PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Rusev (ranked 1926 p4p, 1991 weight class) and Roy Kalama (ranked 252 p4p, 260 weight class). Kalama has chosen Firestarter - The Prodigy as his entrance music. Alexander Rusev could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Roy Kalama's chin.

Rusev
vs
Kalama

170 cm
21
174
6 - 4 - 0

184 cm
27
175
5 - 5 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Alexander Rusev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Roy Kalama!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Elvis Blanc and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rusev closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Kalama did well to prevent Rusev getting side control.

Kalama has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Rusev is on him like a limpet, forcing Kalama back against the cage.

Kalama breaks the clinch.
Rusev looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Kalama works the jab nicely.
Kalama defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rusev.

Rusev drives through with a takedown into Kalama's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kalama is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kalama controlling Rusev's posture.
Kalama preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rusev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rusev postures up in Kalama's guard and throws a big left but Kalama blocks it.
Rusev might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Rusev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rusev trying to control the position from guard on top but Kalama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rusev tries to free his leg and advance position but Kalama is retaining full guard.
Rusev throwing strikes from guard but Kalama blocks nicely.
Rusev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rusev trying to control but Kalama is working from the bottom.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kalama can do anything to dispel that myth.
Rusev postures up in Kalama's guard and throws a big left but Kalama blocks it.

Rusev is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Rusev throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Rusev with a nice head shot there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rusev throwing strikes but missing.
Kalama controls Rusev momentarily but Rusev frees himself.
Rusev prevents Kalama from getting back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Rusev doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Kalama connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kalama stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Rusev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kalama pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rusev changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Kalama cracks Rusev with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Kalama is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Rusev tries for a takedown but Kalama circles away easily
and Kalama counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rusev tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kalama swivels and escapes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rusev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kalama steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Rusev.
Roy Kalama is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kalama waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rusev.
Rusev shoots for a double leg takedown but Kalama sprawls well. He's pushed Rusev's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Jab by Kalama.
Kalama has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

Kalama sends Rusev crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Kalama is motioning to the referee to let Rusev up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!

Rusev is rocked!
Rusev shoots for a takedown but Kalama saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Oh Rusev is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Rusev shoots for a takedown but Kalama saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rusev closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kalama circles away.
Kalama looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kalama throws a monster overhand right that drops Rusev! Kalama follows up with more strikes from mount and the fight is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:36 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Roy Kalama!
After winning the bout, Roy Kalama thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.