PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Andy Kaufman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yurik Khripunov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Kaufman
vs
Khripunov

173 cm
18
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

171 cm
18
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Murder Inc.

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Andy Kaufman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yurik Khripunov !
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Valeri Chadov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kaufman throws a right and a left that Khripunov avoids nicely.

Khripunov closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Khripunov fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Khripunov prevents Kaufman from escaping the position.
Kaufman trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Khripunov happy to just control the position for now.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Horrible takedown by Khripunov or perhaps it was just good defense by Kaufman which made him look bad.
Khripunov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kaufman.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaufman throws a left that rocks Khripunov and follows with a right that sends him tumbling to the canvas! Kaufman dives into side control, looking to finish! Can Khripunov regain composure!

It looks like Yurik Khripunov has been cut.
Kaufman wants to stand but Khripunov is controlling his arm.
Khripunov wants to control but Kaufman postures up.
Kaufman in the domination position with Khripunov hanging on.
Khripunov tries to improve position but can't.
Khripunov is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Khripunov manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Kaufman misses with the combination.
Kaufman is breathing heavily.
Kaufman misses with a double jab.

Khripunov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Khripunov stalling away here and it's allowed Kaufman to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to 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!

Kaufman is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khripunov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Kaufman is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Khripunov dives into side control.
Khripunov prevents Kaufman from escaping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Khripunov decides to stand up, so the ref orders Kaufman to his feet.
Kaufman misses with a double jab.
Andy Kaufman is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Khripunov looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Khripunov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Khripunov trying to control from half guard but Kaufman is working away.
Khripunov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Kaufman kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kaufman kicks Khripunov off and gets back to his feet.
Kaufman looks to land a combination. Khripunov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Kaufman throws a right hand that Khripunov ducks under and follows up with a left that Khripunov also avoids with ease.
Kaufman feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Khripunov 's calf.
Kaufman misses with a wild combination.
Khripunov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Khripunov tries to clinch but Kaufman is having none of it.
Kaufman throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Khripunov takes the fight into the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kaufman tries to break free but Khripunov pushes him back against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Kaufman's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Khripunov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Yurik Khripunov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Yurik Khripunov 's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Khripunov is looking to clinch but Kaufman is avoiding it.
Kaufman rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Khripunov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kaufman looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kaufman lands with a nice combination. Khripunov backs away looking to recover.
Khripunov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kaufman misses with a wild combination.
Khripunov is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Kaufman.
Khripunov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kaufman.
Khripunov moves in looking to clinch but Kaufman pushes him off.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A combination from Kaufman does no damage.

Khripunov closes the distance and clinches.
Kaufman keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Khripunov 's efforts to push away.
Kaufman is trying to force a seperation but Khripunov has the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaufman is trying to break the clinch but Khripunov is controlling him.
Khripunov is looking to control Kaufman's arms but Kaufman gets an underhook and turns him. Now Khripunov has his back to the cage.
Khripunov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kaufman smiles and moves away.
Kaufman walks into a stiff left hand from Khripunov .

Khripunov gets the takedown into side control.
Kaufman tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Khripunov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Khripunov connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Kaufman some visible discomfort.
Khripunov creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Kaufman is pushing Khripunov 's head away, looking to escape. Khripunov manages to hold on to the position though.

Khripunov stands up.
Kaufman's corner calls for a 1-2. Kaufman obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kaufman keeps the fight on the outside.

Khripunov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Kaufman manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Khripunov tries to free his leg and advance position but Kaufman is retaining full guard.
Khripunov sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Khripunov wants to stand but Kaufman has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Kaufman is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kaufman working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Khripunov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Khripunov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Khripunov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Khripunov trying to control the position but Kaufman is working away.
Kaufman is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Khripunov off and has taken his back!
You can see the frustration on Khripunov 's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

That's four 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.

Khripunov is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Kaufman gets his way!
Khripunov turns into Kaufman and is now in his guard.
Khripunov trying to control but Kaufman is working from the bottom.

Kaufman has his feet on Khripunov 's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Khripunov takes one to the chin there.
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 Andy Kaufman will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Yurik Khripunov 's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Kaufman throws a right hand that Khripunov ducks under and follows up with a left that Khripunov also avoids with ease.
Kaufman lands a nice shot to the body.
Andy Kaufman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Khripunov dodges the punch combination from Kaufman.
Khripunov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Khripunov shoots for a takedown but Kaufman saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kaufman throws a shot from downtown. Khripunov moves away and avoids it.

Khripunov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Kaufman wants to get back to his feet.
Khripunov is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Kaufman is looking to escape.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaufman is looking for a sweep. Khripunov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Khripunov is thwarting Kaufman's attempts to control the position.
Khripunov controlling the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nice uppercut lands for Kaufman. That snapped Khripunov 's head back.
Kaufman throws a series of punches but Khripunov avoids them all with ease.
Kaufman stuffs the takedown.
Kaufman moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Kaufman misses with an uppercut.
Khripunov shoots in and drives through. Kaufman sprawls well.
Andy Kaufman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yurik Khripunov .
Kaufman connects with a crisp jab.

That's two 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.
Kaufman swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Khripunov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Khripunov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Khripunov checks a leg kick.
Khripunov misses with a takedown attempt - Kaufman sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kaufman throws a series of punches but Khripunov avoids them all with ease.
Khripunov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kaufman rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Khripunov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Khripunov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kaufman.
Kaufman swinging wilding here.
Khripunov tries to clinch there but Kaufman circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Khripunov .
Kaufman closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Kaufman throws a front kick aimed at Khripunov 's knee but Khripunov avoids it well.

Khripunov gets the takedown into side control.
Khripunov remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Khripunov trying to control the action but Kaufman is working from the bottom.
Kaufman is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khripunov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kaufman keeps working.
You can see the frustration on Kaufman's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kaufman is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Khripunov lands a decent elbow from side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kaufman tries to bum rush Khripunov with a series of wild strikes but Khripunov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Khripunov gets a takedown into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yurik Khripunov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Khripunov 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight for Yurik Khripunov !
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight for Yurik Khripunov !
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight for Yurik Khripunov !

Yurik Khripunov wins by unanimous decision!