PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Warren Worthington (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikhail Van Kirkland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Worthington
vs
Van Kirkland

185 cm
24
255 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

194 cm
24
285 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

[WOT] DTK Designs (Laundry)

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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Warren Worthington!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mikhail Van Kirkland!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Alyssa Summers and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Worthington misses the body punch
and Van Kirkland counters with an outside leg kick.
Worthington throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Worthington misses with a hook
and Van Kirkland counters with a low kick, right behind Worthington 's knee.
Worthington throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Van Kirkland avoids the body shot from Worthington.
Van Kirkland shoots in for a double leg but Worthington sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Van Kirkland tries to score a power double leg takedown but Worthington sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Van Kirkland somewhat.
Worthington throws a lazy right hand but Van Kirkland sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Worthington tries to bum rush Van Kirkland with a series of wild strikes but Van Kirkland uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
No luck for Van Kirkland with that takedown attempt.
Warren Worthington has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mikhail Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Worthington throws out the jab.
Van Kirkland ducks under a wild hook from Worthington.
Van Kirkland shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Worthington counters with a two punch combo.

Van Kirkland shoots in and bounces Worthington off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland trying to move into half guard but instead Worthington has managed to sweep!
Worthington wants to control from the top but Van Kirkland keeps moving.
Van Kirkland seems keen to control Worthington's posture.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Van Kirkland is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Worthington distracts Van Kirkland with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Worthington stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Van Kirkland swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Van Kirkland preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Worthington trying to control but Van Kirkland is working from the bottom.
Worthington working some strikes from top position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Worthington accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Van Kirkland 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.
Worthington in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Worthington pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Van Kirkland is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Worthington won't allow Van Kirkland to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Worthington missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Worthington postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Van Kirkland looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Van Kirkland working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Worthington.

Van Kirkland is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Worthington trying to control the position from guard on top but Van Kirkland is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Van Kirkland 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.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Worthington postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Van Kirkland uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Worthington.
Worthington keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland throws a body punch but Worthington moves out of range.
Worthington pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Van Kirkland cracks Worthington with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

It looks like Warren Worthington has been cut.
Worthington misses with a body kick.
Van Kirkland just misses with a punch to the body.
Van Kirkland blocks a leg kick.
Worthington throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A lazy left from Worthington finds it's target.
Worthington misses the shot to the body.
Worthington throws a right hand that Van Kirkland ducks under and follows up with a left that Van Kirkland also avoids with ease.
Mikhail Van Kirkland is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Worthington fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Van Kirkland looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Van Kirkland closes the distance and clinches up with Worthington, looking for a takedown. Van Kirkland pushes Worthington against the cage but Worthington circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Van Kirkland shoots in and drives through. Worthington sprawls well.
Van Kirkland shoots in and drives through. Worthington sprawls well.
Warren Worthington has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mikhail Van Kirkland.
Worthington throws out a loose jab but Van Kirkland uses good head movement to avoid it.
Van Kirkland avoids the body shot from Worthington.
Worthington is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Van Kirkland's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Worthington misses with a straight left.
Worthington looks to score with a jab to the body but Van Kirkland is just out of range.
Worthington takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Worthington punishes Van Kirkland's body with a nice straight punch.
Worthington cracks a nice hook into Van Kirkland's ribs.
No joy there for Worthington, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Van Kirkland shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Worthington as he jumps to the side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Van Kirkland.
Warren Worthington is winning the standup battle so far.
Worthington scores with a nice strike.
Van Kirkland shoots in but no luck this time.
Van Kirkland takes one to the chin there.

Van Kirkland bobbing and weaving well here. And he's unloaded with a massive right hand that drops Worthington! He dives into his guard looking to finish!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Van Kirkland wants to control from the top but Worthington keeps moving.
Van Kirkland tries to free his leg and advance position but Worthington is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Worthington utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Worthington wants to sweep here but Van Kirkland controlling him for the moment.

Van Kirkland stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Worthington doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Van Kirkland shoots for a double leg takedown but Worthington sprawls well. He's pushed Van Kirkland's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Van Kirkland tries for a takedown but Worthington circles away easily
and Worthington finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Van Kirkland showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Warren Worthington's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Worthington throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Worthington throws a lazy uppercut
and Van Kirkland counters with a right hand to the body.
Van Kirkland lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Worthington circles away quickly and effectively.
Worthington looks to throw the jab but Van Kirkland is out of range.
Van Kirkland uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Worthington.
Worthington throws a nice looking combination but Van Kirkland bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Van Kirkland closes this distance looking for a takedown but Worthington circles away.
Worthington rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Van Kirkland moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Van Kirkland ducks under a wild hook from Worthington.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Worthington. No joy for Van Kirkland on that attempt.
Worthington sizes up Van Kirkland with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Van Kirkland scores with a jab to the body.

Van Kirkland gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Van Kirkland tries for a takedown but Worthington manages to get underhooks.
Warren Worthington has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mikhail Van Kirkland.
A right hand to the body from Worthington.
Worthington is trying to stall.
Van Kirkland tries to pull guard but Worthington holds him up against the cage and eventually Van Kirkland drops back down to his feet.
Worthington keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Van Kirkland's efforts to push away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Worthington after a bit of a struggle.

Worthington's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Van Kirkland dives in and grabs Worthington's left leg, looking for a takedown. Worthington pushes down on Van Kirkland's head and hops out.
Van Kirkland takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Worthington jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Van Kirkland throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Worthington scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Worthington throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Van Kirkland is looking to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Worthington ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Van Kirkland moves away.
Van Kirkland is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Worthington rather than just go for the knockout.
Worthington fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Worthington stuns Van Kirkland with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Van Kirkland shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Worthington sprawls well. Worthington wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Van Kirkland gets slowly back to his feet.
Van Kirkland takes one to the chin there.
Van Kirkland wants to clinch
and Worthington counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Van Kirkland thinking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Worthington misses with a straight right.
Nice defenses there by Van Kirkland.
An inside leg kick from Van Kirkland misses.
Van Kirkland misses with a double jab.
Van Kirkland tries for a takedown but Worthington sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Van Kirkland takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A looping hook to the body misses from Worthington. Van Kirkland does a little dance to reset his feet.
Warren Worthington is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Worthington!

And that's the end of the fight!
Warren Worthington showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Worthington has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 29:28
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Warren Worthington!
After winning the bout, Warren Worthington thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.