PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kyung Yeon Kang (ranked 4017 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arlan Tolkynbekov (ranked 3094 p4p, 345 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Yeon Kang
vs
Tolkynbekov

175 cm
25
158 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

182 cm
26
157 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

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 New York, Kyung Yeon Kang!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Arlan Tolkynbekov!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Alyssa Summers and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tolkynbekov shoots in for a takedown but Kang shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kang changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Kang lands a high kick!

It looks like Arlan Tolkynbekov has been cut.
Kang throws a looping overhand right but Tolkynbekov ducks down to avoid it.

Kang instigates a clinch.
Tolkynbekov is looking to take this one to the mat.
Tolkynbekov fails to pull guard.
Kyung Yeon Kang has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arlan Tolkynbekov.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kang can't find room to land a body shot as Tolkynbekov controls the action.

Tolkynbekov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tolkynbekov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kang's waist but Kang gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tolkynbekov off to one side.

Tolkynbekov forces Kang back against the cage and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tolkynbekov misses with a punch on the inside.
Tolkynbekov lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Tolkynbekov breaks from the clinch.
Kang looks for a takedown but Tolkynbekov sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kang lands a head kick!
Arlan Tolkynbekov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kang fails with the takedown.
Tolkynbekov misses with a head kick.
Kang tries to clinch but Tolkynbekov moves out of range.

Tolkynbekov clinches with his opponent.

Tolkynbekov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kang misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tolkynbekov throws a lazy uppercut
and Kang counters with an inside leg kick.
Kang misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Tolkynbekov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Kang to the ground. Tolkynbekov is now in Kang's guard.
Kang is breathing heavily.

Tolkynbekov has gone for a leg lock! Kang slips out almost immediately though and dives into Tolkynbekov's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tolkynbekov wants to get back to his feet but Kang is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Kang trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kang not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Tolkynbekov wants to sweep but no luck.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Tolkynbekov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kang working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kang preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tolkynbekov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kang gets to his feet - Tolkynbekov follows without any prompting.
Kang closes this distance looking for a takedown but Tolkynbekov circles away.

Kang gets caught flat footed, as Tolkynbekov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Tolkynbekov gets to his feet - Kang follows without any prompting.
Tolkynbekov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kang tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Tolkynbekov manages to circle out of the way.
Tolkynbekov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Tolkynbekov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kang but Kang pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Tolkynbekov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Kang moves into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kang trying to keep a closed guard but Tolkynbekov is proving a slippery customer.
Tolkynbekov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Kang working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tolkynbekov.
Tolkynbekov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tolkynbekov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Arlan Tolkynbekov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Arlan Tolkynbekov's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Tolkynbekov fails with the takedown.
A slow jab from Tolkynbekov misses its intended target.
Nice takedown defense from Kang. No joy for Tolkynbekov on that attempt.
Tolkynbekov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
No luck for Tolkynbekov with that takedown attempt.
Kyung Yeon Kang has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arlan Tolkynbekov.
Tolkynbekov with a lazy takedown attempt

and Kang counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kang.

Kang jumps guard.
Kang wants to stand and escape but Tolkynbekov is having none of it.
Arlan Tolkynbekov has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tolkynbekov postures up in Kang's guard and throws a big left but Kang blocks it.

Kang is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tolkynbekov defends well.
Tolkynbekov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Tolkynbekov trying to control but Kang is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tolkynbekov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Tolkynbekov stops Kang from standing up.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Kang keeping moving, preventing Tolkynbekov from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Kang swings for the body but Tolkynbekov moves out of range.

Tolkynbekov closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Kang sneaks out the side door and pushes Tolkynbekov away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

Tolkynbekov gets a clinch.
Tolkynbekov is trying to drag Kang to the mat but Kang just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tolkynbekov has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Kang uses from the top position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tolkynbekov wants to stand but Kang is controlling the position.

Tolkynbekov is looking for a triangle but Kang pushes his legs off easily.
Tolkynbekov controls Kang momentarily but Kang frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tolkynbekov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kang.

Kang stands up from Tolkynbekov's guard - Kang perhaps looking for a knockout.

Tolkynbekov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Tolkynbekov wants to control but Kang is keeping him busy.

Tolkynbekov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tolkynbekov working away.
Tolkynbekov landing strikes.
Kang tries to bench press Tolkynbekov off him but Tolkynbekov keeps the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kang is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Tolkynbekov is controlling him well.

Tolkynbekov stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Tolkynbekov clinches.
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 Kyung Yeon Kang will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Arlan Tolkynbekov's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Tolkynbekov tries for a takedown but Kang sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kang throws a big counter combination but Tolkynbekov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Kang shoots in for a double leg but Tolkynbekov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Tolkynbekov throws a shot from downtown. Kang moves away and avoids it.
As Tolkynbekov looks to move away, Kang throws a big counter combo but Tolkynbekov just gets out of the way.
Kang misses with a takedown attempt - Tolkynbekov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Tolkynbekov closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kang to the mat! Kang manages to get full guard.
Kang keeping full guard, as Tolkynbekov tries to pass.

Tolkynbekov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tolkynbekov passes Kang's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Tolkynbekov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kang. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tolkynbekov winds up and cracks Kang with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Kang won't allow Tolkynbekov to pass to mount.
Kang tries to roll over but Tolkynbekov keeps him under control.
Tolkynbekov throwing shots but Kang is blocking nicely.
Tolkynbekov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Kang is not content to let Tolkynbekov control the position.
Kang wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Tolkynbekov winds up and cracks Kang with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Tolkynbekov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tolkynbekov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Tolkynbekov is working for a submission of some sort.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Tolkynbekov wants to pass to mount but Kang is defending the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tolkynbekov fails to land with a series of punches.

Tolkynbekov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Tolkynbekov wants to work for an arm triangle but Kang is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Tolkynbekov thows a huge punch but Kang dodges it nicely.
Tolkynbekov is trying to control the action in half guard but Kang is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kang trying to control but Tolkynbekov postures up.
Tolkynbekov wants to stand up but Kang is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tolkynbekov is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Tolkynbekov's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

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

A momentary lapse in concentration from Kang enables Tolkynbekov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Kang manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kang keeping moving, preventing Tolkynbekov from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arlan Tolkynbekov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tolkynbekov 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 28:30
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arlan Tolkynbekov!