PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Evgeni Klebanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenny Florian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Klebanov might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Your Worst Nightmare. Kenny Florian will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Klebanov
vs
Florian

168 cm
25
166 lbs
9 - 3 - 1

179 cm
20
155 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Evgeni Klebanov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kenny Florian!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Danga de danga de dang - Florian scores with a four punch combination!
Klebanov drops his hands momentarily and Florian takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Klebanov wants to slow Florian down by chopping away at his legs.
Florian misses with a few strikes there.
Florian throws a leg kick
and Klebanov counters with a leg kick.
Klebanov checks a low kick from Florian.
Florian avoids the body shot from Klebanov.
Florian with a nice cross.
Florian ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Klebanov misses with a body shot
and Florian cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Klebanov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Florian throws a head kick that half lands.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Klebanov throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Klebanov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Klebanov is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Florian.

Klebanov is rocked!
Klebanov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Florian was well out of range. Poor timing from Klebanov.
Oh Klebanov is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Florian misses with a wild combination.
Klebanov seems to have got his legs back now.
A big right from Florian misses.
Klebanov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Florian scores with a sloppy right hand. Klebanov should have avoided that one.
Klebanov on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Klebanov, right into the meat.
Klebanov slips a jab from Florian.
Florian throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Florian looks to land a combination but Klebanov avoids it well.
Florian misses with a double jab.
Klebanov tries to move into range but Florian moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Florian throws a jab when Klebanov was well out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Florian connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Klebanov moves forwards but Florian connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Florian lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Florian thumps Klebanov with a low kick.
Klebanov thows a leg kick but Florian checks it
and Florian counters with a nice body kick.
Florian moves out of range as Klebanov strikes.
Florian misses with a double jab
and Klebanov makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Florian really felt that one!
Florian is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Klebanov tries to work over Florian's front leg with a kick but Florian checks it.
Florian swinging wildly here.
A chopping leg kick lands by Klebanov.
Florian throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Florian.
Klebanov misses with a body punch
and Florian counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Florian scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Florian tries to bum rush Klebanov with a series of wild strikes but Klebanov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Florian connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Klebanov momentarily.
Florian misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Florian dips to his left and cracks Klebanov with an uppercut!
Florian throws a front kick aimed at Klebanov's knee but Klebanov avoids it well.
A punch combination from Florian misses.
Florian keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Florian pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Florian misses with a body shot.
Kenny Florian is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Klebanov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Klebanov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Klebanov misses with a body kick.
Florian scores with a jab to the jaw.
Klebanov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Florian has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Klebanov throws a leg kick that is checked
enabling Florian to counter with a crisp jab.
Klebanov misses with a body shot.
Florian will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Florian is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Florian scores with a one two! Klebanov had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Klebanov looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Florian throws a head kick but Klebanov moves out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Klebanov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Florian looks to throw the jab but Klebanov is out of range.
Klebanov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenny Florian dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Klebanov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Klebanov tries to score with some ground and pound. Florian controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Florian wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Klebanov is working Florian over with some ground and pound from side control.
Florian is letting Klebanov control him for a moment.
Klebanov's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

Klebanov tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Klebanov taking a breather here.

Klebanov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Florian is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Florian takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An elbow from Klebanov crashes against the mat.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
You can see the frustration on Florian's face as Klebanov controls the position.
Klebanov lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Klebanov trying to control the action but Florian is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Klebanov sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Florian is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
The referee asks Klebanov politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Klebanov prefers to stall for the moment though.
Klebanov tries to score with some ground and pound. Florian controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Klebanov trying to control the action but Florian is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The ground and pound from Klebanov seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Klebanov throws an elbow but Florian slips to the side and avoids it well.
Klebanov controls the position.
Florian is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Klebanov taking a breather here.

Klebanov tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evgeni Klebanov dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Klebanov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Florian lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Florian throws an overhand right that lands on Klebanov's shoulder, as Klebanov tries to avoid the shot.
Jab, jab by Florian - just one landing.
Florian misses with a straight right.
Kenny Florian seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Klebanov throws a low kick but it's checked well by Florian.
Klebanov is looking to wear down Florian with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

Klebanov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Florian looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Klebanov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Klebanov landing a few strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Klebanov is putting a hurting on Florian here, landing some big shots from side control.
Klebanov is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Florian's shoulder. That is not cool.
Klebanov lands some shots froms side control.
Klebanov trying to control the action but Florian is working from the bottom.
Klebanov sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Florian is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Klebanov landing strikes.
Florian is trying to buck Klebanov off.
Klebanov is working Florian over with some ground and pound from side control.
Klebanov in side control, throwing shots but Florian defends.
Klebanov misses with the ground and pound.

Klebanov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Klebanov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Klebanov lands a decent elbow from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Klebanov lands a nice forearm strike.
Klebanov lands a few punches from side control.
A lull in the action here as Klebanov stalls from top position.
Check out the look on Klebanov's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Klebanov 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Check out the look on Klebanov's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Florian defending against the ground and pound.
Klebanov controls the position.
Florian wants to get back to his feet but Klebanov drags him back down.
Florian takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Klebanov scores with a couple of short elbows.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Klebanov cracks Florian with an elbow. That is naaassty.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evgeni Klebanov clearly takes that 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.

Florian takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Florian tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Klebanov was well out of range. Poor timing from Florian.
Klebanov avoids the head kick by Florian.
Florian checks the leg kick nicely there.
Klebanov throws a hook but Florian avoids it easily.
Klebanov on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Klebanov misses the body punch
and Florian counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Klebanov throws a leg kick
and Florian counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Florian scores with a jab to the head.
Klebanov is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Florian.
Nice body punch from Klebanov.
Klebanov throws a leg kick but Florian moved away.
Florian thows a leg kick but Klebanov checks it
and Klebanov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Klebanov defending well as Florian loads up on a big left hand.
Florian connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Klebanov throws a leg kick but Florian sees it coming and checks it nicely.
A low kick from Klebanov misses
and Florian counters with a series of strikes. Klebanov will be more careful next time no doubt.
Klebanov cracks the inside of Florian's front leg.
Florian tries to score with a low kick but Klebanov moves his leg out of the way.
Florian with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Good standup being displayed there by Florian as he connects with a hook.
Florian scoring well with a low kick there.
Klebanov blocks a jab.
Klebanov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Klebanov looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Evgeni Klebanov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Florian tries to kick Klebanov off but Klebanov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Florian scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Klebanov manages to mount him!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Klebanov cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Florian takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Klebanov throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Florian because Klebanov loaded up on that one.
Klebanov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Florian trying desperately to get to his feet.
Florian is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Klebanov with the ground and pound from mount.
Klebanov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Klebanov landing punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Klebanov with the ground and pound from mount.
Klebanov controlling the position easily from mount.
Klebanov connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Klebanov looking to finish Florian with some ground and pound. This is bad for Florian!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Klebanov lands with some strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Klebanov working away from the top, dropping strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evgeni Klebanov had his way with Kenny Florian in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Florian throws a shot from downtown. Klebanov moves away and avoids it.
Florian misses with a body shot.
Klebanov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Florian.
Klebanov scores with a nice head shot.
Florian throws a big shot that misses.
Florian lands a really nice looking cross but Klebanov seems unphased.
Klebanov throws a body punch but Florian moves out of range.
Florian fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Klebanov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Klebanov shoots in and bounces Florian off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Klebanov stops Florian from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Klebanov trying to control the position from guard on top but Florian is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Klebanov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Klebanov wants to control from the top but Florian keeps moving.

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.
Klebanov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Evgeni Klebanov just wasn't active enough.
Klebanov walks into a left hand.
Florian with a nice cross.
Florian waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Klebanov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Klebanov tries to land a leg kick but Florian saw it coming and moves away.
Klebanov throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Florian throws a predictable looking body shot

and Klebanov counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Florian's guard now.
Florian utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Klebanov sitting in guard here, content to control.
Florian really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Klebanov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Klebanov scoring with some ground and pound.
Klebanov chips away with some ground and pound.
Florian preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Klebanov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Florian is keeping the position for now.
Klebanov wants to control from the top but Florian keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Evgeni Klebanov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Klebanov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 49:46
Judge Suge Night scores the fight 49:46
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evgeni Klebanov!
Evgeni Klebanov is the new lightweight champion!