PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Spike Law (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Val Kjartansson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Spike Law had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Law
vs
Kjartansson

175 cm
29
152 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

170 cm
23
159 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Spike Law!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Val Kjartansson!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yuuki Gou and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Law darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Kjartansson trying to control but Law postures up.
Law passes into side control, despite Kjartansson's attempt to control the position.

Law working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Law is looking to take a break and control but Kjartansson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Law working away.
The ground and pound from Law seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Kjartansson is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Well, if Law is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Law is pressing down on Kjartansson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kjartansson is holding on for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kjartansson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Law is working away from the top position though.
Kjartansson is looking to improve his position.
Law missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Law 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.
Law is looking to advance position but Kjartansson won't allow it.
Kjartansson makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kjartansson.
Kjartansson controlling Law's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Law pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kjartansson is keeping the position for now.
Kjartansson wants to sweep but no luck.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Val Kjartansson.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kjartansson. That's going to slow Law down.
Horrible takedown by Law or perhaps it was just good defense by Kjartansson which made him look bad.
Kjartansson throws a hook but Law blocks it.
Kjartansson fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Law checks it well.
Kjartansson drops his hands momentarily and Law takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Law avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Law shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kjartansson sprawls well. Kjartansson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Law gets slowly back to his feet.
Law pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kjartansson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kjartansson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kjartansson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A low kick from Kjartansson misses
and Law counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Kjartansson is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Law throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Law is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kjartansson.
Kjartansson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Law sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kjartansson throws a low kick but it's checked well by Law.
Val Kjartansson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kjartansson tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Law is able to avoid easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kjartansson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Law is out of range and Kjartansson settles back down.
Law throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kjartansson looks to land a left hand but Law moved out of range nicely.
Kjartansson gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Law throws a sloppy head kick
and Kjartansson counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Law defending well as Kjartansson loads up on a big left hand.
Law misses with a head kick.
Law moves out of range of the body kick.
Law avoids the body shot from Kjartansson.
Kjartansson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Law.
Law takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kjartansson throws out a leg kick but Law moves out of range and Kjartansson only half commits.
Law shoots for a takedown but Kjartansson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Spike Law. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Law uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kjartansson.
Kjartansson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A low kick from Kjartansson misses
and Law counters with a nice uppercut.
Law throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kjartansson misses with a body shot.
Law tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kjartansson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Law somewhat.
Val Kjartansson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kjartansson misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kjartansson avoids the head kick by Law.
Kjartansson moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kjartansson. Law does a little dance to reset his feet.
A big left from Kjartansson misses.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Kjartansson dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Law. That did some damage!
Kjartansson shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kjartansson throws the kick towards the body but Law avoids it.
Kjartansson motions for Law to come forward. Kjartansson throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kjartansson slips a jab and a cross from Law.
Kjartansson fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A low kick from Kjartansson misses
and Law counters with a nice uppercut.
Law checks the leg kick nicely there.
Law moves into range and connects with a jab.
A clash of legs there as Law blocks the low kick.
A head kick by Kjartansson misses

and Law counters by clinching up.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Law misses with a punch on the inside.
Law lands with a short shot to the head.
Kjartansson working aggressively here.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Kjartansson struggles to land a body shot inside as Law controls his hands.
Kjartansson is trying to maintain a safe position but Law gets an underhook and turns Kjartansson into the cage.
Law stalls.
Law scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Law looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Law using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kjartansson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Law scores with a shoulder strike.
A body shot lands from Kjartansson.
Law is trying to break free.

Law pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kjartansson is looking to score with low kicks.
Kjartansson tries to bum rush Law with a series of wild strikes but Law uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kjartansson throws a wild body kick that Law sees coming a mile off.
Kjartansson throws a nice head kick!

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Law tries a head kick but it misses.
Kjartansson lands a glancing blow to the side of Law's head.
Law throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kjartansson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kjartansson misses with a looping left.
A jab from Law finds it's way through Kjartansson's defenses.
Law checks a leg kick.
Kjartansson with a nice cross.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kjartansson scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Law looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Law moves out of range as Kjartansson strikes.
Kjartansson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Law is out of range and Kjartansson settles back down.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Kjartansson throws a shot from downtown. Law moves away and avoids it.
Kjartansson walks into a stiff left hand from Law.
Law falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kjartansson counters with a thumping low kick.
Kjartansson throws a low kick but it's checked well by Law.
Law tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kjartansson was well out of range. Poor timing from Law.
Kjartansson thows a body shot but no joy.
Kjartansson throws a nice outside leg kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Kjartansson as he connects with a hook.
Kjartansson takes a head kick and keeps coming.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kjartansson wants to slow Law down by chopping away at his legs.
Kjartansson misses with a leg kick.
Law throws a sloppy head kick and Kjartansson moves out of range easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Val Kjartansson dominated that round.
That's time! Law's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kjartansson throws a leg kick but Law sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Val Kjartansson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kjartansson stuns Law with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Kjartansson lands with a nice body kick.
Kjartansson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Law.
Law thows a body shot but no joy.
Kjartansson is looking to score with low kicks.
Law tries to bum rush Kjartansson with a series of wild strikes but Kjartansson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Law comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Kjartansson listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Law cracks a nice hook into Kjartansson's ribs.
Law tries to clinch
and Kjartansson counters with a left to the body.
Kjartansson throws a big shot that misses.
Kjartansson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Law throws a series of strikes that have Kjartansson backpedaling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kjartansson scores with a kick to the body.
Kjartansson attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

Law has taken the fight to the clinch.
Law throws a punch but it's blocked by Kjartansson.
Law is trying to break the clinch but Kjartansson is controlling him.
Kjartansson struggles to land a body shot inside as Law controls his hands.
Kjartansson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Law's elbow.
Kjartansson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Law misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kjartansson tries to work over Law's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Law tries a body shot but Kjartansson blocks it.
Law is trying to break free.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Law struggles to land a body shot inside as Kjartansson controls his hands.
Kjartansson softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Law throws a head punch that misses.
Kjartansson has Law pressed against the cage, preventing Law from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Law tries to break free but Kjartansson pushes him back against the cage.
Law misses with some punches.
Law pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

Law pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Law moves out of range of the body kick.
Kjartansson throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kjartansson takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
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!
Kjartansson walks into a jab.
Kjartansson throws a solid leg kick but Law takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kjartansson.
Kjartansson misses with the combination.
Law swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kjartansson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kjartansson wants it to stay on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kjartansson keeps Law at a distance using the push kick.
Kjartansson lands a slapping body shot.
Law blocks a jab.
Law fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Spike Law. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kjartansson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Law swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kjartansson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kjartansson misses the body punch
and Law counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kjartansson fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Law is out of range.
Kjartansson throws a body punch but Law moves out of range.
Law throws a sloppy head kick and Kjartansson moves out of range easily.
Kjartansson tries to land a front kick but Law steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Law scores with a nice head shot.
Kjartansson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Law looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kjartansson is fending him off so far but Law persists. Nope, Kjartansson circles away and we're back to standing.
Some bone on bone action there as Law checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Law has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Kjartansson.
Law throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Kjartansson.
Law throws a shot from downtown. Kjartansson moves away and avoids it.
Law is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kjartansson.
Law on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Law throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kjartansson throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Law tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kjartansson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Law somewhat.
Law throws a head kick that misses.
Law is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Kjartansson ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Law on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kjartansson. Kjartansson obviously looking to wear him down.
Kjartansson throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Law takes a head kick and keeps coming.
An inside leg kick lands from Kjartansson.
Kjartansson throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Law throws a head kick that misses.
Law throws a hook but Kjartansson blocks it.
Kjartansson takes a swing at Law's ribcage but misses.
Law fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kjartansson throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Kjartansson misses with a body shot.
Kjartansson misses with a body shot.
Kjartansson feints and then cracks Law's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Law down.
Law moves out of range of the leg kick from Kjartansson.

Kjartansson gets caught flat footed, as Law shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kjartansson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Law manages to get himself to full guard.
Law keeping moving, preventing Kjartansson from controlling successfully.
Kjartansson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Law swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Law trying to keep a closed guard but Kjartansson is proving a slippery customer.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Law is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kjartansson is aware though and is defending well.
Law trying to control the position.
Law wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Kjartansson manages to pass to side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Law gets back to full guard.

Law throws his legs up looking for a submission but Kjartansson uses it to pass to side control.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Law is looking to regain half guard here but Kjartansson keeps moving and retains side control.
Law tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Kjartansson easily slips into full mount!
Law is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Kjartansson controlling the position easily from mount.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Law is trying to escape the mount.
Kjartansson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Spike Law overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Law really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Val Kjartansson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Sloppy strikes from Law. Those never looked like landing.
Kjartansson swings away with a body shot that misses
letting Law counter with a right hand.
Kjartansson lands a leg kick that knocks Law off balance momentarily.
A punch lands to the side of Kjartansson 's head but he takes it in his stride.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Kjartansson.
Kjartansson looks to land a body kick but Law moved away.
Kjartansson is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Law rather than just go for the knockout.
Kjartansson lands a nice shot that snaps Law's head back.
Kjartansson smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A clash of legs there as Law blocks the low kick.
Kjartansson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Law.
Law will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Law takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Law is looking to clinch but Kjartansson is avoiding it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kjartansson jabs at Law's body.
Kjartansson misses with a low kick.
A leg kick checked by Law.
Kjartansson shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kjartansson throws a body punch but Law moves out of range.
Kjartansson throws a jab but it's blocked by Law.
Kjartansson swings for the body but Law moves out of range.
Kjartansson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Law throws a head kick that misses.
Law tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kjartansson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kjartansson lands with a thumping leg kick.

Law looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Kjartansson!
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.
Kjartansson really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Law is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Kjartansson has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Kjartansson really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Law goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Kjartansson turns into him and now he's in Law's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kjartansson 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kjartansson stands up from Law's guard - Kjartansson perhaps looking for a knockout.
Kjartansson throws a leg kick but Law sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kjartansson throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Law cracks Kjartansson with a good jab.
Law uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kjartansson.
Kjartansson throws a chopping leg kick but Law manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kjartansson works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Kjartansson misses with a left hand
and Law counters with a left to the body.
Law looks to score with a jab to the body but Kjartansson is just out of range.
Law takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Kjartansson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kjartansson pivots, looking for a leg kick but Law is out of range and Kjartansson settles back down.
Kjartansson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kjartansson misses with a jab to the body
and Law counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Law pushes Kjartansson up against the cage in a clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Law connects with a knee to the head.
Law misses with a hook from the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Law.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Kjartansson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Law backwards.
Kjartansson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kjartansson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kjartansson slowing the pace effectively.
A head punch on the inside from Law fails to land.
A head punch on the inside from Kjartansson fails to land.
Law is trying to stall.
A head punch on the inside from Law fails to land.

Law breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Law avoids the head kick by Kjartansson.
Kjartansson works Law's body with a nice hook.
Kjartansson lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kjartansson throws a body punch but Law moves out of range.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Kjartansson blocks a head kick by Law.
Kjartansson tries to score with a low kick but Law moves his leg out of the way.
Kjartansson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Law looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Law misses with an uppercut. Kjartansson saw that one coming.
Law checks a leg kick nicely.
Kjartansson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Law throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Law closes the distance and clinches up with Kjartansson, looking for a takedown. Law pushes Kjartansson against the cage but Kjartansson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kjartansson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Law.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kjartansson.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Law closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Kjartansson's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Law looking to pass the guard.
Kjartansson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Law trying to control the position from guard on top but Kjartansson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kjartansson pulls Law in close to prevent any damage.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kjartansson throws the kick towards the body but Law avoids it.
Kjartansson misses with a body shot.
Law throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Kjartansson misses the shot to the body.
Kjartansson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Law.
A big right from Kjartansson misses.
Law throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Law blocks a leg kick.
A low kick from Kjartansson is predictable there
letting Law counter with a right hand.
Law just misses with a punch to the body.
Kjartansson tests Law's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kjartansson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Law finds it's way round the side to connect with Kjartansson's head.
Kjartansson throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Law doesn't manage to clinch there - Kjartansson circles away.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Kjartansson scores with a jab to the body.
Kjartansson throws a front kick aimed at Law's knee but Law avoids it well.
Kjartansson takes a swing at Law's ribcage but misses.
Law misses with a straight right.
Law fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Spike Law. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kjartansson looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kjartansson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A bone on bone clash there as Law blocks the leg kick.
Law throws a right hand that Kjartansson ducks under and follows up with a left that Kjartansson also avoids with ease.
Kjartansson throws a low kick, looking for Law's leg but Law calmly moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Val Kjartansson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kjartansson 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Val Kjartansson!
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight for Val Kjartansson!
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Val Kjartansson!

Val Kjartansson wins by unanimous decision!
Val Kjartansson was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.