PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Spenser Kalkbrenner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ignas Klaipeda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ignas Klaipeda will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Kalkbrenner
vs
Klaipeda

167 cm
24
164 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
182 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Spenser Kalkbrenner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ignas Klaipeda!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Vladimir Khabensky and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Klaipeda throws a right and a left that both miss.
Klaipeda lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Klaipeda falls off balance throwing a combination

and Kalkbrenner moves into the clinch.
Kalkbrenner holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Kalkbrenner ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Kalkbrenner no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Kalkbrenner could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Klaipeda tries to stand but Kalkbrenner is controlling from the bottom.

Kalkbrenner is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Klaipeda has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Kalkbrenner is proving hard to escape from.
Klaipeda wants to stand and escape but instead Kalkbrenner has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Kalkbrenner controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalkbrenner throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Klaipeda works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kalkbrenner content to stall in guard here.
Kalkbrenner loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Klaipeda preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalkbrenner wants to stand but Klaipeda has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Kalkbrenner has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Spenser Kalkbrenner wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Klaipeda misses with a series of wild punches.
Klaipeda misses with a two punch combination.
Kalkbrenner avoids a punch combination nicely.

Kalkbrenner shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Klaipeda's guard.
Kalkbrenner scoring with punches to the head and body.
Kalkbrenner preventing the sweep.
Kalkbrenner not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Klaipeda really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kalkbrenner. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalkbrenner wanted to stand there but Klaipeda had control of the position.
Kalkbrenner loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Klaipeda is looking to stand up but Kalkbrenner isn't so interested in that idea.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Kalkbrenner trying to control the position from guard on top but Klaipeda is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

We're going to have a standup here because Spenser Kalkbrenner wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Kalkbrenner moves into range and clinches up with Klaipeda.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kalkbrenner wants to take the fight to the mat but Klaipeda manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Klaipeda working hard to break the clinch.
Kalkbrenner stalling against the cage.

Kalkbrenner breaks from the clinch.
Klaipeda misses with a double jab

and Kalkbrenner counters by clinching up.
Klaipeda is trying to break the clinch but Kalkbrenner is controlling him.
Klaipeda wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kalkbrenner has him pressed against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kalkbrenner trying to land knees to the body.
Kalkbrenner tries to pull guard but Klaipeda holds him up against the cage and eventually Kalkbrenner drops back down to his feet.
Kalkbrenner has Klaipeda pressed against the cage, preventing Klaipeda from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Spenser Kalkbrenner dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Klaipeda throws a low kick but it's checked well by Kalkbrenner.
Klaipeda throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kalkbrenner.
Klaipeda throws a right and a left that Kalkbrenner avoids nicely.

Kalkbrenner takes the fight into the clinch.
Kalkbrenner blocks a body shot from Klaipeda.
Klaipeda has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kalkbrenner jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Klaipeda walks away with a smile on his face. Kalkbrenner gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Spenser Kalkbrenner is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Kalkbrenner closes the distance and pushes Klaipeda back into the cage.

Kalkbrenner manages to break the clinch.
Klaipeda lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Kalkbrenner shoots in but no luck this time.
Klaipeda misses with a series of wild punches.
Klaipeda throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Kalkbrenner counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kalkbrenner.
Klaipeda is trying to push Kalkbrenner away but Kalkbrenner has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalkbrenner has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Klaipeda is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Spenser Kalkbrenner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kalkbrenner tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Klaipeda just stands there and leans against the cage.
Klaipeda wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kalkbrenner tries to pull guard but Klaipeda won't allow it.
Kalkbrenner jumps guard but Klaipeda turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Klaipeda looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Klaipeda looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A frustrated look appears on Klaipeda's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kalkbrenner jumps guard but Klaipeda turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Kalkbrenner here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Klaipeda wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kalkbrenner has him pressed against the cage.
Kalkbrenner goes for a takedown in the clinch but Klaipeda prevents it.
Klaipeda is trying to break the clinch but Kalkbrenner is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Klaipeda tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kalkbrenner has Klaipeda pressed against the cage, preventing Klaipeda from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Klaipeda gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kalkbrenner.
Klaipeda tries to work over Kalkbrenner's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Klaipeda is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Kalkbrenner pulls guard.
Klaipeda is looking to stand up but Kalkbrenner won't let him.
Klaipeda throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Klaipeda working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kalkbrenner throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Klaipeda throws an elbow that misses. Kalkbrenner uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Klaipeda's guard. Nice move by Kalkbrenner!
Kalkbrenner is fighting to break Klaipeda's control of his arms but Klaipeda is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Kalkbrenner looking to sit in guard and control but Klaipeda gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

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

Kalkbrenner looking for a guillotine here but Klaipeda defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Klaipeda tries to stand but Kalkbrenner is controlling from the bottom.
Kalkbrenner doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Klaipeda trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kalkbrenner has a closed guard, preventing Klaipeda from standing up.
Kalkbrenner looking to control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kalkbrenner looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kalkbrenner working for a triangle but Klaipeda defends it easily.
Kalkbrenner has a closed guard, preventing Klaipeda from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Spenser Kalkbrenner will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Kalkbrenner shoots for a takedown but Klaipeda saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kalkbrenner looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kalkbrenner slips a jab and a cross from Klaipeda.

Kalkbrenner instigates a clinch.

Kalkbrenner has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Klaipeda uses from the top position.
Klaipeda trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kalkbrenner looking for a sweep. Not yet Kalkbrenner, not yet.
Kalkbrenner has a closed guard, preventing Klaipeda from standing up.

Klaipeda got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kalkbrenner has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Klaipeda has managed to get both his arms back between Kalkbrenner's legs - danger averted.
Klaipeda tries to stand but Kalkbrenner is controlling from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kalkbrenner manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Klaipeda manages to get himself to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Klaipeda is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Kalkbrenner trying to stand up but can't free himself from Klaipeda's guard.
Kalkbrenner is pushing down on Klaipeda's leg trying to pass to half guard. Klaipeda is fighting to maintain full guard but Kalkbrenner has managed to sneak the leg through.
Kalkbrenner thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Klaipeda's head.
Kalkbrenner prevents Klaipeda from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalkbrenner is keen to just control but Klaipeda is a slippery customer.

Kalkbrenner is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Kalkbrenner perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Kalkbrenner seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Klaipeda does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Spenser Kalkbrenner wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Klaipeda throws a nice looking combination but Kalkbrenner bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kalkbrenner throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kalkbrenner showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Klaipeda.
Sloppy strikes from Klaipeda. Those never looked like landing.
Klaipeda throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Kalkbrenner moves into the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Kalkbrenner.
Klaipeda is looking to break free of the clinch but Kalkbrenner has double underhooks.
Klaipeda is trying to force a seperation but Kalkbrenner has the dominant position.
Kalkbrenner just leaning against Klaipeda, taking a breather.

Kalkbrenner breaks the clinch.
Ignas Klaipeda is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Klaipeda throws a right and a left that Kalkbrenner avoids nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Klaipeda looks to land a combination but Kalkbrenner avoids it well.
Kalkbrenner slips a jab and a cross from Klaipeda.

Kalkbrenner is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Klaipeda's half guard.
Kalkbrenner thows a huge punch but Klaipeda dodges it nicely.
Kalkbrenner wants to control but Klaipeda is keeping him busy.
Kalkbrenner wants to stand up but Klaipeda is controlling the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Kalkbrenner is looking for a kimura here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Spenser Kalkbrenner showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kalkbrenner, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Spenser Kalkbrenner!
During a confident post fight interview, Spenser Kalkbrenner thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.