PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kauno Kaalikorva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Remedios Verzosa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Kaalikorva
vs
Verzosa

180 cm
26
192 lbs
17 - 6 - 0

185 cm
25
190 lbs
16 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

RMC - Rio Mma Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kauno Kaalikorva!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Remedios Verzosa!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shirou Masuda and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kaalikorva moves in looking to clinch but Verzosa pushes him off.
Verzosa throws a body punch but Kaalikorva moves out of range.
Kaalikorva ducks under a wild hook from Verzosa.
Verzosa tries to clinch up.
Verzosa scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kaalikorva doesn't seem bothered though.
Kauno Kaalikorva seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Verzosa shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kaalikorva sprawls well. Kaalikorva wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Verzosa gets slowly back to his feet.
Verzosa slips a jab and a cross from Kaalikorva.
Verzosa misses with a hook.
Verzosa lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kaalikorva at a distance.
Kaalikorva fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Verzosa manages to avoid it.
Kaalikorva avoids the body shot from Verzosa.

Kaalikorva clinches.
Verzosa's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Verzosa jumps guard but Kaalikorva stands there with Verzosa around his waist. Verzosa gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kaalikorva can't find room to land a body shot as Verzosa controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verzosa jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kaalikorva walks away with a smile on his face. Verzosa gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kauno Kaalikorva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Remedios Verzosa.
Kaalikorva with a nice cross.
Kaalikorva tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Verzosa paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Kaalikorva moves into the clinch successfully.
Verzosa is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kaalikorva to keep the fight standing.
A short uppercut from Kaalikorva.

Verzosa has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Kaalikorva uses from the top position.
Kaalikorva passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Verzosa manages to get back to half guard.
Kaalikorva prevents Verzosa from improving his position.
Kaalikorva is keen to just control but Verzosa is a slippery customer.
Kaalikorva is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Kaalikorva 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.
Kaalikorva throwing shots but Verzosa is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Verzosa wants to control but Kaalikorva is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kaalikorva lands strikes from half guard.
Kaalikorva with the ground and pound but Verzosa uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Verzosa pulls Kaalikorva in close to his closed guard and prevents Kaalikorva from doing any damage or advancing position.

Verzosa has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kaalikorva can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kaalikorva keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Verzosa's head.
Kaalikorva postures up in Verzosa's guard and throws a big left but Verzosa blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaalikorva with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kaalikorva postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Kaalikorva stands up over Verzosa, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Kaalikorva working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Verzosa looking for a sweep. Not yet Verzosa, not yet.
Kaalikorva stands up over Verzosa, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Verzosa working for a triangle but Kaalikorva defends it easily.
Verzosa preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kaalikorva stands up over Verzosa, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Kaalikorva preventing the sweep.
Kaalikorva working some strikes from top position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Verzosa trying to keep a closed guard but Kaalikorva is proving a slippery customer.
Verzosa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaalikorva trying to control the position from guard on top but Verzosa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kaalikorva throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Verzosa works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kaalikorva lands a couple of elbows.
Kaalikorva throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kaalikorva accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kaalikorva scoring with punches to the head and body.

Kaalikorva got a little sloppy there for a moment and Verzosa has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kaalikorva has managed to get both his arms back between Verzosa's legs - danger averted.
Verzosa not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kaalikorva landing with the ground and pound.
Verzosa manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Kaalikorva tries to hold on but Verzosa pushes him away.
Verzosa tries to control but Kaalikorva wriggling away.
Kaalikorva is desperately trying to improve his position but Verzosa has a good base and remains in mount.
Kaalikorva is working hard here to advance position.
Verzosa tries to control but Kaalikorva wriggling away.
Kaalikorva is working to get back to half guard.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Verzosa lands a big shot there that rocks Kaalikorva but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kaalikorva is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Kaalikorva throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Kaalikorva keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Verzosa trying to control but Kaalikorva is having none of it.
Kaalikorva takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Verzosa punishing his opponent with strikes.

Verzosa is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Kaalikorva has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Kaalikorva!

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Verzosa keeping moving, preventing Kaalikorva from controlling successfully.
Kaalikorva working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Verzosa's head.
Kaalikorva working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kaalikorva throws a strike but Verzosa rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Kaalikorva is looking to stand up but Verzosa isn't so interested in that idea.
Kaalikorva 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.
Kaalikorva trying to control the position.
Verzosa working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Verzosa missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Verzosa passes Kaalikorva's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Kaalikorva has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Verzosa is working away from the top position though.
Kaalikorva avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Verzosa.
Verzosa prevents Kaalikorva from improving his position.
Verzosa is trying to control. Kaalikorva wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Verzosa is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kaalikorva wants to get back to full guard.
Verzosa wants to take a breather but Kaalikorva is having none of it.
Verzosa stops Kaalikorva from getting back to his feet.
Kaalikorva won't allow Verzosa to pass to mount.
Verzosa wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kaalikorva keeps working.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Verzosa thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kaalikorva's head.
Verzosa prevents Kaalikorva from improving his position.
Verzosa trying to control the action but Kaalikorva is working from the bottom.
Verzosa looks to land a strike but Kaalikorva avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Verzosa trying to control the position from guard on top but Kaalikorva is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Remedios Verzosa hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Kaalikorva misses with a jab, cross combination.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kaalikorva moves into the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kaalikorva.
Verzosa tries to pull guard but Kaalikorva won't allow it.
A short uppercut from Kaalikorva.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kauno Kaalikorva dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Verzosa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kaalikorva manages to avoid it.

Verzosa tries to keep at a distance but Kaalikorva has taken the fight into the clinch.
Verzosa is trying to pull guard but Kaalikorva has him pressed against the cage.
Verzosa fails to pull guard.
Verzosa jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kaalikorva walks away with a smile on his face. Verzosa gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kauno Kaalikorva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Remedios Verzosa.
Kaalikorva tries to clinch up.
Verzosa throws a jab when Kaalikorva was well out of range.
Kaalikorva uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Verzosa.
Verzosa looks to land a left hand but Kaalikorva moved out of range nicely.
Kaalikorva misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kaalikorva throws a sloppy body shot
and Verzosa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Verzosa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kaalikorva manages to avoid it.
Kaalikorva tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Verzosa manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A left lands for Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva throws a jab but it's blocked by Verzosa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaalikorva avoids the body shot from Verzosa.
Verzosa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Verzosa moves forwards but Kaalikorva connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Verzosa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kaalikorva moves away.
Verzosa is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva wants to clinch.
Verzosa showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kaalikorva.
Donk. Kaalikorva catches Verzosa right on the button with a cross.

Kaalikorva rushes Verzosa and presses him up against the cage.
Kaalikorva lands a nice shot to the body.
Kaalikorva utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kaalikorva scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kaalikorva lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kaalikorva presses Verzosa against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Kaalikorva misses with a punch on the inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kaalikorva scores with a shot to the side of Verzosa's head.
Verzosa jumps guard but Kaalikorva turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Kaalikorva lands a damaging elbow.
Kaalikorva tries to throw a body punch but Verzosa avoids it by throwing Kaalikorva back against the cage.
Kaalikorva presses Verzosa against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Verzosa is breathing heavily.
Kaalikorva throws a punch but it's blocked by Verzosa.
A short right from Kaalikorva.
Verzosa is trying to pull guard but Kaalikorva turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Kaalikorva.
Kauno Kaalikorva has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kaalikorva makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kaalikorva lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Verzosa fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verzosa jumps guard but Kaalikorva turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Verzosa tries to pull guard but Kaalikorva forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Kaalikorva lands a left hand that snaps the head of Verzosa backwards.
Kaalikorva lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kaalikorva lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kaalikorva pushes Verzosa back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Kaalikorva gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Kaalikorva lands with a left to the head.
Kaalikorva is leaning against Verzosa and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A body shot lands from Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva lands a left hand that snaps the head of Verzosa backwards.
Still in the clinch, Kaalikorva scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kaalikorva lands a nice elbow.
Kaalikorva lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kaalikorva throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kaalikorva pushes off an throws an elbow but Verzosa leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Kaalikorva works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaalikorva lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A short uppercut from Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Verzosas head.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kaalikorva.
A body shot lands from Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva lands a left hand.
Kaalikorva lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Verzosa or not.
Kaalikorva gets through Verzosa's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kaalikorva lands a left hand.
Kaalikorva unloads a knee to the mid-section. Verzosa lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kaalikorva is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Kaalikorva lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kaalikorva lands with a left to the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kaalikorva.
Verzosa takes a knee to the side of the body.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Kaalikorva pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Kaalikorva working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Verzosa jumps guard but Kaalikorva turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Verzosa dodges an elbow strike from Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva gets through Verzosa's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kaalikorva lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kaalikorva lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kaalikorva lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kaalikorva gets through Verzosa's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kaalikorva leaning against his opponent.
Kaalikorva lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Kaalikorva tries to throw a body punch but Verzosa avoids it by throwing Kaalikorva back against the cage.
Verzosa jumps guard but Kaalikorva stands there with Verzosa around his waist. Verzosa gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Verzosa is trying to pull guard but Kaalikorva has him pressed against the cage.
Kaalikorva tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Kaalikorva lands a right hand.
Verzosa tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A short body shot lands from Kaalikorva as the two fighters clinch.
A shot in the inside from Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva digs a right hand into Verzosa's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Verzosa's gas tank.
Kaalikorva lands with a left to the head.
Kaalikorva lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kaalikorva scores with a shoulder strike.
Kaalikorva lands a hook to the side of the head.
Verzosa fails to pull guard.
Nice body punch from Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva lands a right hand that snaps the head of Verzosa backwards.
Kaalikorva working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Verzosa fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kaalikorva is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Kaalikorva is leaning against Verzosa and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Verzosa jumps guard but Kaalikorva stands there with Verzosa around his waist. Verzosa gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kaalikorva is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Verzosa can do to turn this around?
Kaalikorva digs a right hand into Verzosa's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Verzosa's gas tank.
A hook to the body from Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kaalikorva scores with a shot to the side of Verzosa's head.
A right handed body shot lands from Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A shot in the inside from Kaalikorva.
A short uppercut from Kaalikorva.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Kaalikorva lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Verzosa jumps guard but Kaalikorva turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Verzosa blocks an elbow strike.
Kaalikorva lands an uppercut.
Kaalikorva scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kaalikorva lands an elbow inside.
Kaalikorva tries to throw a body punch but Verzosa avoids it by throwing Kaalikorva back against the cage.
Kaalikorva gets through Verzosa's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Verzosa fails to pull guard.
Verzosa tries to pull guard but Kaalikorva holds him up against the cage and eventually Verzosa drops back down to his feet.
Kaalikorva lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Verzosa or not.
A hook to the body from Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Verzosa.
Kaalikorva lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kaalikorva lands a left hand.

Verzosa is rocked!

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Kaalikorva.
Verzosa is still on wobbly legs! Can Kaalikorva finish him?
Kaalikorva lands with a short shot to the head.
Kaalikorva softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kaalikorva swings wildly with an uppercut but Verzosa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Verzosa seems to have recovered his senses.
Verzosa tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kaalikorva just stands there and leans against the cage.
Verzosa is trying to pull guard but Kaalikorva has him pressed against the cage.
Verzosa prevents a body shot from Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva lands with a left to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Kaalikorva.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Verzosa avoids the elbow strike from Kaalikorva, against the cage.
Verzosa is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kaalikorva to keep the fight standing.
Verzosa tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kaalikorva smiles and moves away.
Kaalikorva fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Verzosa looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kauno Kaalikorva dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

A jab from Kaalikorva finds it's way through Verzosa's defenses.
Kaalikorva closes the distance and clinches up with Verzosa, looking for a takedown. Kaalikorva pushes Verzosa against the cage but Verzosa circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kaalikorva throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Verzosa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Verzosa is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kaalikorva rather than just go for the knockout.
Verzosa throws a body punch but Kaalikorva moves out of range.

Kaalikorva pushes Verzosa up against the cage in a clinch.
Kaalikorva tries to work over Verzosa's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kaalikorva lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kaalikorva lands a hook that snaps the head of Verzosa backwards.
Verzosa tries to pull guard but Kaalikorva holds him up against the cage and eventually Verzosa drops back down to his feet.
Kaalikorva pushes off an throws an elbow but Verzosa leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Kaalikorva lands a shoulder strike.
Verzosa tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kaalikorva smiles and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaalikorva throws a jab but it's blocked by Verzosa.
Kaalikorva throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kaalikorva lands an overhand right.
A big left from Kaalikorva misses.
Kaalikorva loads up on a big right hand but Verzosa slips the punch.
Verzosa is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva throws a jab but it's blocked by Verzosa.
Kaalikorva ducks under a wild hook from Verzosa.
Kaalikorva throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Verzosa's waist but Verzosa gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kaalikorva off to one side.
Verzosa closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Verzosa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Kaalikorva duly obliges.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Verzosa shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kaalikorva sprawls well. Kaalikorva wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Verzosa gets slowly back to his feet.
Kauno Kaalikorva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Remedios Verzosa.
Verzosa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kaalikorva tries to clinch there but Verzosa circles away.
Kaalikorva fails in his attempt to clinch.
Verzosa just misses with a punch to the body.
Kaalikorva fails with the takedown.
Verzosa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kaalikorva was well out of range. Poor timing from Verzosa.
Kaalikorva fails with an attempt to clinch.
Verzosa jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kaalikorva slips a straight right by Verzosa.
Verzosa is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaalikorva lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Kaalikorva misses with a hook
and Verzosa counters with a right hand to the body.
Verzosa scores with a body shot.
Kaalikorva takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kaalikorva is looking to clinch but Verzosa is avoiding it.
Good exchange - Kaalikorva coming out on top.
Verzosa avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kaalikorva misses the jab.
Kaalikorva wants to clinch up but Verzosa keeps it at a distance.
Verzosa throws out a loose jab but Kaalikorva uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kaalikorva looks to throw the jab but Verzosa is out of range.
Verzosa ducks under a wild hook from Kaalikorva.

Kaalikorva has managed to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Verzosa jumps guard but Kaalikorva turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Kaalikorva misses with a punch on the inside.
Kaalikorva gets through Verzosa's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Verzosa tries to pull guard but Kaalikorva forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Kaalikorva working aggressively here.
Verzosa on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Verzosa jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kaalikorva walks away with a smile on his face. Verzosa gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kaalikorva is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Kaalikorva throws a right hand that Verzosa ducks under and follows up with a left that Verzosa also avoids with ease.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Good shot there by Kaalikorva.
A slow jab from Kaalikorva misses its intended target.
Verzosa lands a right hook to the body.
Verzosa lands a jab to the nose.
The fighters circling - Kaalikorva throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kaalikorva lands with a straight right. Verzosa didn't see that one coming.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Kaalikorva scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Verzosa makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Verzosa.
Kaalikorva scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Verzosa is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Kaalikorva tries to get to full guard but Verzosa has control of the leg.

Kaalikorva has one foot on Verzosa's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Jab, jab by Verzosa - just one landing.
Kaalikorva lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Verzosa looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Kaalikorva!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kaalikorva sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Verzosa controlling the action here.
Kaalikorva wants to get back to full guard.
Kaalikorva works his way to full guard. Good work.
Kaalikorva is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Kaalikorva keeping moving, preventing Verzosa from controlling successfully.
Kaalikorva looking to hit a scissor sweep but Verzosa is one step ahead there.
Remedios Verzosa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Kaalikorva is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kaalikorva keeping moving, preventing Verzosa from controlling successfully.
Verzosa preventing the sweep.
Verzosa wants to pass the guard but Kaalikorva is keeping the position.
Kaalikorva utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Kaalikorva is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Verzosa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kaalikorva tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kaalikorva wants to stand but Verzosa is controlling the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Kauno Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva shoots in and drives through. Verzosa sprawls well.
Kauno Kaalikorva is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A shot to the body from Verzosa misses
and Kaalikorva counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Verzosa uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva has a takedown stuffed.
A looping hook to the body misses from Verzosa. Kaalikorva does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kaalikorva swings for the body but Verzosa moves out of range.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Verzosa just misses with a punch to the body.
Kaalikorva ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kaalikorva blocks a jab.
Verzosa throws a hook but Kaalikorva avoids it easily.
Kaalikorva waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Verzosa.
Verzosa looks to score with a jab to the body but Kaalikorva is just out of range.
A punch lands to the side of Verzosa 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Verzosa misses with a looping right.
Verzosa takes a shot to the body in his stride.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Verzosa is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Verzosa lands with an overhand left.
Kaalikorva bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Verzosa scores with a nice right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kauno Kaalikorva showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kaalikorva 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight for Kauno Kaalikorva!
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight for Kauno Kaalikorva!
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight for Kauno Kaalikorva!

Kauno Kaalikorva wins by unanimous decision!
Kauno Kaalikorva retains his middleweight title!