PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kalle Kiikuli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pontius Lafayette (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lafayette has chosen Party Hard as his entrance music. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Kiikuli
vs
Lafayette

180 cm
21
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
18
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kalle Kiikuli!
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, Pontius Lafayette!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Dmitry Maklakov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kiikuli shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Lafayette's guard.
Kiikuli wants to control from the top but Lafayette keeps moving.

Kiikuli gets to his feet - Lafayette follows without any prompting.
Kiikuli shoots in but no luck this time.
Pontius Lafayette seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kiikuli on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Lafayette throws a leg kick which misses Kiikuli's front leg but catches the back leg as Kiikuli tries to avoid it.
Lafayette explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Kiikuli is breathing heavily.
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!
Good leg kick by Lafayette there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kiikuli tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Lafayette swivels and escapes.
Good work by Kiikuli as he checks the leg kick.
Lafayette throws a leg kick but Kiikuli sees it coming and checks it nicely.

Kiikuli takes the fight into the clinch.
Lafayette gets underhooks to prevent Kiikuli's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kalle Kiikuli. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kiikuli manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Kiikuli wants a takedown but no success here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiikuli prevents the takedown attempt.
Lafayette wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kiikuli drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Lafayette gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Kiikuli manages to break the clinch.
Lafayette throws a body kick that misses.
Lafayette throws the kick towards the body but Kiikuli avoids it.

Kiikuli closes the distance and clinches.

Kiikuli is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Lafayette can't fight it off and eventually Kiikuli manages to take the fight to the floor. Lafayette looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Lafayette wants to sweep here but Kiikuli controlling him for the moment.

Lafayette is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kiikuli wants to pass the guard but Lafayette is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lafayette manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Kiikuli is looking to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiikuli holds of for dear life.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Lafayette wants to finish this one by submission but Kiikuli is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Lafayette.
Lafayette avoids the attempt from Kiikuli to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Kiikuli can't escape the position.
Kiikuli tries to lock up and control but Lafayette gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Kiikuli tries to reverse the position but Lafayette maintains control.

Lafayette jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Kiikuli manages to avoid the submission attempt.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kiikuli will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Lafayette lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Kiikuli has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Kiikuli and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Lafayette scoring well with a low kick there.
Lafayette throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Lafayette.
Lafayette throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Lafayette throws a nice inside leg kick.
Lafayette is looking to land body kicks.

Kiikuli takes the fight into the clinch.
Kiikuli can't get the takedown.
Lafayette tries to pull guard but Kiikuli holds him up against the cage and eventually Lafayette drops back down to his feet.
Lafayette tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kiikuli smiles and moves away.
Kiikuli avoids a kick to the body.
No joy there for Kiikuli, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kiikuli avoids a kick to the body.
Lafayette throws a solid leg kick but Kiikuli takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Lafayette.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kiikuli chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Lafayette can pounce on him.
Kiikuli shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kiikuli moves out of range of the leg kick from Lafayette.
Lafayette throws a wild body kick that Kiikuli sees coming a mile off.
A clash of legs there as Kiikuli blocks the low kick.
Kiikuli moves out of range as Lafayette throws a body kick.
Kalle Kiikuli is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kiikuli fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kalle Kiikuli. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lafayette attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Lafayette throws a nice outside leg kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice body kick from Lafayette.
Pontius Lafayette is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Kiikuli crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Lafayette - the referee stops the clock and Kiikuli gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Lafayette. Kiikuli manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Lafayette throws a wild body kick that Kiikuli sees coming a mile off.

Kiikuli drives through and clinches with Lafayette against the cage.

Lafayette is fighting off a takedown attempt but Kiikuli is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Lafayette to the mat. Lafayette regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Kiikuli sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Kiikuli passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Kiikuli staying calm.
Lafayette is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Kiikuli off and has taken his back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lafayette gets his hands free as Kiikuli looks to control.
You can see the frustration on Kiikuli's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Lafayette is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

Lafayette working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Lafayette gets his hands free as Kiikuli looks to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiikuli covering up well and avoiding damage.
Lafayette is not going to allow Kiikuli to sit and survive in this position.
Lafayette throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Lafayette controlling the positon.
Kiikuli prevents Lafayette from getting a body triangle.
Lafayette controlling from the back.
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.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Will Lafayette go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Kiikuli wants to control his opponent's hands but Lafayette gets his hands free.
Lafayette controls the position.
Lafayette trying to control.
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 Kalle Kiikuli 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!

Lafayette misses with a body kick.
Kiikuli tries a head kick but it misses.
Kiikuli checks a leg kick nicely.
A leg kick checked by Kiikuli.
Kiikuli moves out of range of the body kick.
Kiikuli avoids a kick to the body.
Nice takedown defense from Lafayette. No joy for Kiikuli on that attempt.
Lafayette moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Lafayette throws a leg kick but Kiikuli moved away.
Kiikuli misses with a takedown attempt - Lafayette sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lafayette throws a push kick but Kiikuli slaps the foot to one side.
Kiikuli bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

Kiikuli gets a clinch.

Kiikuli pulls guard successfully.
Lafayette wants to control from the top but Kiikuli keeps moving.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lafayette pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kiikuli is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lafayette preventing the sweep.
Kiikuli is looking to sweep but instead, Lafayette has passed into half guard.
Kiikuli tries to roll over but Lafayette keeps him under control.
Lafayette trying to control from half guard but Kiikuli is working away.
Lafayette wants to stand up but Kiikuli is controlling the position.
Lafayette content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Lafayette attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Lafayette attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kiikuli fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kalle Kiikuli. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lafayette throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kiikuli checks a low kick from Lafayette.
Kiikuli closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lafayette circles away.
Lafayette throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

Kiikuli closes the distance and clinches.

Kiikuli wants the takedown. Lafayette is fighting it off but Kiikuli persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Lafayette's guard against the cage.
Lafayette can't keep his opponent in guard - Kiikuli advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Kiikuli is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lafayette is trying to stand back up but Kiikuli is controlling him
Lafayette is trying to control but can't.
Kiikuli wants to control but Lafayette is keeping him busy.
Lafayette wants to control but Kiikuli is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kiikuli is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Lafayette scores with a leg kick.
Lafayette throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Lafayette tries to land a front kick but Kiikuli steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kiikuli throws a head kick but Lafayette moves out of range.
A slapping leg kick lands for Lafayette.

Kiikuli drives through and clinches with Lafayette against the cage.
Kiikuli tries for a takedown. No joy.
Kiikuli stalling in the clinch but Lafayette improves position.
Kiikuli misses with a body punch.
Kiikuli jumps guard but Lafayette stands there with Kiikuli around his waist. Kiikuli gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Lafayette tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kiikuli just stands there and leans against the cage.
Lafayette tries to pull guard but Kiikuli holds him up against the cage and eventually Lafayette drops back down to his feet.

Kiikuli breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Kalle Kiikuli.
I think Kiikuli 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Pontius Lafayette!