PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kimi Enqvist (ranked 1015 p4p, 1223 weight class) and Tiaoali Lvavatai (ranked 81 p4p, 104 weight class). Lvavatai has chosen You Can Get It If You Really Want as his entrance music. 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?

Enqvist
vs
Lvavatai

172 cm
26
145
8 - 2 - 0

171 cm
33
144
20 - 18 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Powerful takedowns
Good kicks
Granite chin

Furnace Performance 🔥

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kimi Enqvist!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tiaoali Lvavatai !
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Kenichi Hosakawa and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lvavatai takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
The fighters circling - Enqvist throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A little jabbing left from Lvavatai on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A jab from Lvavatai misses.
Lvavatai displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Enqvist throws out the jab.
Lvavatai is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Enqvist with a body shot.
Enqvist throws a nice outside leg kick.
Lvavatai on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Enqvist's jab looks to have found its range, popping Lvavatai under the eye.

Enqvist forces Lvavatai back against the cage and clinches.
A shot in the inside from Enqvist.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Lvavatai has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Enqvist misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Enqvist lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Enqvist is struggling to control the position.
Enqvist has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Enqvist throws a punch but it's blocked by Lvavatai .
Enqvist working some nice short punches in the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Enqvist tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short right from Enqvist on the inside.
Enqvist lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Enqvist working aggressively here.
Enqvist lands a body punch in the clinch.
Enqvist tries to throw a body punch but Lvavatai avoids it by throwing Enqvist back against the cage.
Enqvist tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lvavatai jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Enqvist walks away with a smile on his face. Lvavatai gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Enqvist steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lvavatai .
Enqvist wants to clinch up but Lvavatai keeps it at a distance.
Enqvist lands with a thumping leg kick.
Enqvist is looking to slow Lvavatai down with leg kicks.
Enqvist throws a lazy right hand but Lvavatai sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Enqvist moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromLvavatai .
Enqvist just misses with a punch to the body.
Lvavatai looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Good standup being displayed there by Enqvist as he connects with a hook.
A bone on bone clash there as Lvavatai blocks the leg kick.
Enqvist lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Lvavatai takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Enqvist misses the shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Enqvist lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lvavatai throws a wild body kick that Enqvist sees coming a mile off.
Enqvist tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Lvavatai is able to avoid easily.
Enqvist throws a front kick that sends Lvavatai stumbling back into the cage.
Lvavatai lands a glancing blow to the side of Enqvist's head.
Lvavatai misses with a head kick.
Enqvist throws a front kick aimed at Lvavatai 's knee but Lvavatai avoids it well.

Enqvist fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lvavatai , pushing him back against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Enqvist.
Lvavatai tries to pull guard but Enqvist forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Enqvist throws a punch but it's blocked by Lvavatai .
Enqvist has a couple of punches blocked by Lvavatai .
A short right from Enqvist on the inside.
Enqvist misses with some punches.
Enqvist throws a punch but it's blocked by Lvavatai .

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Enqvist throws a punch but it's blocked by Lvavatai .
Enqvist fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Enqvist presses Lvavatai against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Lvavatai is trying to pull guard but Enqvist turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Kimi Enqvist has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tiaoali Lvavatai .
Enqvist lands a left hand that snaps the head of Lvavatai backwards.
Lvavatai tries to pull guard but Enqvist holds him up against the cage and eventually Lvavatai drops back down to his feet.
Enqvist is working Lvavatai over against the cage.
Lvavatai is trying to pull guard but Enqvist has him pressed against the cage.
Enqvist tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Lvavatai is trying to pull guard but Enqvist turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Lvavatai .
Lvavatai jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Enqvist walks away with a smile on his face. Lvavatai gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Enqvist gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Enqvist tries to work over Lvavatai 's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Enqvist pushes Lvavatai back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Enqvist tries a body shot but Lvavatai blocks it.
Enqvist scores with a shot to the side of Lvavatai 's head.
Enqvist working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Enqvist lands with a right to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Enqvist breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Enqvist tried to score with a low kick but Lvavatai checks it.
Lvavatai is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Enqvist with a body shot.
Enqvist does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

Enqvist clinches.
Enqvist lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Lvavatai fails to pull guard.
Enqvist stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Lvavatai blocking some punches.
Lvavatai jumps guard but Enqvist stands there with Lvavatai around his waist. Lvavatai gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Lvavatai tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Enqvist smiles and moves away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kimi Enqvist dominated that round.
That's time! Enqvist's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Enqvist wants to clinch up but Lvavatai keeps it at a distance.

Enqvist drives through and clinches with Lvavatai against the cage.
Lvavatai is trying to pull guard but Enqvist turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Enqvist lands a body punch.
Enqvist tries a body shot but Lvavatai blocks it.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Enqvist.
Enqvist misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Enqvist is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lvavatai can do to turn this around?
Enqvist digs a right hand into Lvavatai 's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Lvavatai 's gas tank.
Lvavatai is trying to pull guard but Enqvist has him pressed against the cage.

Enqvist breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Enqvist slips under a jab from Lvavatai .
Enqvist was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Enqvist lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lvavatai circles away quickly and effectively.
Enqvist looks to land a body kick but Lvavatai moved away.

Enqvist moves into the clinch.
Enqvist misses with a punch on the inside.
Lvavatai is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Enqvist to keep the fight standing.
Kimi Enqvist has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tiaoali Lvavatai .

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lvavatai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Enqvist creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Lvavatai is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Enqvist to keep the fight standing.
A nice left hand lands by Enqvist.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Enqvist lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Lvavatai backwards.
Enqvist leaning against his opponent.
Lvavatai is trying to pull guard but Enqvist turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Lvavatai is trying to pull guard but Enqvist turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Enqvist tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Enqvist swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Enqvist lands with a light punch inside.
Enqvist tries to work over Lvavatai 's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Lvavatai tries to pull guard but Enqvist won't allow it.
Lvavatai blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Enqvist throws a punch but it's blocked by Lvavatai .
Still in the clinch, Enqvist scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Enqvist misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Enqvist.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Enqvist.
Enqvist scores with a shoulder strike.
Lvavatai jumps guard but Enqvist turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Enqvist struggles to land a body shot inside as Lvavatai controls his hands.
Lvavatai blocks a body shot from Enqvist.
Enqvist working aggressively here.
Enqvist softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Enqvist lands a left hand.
Lvavatai jumps guard but Enqvist turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Enqvist lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Enqvist lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Lvavatai backwards.
Lvavatai blocking some punches.
Lvavatai takes a shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Enqvist doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Lvavatai pulls guard successfully.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Enqvist's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Enqvist gets to his feet. Lvavatai looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Lvavatai moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A shot to the body from Enqvist misses
and Lvavatai counters with a stiff right hand.
Enqvist smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Enqvist misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Enqvist misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lvavatai walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
An inside leg kick from Enqvist misses.
Lvavatai throws a counter combo.
Enqvist wants to land a leg kick but Lvavatai is out of range.
Enqvist punishes Lvavatai 's body with a nice straight punch.
Kimi Enqvist is winning the standup battle so far.
Enqvist moves to clinch but Lvavatai breaks away
and Lvavatai connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Enqvist bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Enqvist darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Lvavatai lands a jab to the nose.
Lvavatai throws a sloppy head kick and Enqvist moves out of range easily.
Lvavatai takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A leg kick checked by Lvavatai .
Nice uppercut lands for Enqvist. That snapped Lvavatai 's head back.
Enqvist misses with a series of wild punches.
Lvavatai misses with a hook
and Enqvist counters with a straight right hand.
Lvavatai tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kimi Enqvist seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Lvavatai gets tackled into the cage by Enqvist. Enqvist maintains the clinch.
Enqvist stalling against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kimi Enqvist dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Enqvist connects with a looping right hand.
Enqvist lets loose with a powerful body kick. Lvavatai will feel that in the morning.
Lvavatai catches Enqvist with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Left hook, right uppercut from Enqvist.
Lvavatai tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Enqvist tries to clinch up.
Despite the aggression on Lvavatai 's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Lvavatai slips under a jab.
Lvavatai misses with an uppercut. Enqvist saw that one coming.
A looping hook to the body misses from Enqvist. Lvavatai does a little dance to reset his feet.
Despite the aggression on Lvavatai 's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Enqvist tries to clinch there but Lvavatai circles away.
Enqvist fails with an attempt to clinch.
Enqvist backing away here, and Lvavatai unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Enqvist. Lvavatai does a little dance to reset his feet.
Enqvist looks to land a left hand but Lvavatai moved out of range nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Enqvist takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Enqvist dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Enqvist throws a predictable looking body shot
and Enqvist takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Enqvist fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Lvavatai is out of range.
Lvavatai avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A nice inside leg kick there by Enqvist. That's going to slow Lvavatai down.

Enqvist moves into the clinch.
Lvavatai blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Enqvist struggles to land a body shot inside as Lvavatai controls his hands.
Enqvist lands a right hand.
Enqvist throws a head punch that misses.
Enqvist misses with a punch to the body.
Kimi Enqvist has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Enqvist lands a right hand that snaps the head of Lvavatai backwards.
Enqvist tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch on the inside from Enqvist fails to land.
Tiaoali Lvavatai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lvavatai blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Enqvist cracks Lvavatai with a nice body shot.
Lvavatai tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Enqvist throws a punch but it's blocked by Lvavatai .
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Enqvist misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Enqvist tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Enqvist working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Enqvist.
A body shot lands from Enqvist.

Enqvist breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Enqvist slips a jab from Lvavatai .
Enqvist lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Enqvist with the inside leg kick.
Lvavatai is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Kimi Enqvist is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Enqvist lands with a nice body punch.

Enqvist clinches.
Lvavatai is trying to pull guard but Enqvist has him pressed against the cage.
Lvavatai tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kimi Enqvist has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tiaoali Lvavatai .
Enqvist is pushing Lvavatai up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Lvavatai jumps guard but Enqvist stands there with Lvavatai around his waist. Lvavatai gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Lvavatai is trying to pull guard but Enqvist turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Enqvist makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Enqvist gets through Lvavatai 's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Lvavatai 's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Lvavatai misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short right from Enqvist on the inside.
Enqvist scores with a nice hook to the head.
Lvavatai is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Enqvist to keep the fight standing.
Lvavatai fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Enqvist lands a hook to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kimi Enqvist showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Enqvist, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:26
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:26
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kimi Enqvist!
An out of breath Kimi Enqvist thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.