PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between AK Kalasznikov (ranked 5737 p4p, 205 weight class) and Yukihisa Kitajima (ranked 6956 p4p, 230 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Kalasznikov
vs
Kitajima

222 cm
25
300 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

222 cm
25
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, AK Kalasznikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Yukihisa Kitajima!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Felipe Paraventi and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kitajima stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kitajima wants it to stay on the feet.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kitajima or perhaps it was just good defense by Kalasznikov, which made it look bad.
Kalasznikov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kitajima pinned against the cage. Kitajima gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Kalasznikov rushes Kitajima and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Kitajima breaks the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kitajima shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kalasznikov but Kalasznikov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kitajima looks for a takedown but Kalasznikov sprawls well.
AK Kalasznikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yukihisa Kitajima.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalasznikov prevents a takedown attempt there.
Kitajima tries to pull guard but Kalasznikov won't allow it.
Kitajima trying to land knees to the body.
Kitajima blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kitajima utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Come on Kitajima - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Kitajima prevents Kalasznikov from breaking the clinch.
Kitajima is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
A bit of stalling here from Kalasznikov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kitajima tries to pull guard but Kalasznikov won't allow it.
Kitajima tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kalasznikov smiles and moves away.
Kalasznikov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kalasznikov wants it to stay on the feet.
Kalasznikov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kitajima sprawls well. Kitajima wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kalasznikov gets slowly back to his feet.
Kitajima tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Kitajima with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kalasznikov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kitajima has his takedown stuffed

and Kalasznikov counters by moving into the clinch.
Kitajima tries to pull guard but Kalasznikov holds him up against the cage and eventually Kitajima drops back down to his feet.

Kalasznikov jumps guard.
Kalasznikov tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kitajima being controlled here momentarily.
Kalasznikov can't keep his opponent in guard - Kitajima advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Kalasznikov makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kalasznikov.
Kalasznikov wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Kitajima is now in half guard.
Kalasznikov wants to control but Kitajima is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kitajima blocks the strikes from Kalasznikov.

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.
Kitajima blocks the strikes from Kalasznikov.
Kalasznikov trying to hold on to Kitajima's head to control him but Kitajima postures up.

Kalasznikov is defending against the submission attempts here by Kitajima.
Kitajima is just content to waste time from the top position. Kalasznikov takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kitajima in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

AK Kalasznikov dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kalasznikov tries to clinch there but Kitajima circles away.
Kalasznikov with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Kitajima counter with a right hand.
Kitajima keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
No luck for Kitajima with that takedown attempt.
Kalasznikov takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

It looks like AK Kalasznikov has been cut.

Kalasznikov gets tackled into the cage by Kitajima. Kitajima maintains the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kitajima tries to pull guard but Kalasznikov won't allow it.
Kalasznikov gets underhooks to prevent Kitajima's takedown attempt.
AK Kalasznikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yukihisa Kitajima.
Kalasznikov tries to score a body lock takedown but Kitajima shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kalasznikov wants to get back to striking at distance but Kitajima won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kitajima goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kalasznikov prevents it.
Kitajima tries to score a body lock takedown but Kalasznikov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Kitajima's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kitajima tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kalasznikov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kalasznikov attempts a counter takedown but Kitajima avoids it well and moves away.
Kitajima displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kalasznikov.
Kalasznikov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kitajima but Kitajima pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kalasznikov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kitajima as he jumps to the side.

Kitajima clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalasznikov is trying to pull guard but Kitajima turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Kalasznikov is working for takedown but Kitajima is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kitajima has Kalasznikov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kalasznikov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kitajima looking to throw knees to the head but Kalasznikov is blocking nicely.
Kalasznikov letting Kitajima take a breather here.
Kitajima tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kalasznikov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kalasznikov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Kitajima is defending well.

Kitajima breaks from the clinch.
AK Kalasznikov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kitajima stuffs the takedown attempt from Kalasznikov. Kalasznikov gets slowly back to his feet.
Kitajima wants to counter with a clinch but Kalasznikov pushes him away.
Kitajima loads up on a big right hand but Kalasznikov slips the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kitajima shoots in looking for a takedown but Kalasznikov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kitajima's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kalasznikov shoots in and drives through. Kitajima sprawls well.
Kalasznikov shoots in looking for a takedown but Kitajima manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kalasznikov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kitajima only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kitajima is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kalasznikov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Kitajima has closed the distance and engaged Kalasznikov in a clinch.
Kitajima misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kitajima jumps guard but Kalasznikov turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Kitajima escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Kitajima has Kalasznikov up against the cage in a clinch.
Kalasznikov tries to land knees in the clinch but Kitajima avoids the damage to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kalasznikov goes for a takedown attempt but Kitajima pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Kalasznikov blocks the body kick.
Kalasznikov shoots in but Kitajima avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kalasznikov throws out a powerful jab.
Kitajima stuffs the takedown.
Kalasznikov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kitajima.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kitajima circles away from the clinch attempt.

Kalasznikov has closed the distance and engaged Kitajima in a clinch.
Kalasznikov is defending well against a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yukihisa Kitajima showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on AK Kalasznikov's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kalasznikov looks to land a combination. Kitajima sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Kalasznikov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kitajima.
Kalasznikov shoots for a double leg takedown but Kitajima sprawls well. He's pushed Kalasznikov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Kitajima throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Kalasznikov tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Kitajima is in Kalasznikov's guard.

Kalasznikov manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

Kitajima's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kalasznikov shoots in looking for a takedown. Kitajima tries to sprawl out of it but Kalasznikov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kitajima manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Kitajima clinches with his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kitajima is struggling to control the position.
Kitajima tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kalasznikov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kalasznikov is pressed up against the cage. Kitajima has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kalasznikov down to the mat. Kalasznikov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kalasznikov throws a body kick that misses.
Kalasznikov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kitajima is fending him off so far but Kalasznikov persists. Nope, Kitajima circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for AK Kalasznikov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice takedown defense from Kitajima. No joy for Kalasznikov on that attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Kitajima moves into range and clinches up with Kalasznikov.
Kalasznikov wants to get back to striking at distance but Kitajima won't allow it.
Yukihisa Kitajima seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Kitajima has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Kalasznikov uses from the top position.
Kitajima is trying to keep Kalasznikov in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalasznikov preventing the sweep.
Kitajima is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kitajima is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

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

Kalasznikov decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Kitajima, up you get!
Kitajima fails with the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalasznikov takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Kalasznikov dives in and grabs Kitajima's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kitajima pushes down on Kalasznikov's head and hops out.
Kalasznikov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kitajima as he avoids it easily.
Kitajima wants to counter the offense by Kalasznikov and move into the clinch position.
Kitajima misses with a takedown attempt - Kalasznikov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kitajima pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kalasznikov looks for a takedown but Kitajima sprawls well.
Kalasznikov blocks a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kalasznikov shoots in looking for a takedown but Kitajima manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kalasznikov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kitajima throws a head kick that half lands.
Kitajima tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kalasznikov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kalasznikov shoots in and drives through. Kitajima sprawls well.
Kalasznikov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kitajima tries to avoid it but Kalasznikov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kitajima to the ground. Kitajima escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kalasznikov is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Kitajima.
Kitajima tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kitajima moves out of range as Kalasznikov throws a body kick.
Kitajima tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kalasznikov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kitajima fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kalasznikov avoids it really well and circles away.
An attempted straight right counter from Kalasznikov misses the target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yukihisa Kitajima comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kitajima 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:29
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yukihisa Kitajima!