PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bob Backlund (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Killa Cali (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Backlund
vs
Cali

183 cm
20
185 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

182 cm
22
175 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
KO power

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Bob Backlund!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Killa Cali!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Konstantin Menshow and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Backlund swats away the attempt to clinch by Cali.
Cali wants to clinch up but Backlund keeps it at a distance.
Cali misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Cali pushes Backlund up against the cage in a clinch.
Backlund trying to stall but Cali improves his position.
Cali tries to score a body lock takedown but Backlund shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Knees in the clinch landing for Backlund.
Backlund is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Cali pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Backlund is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Cali changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Backlund fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Bob Backlund has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Killa Cali.
Cali doesn't manage to clinch there - Backlund circles away.
Backlund circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cali tries to clinch but Backlund is having none of it.
Cali doesn't manage to clinch there - Backlund circles away.

Cali gets caught flat footed, as Backlund shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Backlund in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Backlund trying to control but Cali is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Backlund is looking to work some ground and pound but Cali has wrist control.
Backlund stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cali swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Backlund drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Cali manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Backlund has Cali in his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cali throwing strikes but missing.
Cali must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Backlund lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Cali!

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.
Backlund can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Cali is looking to escape.
Backlund in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Backlund throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backlund won't let Cali get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Backlund throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Cali because Backlund loaded up on that one.
Backlund tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Backlund trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Backlund sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Backlund throws some wild stikes that Cali manages to avoid easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Cali holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Backlund tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Backlund throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Cali is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Cali is wriggling around trying to escape.
Cali wants to hold on but Backlund pushes him away.
Backlund trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Backlund dominated that round.
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.

Backlund moves into the clinch.
Cali lands a left hand.
Backlund is leaning against Cali and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Backlund is pressed up against the cage. Cali has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Backlund down to the mat. Backlund avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Cali clinches but Backlund breaks the clinch

and Backlund counters with a nice double leg into side control. Cali won't be happy with that.
Cali is looking to reverse the position.
Cali is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Backlund trying to control the position but Cali is working away.
Cali dodges the ground and pound from Backlund.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Backlund lands an elbow.
Backlund lands a few punches from side control.
Backlund is looking to take a break and control but Cali is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Backlund in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Cali parries the strikes from Backlund easily there. Backlund is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Cali to escape.
Cali sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Cali can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Backlund throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Cali works his way to full guard. Good work.
Cali working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Backlund.
Cali keeping moving, preventing Backlund from controlling successfully.
Backlund passes into half guard.
Backlund 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.
Backlund wants to control but Cali is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cali is trying to get back to full guard.
Backlund missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Cali controlling the position well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Backlund works his way into full mount!
Backlund landing strikes from the mount and Cali is in trouble!
Backlund putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Backlund dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Cali takes the fight into the clinch.
Cali struggles to land a body shot inside as Backlund controls his hands.
Backlund digs a right hand underneath Cali's ribcage. Cali let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Backlund lands a good knee to the midsection. Cali won't want to take too many of those.
Cali lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Backlund or not.
Cali is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Backlund scores with a shoulder strike.

Backlund turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Backlund manages to end up in side control.
Backlund lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
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!
Backlund is chipping away with strikes.
Bob Backlund overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Backlund working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Cali takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Backlund creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Backlund scores with punches from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Backlund is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Cali knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Backlund trying to control the action but Cali is working from the bottom.
Killa Cali has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Backlund tries to score with some ground and pound. Cali controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Cali is looking for a sweep.
Cali is not content to let Backlund control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backlund working away.
Cali manages to work his way to half guard, despite Backlund's best efforts.
Cali tries to kick Backlund off but Backlund keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cali clinches but Backlund breaks the clinch
and Backlund counters with a left to the body.
Backlund misses with a series of wild punches.
Cali tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Backlund counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Backlund has Cali pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Backlund pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Cali tumbling to the mat - Backlund dives into Cali's guard.
Backlund trying to control the position from guard on top but Cali is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Backlund loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cali is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Cali looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Backlund has picked Cali up and slammed him! Cali can't keep hold of the triangle and Backlund manages to pass to side control!

And that's the end of the fight!
Bob Backlund showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Backlund has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bob Backlund!