PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Volkanovski (ranked 4603 p4p, 25125 weight class) and Kaimana Kamalani (ranked 452 p4p, 520 weight class). Alexander Volkanovski looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Volkanovski
vs
Kamalani

168 cm
18
155
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
19
163
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alexander Volkanovski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kaimana Kamalani!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Micheangelo Fripello and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Volkanovski darts in looking for a takedown but Kamalani gets double underhooks and turns Volkanovski into the cage.
Volkanovski moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromKamalani.
Kamalani lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Volkanovski being controlled against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Kamalani.
Kamalani is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Kamalani is trying to drag Volkanovski to the mat but Volkanovski just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Kamalani just leaning against Volkanovski, taking a breather.
Volkanovski has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Kamalani jumps guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkanovski stops Kamalani from standing up.
Kamalani controlling the position.
Kamalani wants to stand up but Volkanovski is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kamalani seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Kamalani throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Kamalani wants to stand but Volkanovski is controlling the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Kamalani clinches with his opponent.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Kamalani on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Kamalani has hold of one of Volkanovski's legs. Volkanovski is fighting the takedown attempt but Kamalani gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Kamalani postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kamalani won't allow Volkanovski to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kamalani throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Volkanovski works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Volkanovski is breathing heavily.
Volkanovski working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kamalani.

Kamalani stands up from guard. Let's bang!
We've been informed that Kamalani has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Kamalani goes for a double leg but Volkanovski avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Volkanovski continues to drive forward.
Kamalani tries for a takedown but Volkanovski sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Alexander Volkanovski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kaimana Kamalani.

Kamalani gets a takedown into half guard.

Volkanovski kicks off Kamalani and gets to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Kamalani moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Kamalani.

Kamalani gets control of Volkanovski's arms and successfully pulls guard. Kamalani will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Kamalani pulls Volkanovski in close to prevent any damage.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kamalani is on top in guard.

Kamalani is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kamalani gets to his feet. Volkanovski looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
A low kick lands for Kamalani.

Kamalani darts in and clinches Volkanovski up against the cage.
Volkanovski is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Kamalani goes for a takedown in the clinch but Volkanovski prevents it.
Kamalani is pushing Volkanovski up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Kamalani jumps guard.
Kamalani wants to sweep but no luck.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kaimana Kamalani dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Volkanovski shoots in for a takedown but Kamalani shows good takedown defense.
Kamalani throws a counter combo.
Volkanovski leaves Kamalani with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Volkanovski scores with a one two! Kamalani had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Kamalani moves into range and clinches up with Volkanovski.

Kamalani jumps guard and drags Volkanovski to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Volkanovski scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kamalani lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Volkanovski can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kamalani controls the pace.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Kamalani gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kamalani shoots in but Volkanovski avoids the takedown attempt easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Volkanovski misses the target.
Volkanovski is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kamalani looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Volkanovski is fending him off so far but Kamalani persists. Nope, Volkanovski circles away and we're back to standing.
Alexander Volkanovski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kaimana Kamalani.
Kamalani circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kamalani has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Kamalani rushes Volkanovski and presses him up against the cage.
Volkanovski's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kamalani wants a takedown.
Kamalani lands with a short shot to the head.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kamalani.
Kamalani leaning against his opponent.
Volkanovski fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kamalani gets control of Volkanovski's arms and successfully pulls guard. Kamalani will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Volkanovski postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Kamalani is looking to stand up but Volkanovski isn't so interested in that idea.

Kamalani working for a triangle but Volkanovski defends it easily.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Volkanovski accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

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

Kamalani looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Kamalani holds on and takes a little breather.
Volkanovski wants to control from the top but Kamalani keeps moving.

Kamalani has his feet on Volkanovski's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Volkanovski stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Volkanovski wants it to stay on the feet.

Kamalani instigates a clinch.
Kamalani blocks an uppercut.
Volkanovski can't break the clinch.
Volkanovski has Kamalani pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kamalani manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kamalani is trying to drag Volkanovski to the mat but Volkanovski just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kamalani looking for a takedown.
Volkanovski tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kamalani avoids it.
Volkanovski prevents a takedown attempt there.
Kamalani managing to block the knees to the body from Volkanovski.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Kamalani.
Volkanovski is trying to break the clinch but Kamalani is controlling him.
Kaimana Kamalani seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Volkanovski jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kamalani walks away with a smile on his face. Volkanovski gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Volkanovski shoots in but no luck this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Kamalani moves into range and clinches up with Volkanovski.
Kamalani stalling against the cage.
Kamalani landing knees to the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kaimana Kamalani showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kamalani clinches with his opponent.
Kamalani can't get the takedown.
Kamalani is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Volkanovski pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Volkanovski is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kamalani is defending well for now.
Kamalani prevents a takedown attempt there.
Come on Kamalani - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Kamalani is pressed up against the cage. Volkanovski has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kamalani down to the mat. Kamalani avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Kamalani has managed to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kamalani managing to block the knees to the body from Volkanovski.

Kamalani has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Volkanovski uses from the top position.
Kamalani is trying to keep Volkanovski in close.
Volkanovski throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kamalani doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Kaimana Kamalani has got the better of the ground game so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Kamalani is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Volkanovski defends well.
Kamalani utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Volkanovski in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Volkanovski throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kamalani works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kamalani pushes Volkanovski off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Kamalani shoots in looking for a takedown. Volkanovski tries to sprawl out of it but Kamalani keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Volkanovski manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Alexander Volkanovski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kaimana Kamalani.
Volkanovski keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kamalani throws a looping overhand right but Volkanovski ducks down to avoid it.
A punch lands to the side of Kamalani 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Kamalani shoots in for a double leg but Volkanovski sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kamalani fails with a takedown attempt.
Volkanovski lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Volkanovski.
Volkanovski tries to bum rush Kamalani with a series of wild strikes but Kamalani uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Some wild striking there from Volkanovski.
Kamalani shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkanovski lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Kamalani darts in looking for a takedown but Volkanovski gets double underhooks and turns Kamalani into the cage.
Volkanovski doesn't manage to clinch there - Kamalani circles away.
Alexander Volkanovski is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kamalani swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kamalani is trying hard to land a takedown here. Volkanovski sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kamalani takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Volkanovski lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Kamalani slips a jab and a cross from Volkanovski.

Kamalani moves into the clinch successfully.
Volkanovski is looking to control Kamalani's arms but Kamalani gets an underhook and turns him. Now Volkanovski has his back to the cage.

Kamalani ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Kamalani no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Kamalani working for a triangle but Volkanovski defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kamalani is trying to keep Volkanovski in close.
Volkanovski postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Volkanovski won't allow Kamalani to sweep him here.
Volkanovski looking to sit in guard and control but Kamalani gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kamalani won't allow Volkanovski to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Volkanovski showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kamalani 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 Colin Fray scores the fight 28:29
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kaimana Kamalani!