PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between David Khinchegashvili (ranked 1010 p4p, 1288 weight class) and Elwyn Donal (ranked 153 p4p, 196 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?

Khinchegashvili
vs
Donal

188 cm
21
213
4 - 2 - 0

190 cm
20
210
5 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Champion Apparel
Hoarse Pills

Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, David Khinchegashvili!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Elwyn Donal!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Donal pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Khinchegashvili throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
A countering left hand to the body from Donal misses.
Khinchegashvili keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Donal.
A quick step to the side and Khinchegashvili tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Donal paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Donal lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Donal tries to clinch up
and Khinchegashvili counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Khinchegashvili misses with a right hand
and Donal counters with a thumping low kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khinchegashvili takes a swing at Donal's ribcage but misses.
Nice shot by Khinchegashvili.
A low kick from Khinchegashvili is predictable there
and Donal counters with a head kick. That will keep Khinchegashvili thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Donal darts in trying to clinch
and Khinchegashvili counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Donal thinking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khinchegashvili throws the left hand but Donal avoids the punch easily.
Khinchegashvili will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Donal takes one on the chin but seems OK.

Donal gets a clinch.
Khinchegashvili scores with a shot to the side of Donal's head.
Donal goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Khinchegashvili swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Khinchegashvili throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Donal blocks it with crossed arms.

Donal breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Donal scores with a nice strike.
Elwyn Donal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Khinchegashvili displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Donal throws out the jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donal takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Donal misses with a double jab.
Donal does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Donal walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A chopping leg kick lands by Khinchegashvili.
Donal takes one to the side of the head.
Khinchegashvili throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Khinchegashvili throws a lazy uppercut
and Donal cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

It looks like David Khinchegashvili has been cut.
Donal throws a head kick that misses.
Donal tries to clinch up but Khinchegashvili circles away and keeps his distance.

Khinchegashvili pushes Donal up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khinchegashvili tries a knee to the head but Donal blocks it.
Khinchegashvili lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Come on Donal - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Still in the clinch, Khinchegashvili scores with a nice short uppercut.
Khinchegashvili prevents a body shot from Donal.
Khinchegashvili has a couple of punches blocked by Donal.
Khinchegashvili trying to land knees to the body.
Khinchegashvili gets through Donal's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Donal misses with a hook to the ribs.
Donal blocking some punches.
Donal displaying some good clinch control by pressing Khinchegashvili up against the cage.

Donal breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Donal tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Khinchegashvili paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khinchegashvili comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Donal connects with a body shot that sends Khinchegashvili's belly button to the back.
Khinchegashvili takes one on the button.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Donal swings widly with a right hand
enabling Khinchegashvili to counter with a crisp jab.
It looks like Khinchegashvili has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
That kick from Donal tenderised Khinchegashvili's leg. Khinchegashvili is trying to keep his angry face on.
Donal moves in looking to clinch but Khinchegashvili pushes him off.
Good standup being displayed there by Donal as he connects with a hook.

Donal gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Donal tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Khinchegashvili's elbow.
Khinchegashvili is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Donal misses with a hook to the ribs.
Donal fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that David Khinchegashvili will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on David Khinchegashvili's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Khinchegashvili on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Donal. Donal obviously looking to wear him down.
Donal is looking to clinch.
Donal avoids the body shot from Khinchegashvili.
Donal tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Khinchegashvili is able to avoid easily.
Khinchegashvili throws a counter high kick but Donal was just alert enough to avoid it.
A nice inside leg kick there by Donal. That's going to slow Khinchegashvili down.
Donal swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Khinchegashvili counters with a straight right hand.
Khinchegashvili throws a quick inside leg kick.
A jab lands there for Khinchegashvili.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Donal lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Khinchegashvili lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Donal tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
And Khinchegashvili counters with a quick kick to the body but Donal blocks it.

Donal takes the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Donal escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Donal moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Donal takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Donal with a nice calf kick.
Donal scores with a nice right hand.
Donal tries to clinch but fails miserably
enabling Khinchegashvili to counter with a crisp jab.
Donal jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Donal cracks Khinchegashvili with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Donal moves into the clinch.
Donal lands an uppercut.

Donal breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Khinchegashvili throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Donal tries to clinch but Khinchegashvili moves away
and Khinchegashvili counters with a stiff right hand.
Donal wants to clinch
and Donal takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Good leg kick by Donal.
Donal tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Khinchegashvili paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Khinchegashvili misses with a wild body shot.
Nice uppercut there from Donal.

Donal clinches with his opponent.

Donal breaks from the clinch.
Donal lands an overhand right.

Donal instigates a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khinchegashvili lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Khinchegashvili holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Come on Khinchegashvili - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Khinchegashvili scores with a nice hook to the head.
Khinchegashvili missing with knees to the body.
Khinchegashvili lands a left hand that snaps the head of Donal backwards.
Donal wants to get back to striking at distance but Khinchegashvili won't allow it.
Khinchegashvili is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

Donal escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Khinchegashvili throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Donal thuds his shin into the meat of Khinchegashvili's side.
Khinchegashvili takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A slapping leg kick lands for Donal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Donal rushes Khinchegashvili and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Donal breaks from the clinch.

Khinchegashvili moves into range and clinches up with Donal.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A head punch on the inside from Khinchegashvili fails to land.
Khinchegashvili lands with a short shot to the head.
Khinchegashvili throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Donal blocks it with crossed arms.

Donal breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Donal looks to throw the jab but Khinchegashvili is out of range.
Khinchegashvili keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Donal.
Khinchegashvili is looking to counter with head kicks.

Donal drives through and clinches with Khinchegashvili against the cage.
Khinchegashvili's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Donal tries to break free but Khinchegashvili pushes him back against the cage.
Donal softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Elwyn Donal showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on David Khinchegashvili's cut.
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.

Khinchegashvili lands a nice looking body shot.
Donal is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Khinchegashvili.
An attempted straight right counter from Khinchegashvili misses the target.
Donal scores with the left hand. Khinchegashvili knows he should have avoided that one.
Donal lands a head shot.
Donal is looking to clinch.
Donal throws a hook but Khinchegashvili avoids it easily.
Khinchegashvili swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Khinchegashvili moves out of range as Donal strikes.
Donal throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Khinchegashvili counters with a stiff right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Donal getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Khinchegashvili digs a good hook to Donal's body.
Donal tries to land a leg kick but Khinchegashvili saw it coming and moves away.
Khinchegashvili swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Donal takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Donal throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Donal throws a body kick that misses
and Donal takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Khinchegashvili digs a good hook to Donal's body.
Khinchegashvili lands a leg kick that knocks Donal off balance momentarily.
Khinchegashvili is looking to land body kicks.
Donal appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Donal checks the leg kick nicely there.
Donal throws a hook but Khinchegashvili avoids it easily.

Khinchegashvili rushes Donal and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Khinchegashvili misses with a hook from the clinch.
Donal scores with a hook to the body.
Khinchegashvili gets through Donal's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donal misses with the head strike.
Donal misses with a body punch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Khinchegashvili.
The referee is keeping an eye on Khinchegashvili - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Khinchegashvili is trying to maintain a safe position but Donal gets an underhook and turns Khinchegashvili into the cage.
Khinchegashvili misses with a knee strike.
Khinchegashvili tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Donal lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Khinchegashvili misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Donal.
Donal throws a head punch that misses.
Donal is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Khinchegashvili tries to stall but Donal uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A head punch on the inside from Khinchegashvili fails to land.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A solid body kick from Donal.
Donal looks to score with a jab to the body but Khinchegashvili is just out of range.
It looked like Khinchegashvili was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Donal.
Khinchegashvili swats away the attempt to clinch by Donal.
Khinchegashvili tries to land a leg kick but Donal saw it coming and moves away.
Khinchegashvili thumps Donal with a low kick.
Donal wants to clinch up but Khinchegashvili keeps it at a distance.
Khinchegashvili tries to land a leg kick but Donal saw it coming and moves away.
Donal ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Khinchegashvili moves away.
Donal fails with an attempt to clinch.
Donal fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Donal moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Donal misses with a hook. Khinchegashvili ducked under it nicely.
Elwyn Donal seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Donal swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Khinchegashvili.
Donal moves out of range of the leg kick from Khinchegashvili.
Khinchegashvili takes a swing at Donal's ribcage but misses.
Khinchegashvili throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Donal counters by moving into the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Donal.
Khinchegashvili lands a hook to the side of the head.
Donal tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Donal fails to land.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Khinchegashvili blocks a body shot from Donal.
Khinchegashvili is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but David Khinchegashvili did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on David Khinchegashvili's cut.
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.

Khinchegashvili throws a nice outside leg kick.
Khinchegashvili keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Khinchegashvili appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Donal throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Khinchegashvili sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Khinchegashvili paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Khinchegashvili takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Donal misses with a jab, cross combination.
Donal tries to clinch up but Khinchegashvili circles away and keeps his distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Donal shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Khinchegashvili looking to land some kicks to the body here.

Donal clinches with his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khinchegashvili pushes Donal back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Donal wants to stall.
Khinchegashvili is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Donal is keeping busy.
Donal misses with a short punch on the inside.
Khinchegashvili tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Donal avoids it.
Khinchegashvili trying to stall but Donal improves his position.

Donal breaks from the clinch.
Nice shot lands for Khinchegashvili.
Khinchegashvili stuns Donal with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Khinchegashvili misses with a looping right.
Khinchegashvili has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Donal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khinchegashvili throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Donal wants to clinch
and Khinchegashvili cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A jab from Khinchegashvili finds it's way through Donal's defenses.
Khinchegashvili throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Donal on the side of the head.
Donal throws a head kick that misses.
A left lands for Khinchegashvili.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Good exchange - Khinchegashvili coming out on top.
A swing and a miss from Khinchegashvili.
Donal is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khinchegashvili ducks under a wild hook from Donal.
Donal looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Khinchegashvili drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Khinchegashvili gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Donal misses with a straight left.
Khinchegashvili throws a body kick that misses.
Khinchegashvili throws a lazy uppercut
and Donal counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Khinchegashvili avoids the body shot from Donal.
Khinchegashvili is looking to counter punch.
Donal swings away with a leg kick that misses.
It looked like Khinchegashvili was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Donal.
Donal throws a big shot that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Donal thows a leg kick but Khinchegashvili checks it
and Donal takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Donal tries a low kick but Khinchegashvili avoids it.
Khinchegashvili was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Khinchegashvili attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Donal throws a right and a left that Khinchegashvili avoids nicely.
Donal throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Khinchegashvili sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Khinchegashvili was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

Khinchegashvili rushes Donal and presses him up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Donal is leaning against Khinchegashvili and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Khinchegashvili is trying to stall.
Donal throws a punch but it's blocked by Khinchegashvili.
Donal working aggressively here.
Donal goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that David Khinchegashvili will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on David Khinchegashvili's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Khinchegashvili lands a head shot.
Khinchegashvili keeps the fight on the outside.
Donal defending well as Khinchegashvili loads up on a big left hand.
Nice cross by Khinchegashvili.
Donal looks to score with a jab to the body but Khinchegashvili is just out of range.
Khinchegashvili swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Donal blocks a leg kick.
Khinchegashvili misses the shot to the body.
Donal throws out a counter right but Khinchegashvili avoids it with no problem.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khinchegashvili thows a left - swing and a miss!
Donal feints and then cracks Khinchegashvili's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Khinchegashvili down.
Khinchegashvili takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Donal misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Khinchegashvili.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khinchegashvili moves out of range as Donal strikes.
Khinchegashvili throws a big shot that misses.
Khinchegashvili sets himself, and Donal steps forward looking for the clinch! Khinchegashvili avoids it this time.
Khinchegashvili ducks under a wild hook from Donal.
Donal connects with a body shot.
Donal swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A quick step to the side and Khinchegashvili tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
A punch combination from Donal misses.
Khinchegashvili ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Khinchegashvili's legs have taken a beating and he's really slowing down as a result.
Khinchegashvili misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Donal.
Donal is looking to score with low kicks.
Khinchegashvili swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Donal looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A quick step to the side and Khinchegashvili tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Donal throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Khinchegashvili sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Donal will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Khinchegashvili throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Donal on the side of the head.
Donal throws a body punch but Khinchegashvili moves out of range.
Donal misses with an uppercut. Khinchegashvili saw that one coming.
Khinchegashvili misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Donal.
Donal fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Khinchegashvili has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Donal chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khinchegashvili lands a nice looking kick to the body. Donal takes a step back to recover.
Khinchegashvili is looking to score with low kicks.
Khinchegashvili throws a shot from downtown. Donal moves away and avoids it.
Donal lands a nice looking kick to the body. Khinchegashvili takes a step back to recover.
That kick from Donal tenderised Khinchegashvili's leg. Khinchegashvili is trying to keep his angry face on.
Donal throws the left hand but Khinchegashvili avoids the punch easily.
Donal connects with a single shot there.
Khinchegashvili misses with a leg kick
and Khinchegashvili takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Khinchegashvili looks to score with a jab to the body but Donal is just out of range.
Khinchegashvili backing away here, and Donal unleashes a leg kick that just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Donal tries to clinch
and Khinchegashvili counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Donal takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Khinchegashvili misses with a left hand
and Donal makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
A jab from Khinchegashvili misses.
Khinchegashvili walks into a stiff left hand from Donal.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Donal fails with an attempt to clinch.
Donal pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Donal wants to land a leg kick but Khinchegashvili is out of range.
Khinchegashvili throws a right hand that misses
and Donal cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Elwyn Donal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Donal fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Khinchegashvili.

And that's the end of the fight!
Elwyn Donal comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Khinchegashvili 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 46:50
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 48:48
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 48:47

The fight is ruled a draw!
David Khinchegashvili retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!