PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jan Kowalski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joey Solbrig (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kowalski has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Jan Kowalski looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Kowalski
vs
Solbrig

180 cm
18
167 lbs
1 - 3 - 1

178 cm
20
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

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 1 - 3 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jan Kowalski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Joey Solbrig!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kowalski misses with a combination

and Solbrig counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Kowalski looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!

Solbrig is trying to work for a kimura but Kowalski is defending well.
Solbrig keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Solbrig connects with a nice short shot to Kowalski's temple.
Kowalski is not content to let Solbrig control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Solbrig is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kowalski doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Solbrig.
Kowalski is looking to control Solbrig's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kowalski avoid being mounted?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Solbrig not doing much here.
Solbrig tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kowalski knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Kowalski is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Solbrig pulls his head out easily.

Solbrig is working for a submission of some sort.
Solbrig works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Solbrig looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
BOOM! Solbrig connects with a massive shot to the dome!

Solbrig is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Kowalski takes a shot right to the bread basket.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Solbrig looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Solbrig content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski is looking to get back to full guard here but Solbrig has managed to pass to side control instead.
Kowalski is looking for a sweep.
Kowalski is working hard here to advance position.
Solbrig 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 Kowalski's shoulder. That is not cool.
You can see the frustration on Kowalski's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Solbrig is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kowalski is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Kowalski is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski is looking to reverse the position.
Solbrig working away.
Solbrig wants to control but Kowalski is keeping him busy.

Solbrig is trying to get an arm triangle but Kowalski is defending well.
Kowalski is trying to control Solbrig's posture but Solbrig avoids it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kowalski is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Kowalski is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Solbrig pulls his head out easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Solbrig throws a nice inside leg kick.

Solbrig closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Kowalski's guard.
Solbrig trying to control but Kowalski is working from the bottom.
Solbrig is in close to Kowalski's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Solbrig engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Let's hope that Solbrig has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Joey Solbrig wasn't active enough on the ground.
Solbrig looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Solbrig clinches up with Kowalski and pushes him back against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Solbrig.

Solbrig jumps guard and drags Kowalski to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Solbrig not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Solbrig pulls Kowalski in close to prevent any damage.
Joey Solbrig has got the better of the ground game so far.
Solbrig looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kowalski is one step ahead there.
Solbrig is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Joey Solbrig.
Nice sprawl there from Solbrig as Kowalski shoots in.
Solbrig throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Solbrig has closed the distance and engaged Kowalski in a clinch.
Nice body punch from Solbrig.
Solbrig landing knees to the body.

Solbrig has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Kowalski clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Solbrig is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Solbrig gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Solbrig gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Solbrig apologises and we restart here on the feet.

Solbrig bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski is looking for a sweep.
Kowalski sneaks back into half guard.
Solbrig is taking a breather. Kowalski says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Solbrig prevents Kowalski from improving his position.

Kowalski looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kowalski is not content to let Solbrig control the position.
Solbrig stops Kowalski from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Solbrig seems to be working for a kimura but Kowalski defends the submission attempt.
Kowalski trying to control here.
Solbrig wants to take a breather but Kowalski is having none of it.
Kowalski tries to roll over but Solbrig keeps him under control.

Kowalski looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Solbrig perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kowalski stuffs the takedown attempt from Solbrig. Solbrig gets slowly back to his feet.

Solbrig feints and as Kowalski raises his hands in defense, Solbrig changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Solbrig postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Solbrig is looking to stand up but Kowalski won't let him.

Kowalski has an active guard here but Solbrig has managed to pass into half guard.

Solbrig is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kowalski doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Solbrig.

Kowalski looking for submissions off his back.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Solbrig not doing much here.

Solbrig is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kowalski sees it coming and defends easily.
Solbrig seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kowalski does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Kowalski is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Solbrig pulls his head out easily.
Solbrig seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Solbrig seems content to control.
Solbrig is trying to control the action in half guard but Kowalski is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kowalski wants to get back to his feet.
Kowalski wants to get back to full guard.

Solbrig decides to stand and escape the position.
Kowalski fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Solbrig pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kowalski shoots in but no luck this time.
Solbrig lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Solbrig stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Solbrig wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jan Kowalski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Solbrig shoots for a double leg takedown but Kowalski sprawls well. He's pushed Solbrig's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Solbrig shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Solbrig was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Kowalski wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Kowalski is desperately trying to improve his position but Solbrig has a good base and remains in mount.
Kowalski is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Kowalski is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Solbrig can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kowalski is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Solbrig tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Kowalski tries to reverse the position but Solbrig maintains control.
Solbrig controlling the pace for now.
Solbrig has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kowalski tries to reverse the position but Solbrig maintains control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Solbrig has hold of Kowalski's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Kowalski manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Jan Kowalski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Joey Solbrig is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kowalski flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joey Solbrig comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Solbrig has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joey Solbrig!