PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kiro Kirov (ranked 2234 p4p, 245 weight class) and Jett Askren (ranked 4296 p4p, 375 weight class). Kiro Kirov has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Kirov
vs
Askren

205 cm
26
270 lbs
11 - 15 - 0

188 cm
25
265 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kiro Kirov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jett Askren!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kirov tries to sprawl but Askren drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Kirov's coaches at Star Studded Beef have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

Kirov actively working from the bottom here.

Kirov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Askren tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Kirov.
Askren content to control rather than advance.

Kirov looking for submissions off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kirov is trying to maintain the position but Askren is very close to passing his half guard.
Askren is taking a breather. Kirov says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kirov looking for submissions off his back.

Kirov actively working from the bottom here.
Askren tries to stand but can't do so whilst Kirov controls his leg.
Kirov trying to control but Askren postures up.

Kirov actively working from the bottom here.

That's two 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.

Kirov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kirov trying to control but Askren postures up.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Kirov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Askren pulls his head out easily.
Kirov is looking to control Askren's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kirov avoid being mounted?

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Kirov shoots in and bounces Askren off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Askren is striking but Kirov is not phased and passes to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kirov prevents Askren from standing back up.

Askren looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Askren actively working from the bottom here.

Askren is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kirov pulls his head out easily.
Askren wants to get back to full guard but Kirov has passed into side control.

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.

Kirov is trying to get an arm triangle but Askren is defending well.
Kirov gets to mount! Askren was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Askren is working to get back to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Askren is still trying to improve position.
Askren wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kiro Kirov will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kirov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Askren to the ground. Kirov is now in Askren's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Askren looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Kirov passes into half guard.
Askren manages to get to full guard.
Kirov wants to control from the top but Askren keeps moving.
Our spies down at at Cozad MMA Los Angeles inform us that Askren has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Askren working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Kirov has passed into half guard!
Askren is staying active underneath Kirov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Askren manages to get to full guard.
Kirov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Askren has his foot on Kirov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kirov works his way back into a safe position though.
Askren wants to sweep here but Kirov controlling him for the moment.

Askren working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Kirov has passed into half guard!

That's two 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.

Kirov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Kirov seems to be looking for submissions.
Kirov prevents Askren from improving his position.
Askren wants to sweep but Kirov has passed to side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kirov scoring with punches and elbows.

It looks like Jett Askren has been cut.
Askren defending against the ground and pound.
Askren is trying to get back to half guard.
A lull in the action here as Kirov stalls from top position.
Kirov working the head with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Askren is not content to let Kirov control the position.

Kirov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Askren is trying to get back to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Kirov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Askren has escaped the position, nice work there.
Askren is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Kirov's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kiro Kirov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jett Askren's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kirov scores with a takedown into Askren's guard.

Askren working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Kirov has passed into half guard!

Kirov is looking for a kimura here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kirov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Askren is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kirov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kirov's back!
Askren controlling well, preventing Kirov from escaping the position.
Kirov breaks Askren's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

Askren isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Kirov stacks Askren on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Kirov!
Askren manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Kirov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Askren keeps working.
Askren is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kirov in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Askren tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Kirov!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:25 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Kiro Kirov!
An out of breath Kiro Kirov thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.