PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Martin Epson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikhail Kalashnikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mikhail Kalashnikov told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Epson
vs
Kalashnikov

225 cm
23
150 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

175 cm
22
150 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Martin Epson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mikhail Kalashnikov!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Sosuke Kotani and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Epson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Epson takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kalashnikov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Epson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kalashnikov throws a hook to the side of Epson's head but Epson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Epson moves into the clinch.
Epson wants a takedown but no success here.
Kalashnikov swings wildly with an uppercut but Epson uses good head movement to avoid it.

Epson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kalashnikov connects with a nice looking jab.
Epson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kalashnikov is fending him off so far but Epson persists. Nope, Kalashnikov circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Martin Epson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Epson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kalashnikov.

Epson looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Kalashnikov!
Kalashnikov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kalashnikov tries to control Epson's body but Epson pushes him off. Kalashnikov squirms to his side and now Epson has his back!
Kalashnikov trying to control the position but Epson manages to sink in the hooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Can Kalashnikov hold on?! Epson is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Kalashnikov rolls, trying to escape but Epson keeps control of the position.
Epson not allowing Kalashnikov to control his hands.
Good control from Epson.
Epson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Kalashnikov grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Epson will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
What can Kalashnikov do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Kalashnikov is in bad spot here.

Kalashnikov is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Epson looking to break Kalashnikov's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Kalashnikov remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Epson will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Epson trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Kalashnikov doesn't escape.
Epson is trying to stick to Kalashnikov's back but Kalashnikov is turning into Epson. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Epson's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Kalashnikov.
Epson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Epson is pulling down on Kalashnikov's head to control his posture.
Kalashnikov trying to control but Epson is working from the bottom.
Epson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kalashnikov's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kalashnikov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kalashnikov looking for a sweep. Not yet Kalashnikov, not yet.
Epson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Epson passes Kalashnikov's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Epson controlling the action here.

Kalashnikov actively working from the bottom here.
Kalashnikov looks gassed!
Epson trying to control the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Epson seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Kalashnikov for as long as he can get away with.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Kalashnikov regains full guard. Nicely done.
Kalashnikov wants to sweep but no luck.
Epson trying to control but Kalashnikov is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Martin Epson wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Kalashnikov lands the left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Martin Epson dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Epson throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Kalashnikov tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Epson is in Kalashnikov's guard.
Epson is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Kalashnikov is working an open guard so Epson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Kalashnikov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kalashnikov wants it to stay on the feet.
Kalashnikov misses with an uppercut. Epson saw that one coming.
Epson slips under a jab.
Kalashnikov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Epson clinches up against the cage.
Epson jumps guard but Kalashnikov stands there with Epson around his waist. Epson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalashnikov gets through Epson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Epson is trying to trip Kalashnikov. He has hold of a leg but Kalashnikov is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Epson persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kalashnikov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Epson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Kalashnikov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Epson defends it easily.
Kalashnikov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Epson tries to free his leg and advance position but Kalashnikov is retaining full guard.

Kalashnikov looking for subs off his back but Epson has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalashnikov is trying to control but can't.
Epson controlling the pace.
Martin Epson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Epson prevents Kalashnikov from improving his position.
Epson controlling the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Kalashnikov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Epson pulls his head out easily.
Epson working Kalashnikov over with strikes.
Epson trying to mount his opponent but Kalashnikov defends it.
Epson is keen to just control but Kalashnikov is a slippery customer.
Epson looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

We're going to have a standup here because Martin Epson wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Kalashnikov throws a right hand that Epson ducks under and follows up with a left that Epson also avoids with ease.

Epson gets a takedown into half guard.

Epson stands up from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Epson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kalashnikov.
Epson tries to clinch but Kalashnikov is having none of it.
Kalashnikov stuffs the takedown attempt from Epson. Epson gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Martin Epson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Epson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Epson misses with a knee to the head.
Epson goes for a takedown attempt but Kalashnikov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Epson shoots in and bounces Kalashnikov off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Kalashnikov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Martin Epson dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Kalashnikov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Epson shoots for a takedown but Kalashnikov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Epson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kalashnikov defends it nicely.
Epson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Mikhail Kalashnikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kalashnikov loads up on a big right hand but Epson slips the punch.
Epson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Martin Epson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kalashnikov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Epson was well out of range. Poor timing from Kalashnikov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kalashnikov misses with the combination.
Epson shoots in but no luck this time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Epson walks into a jab.
Kalashnikov misses with a looping right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Epson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kalashnikov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Epson somewhat.
Epson slips a jab and a cross from Kalashnikov.
Kalashnikov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Epson tries to move into range but Kalashnikov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

Epson throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Kalashnikov was covering up waiting for the punch and Epson finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Kalashnikov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Epson is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalashnikov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kalashnikov wants to pass to mount but Epson is defending the position.
Epson is refusing to be controlled, as Kalashnikov sits in half guard.
Epson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kalashnikov.
Epson is trying to stand up here but Kalashnikov is controlling him well.
Epson tries to get to full guard but Kalashnikov has control of the leg.
Kalashnikov is taking a breather. Epson says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Kalashnikov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalashnikov trying to control from half guard but Epson is working away.
Epson is looking for a sweep. Kalashnikov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kalashnikov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Epson's head.
Kalashnikov throwing shots but Epson is blocking nicely.
Kalashnikov is looking to take a break and control but Epson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Mikhail Kalashnikov has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Kalashnikov throws a shot from downtown. Epson moves away and avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
A swing and a miss from Kalashnikov.
Epson works the jab nicely.
Kalashnikov looks to score with a jab to the body but Epson is just out of range.
Kalashnikov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Martin Epson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kalashnikov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Epson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Epson scores with a takedown into Kalashnikov's guard.
Kalashnikov keeping full guard, as Epson tries to pass.
Epson passes Kalashnikov's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Kalashnikov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Epson.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mikhail Kalashnikov.
I think Epson 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:28
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Martin Epson!