PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Yedo Kim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Illianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kim comes to the cage accompanied by "We Be Clubbin (Eye of the Tiger Remix)" by Ice Cube . The crowd seem to be enjoying Illianenko's choice of entrance music: Only God Can Judge Me. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kim
vs
Illianenko

225 cm
28
287 lbs
18 - 7 - 0

195 cm
29
245 lbs
14 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Milwaukee's Best 159's - $75

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yedo Kim!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ivan Illianenko!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yuuki Gou and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Illianenko tries to bum rush Kim with a series of wild strikes but Kim uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A low kick from Illianenko is predictable there
letting Kim counter with a right hand.
Kim just misses with a punch to the body.
Illianenko just misses with a punch to the body.
Illianenko swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Kim throws the left hand but Illianenko avoids the punch easily.
Illianenko blocks a head kick by Kim.
Kim pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kim misses with a straight right.
Kim throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Illianenko scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kim doesn't seem bothered though.
Kim avoids the body shot from Illianenko.
Illianenko slips under a jab.
Illianenko lands a two punch combo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kim scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kim walks into a jab.
Illianenko pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Kim back to the cage. Illianenko follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Good leg kick by Illianenko there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kim is breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Illianenko connects with a solid leg kick.
Illianenko pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kim misses with a body kick.
Illianenko connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kim ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Illianenko moves away.
Kim dodges the punch combination from Illianenko.
Illianenko misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Illianenko swings for the body but Kim moves out of range.
Kim takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Illianenko jabs Kim to the body, keeping him at a distance.
A chopping leg kick lands by Illianenko.
Illianenko is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kim rather than just go for the knockout.
That kick from Illianenko tenderised Kim's leg. Kim is trying to keep his angry face on.
Illianenko throws a series of punches but Kim moves out of range.
Illianenko misses with a kick to the body.
Illianenko scores with a nice strike.
Yedo Kim is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Illianenko wants to clinch up but Kim keeps it at a distance.
Illianenko throws a right hand that Kim ducks under and follows up with a left that Kim also avoids with ease.
Illianenko throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kim checks a leg kick.
Illianenko throws a nice looking combination but Kim bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Yedo Kim seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Illianenko misses with a body punch
and Kim counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Kim throws a head kick that misses
letting Illianenko counter with a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Illianenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Illianenko doesn't manage to clinch there - Kim circles away.
Illianenko tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kim is able to avoid easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Illianenko misses the target.
Illianenko misses with a series of wild punches.
Kim throws the left hand but Illianenko avoids the punch easily.
A head kick misses from Kim.
No joy there for Illianenko, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Illianenko misses with a few strikes there.
Kim pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Illianenko misses with a few strikes there.
Kim really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kim stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kim throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kim avoids a kick to the body.
Kim gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Illianenko counters with an inside leg kick.
Illianenko moves out of range of the body kick from Kim.
Illianenko misses with a few strikes there.
Illianenko misses with a two punch combination.
Illianenko moves to clinch but Kim breaks away
and Kim counters with a nice low kick that buckles Illianenko's knee momentarily.
Illianenko misses with a takedown attempt - Kim sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kim misses the jab.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Illianenko throws a nice looking combination but Kim bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Illianenko gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kim misses with a punch on the inside.
Kim tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kim effectively controlling the action here.
Illianenko prevents Kim from breaking the clinch.
Kim is trying to break the clinch but Illianenko has him pressed against the cage.
Illianenko prevents a body shot from Kim.
Illianenko is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Illianenko.
Kim blocks a body shot from Illianenko.
Illianenko is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Kim is defending well.
Yedo Kim has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Illianenko.
Kim misses with a body punch.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Kim stalling the fight.
Kim missing with knees to the body.
Kim working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kim is working Illianenko over against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Illianenko misses with a hook to the ribs.
Illianenko gets through Kim's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kim working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Illianenko working aggressively here.

Illianenko ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Illianenko no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Kim would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Kim stands and steps away. Illianenko gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Kim looks to score with a jab to the body but Illianenko is just out of range.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Illianenko stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kim.
Illianenko moves out of range of the body kick.
Kim throws a leg kick but Illianenko sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kim pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kim circles away from the clinch attempt.
Illianenko throws the left hand but Kim avoids the punch easily.
Illianenko misses with a few strikes there.
Kim lands with a kick to the temple. Illianenko shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

It looks like Ivan Illianenko has been cut.
Kim scores with a nice strike.
Kim throws a leg kick
and Illianenko counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Illianenko takes a swing at Kim's ribcage but misses.
Illianenko comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
No joy there for Illianenko, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Illianenko looks to land a combination. Kim sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
A punch combination from Illianenko misses.
Kim lands with an overhand left.
Illianenko checks the leg kick.
Illianenko misses the shot to the body.
Kim avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kim throws a leg kick but Illianenko moved away.
Some wild striking there from Illianenko.

Illianenko fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Kim to the ground. Illianenko is now in Kim's guard.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Kim 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.
Illianenko is looking to work some ground and pound but Kim has wrist control.
Illianenko stands up over Kim, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kim trying to control the position here.
Illianenko looking to sit in guard and control but Kim gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Illianenko dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ivan Illianenko's cut.
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.

Kim throws a head kick but Illianenko moves out of range.
Illianenko lands a leg kick that knocks Kim off balance momentarily.
Kim throws out a leg kick but Illianenko moves out of range and Kim only half commits.
Illianenko pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kim throws a body punch but Illianenko moves out of range.
Illianenko cracks Kim with a right hand to the side of the head.
Kim sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Illianenko swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Illianenko tries to clinch but Kim is having none of it.
Ivan Illianenko seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Illianenko throws a front kick that sends Kim stumbling back into the cage.

Illianenko shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Illianenko showed some decent athleticism there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Illianenko wants to take a breather but Kim is having none of it.
Illianenko landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Illianenko has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Illianenko controlling from mount.
Illianenko has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kim is in a horrible position here. Illianenko smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Illianenko is stalling here but it's allowed Kim to get half guard.
Illianenko is looking to stall here but Kim recovers full guard.
Kim controls Illianenko momentarily but Illianenko frees himself.
Illianenko controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kim working for a triangle but Illianenko defends it easily.
Illianenko wants to control from the top but Kim keeps moving.
Illianenko stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kim swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Illianenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Kim is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kim managing to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Illianenko throws a strike but Kim rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Ivan Illianenko has got the better of the ground game so far.

Kim avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Illianenko is trying to keep Kim in close.
Illianenko has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Kim decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Kim walks into a left hand.
Illianenko connects with a jab.
Illianenko throws a jab when Kim was well out of range.
Illianenko lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kim circles away quickly and effectively.
Kim throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Illianenko throws a low kick but it's checked well by Kim.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Kim tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Illianenko throws a right hand that Kim ducks under and follows up with a left that Kim also avoids with ease.
Kim motions for Illianenko to come forward. Kim throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Illianenko uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kim.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Illianenko. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Good standup being displayed there by Kim as he connects with a hook.
Nice body punch from Illianenko.
Illianenko blocks a head kick by Kim.
Kim lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Illianenko at a distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Illianenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A leg kick checked by Kim.
Kim tries to land a leg kick but Illianenko saw it coming and moves away.
Nice body kick there by Illianenko.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the body from Illianenko misses
and Kim counters with a leg kick.
Illianenko tries to land a front kick but Kim steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kim misses with a body shot.
A punch combination from Illianenko misses.
Illianenko tries to land a front kick but Kim steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kim lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Illianenko circles away quickly and effectively.
Kim drops his hands momentarily and Illianenko takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Illianenko misses with a jab, cross combination.
Illianenko closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Illianenko lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kim misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Illianenko connects with a body shot.

Illianenko has closed the distance and engaged Kim in a clinch.
Illianenko tries to break free but Kim pushes him back against the cage.
Illianenko lands with a short head shot on the inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Illianenko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Illianenko looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Illianenko scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Kim misses with a straight left.
Illianenko scores with a jab to the head.
Kim throws a right hand that Illianenko ducks under and follows up with a left that Illianenko also avoids with ease.
Kim avoids a kick to the body.
Illianenko throws a right and a left that Kim avoids nicely.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Illianenko just misses with a punch to the body.
Illianenko throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Illianenko misses with a body shot.
Kim's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Kim duly obliges.
Illianenko takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kim works the jab nicely.
A leg kick checked by Illianenko.
Kim lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Illianenko thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kim swings widly with a right hand

and Illianenko counters by moving into the clinch.
Illianenko working some nice short punches in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Illianenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ivan Illianenko's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Kim misses with a left hand
and Illianenko counters with a left and a right that stings Kim.
Illianenko looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A punch combination from Illianenko misses.
Illianenko fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kim looks for the body kick but Illianenko saw that one coming.
Illianenko throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A clash of legs there as Kim blocks the low kick.
Illianenko keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kim throws out a loose jab but Illianenko uses good head movement to avoid it.
Illianenko keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Illianenko checks a leg kick.
Illianenko looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Illianenko rushes Kim and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Illianenko misses with a hook to the ribs.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Kim tries a body shot but Illianenko blocks it.
Kim stalls.
Yedo Kim has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Kim's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kim throws a front kick aimed at Illianenko's knee but Illianenko avoids it well.
Illianenko wants to clinch but Kim slips to the side
and Kim counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Illianenko swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A big left from Kim misses.
Ivan Illianenko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Illianenko misses with a two punch combination.
Kim swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Illianenko misses with a few strikes there.
Illianenko walks into a stiff left hand from Kim.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kim misses with a kick to the body.
Kim moves out of range of the body kick.
Illianenko throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Kim counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That kick from Illianenko tenderised Kim's leg. Kim is trying to keep his angry face on.
Illianenko avoids the body shot from Kim.
Kim is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Kim fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Illianenko is out of range.
Illianenko has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kim.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Illianenko misses with a series of wild punches.
Illianenko avoids a punch combination nicely.
Illianenko lands a jab-cross combination.
Illianenko shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kim as he jumps to the side.
Kim misses with an uppercut

and Illianenko counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Illianenko.
Kim wants to sweep here but Illianenko controlling him for the moment.
Illianenko postures up.
Kim will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kim wants to sweep here but Illianenko controlling him for the moment.
Illianenko wants to control from the top but Kim keeps moving.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kim working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Illianenko.
Illianenko seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Illianenko throws a big right hand that misses.
Illianenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Kim is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Kim tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Illianenko misses with a double jab.
Kim throws a poor cross that misses
and Illianenko makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Kim moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kim throws a big shot that misses.
No joy there for Illianenko, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Illianenko lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
No joy there for Illianenko, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Illianenko just misses with a punch to the body.
Illianenko lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kim circles away quickly and effectively.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Illianenko pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Illianenko fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Illianenko swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kim throws a head kick that misses.
Kim misses with a looping right.
Illianenko misses with a wild body shot.
Kim throws a leg kick but Illianenko sees it coming and moves out of range.
Illianenko throws a body punch but Kim moves out of range.
Kim misses with a double jab.
Kim scores with a nice head shot.
A big left from Kim misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice sprawl there from Kim as Illianenko shoots in.
Yedo Kim has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Kim fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Illianenko manages to avoid it.
Illianenko checks a leg kick.
Illianenko defending well as Kim loads up on a big left hand.
Kim looks to land a combination but Illianenko avoids it well.
Illianenko lands a nice looking kick to the body. Kim takes a step back to recover.
Illianenko tries to clinch but Kim moves out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Illianenko checks a leg kick.
Kim throws a poor cross that misses
and Illianenko counters with a body kick.
Nice shot lands for Illianenko.
Illianenko punishes Kim's body with a nice straight punch.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Illianenko - that will leave a mark!
Illianenko tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kim was well out of range. Poor timing from Illianenko.
Danga de danga de dang - Illianenko scores with a four punch combination!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kim swinging wildly here.
Illianenko buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Illianenko throws a right and a left that Kim avoids nicely.
Kim dodges the punch combination from Illianenko.
Illianenko throws a leg kick which misses Kim's front leg but catches the back leg as Kim tries to avoid it.
A shot to the body from Kim misses
enabling Illianenko to counter with a crisp jab.
Ivan Illianenko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
A thudding body kick lands there by Illianenko!
Kim takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kim throws a jab when Illianenko was well out of range.
Nice body kick there by Illianenko.
A right-left combo lands from Illianenko.

Illianenko gets the takedown into side control.
Kim is trying to improve his position.
Kim takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Illianenko wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kim keeps working.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Illianenko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Illianenko winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 for Ivan Illianenko!
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight for Ivan Illianenko!
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Ivan Illianenko!

Ivan Illianenko wins by unanimous decision!
Our winner, Ivan Illianenko, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.