PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alex Lecouc (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kalema Kirunda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lecouc comes into the arena with Danzig - Twist Of Cain blaring out of the sound system. Kirunda comes into a darkened arena with his song building. The Hellacopters - In The Sign of Octopus kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Lecouc
vs
Kirunda

186 cm
24
196 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

188 cm
24
200 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
World class boxer
Powerful

Bargain Basement Best Buy (only $20)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Alex Lecouc!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kalema Kirunda!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kirunda tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kirunda waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Lecouc.
Kirunda takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Lecouc looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kirunda is fending him off so far but Lecouc persists. Nope, Kirunda circles away and we're back to standing.

Lecouc shoots in and bounces Kirunda off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Kirunda wants to stand but Lecouc is controlling the position.
Lecouc postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lecouc is in close to Kirunda's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Lecouc postures up in Kirunda's guard and throws a big left but Kirunda blocks it.
Lecouc chips away with some ground and pound.
Lecouc works over Kirunda with some ground and pound from guard.
Lecouc in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lecouc scoring with punches to the head and body.
Lecouc has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Lecouc distracts Kirunda with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Lecouc stands up over Kirunda, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Lecouc throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kirunda wants to stand up but Lecouc is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kirunda avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lecouc working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kirunda is looking to stand up but Lecouc isn't so interested in that idea.
Lecouc throwing strikes from guard but Kirunda blocks nicely.
Kirunda wants to stand up but Lecouc is controlling him.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Lecouc motions for Kirunda to come forward. Lecouc throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kirunda works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Lecouc takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Lecouc misses with the combination.
Kirunda displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lecouc throws out the jab.
Kirunda tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lecouc paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Lecouc drives through and clinches with Kirunda against the cage.
Lecouc goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kirunda prevents it.
Lecouc prevents Kirunda from breaking the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lecouc tries for a takedown but Kirunda manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Lecouc. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Lecouc has picked Kirunda up - he's going for a ride! Lecouc dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Lecouc looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Lecouc is breathing heavily.
Kirunda pushes Lecouc off looking to stand but Lecouc dives back in and keeps control.

Kirunda makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Lecouc is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Kirunda tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lecouc moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Kalema Kirunda has been cut.
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!
Kirunda avoids the body shot from Lecouc.
Lecouc fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Kalema Kirunda is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kirunda tries to clinch up but Lecouc circles away and keeps his distance.
Lecouc swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lecouc avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kirunda swinging wilding here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lecouc is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Lecouc has Kirunda up against the cage in a clinch.

Kirunda escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Kirunda pivots, looking for a leg kick but Lecouc is out of range and Kirunda settles back down.
Lecouc misses with a two punch combination.

Kirunda has Lecouc up against the cage in a clinch.
Lecouc has Kirunda pressed against the cage, preventing Kirunda from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Lecouc breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Lecouc shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Kirunda is trying to stand.

Kirunda pushes Lecouc off and gets back to his feet.

Lecouc clinches with his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirunda is working Lecouc over against the cage.
Lecouc is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kirunda pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kirunda lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Lecouc or not.
Lecouc goes for a takedown attempt but Kirunda pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Kirunda moves away from the strike by Lecouc.
Lecouc tries to clinch but Kirunda moves out of range.
Kirunda stuffs the takedown attempt from Lecouc. Lecouc gets slowly back to his feet.
Kirunda fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Lecouc looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kirunda is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kirunda wants to clinch.
Lecouc blocks a low kick nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kirunda clinches but Lecouc breaks the clinch

and Lecouc counters by moving into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Lecouc dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kalema Kirunda's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kirunda fails with an attempt to clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lecouc.
Lecouc tries to clinch up but Kirunda circles away and keeps his distance.
Lecouc fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kirunda manages to avoid it.
Alex Lecouc is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lecouc uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kirunda.
Kirunda leaves Lecouc with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Lecouc comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Lecouc circles away from the clinch attempt

so Lecouc counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kirunda can do anything to dispel that myth.
Lecouc loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Kirunda pushes Lecouc off and scrambles back to his feet.
Kirunda moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lecouc swings and misses with a shot to the body

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

Kirunda breaks the clinch.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Lecouc, right into the meat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirunda avoids the head kick by Lecouc.
Kirunda slaps away a takedown attempt from Lecouc, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Lecouc. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lecouc fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kirunda throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Kirunda tries to close the distance and clinch but Lecouc swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A shot to the body from Lecouc misses
and Kirunda counters with a one-two to the body.
Kirunda scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kirunda avoids the body shot from Lecouc.
A left and a right from Kirunda both land. Nice combination.
Lecouc keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kirunda misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kirunda takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Lecouc fails to land the takedown.
Kalema Kirunda seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kirunda avoids the body shot from Lecouc.
Lecouc thows a body shot but no joy.
Lecouc swings for the body but Kirunda moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lecouc takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kirunda tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lecouc swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lecouc thows a body shot but no joy.

Kirunda clinches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lecouc swings wildly with an uppercut but Kirunda uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lecouc drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kirunda pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kirunda throws a nice outside leg kick.
Lecouc on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Lecouc shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kirunda defends it nicely.

Kirunda pushes Lecouc up against the cage in a clinch.
Lecouc has Kirunda pressed against the cage, preventing Kirunda from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kirunda is pressed up against the cage. Lecouc has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kirunda down to the mat. Kirunda avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kirunda stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lecouc has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Lecouc there as he acknowledges the shot.
Kirunda throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lecouc.
Kirunda misses with a low kick.
Lecouc swats away the attempt to clinch by Kirunda.

Kirunda moves into the clinch.
Lecouc trying to land knees to the body.
Lecouc keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kirunda's efforts to push away.
Kirunda is looking to break free of the clinch but Lecouc has double underhooks.
Lecouc tries to score a body lock takedown but Kirunda shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Lecouc wants the takedown. Kirunda is fighting it off but Lecouc persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Kirunda's guard against the cage.
Lecouc missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Kirunda pushes Lecouc off and gets back to his feet.
Kirunda moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Kirunda misses with the combination.
Lecouc is looking to wear down Kirunda with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Kirunda on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Lecouc. Lecouc obviously looking to wear him down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lecouc shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kirunda as he jumps to the side.
Lecouc circles away from the clinch attempt.
Lecouc wants to clinch but Kirunda slips to the side
and Kirunda counters with a thumping low kick.
Lecouc throws a lazy head kick
letting Kirunda counter with a right hand.
A punch combination from Lecouc misses.
Kirunda blocks the body kick.
Kirunda wants to clinch.
Kirunda dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Lecouc. That did some damage!
Lecouc tries to move into range but Kirunda moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lecouc displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kirunda throws out the jab.
Lecouc shoots in for a takedown but Kirunda shows good takedown defense.
Kirunda throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lecouc.
Kirunda checks a leg kick nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kalema Kirunda showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kalema Kirunda's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Lecouc clinches but Kirunda breaks the clinch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Lecouc scores with a jab to the head.

Kirunda moves into range and clinches up with Lecouc.
Lecouc using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kirunda has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Lecouc is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kirunda gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Lecouc has Kirunda pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kirunda manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Lecouc has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kirunda avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Lecouc. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kirunda pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kirunda scores with a sloppy right hand. Lecouc should have avoided that one.
Lecouc tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kirunda swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kirunda displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Kirunda throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Lecouc avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kirunda lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Kirunda.

Lecouc closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Lecouc wants to free his trapped foot but Kirunda is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Lecouc is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirunda blocking the ground and pound attempt from Lecouc.
Lecouc throwing shots but Kirunda is blocking nicely.
Kirunda keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kirunda is looking to escape.
Kirunda is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Lecouc missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kirunda wants to clinch.
Kirunda keeps the fight on the outside.

Lecouc forces Kirunda back against the cage and clinches.
Lecouc drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kirunda pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kirunda lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Lecouc chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kirunda can pounce on him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lecouc doesn't manage to clinch there - Kirunda circles away.
Kirunda is looking to clinch.

Kirunda forces Lecouc back against the cage and clinches.

Lecouc escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lecouc throws a head kick but Kirunda moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kirunda looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Lecouc misses with a leg kick
and Kirunda counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kirunda closes the distance looking to clinch
and Lecouc counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kirunda doesn't manage to clinch there - Lecouc circles away.
A clash of legs there as Kirunda blocks the low kick.
Lecouc throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kirunda's waist but Kirunda gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lecouc off to one side.
Kirunda misses with a head kick.
Lecouc closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Kirunda rushes Lecouc and presses him up against the cage.
Lecouc drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Kirunda gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Lecouc is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kirunda is defending well for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kirunda has had enough of the clinch but Lecouc keeps him there for the moment.
Lecouc can't get the takedown.
Kirunda is trying to maintain a safe position but Lecouc gets an underhook and turns Kirunda into the cage.
Lecouc tries to score a body lock takedown but Kirunda shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Kirunda breaks the clinch.
Kirunda tries to clinch but Lecouc is having none of it.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kirunda.
Kirunda's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Kirunda duly obliges.
Lecouc looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

Kirunda gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Kirunda kicks Lecouc off and gets to his feet.
Lecouc keeps the fight on the outside.
A jab from Kirunda misses.
Lecouc throws a right and a left that Kirunda avoids nicely.
Kirunda fails in his attempt to clinch.

Lecouc scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Kirunda is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirunda parries the strikes from Lecouc easily there. Lecouc is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Kirunda to escape.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Lecouc is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kirunda is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Kirunda throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Kirunda is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kirunda uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Lecouc.
Lecouc shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kirunda as he avoids it easily.

Kirunda has managed to clinch.
Lecouc is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Kirunda breaks the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kirunda closes the distance and clinches.
Lecouc has Kirunda pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kirunda manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kirunda lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Lecouc or not.
Kirunda scores with a hook to the body.

Kirunda breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lecouc shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kalema Kirunda comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kirunda 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight for Kalema Kirunda!
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight for Kalema Kirunda!
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight for Kalema Kirunda!

Kalema Kirunda wins by unanimous decision!