PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zabeg Debilov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rya Kanji (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Debilov
vs
Kanji

160 cm
22
264 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

207 cm
22
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Zabeg Debilov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rya Kanji!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Illya Tyunina and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kanji drops Debilov with a beautiful combination! Debilov stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Kanji is looking for the KO!

Debilov is rocked!

Debilov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kanji sprawls well initially but Debilov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Oh Debilov is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kanji wants to control but Debilov is keeping busy.
Debilov seems to have got his legs back now.
Debilov is looking to advance position but Kanji won't allow it.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kanji manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Kanji trying to control the position.
Kanji might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Debilov kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Debilov wants to pass the guard but Kanji is keeping the position.
Debilov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kanji is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kanji seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Kanji is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Debilov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Debilov could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

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

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.

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

Debilov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kanji sprawls well initially but Debilov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Kanji is looking to control Debilov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kanji avoid being mounted?
Kanji is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Debilov trying to mount his opponent but Kanji defends it.
Kanji is looking to control Debilov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kanji avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Debilov seems content to control.
Kanji keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Kanji is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kanji trying to control here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Debilov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Kanji makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kanji.
Kanji wants to stand but Debilov is controlling the position.
Debilov trying to control but Kanji is working from the bottom.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Kanji holds on and takes a little breather.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rya Kanji will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Debilov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Kanji feints and as Debilov raises his hands in defense, Kanji changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Debilov pulls Kanji in close to his closed guard and prevents Kanji from doing any damage or advancing position.
Kanji missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kanji works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Kanji is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Kanji thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Debilov to regain full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Debilov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Debilov looking to control.

Debilov working for a triangle but Kanji defends it easily.
Debilov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kanji won't allow Debilov to sweep him here.
Debilov controls Kanji momentarily but Kanji frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kanji postures up and lands a big shot to Debilov's brow.
Kanji postures up.
Kanji works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Kanji stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Debilov to get to his feet.
Kanji looks to land a body kick but Debilov moved away.

Kanji drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Debilov is not content to let Kanji control the position.

Kanji is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Debilov has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kanji wants to control but Debilov is keeping him busy.

Kanji is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Debilov has escaped the position, nice work there.

Kanji working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rya Kanji showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Debilov shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Debilov was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Kanji keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Debilov is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Kanji has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Kanji!
Kanji controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kanji stopping the sweep attempt from Debilov.
Kanji wants to control from the top but Debilov keeps moving.
Rya Kanji has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kanji controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Kanji pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Debilov is keeping the position for now.
Kanji being controlled here momentarily.
Debilov is trying to control the position but Kanji postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kanji throws a strike but Debilov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Kanji is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Debilov trying to control but Kanji is working from the bottom.
Debilov won't allow Kanji to sweep him here.

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.
Debilov postures up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Kanji misses with a takedown

and Debilov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Kanji has control of Debilov's left arm, preventing Debilov from doing any damage.
Debilov advances position into side control!
Kanji tries to buck Debilov off but Debilov is having none of it.
Debilov controlling from side mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zabeg Debilov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kanji 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 28:29
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rya Kanji!