs
Bukowski

184 cm
26
194
4 - 3 - 0

183 cm
25
191
10 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Conquer
Conviction

Bondi MMA 🏝️
HELLBENT

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kazuma Kiryu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Charles Bukowski!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Nard Betker and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bukowski takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kiryu doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A big right from Bukowski misses.
Bukowski has a takedown stuffed.
Kiryu walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Charles Bukowski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bukowski changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kiryu blocks a jab.
Kiryu was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Some wild striking there from Bukowski.
Bukowski shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kiryu sprawls well. Kiryu wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bukowski gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bukowski shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiryu is trying to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kiryu won't allow Bukowski to pass to mount.
Bukowski misses with a head shot. Kiryu uses the momentum to regain guard.
Kiryu pulls Bukowski in close to prevent any damage.
Kiryu manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Bukowski manages to get himself to full guard.

Kiryu 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bukowski has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Kiryu is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Bukowski.
Bukowski tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Bukowski gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Kiryu content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Bukowski desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bukowski wants to sweep but Kiryu has passed to side control!
Bukowski struggling a bit here.
Bukowski is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The referee asks Kiryu politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Kiryu prefers to stall for the moment though.
Bukowski is trying to improve his position.
Bukowski struggling a bit here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bukowski is trying to get back to half guard.
Bukowski struggling a bit here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Charles Bukowski 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.

Kiryu slips a jab and a cross from Bukowski.
Kiryu throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A lazy left from Bukowski finds it's target.
Bukowski checks the leg kick.
Bukowski throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bukowski misses with a left hand
and Kiryu counters with a slapping leg kick.
Kiryu swinging wildly here.
Bukowski goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bukowski ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Bukowski shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Kiryu's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kiryu working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bukowski.
Bukowski trying to control the position from guard on top but Kiryu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bukowski throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bukowski trying to control but Kiryu is working from the bottom.
Bukowski with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bukowski working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kiryu controlling Bukowski's posture.
Bukowski with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bukowski working some strikes from top position.
Bukowski trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kiryu is adopting a defensive guard.

That's two 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.
Bukowski throws a big elbow that misses.
Bukowski throwing strikes but missing.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Bukowski fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kiryu manages to avoid it.
Bukowski misses with a jab, cross combination.
Bukowski darts in looking for a takedown but Kiryu gets double underhooks and turns Bukowski into the cage.
Kiryu is looking to counter punch.
Bukowski dips to his left and cracks Kiryu with an uppercut!
Bukowski feints and then cracks Kiryu's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kiryu down.
Kiryu takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Bukowski changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Bukowski throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kiryu stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Bukowski misses with a hook to the body
and Kiryu connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bukowski lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Charles Bukowski seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bukowski looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kiryu is fending him off so far but Bukowski persists. Nope, Kiryu circles away and we're back to standing.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bukowski. Kiryu does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bukowski swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bukowski scores with a hook to the body. Kiryu takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kiryu connects with the punch.
Bukowski misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kiryu.
Kiryu throws a wild body kick that Bukowski sees coming a mile off.
Kiryu throws a body shot but no joy.
Bukowski scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Kiryu catches Bukowski with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kiryu missing with a left hand there. Bukowski was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kiryu connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Bukowski misses with the combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bukowski swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kiryu connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kiryu connects with a body shot.
Bukowski is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kiryu rather than just go for the knockout.
Kiryu displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Bukowski.
Kazuma Kiryu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Charles Bukowski.
Bukowski shoots for a double leg takedown but Kiryu sprawls well. He's pushed Bukowski's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Bukowski fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kiryu avoids it really well and circles away.
Kiryu swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A telegraphed right hand from Bukowski misses the target.
Bukowski looks to land a combination but Kiryu avoids it well.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kiryu.
Bukowski lands a jab to the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Charles Bukowski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Kiryu misses with a looping left.
Bukowski comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Bukowski lands a jab to Kiryu's midsection.
Bukowski fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Bukowski tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kiryu is able to avoid easily.

Bukowski changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kiryu looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Kiryu controls the position for a moment.
Kiryu regains half guard, as Bukowski was trying to land strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bukowski looks to land a strike but Kiryu avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bukowski with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Kiryu is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Bukowski has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kiryu looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bukowski is one step ahead there.
Kiryu avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bukowski postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bukowski distracts Kiryu with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Bukowski with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bukowski stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kiryu swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bukowski is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bukowski wants to control from the top but Kiryu keeps moving.
Kiryu utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kiryu preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bukowski throws a big elbow that misses.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Bukowski in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kiryu looks to throw the jab but Bukowski is out of range.
A combination from Bukowski does no damage.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bukowski. Kiryu does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kiryu is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Bukowski avoids the body shot from Kiryu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bukowski takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Horrible takedown attempt by Bukowski or perhaps it was just good defense by Kiryu, which made it look bad.
Bukowski throws a predictable looking body shot
and Kiryu counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kiryu misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Kiryu takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kiryu. That's going to slow Bukowski down.
Bukowski shoots in but Kiryu avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kazuma Kiryu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Charles Bukowski.
Bukowski wants to slow Kiryu down by chopping away at his legs.
Bukowski tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kiryu defends well and Bukowski ends up having to push Kiryu into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Bukowski shoots in for a double leg but Kiryu sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Bukowski fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Decent striking displayed by Bukowski there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bukowski misses the shot to the body.
Kazuma Kiryu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bukowski fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kiryu tried to counter with a leg kick but Bukowski avoided it.
Bukowski takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bukowski. Kiryu does a little dance to reset his feet.
A big left from Bukowski misses.
Kiryu throws a poor cross that misses
and Bukowski counters with a nice uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kiryu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bukowski.
Kiryu quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Bukowski checks a leg kick.
Kiryu displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bukowski throws out the jab.
A quick step to the side and Kiryu tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kiryu keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
A swing and a miss from Kiryu.
Bukowski throws a looping overhand right but Kiryu ducks down to avoid it.
Kazuma Kiryu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Charles Bukowski is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Bukowski darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Charles Bukowski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bukowski 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 27:30
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 27:30
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Charles Bukowski!