PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ovidio Kiran (ranked 621 p4p, 1047 weight class) and Magnus Gunnarsson (ranked 90 p4p, 147 weight class). Kiran's entrance music is Katmandu. A fine choice. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Kiran
vs
Gunnarsson

189 cm
27
210
15 - 5 - 0

190 cm
28
213
11 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Granite chin

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ovidio Kiran!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Magnus Gunnarsson!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Dmitry Maklakov and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kiran thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kiran scores with a sloppy right hand. Gunnarsson should have avoided that one.
Gunnarsson connects with a crisp jab.
Kiran throws a lazy right hand but Gunnarsson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gunnarsson scores with a hook to the body. Kiran takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kiran throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gunnarsson is looking to score with low kicks.
Kiran moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Kiran throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kiran chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Gunnarsson can pounce on him.
Kiran walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Gunnarsson moves out of range of the strikes.
Gunnarsson shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiran looks to score with a jab to the body but Gunnarsson is just out of range.
Ovidio Kiran seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gunnarsson moves out of range as Kiran strikes.
Kiran throws a hook to the side of Gunnarsson's head but Gunnarsson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ovidio Kiran is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kiran misses with a lunging right hand
and Gunnarsson counters with a nice uppercut.
Kiran throws a right and a left that both miss.
A jab from Kiran misses.
Gunnarsson throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Kiran jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A slow jab from Kiran misses its intended target.
Kiran throws a hook but Gunnarsson avoids it easily.
Kiran works the jab nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kiran ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Kiran missing with a left hand there. Gunnarsson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
And Gunnarsson responds with a good body kick, but Kiran manages to step out the way in time.
Kiran throws an off balance right hand
and Gunnarsson counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Gunnarsson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Kiran's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kiran is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Gunnarsson is controlling him.
Kiran preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Gunnarsson working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Kiran pulls Gunnarsson in close to his closed guard and prevents Gunnarsson from doing any damage or advancing position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gunnarsson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson wants to pass the guard but Kiran is keeping the position.
Gunnarsson trying to control the position from guard on top but Kiran is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gunnarsson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Kiran's guard.
Gunnarsson stalling away here and it's allowed Kiran to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Kiran is pulling down on Gunnarsson's head to control his posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kiran has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Gunnarsson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Gunnarsson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kiran misses with a lunging right hand
letting Gunnarsson counter with a right hand.
Kiran keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ovidio Kiran will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kiran's jab looks to have found its range, popping Gunnarsson under the eye.
A jab from Kiran misses.
Gunnarsson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kiran misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gunnarsson.
Gunnarsson is looking for the big counter here.
Kiran misses with a hook.
Kiran throws a hook to the side of Gunnarsson's head but Gunnarsson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kiran rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Gunnarsson counters with a lovely shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gunnarsson misses with a straight right.
Gunnarsson lands a glancing blow to the side of Kiran's head.
Kiran looks to land a right hand but Gunnarsson moved out of range.
Kiran just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gunnarsson with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kiran counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kiran moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
A jab lands there for Kiran.
A swing and a miss from Kiran.
Gunnarsson throws out a counter right but Kiran avoids it with no problem.
Kiran blocks a leg kick.
Kiran is looking to counter punch.

Gunnarsson looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Kiran has his hands on Gunnarsson's head, controlling the position.
Gunnarsson trying to control but Kiran is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kiran is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Gunnarsson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gunnarsson trying to control the position from guard on top but Kiran is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gunnarsson might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Kiran haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Kiran keeping full guard, as Gunnarsson tries to pass.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiran ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gunnarsson moves away.
Gunnarsson lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Gunnarsson misses with an uppercut
and Kiran counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kiran misses with a right hand
and Gunnarsson counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Kiran swings for the body but Gunnarsson moves out of range.
Ovidio Kiran is winning the standup battle so far.
Gunnarsson connects with a jab.
Kiran throws the kick towards the body but Gunnarsson avoids it.
Gunnarsson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kiran throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kiran throws a sloppy body shot
and Gunnarsson counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kiran throws a body kick that misses.
A cross from Gunnarsson lands.
Gunnarsson slips under a jab from Kiran.
The crowd cheers as Kiran lands an impressive looking overhand right. Gunnarsson doesn't seem phased though.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gunnarsson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kiran misses with a hook.
Kiran throws a sloppy body shot
enabling Gunnarsson to counter with a crisp jab.
Kiran misses with a lunging right hand
and Gunnarsson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kiran throws out a loose jab but Gunnarsson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kiran looks to land a left hand but Gunnarsson moved out of range nicely.
Gunnarsson swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kiran.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ovidio Kiran will probably get the nod.
That's time! Kiran's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Gunnarsson slips a straight right by Kiran.
Gunnarsson wants to counter with a clinch but Kiran pushes him away.
Kiran jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gunnarsson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kiran.
Gunnarsson walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Kiran misses with a looping right.
Kiran throws a right hand that misses
and Gunnarsson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kiran fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Kiran fails to land with a series of punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kiran fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gunnarsson manages to avoid it.
Gunnarsson lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Kiran throws a predictable looking body shot

and Gunnarsson counters by clinching up.
Nice elbow from Kiran.

It looks like Magnus Gunnarsson has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiran throws a punch but it's blocked by Gunnarsson.
Gunnarsson blocks an elbow strike from Kiran.
Gunnarsson is working for takedown but Kiran is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kiran misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kiran tries a body shot but Gunnarsson blocks it.

Kiran pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kiran throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Gunnarsson counters by clinching up.
Kiran lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kiran just stands there and leans against the cage.
Gunnarsson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Kiran after a bit of a struggle.
Ovidio Kiran has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Magnus Gunnarsson.
Kiran digs a right hand into Gunnarsson's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Gunnarsson's gas tank.
Kiran throws a punch but it's blocked by Gunnarsson.
Gunnarsson has Kiran pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kiran manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kiran looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kiran misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Kiran escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kiran misses with a lunging right hand
and Gunnarsson counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiran misses with a lunging right hand

and Gunnarsson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Kiran is trying to maintain the position but Gunnarsson is very close to passing his half guard.
Kiran is looking to improve his position.
Kiran has hold of Gunnarsson's hands but Gunnarsson slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
We've been hearing good reports from Kiran'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.
Well, if Gunnarsson is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Gunnarsson trying to advance position but Kiran counters by regaining guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson wants to pass the guard but Kiran is keeping the position.
Kiran is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Gunnarsson trying to hold on to Kiran's head to control him but Kiran postures up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gunnarsson slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ovidio Kiran clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Magnus Gunnarsson'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.

Kiran moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Kiran throws a jab but it's blocked by Gunnarsson.
Gunnarsson tries to counter by closing the distance.
A jab from Kiran misses.
Good standup being displayed there by Kiran as he connects with a hook.
Kiran jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nice takedown defense from Kiran. No joy for Gunnarsson on that attempt.
Kiran swings widly with a right hand
and Gunnarsson counters with a stiff right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kiran misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gunnarsson.
Gunnarsson throws out a counter right but Kiran avoids it with no problem.
Gunnarsson lands a nice looking kick to the body. Kiran takes a step back to recover.
Gunnarsson throws out a powerful jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiran swings widly with a right hand
and Kiran takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kiran.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Gunnarsson! But no joy.
Kiran scores with a nice head shot.
Kiran swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gunnarsson moves away from the strike by Kiran.
Gunnarsson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kiran.
Kiran misses the body punch

and Gunnarsson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Kiran's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gunnarsson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gunnarsson trying to control but Kiran is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Gunnarsson drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kiran dives on top into guard.

Kiran wanted to stand there but Gunnarsson had control of the position.
Gunnarsson is looking to sweep but instead, Kiran has passed into half guard.
Gunnarsson trying to get back to full guard but Kiran takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gunnarsson is trying desperately to improve position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson tries to hold on but Kiran pushes him away.
Gunnarsson is wriggling around trying to escape.
Gunnarsson wants to hold on but Kiran pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Kiran stands up from mount. Strange move.
Kiran misses with a lunging right hand
and Gunnarsson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Gunnarsson throws a head kick but Kiran moves out of range.
Kiran misses with a double jab.
Gunnarsson throws a counter combo.
Gunnarsson ducks under a wild hook from Kiran.
Kiran throws a looping overhand right but Gunnarsson ducks down to avoid it.
Gunnarsson throws a leg kick that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kiran paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Kiran misses with an uppercut.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ovidio Kiran had his way with Magnus Gunnarsson in that round.
The cut man is working on Magnus Gunnarsson's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Kiran misses with a hook to the body
and Gunnarsson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kiran throws a body shot but no joy.
Kiran doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Kiran throws a looping overhand right but Gunnarsson ducks down to avoid it.
Kiran throws a hook but Gunnarsson avoids it easily.
Kiran misses the body punch

and Gunnarsson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Kiran's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kiran fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gunnarsson manages to avoid it.
Kiran throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Gunnarsson counters with a one-two to the body.
Kiran tries to land a front kick but Gunnarsson steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gunnarsson defending well as Kiran loads up on a big left hand.
Gunnarsson throws out a counter right but Kiran avoids it with no problem.
Kiran lands with an overhand left.
Kiran on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Gunnarsson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kiran misses with a hook.
Gunnarsson feints a counter leg kick.
Jab by Kiran.
Gunnarsson throws a hook to the side of Kiran's head but Kiran sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kiran swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Kiran throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gunnarsson looks to score with a jab to the body but Kiran is just out of range.
Kiran with a jab.
Kiran throws a hook to the side of Gunnarsson's head but Gunnarsson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kiran throws a jab when Gunnarsson was well out of range.
Kiran lands a jab to the head.
Gunnarsson avoids the body shot from Kiran.
Kiran looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Kiran throws the left hand but Gunnarsson avoids the punch easily.
Gunnarsson is looking for the big counter here.
Kiran rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kiran takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kiran misses the body punch
enabling Gunnarsson to counter with a crisp jab.
Gunnarsson is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Gunnarsson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kiran was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Gunnarsson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kiran.
Nice straight punches there by Kiran. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kiran.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson avoids the body shot from Kiran.
Kiran misses with a body kick.
Gunnarsson with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Gunnarsson defending well as Kiran loads up on a big left hand.
Kiran thuds his shin into the meat of Gunnarsson's side.
Ovidio Kiran is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kiran lands with a hook. Gunnarsson tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Kiran scores with a jab to the body.
Kiran throws a lazy right hand but Gunnarsson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Gunnarsson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kiran throws a lazy uppercut
and Gunnarsson counters with an inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kiran walks into a left hand.
Gunnarsson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kiran as he avoids it easily.
Kiran looks to throw the jab but Gunnarsson is out of range.
Gunnarsson takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Gunnarsson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kiran looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Gunnarsson looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kiran swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice shot by Kiran.
Magnus Gunnarsson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kiran throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kiran looks to land a left hand but Gunnarsson moved out of range nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ovidio Kiran showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kiran, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 49:47
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 49:47
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ovidio Kiran!
Ovidio Kiran took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Brooklyn Apothecary for their support in the buildup to the fight.