PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rory Kirkpatrick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Habil Bictashev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Habil Bictashev is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Kirkpatrick
vs
Bictashev

185 cm
24
157 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

173 cm
19
165 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Atlantis

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rory Kirkpatrick!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Habil Bictashev!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, David Hoff and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bictashev instigates a clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bictashev.
Kirkpatrick really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Bictashev pushes Kirkpatrick back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Kirkpatrick gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Bictashev controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

Kirkpatrick is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Bictashev defends it well.
Kirkpatrick looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Bictashev wants to get back to his feet.
Bictashev is trying to control but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kirkpatrick is working for a submission of some sort.
Kirkpatrick is looking to advance position but Bictashev won't allow it.
Kirkpatrick will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Kirkpatrick working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Bictashev's thigh. Bictashev counters though and makes it back to full guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Bictashev can do anything to dispel that myth.
Bictashev working a defensive guard here.
Kirkpatrick controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Kirkpatrick has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bictashev is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kirkpatrick is controlling him.

Kirkpatrick postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Bictashev is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Kirkpatrick, into his guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kirkpatrick trying to control the position here.
Bictashev postures up.
Bictashev really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kirkpatrick. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Bictashev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kirkpatrick works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kirkpatrick escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bictashev gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kirkpatrick keeping moving, preventing Bictashev from controlling successfully.
Bictashev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kirkpatrick keeping moving, preventing Bictashev from controlling successfully.

Kirkpatrick is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Kirkpatrick working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bictashev doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bictashev manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
We've been informed that Bictashev has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kirkpatrick not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Kirkpatrick is looking for a triangle but Bictashev pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bictashev postures up and lands a big shot to Kirkpatrick's brow.

Kirkpatrick is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Bictashev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bictashev trying to control the position from guard on top but Kirkpatrick is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bictashev stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kirkpatrick swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kirkpatrick is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Bictashev pushing down on Kirkpatrick's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bictashev working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Bictashev trying to control the action but Kirkpatrick is working from the bottom.
Nice strikes from Bictashev there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kirkpatrick avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rory Kirkpatrick seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bictashev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bictashev keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Bictashev clinches up with Kirkpatrick and pushes him back against the cage.
Kirkpatrick is working for takedown but Bictashev is calmly controlling the position for now.
Bictashev gets underhooks to prevent Kirkpatrick's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rory Kirkpatrick. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head punch on the inside from Bictashev fails to land.
Bictashev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bictashev fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kirkpatrick tries for a takedown. No joy.
Bictashev is pushing Kirkpatrick up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Kirkpatrick blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirkpatrick is trying to break the clinch but Bictashev is controlling him.
Bictashev throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kirkpatricks head.
A short right from Bictashev.
Bictashev stalls.
A short body shot lands from Bictashev as the two fighters clinch.
Bictashev gets through Kirkpatrick's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Bictashev stalling in the clinch.
Kirkpatrick tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Bictashev just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kirkpatrick being controlled against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bictashev throws a head punch that misses.
Bictashev scores with a hook to the body.
Kirkpatrick blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kirkpatrick tries to pull guard but Bictashev won't allow it.
Bictashev displaying some good clinch control by pressing Kirkpatrick up against the cage.
Kirkpatrick looking for a takedown.
Kirkpatrick blocks a body shot from Bictashev.
Kirkpatrick goes for a takedown in the clinch but Bictashev prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kirkpatrick blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bictashev stalling the fight.
Bictashev lands with a right to the head.
Kirkpatrick blocking some punches.
Kirkpatrick tries for a takedown. No joy.
Bictashev manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Bictashev throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kirkpatricks head.
Bictashev is pushing Kirkpatrick up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Kirkpatrick wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bictashev lands with a right to the head.
Bictashev throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kirkpatricks head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kirkpatrick.
Bictashev leaning his opponent against the cage.
Bictashev lands with a right to the head.
Bictashev throws a punch but it's blocked by Kirkpatrick.
Kirkpatrick tries to pull guard but Bictashev forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kirkpatrick blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kirkpatrick goes for a takedown attempt but Bictashev pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Bictashev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kirkpatrick paws at him with a jab and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Habil Bictashev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kirkpatrick throws a body punch but Bictashev moves out of range.
Kirkpatrick has his takedown stuffed

and Bictashev counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Bictashev.
Bictashev scores with a nice hook to the head.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Bictashev.
Kirkpatrick has had enough of the clinch but Bictashev keeps him there for the moment.
Kirkpatrick has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Bictashev is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Bictashev.
Kirkpatrick prevents a body shot from Bictashev.
Kirkpatrick drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rory Kirkpatrick. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bictashev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is keeping an eye on Bictashev - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Bictashev gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kirkpatrick.
Bictashev misses with a punch on the inside.
Bictashev misses with a punch on the inside.
Kirkpatrick blocking some punches.
Kirkpatrick is looking for a takedown.
Bictashev misses with some punches.
Bictashev throws a punch but it's blocked by Kirkpatrick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bictashev scores with a shoulder strike.
Bictashev has Kirkpatrick pushed against the cage.
Bictashev scores with a shoulder strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bictashev.
Kirkpatrick looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Bictashev is trying to pull guard but Kirkpatrick has him pressed against the cage.
Kirkpatrick is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Bictashev gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kirkpatrick blocking some punches.
Bictashev stops a takedown attempt from Kirkpatrick.
Kirkpatrick has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Bictashev misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bictashev is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Bictashev is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Habil Bictashev seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Bictashev holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Bictashev tries a body shot but Kirkpatrick blocks it.
Bictashev avoiding damage.
Kirkpatrick is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Bictashev to keep the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bictashev working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kirkpatrick tries to pull guard but Bictashev holds him up against the cage and eventually Kirkpatrick drops back down to his feet.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Bictashev.
Kirkpatrick is trying to break the clinch but Bictashev has him pressed against the cage.
Bictashev prevents the takedown attempt.
Kirkpatrick is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Bictashev gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bictashev.
Bictashev swings wildly with an uppercut but Kirkpatrick uses good head movement to avoid it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The referee is keeping an eye on Bictashev - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

And that's the end of the fight!
Habil Bictashev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Bictashev 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 Santiago Holmes scores the fight 28:29
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Habil Bictashev!