PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Vapun Aukio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sergey Keosayan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aukio comes to the cage accompanied by 2CELLOS (Sulic & Hauser) - Smooth Criminal. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Aukio
vs
Keosayan

165 cm
27
162 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

169 cm
23
166 lbs
8 - 5 - 2

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Namunamu Clothing

Conviction
GREEN!160

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vapun Aukio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sergey Keosayan!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice cross by Aukio.
Aukio cracks a nice hook into Keosayan's ribs.
Keosayan throws a quick inside leg kick.
Aukio throws a body shot but no joy.
Aukio misses with an uppercut. Keosayan saw that one coming.
Keosayan lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Aukio closes the distance looking to clinch

and Keosayan decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Aukio's guard.
Aukio keeping full guard, as Keosayan tries to pass.
Aukio looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Keosayan passes easily into side control. Nice work.
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!
Aukio tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Keosayan wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Aukio dodges the ground and pound from Keosayan.
Keosayan working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aukio tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Keosayan tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Keosayan has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Keosayan trying to control the position but Aukio is working away.
Aukio wants to control but Keosayan postures up.
Aukio tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Keosayan wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Keosayan wants to control but Aukio is keeping him busy.
Aukio taking a bit of punishment here - Keosayan scoring with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Aukio gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Aukio tries to get to full guard but Keosayan has control of the leg.
The fighters are battling for position here. Aukio manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Keosayan with a flurry of punches that miss.
Aukio tries to land a sweep but no joy.
We've been hearing good reports from Aukio's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Aukio controls Keosayan momentarily but Keosayan frees himself.
Aukio wants to sweep but no luck.
Aukio looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Keosayan pushes down on Aukio's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aukio wants to improve his position but Keosayan is controlling well.
Keosayan is thwarting Aukio's attempts to control the position.
Aukio is refusing to be controlled, as Keosayan sits in half guard.
Aukio is trying to get back to full guard.
Aukio works his way to full guard. Good work.
Aukio is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Aukio working a defensive guard here.

That's four 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.
Keosayan chips away with some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Keosayan passes Aukio's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Keosayan wants to pass the guard but Aukio is defending well.
Keosayan winds up and cracks Aukio with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Aukio won't allow Keosayan to pass to mount.
Keosayan sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Aukio defending well though.
Aukio trying to control here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Keosayan is trying to control. Aukio wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergey Keosayan dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Keosayan takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Sergey Keosayan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
That kick from Keosayan tenderised Aukio's leg. Aukio is trying to keep his angry face on.
Aukio throws a jab when Keosayan was well out of range.
Keosayan pushes Aukio away with a front kick.

Keosayan looking to score a takedown here. Aukio is defending well but Keosayan drives through and ends up in Aukio's guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Aukio is on top in guard.

Aukio throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Keosayan works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Keosayan preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Aukio has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Aukio won't allow Keosayan to sweep him here.
Aukio throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Keosayan works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Keosayan lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Keosayan looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aukio looking to control.

Keosayan drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Keosayan jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Keosayan postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Keosayan advances position into side control!
Aukio manages to get back to half guard.
Aukio moves into full guard.
Keosayan with a nice head shot there.
Keosayan has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Aukio can't keep his opponent in guard - Keosayan advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Keosayan is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Aukio is just riding it out for now. Keosayan eventually gives up the hold.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keosayan not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Aukio is looking for a sweep. Keosayan is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Aukio is defending against the submission attempts here by Keosayan.
Aukio wants to control but Keosayan is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Aukio wants to improve his position but Keosayan is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aukio is working hard here to advance position.
Aukio is refusing to be controlled, as Keosayan sits in half guard.

Keosayan is looking for a kimura here.

Keosayan is looking for a kimura here.
Keosayan trying to control the action but Aukio is working from the bottom.

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.
Aukio moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Sergey Keosayan has got the better of the ground game so far.
Keosayan missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Keosayan stopping the sweep attempt from Aukio.
Keosayan throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Keosayan passes Aukio's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Keosayan is thwarting Aukio's attempts to control the position.
Aukio is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aukio regains full guard. Nicely done.
Aukio pulls Keosayan in close to his closed guard and prevents Keosayan from doing any damage or advancing position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergey Keosayan 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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Keosayan connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Aukio's hands.

Keosayan closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Keosayan lands in his opponent's guard.
Keosayan trying to control but Aukio is working from the bottom.
Aukio looking to hit a scissor sweep but Keosayan is one step ahead there.
Aukio pulls Keosayan in close to prevent any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Keosayan is looking to work some ground and pound but Aukio has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keosayan throws an elbow that misses. Aukio uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Keosayan's guard. Nice move by Aukio!

Keosayan is trying to control the position but Aukio postures up.
Keosayan wants to sweep but no luck.
Aukio landing some decent shots from guard.
Aukio trying to control the position from guard on top but Keosayan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Keosayan working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Aukio.
Aukio preventing the sweep.
Aukio wants to control from the top but Keosayan keeps moving.
Keosayan avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Sergey Keosayan is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keosayan 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.
Aukio being controlled here momentarily.
Aukio throws a big elbow that misses.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Keosayan preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
A swing and a miss from Aukio.
Aukio on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Aukio looks to land a left hand but Keosayan moved out of range nicely.
Aukio tries to clinch up.

Keosayan drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keosayan won't allow Aukio to sweep him here.
Keosayan slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Aukio looking for a sweep. Not yet Aukio, not yet.
Keosayan controls from within his opponent's guard.
Aukio looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Aukio working a defensive guard here.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Keosayan engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Keosayan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Aukio.
Vapun Aukio is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Aukio swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Aukio throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Vapun Aukio is winning the standup battle so far.
Aukio misses with a left hand

and Keosayan counters with a single leg into guard. Aukio didn't expect that.
Keosayan looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Aukio is looking to sweep but instead, Keosayan has passed into half guard.
Keosayan takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Vapun Aukio has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aukio flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sergey Keosayan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Keosayan winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sergey Keosayan!
A relieved looking Sergey Keosayan thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.