PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Vassily Kuvaldin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eiki Daikaura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kuvaldin comes to the ring accompanied by Hardline - Hot Cherie. Vassily Kuvaldin could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Eiki Daikaura's chin.

Kuvaldin
vs
Daikaura

170 cm
22
141 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

170 cm
25
147 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vassily Kuvaldin!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Eiki Daikaura!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Frank Dennis and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Daikaura keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kuvaldin.
Daikaura throws a leg kick but Kuvaldin sees it coming and moves out of range.
Daikaura misses with a kick to the body.
Daikaura doesn't manage to clinch there - Kuvaldin circles away.
Kuvaldin blocks a leg kick.

Kuvaldin bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Daikaura's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Daikaura is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Kuvaldin working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Kuvaldin tries for a kimura but Daikaura is defending well.
Daikaura is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the ropes but Kuvaldin has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Daikaura bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Daikaura misses with an uppercut.
Daikaura uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kuvaldin.
Daikaura blocks a head kick by Kuvaldin.
Daikaura throws a hook but Kuvaldin avoids it easily.
Eiki Daikaura is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Daikaura throws a head kick but Kuvaldin moves out of range.
Eiki Daikaura seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Good work by Kuvaldin as he checks the leg kick.
Daikaura throws a lazy head kick

and Kuvaldin counters with a single leg into guard. Daikaura didn't expect that.
Kuvaldin looking to pass the guard.
Kuvaldin preventing the sweep.

Kuvaldin drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kuvaldin jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Kuvaldin postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Daikaura is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Kuvaldin, into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Daikaura controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

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

Kuvaldin throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Daikaura wants to control from the top but Kuvaldin keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kuvaldin has his foot on Daikaura's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Daikaura works his way back into a safe position though.

Kuvaldin is working an open guard so Daikaura takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Daikaura fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kuvaldin manages to avoid it.
Daikaura fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Kuvaldin.
Kuvaldin waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Daikaura.
Daikaura throws and low kick but Kuvaldin moves out of range easily.
Kuvaldin takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nice takedown defense from Daikaura. No joy for Kuvaldin on that attempt.
Daikaura tries to clinch up

and Kuvaldin counters with a nice double leg into side control. Daikaura won't be happy with that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuvaldin working away.

Kuvaldin is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Daikaura is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Daikaura tries to bench press Kuvaldin off him but Kuvaldin keeps the position.

Kuvaldin is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Daikaura knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Kuvaldin looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Kuvaldin working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Daikaura uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kuvaldin.
Daikaura throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Daikaura takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kuvaldin connects with a jab.
Kuvaldin tries for a takedown but Daikaura sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Daikaura misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Daikaura attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Some bone on bone action there as Kuvaldin checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
A combination from Daikaura does no damage.
Daikaura wants to clinch.
Kuvaldin shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuvaldin wants to land a leg kick but Daikaura is out of range.
Kuvaldin thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kuvaldin scores with a jab. Daikaura acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Kuvaldin looks for a takedown but Daikaura sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vassily Kuvaldin. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daikaura lands with a nice body kick.
Kuvaldin takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Daikaura gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Kuvaldin counters with a nice double leg into side control. Daikaura won't be happy with that.

Kuvaldin tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Kuvaldin has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Daikaura manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Kuvaldin is trying to work for a kimura but Daikaura is defending well.

Kuvaldin is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Vassily Kuvaldin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The fighters are battling for position here. Daikaura manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuvaldin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Daikaura is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Daikaura working a defensive guard but Kuvaldin manages to pass into side control anyway.
Daikaura sneaks back into half guard.

Kuvaldin seems to be working for a kimura but Daikaura defends the submission attempt.
Kuvaldin is thwarting Daikaura's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuvaldin prevents Daikaura from improving his position.
Kuvaldin wants to advance to full mount but Daikaura doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Daikaura is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Kuvaldin wants to pass the guard but Daikaura is keeping the position.
Kuvaldin is looking to advance position but Daikaura has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kuvaldin is wriggling around trying to escape.

Daikaura is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Daikaura wants to land a leg kick but Kuvaldin is out of range.
Kuvaldin uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Daikaura.
Daikaura swinging wilding here.
Kuvaldin moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Kuvaldin shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Daikaura napping and manages to drive through into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vassily Kuvaldin dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Daikaura lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Kuvaldin has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Kuvaldin and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Kuvaldin is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kuvaldin will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Kuvaldin shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Daikaura's guard.

Kuvaldin is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Daikaura is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Daikaura has escaped and now he's on top!
Daikaura wants to stand and escape but instead Kuvaldin has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Kuvaldin drops back looking for a leg! Daikaura is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Daikaura manages to kick Kuvaldin off! Kuvaldin jumps back into Daikaura's guard.
Daikaura is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuvaldin trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Daikaura manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Daikaura must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

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

Kuvaldin has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Daikaura can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Daikaura has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Kuvaldin is proving hard to escape from.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Kuvaldin had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Daikaura defends it easily.

Kuvaldin is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Daikaura defends well.

Kuvaldin has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Daikaura can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Daikaura pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kuvaldin is keeping the position for now.

Daikaura got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kuvaldin has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Daikaura has managed to get both his arms back between Kuvaldin's legs - danger averted.
Daikaura wants to control from the top but Kuvaldin keeps moving.

Kuvaldin is looking for a triangle but Daikaura pushes his legs off easily.
Daikaura would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Kuvaldin is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Daikaura is aware though and is defending well.

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

Kuvaldin is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Daikaura is aware though and is defending well.
Daikaura slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Daikaura wants to get up but he can't break Kuvaldin's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vassily Kuvaldin clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Daikaura pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Daikaura throws a lazy right hand but Kuvaldin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kuvaldin blocks a head kick by Daikaura.
Kuvaldin throws a big shot that misses.
Jab from Kuvaldin.
Kuvaldin misses the shot to the body.
Daikaura turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kuvaldin shoots in for a double leg but Daikaura sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kuvaldin shoots in looking for a takedown. Daikaura tries to sprawl out of it but Kuvaldin keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Daikaura manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kuvaldin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Daikaura sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Daikaura throws a leg kick but Kuvaldin checks it.
Both fighters circling a little - Daikaura finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Daikaura misses with a low kick.
Kuvaldin takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuvaldin takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kuvaldin throws a jab but it's blocked by Daikaura.
Daikaura is looking to land body kicks.
Kuvaldin is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Kuvaldin.

Kuvaldin thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Kuvaldin working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Kuvaldin is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Daikaura is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kuvaldin is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Daikaura has escaped the position, nice work there.
Daikaura is trying to buck Kuvaldin off.
Daikaura is looking to regain half guard here but Kuvaldin keeps moving and retains side control.
Daikaura is trying to control Kuvaldin's posture but Kuvaldin avoids it.

Kuvaldin working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Daikaura pushes Kuvaldin away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Kuvaldin gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Daikaura tries to improve position but can't.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Kuvaldin bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Kuvaldin wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Daikaura, who protects the arm well.

Kuvaldin working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Kuvaldin is trying to get an arm triangle but Daikaura is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuvaldin working away.
Daikaura pushes Kuvaldin away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Kuvaldin gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Kuvaldin is trying to get an arm triangle but Daikaura is defending well.

Kuvaldin is trying to get an arm triangle but Daikaura is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vassily Kuvaldin had his way with Eiki Daikaura in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Daikaura stuffs the takedown.
Daikaura dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kuvaldin. That did some damage!

Kuvaldin looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Daikaura wants to control but Kuvaldin is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Daikaura tries to get to full guard but Kuvaldin has control of the leg.
Kuvaldin prevents Daikaura from standing back up.
Daikaura is trying to escape back to his feet but Kuvaldin uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Daikaura can't do much from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Daikaura is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

Kuvaldin tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Kuvaldin has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Kuvaldin tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Daikaura is pushing Kuvaldin's head away, looking to escape. Kuvaldin manages to hold on to the position though.
Eiki Daikaura has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Kuvaldin has hold of Daikaura's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Daikaura tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Kuvaldin cranks the arm and Daikaura screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Daikaura, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:24 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Vassily Kuvaldin!
Vassily Kuvaldin is the new bantamweight champion!