PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Igor Kolobnev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mitch Connors (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Connors has chosen Lloyd - Dedication To My Ex as his entrance music. Igor Kolobnev has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kolobnev
vs
Connors

179 cm
21
176 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

188 cm
27
170 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Igor Kolobnev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mitch Connors!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Aafke Stam and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kolobnev slips under a jab from Connors.
Connors shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kolobnev pinned against the cage. Kolobnev gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Connors misses with a series of wild punches.
Connors throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kolobnev counters with a thumping low kick.
Connors on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kolobnev. Kolobnev obviously looking to wear him down.
Kolobnev walks into a left hand.
Kolobnev scores with a hook to the body. Connors takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Connors clinches with his opponent.
Connors swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kolobnev taking a breather.
Connors misses with some punches.
Connors takes a knee to the side of the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Connors lands a hook that snaps the head of Kolobnev backwards.
Kolobnev stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Connors throws a punch but it's blocked by Kolobnev.

Connors successfully pulls guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Connors is working an open guard so Kolobnev takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Kolobnev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Igor Kolobnev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Connors fails with the takedown
and Kolobnev counters with an inside leg kick.
Connors connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kolobnev. Kolobnev circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Kolobnev walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Kolobnev throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Connors's head.

It looks like Mitch Connors has been cut.
Connors connects with a right hand. Kolobnev shakes it off.
Kolobnev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kolobnev throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kolobnev lands with a slapping head kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kolobnev on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kolobnev lands a high kick!
Connors throws an overhand right that lands on Kolobnev's shoulder, as Kolobnev tries to avoid the shot.
Kolobnev connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kolobnev lands with a slapping head kick.

Connors is rocked!
Connors cracks Kolobnev with a right hand to the side of the head.
Kolobnev throws a right hand that Connors ducks under and follows up with a left that Connors also avoids with ease.
A jab from Connors misses.
Connors will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Igor Kolobnev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mitch Connors.
Connors misses with a lunging right hand
and Kolobnev counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Mitch Connors seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Connors with a nice cross.
No joy there for Kolobnev, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Connors looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kolobnev uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Connors.
Kolobnev will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Connors throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Connors shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Connors throws a leg kick but Kolobnev checks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Kolobnev blocks the low kick.
A nice combination there by Connors.

Connors closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Kolobnev pushes Connors off looking to stand but Connors dives back in and keeps control.
Connors is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Connors passes to side control.

Connors goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Kolobnev has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Connors but great work by Kolobnev.

Kolobnev stands up.
Kolobnev pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Connors lands a jab.
Connors tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kolobnev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Connors has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Connors with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kolobnev lands a head kick. Connors smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Kolobnev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Connors connects with a body shot that sends Kolobnev's belly button to the back.
Nice sprawl there from Kolobnev as Connors shoots in.
Kolobnev slips a straight right by Connors.
Kolobnev looking to land some kicks to the body here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A head kick misses from Kolobnev.
Kolobnev avoids the body shot from Connors.
Kolobnev ducks under a wild hook from Connors.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Igor Kolobnev will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mitch Connors's cut.
That's time! Kolobnev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Connors thumps Kolobnev with a low kick.
Kolobnev misses with a jab, cross combination.
Igor Kolobnev is winning the standup battle so far.
Kolobnev throws a front kick that sends Connors stumbling back into the cage.
Kolobnev takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Some wild striking there from Kolobnev.
Connors scores with a punch to the head.
Connors connects with the punch.
Connors shoots in for a double leg but Kolobnev sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Connors.
Connors waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kolobnev.
Kolobnev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Connors sizes up Kolobnev with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

Connors drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Connors wants to pass the guard but Kolobnev is keeping the position.
Kolobnev keeping moving, preventing Connors from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Connors might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Kolobnev kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Mitch Connors hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Connors lands a nice looking body shot.
Kolobnev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Connors slips a straight right by Kolobnev.
Connors cracks Kolobnev with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Kolobnev takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Connors misses with an uppercut.
Connors looks for a takedown but Kolobnev sprawls well.
Connors throws a hook but Kolobnev avoids it easily.
Connors looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kolobnev on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Connors misses with a right hand
and Kolobnev counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Connors takes a swing at Kolobnev's ribcage but misses.
Kolobnev looks to land a left hand but Connors moved out of range nicely.
Kolobnev tries a head kick but it misses.
Connors lands a jab.
Connors cracks Kolobnev with an open hand slap.
Kolobnev misses with a left hand
and Connors counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Connors gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Connors tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kolobnev working aggressively here.
A head punch on the inside from Connors fails to land.
Kolobnev throws an elbow that misses.
Connors prevents Kolobnev from breaking the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Connors scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kolobnev blocking some punches.
Connors wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kolobnev has him pressed against the cage.
Connors fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kolobnev using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Connors pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A jab from Connors does it's job there.
Connors takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Connors misses with a two punch combination.
A big left from Connors misses.

Connors throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Kolobnev was covering up waiting for the punch and Connors finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Connors is breathing heavily.
Kolobnev keeping full guard, as Connors tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kolobnev is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Connors is controlling him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Connors trying to control but Kolobnev is working from the bottom.
Connors tries to free his leg and advance position but Kolobnev is retaining full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Connors drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kolobnev dives on top into guard.

Kolobnev decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Connors, up you get!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mitch Connors showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mitch Connors's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Connors feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kolobnevs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Connors shoots in and drives through. Kolobnev sprawls well.
Kolobnev moves out of range as Connors strikes.
Connors wants to clinch.
A left lands for Connors.
Kolobnev throws a lazy head kick
and Connors counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kolobnev feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Connors's calf.
Connors scores with a jab.
A head kick misses from Kolobnev.
Connors scores with a nice right hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kolobnev. Connors does a little dance to reset his feet.
Connors connects with a right hand. Kolobnev shakes it off.
Kolobnev fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Connors has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Connors slips under a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Connors dodges the punch combination from Kolobnev.
Connors closes the distance and clinches up with Kolobnev, looking for a takedown. Connors pushes Kolobnev against the cage but Kolobnev circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A head kick misses from Kolobnev.
Connors is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kolobnev.
Kolobnev scores with a nice body kick.
Connors throws an off balance right hand
and Kolobnev counters with a leg kick.
Connors takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Connors shoots for a double leg takedown but Kolobnev sprawls well. He's pushed Connors's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Igor Kolobnev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mitch Connors.
Connors is looking to clinch.
Kolobnev lands a nice hook to Connors's body. Connors takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Connors throws a jab but it's blocked by Kolobnev.
A head kick misses from Kolobnev.
Connors misses with a double jab.
Kolobnev misses with a kick to the body.
Connors wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Connors is predictable there
and Kolobnev counters with a body kick that stops Connors in his tracks momentarily.
Kolobnev looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Connors misses with a body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kolobnev throws a nice head kick!
Kolobnev is looking to land body kicks.
A big left from Connors misses.
Connors bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Kolobnev's head backwards.
Connors is looking to clinch.
Connors misses with a head kick.
Kolobnev lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Connors is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kolobnev sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Igor Kolobnev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Connors uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kolobnev.
Kolobnev misses with a series of wild punches.
Connors misses with a double jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Kolobnev.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Kolobnev.
Connors takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kolobnev fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kolobnev with a jab.

Connors manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Kolobnev on his heels. He'll look to pass Kolobnev's guard now, I'm sure.
Connors trying to control the position from guard on top but Kolobnev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kolobnev wriggles free and stands up.
Kolobnev bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kolobnev looks for the body kick but Connors saw that one coming.
Kolobnev blocks a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Connors shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Kolobnev on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kolobnev tries to get out of the position.
Kolobnev keeping moving, preventing Connors from controlling successfully.
Connors is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Connors trying to control but Kolobnev is working from the bottom.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Connors drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Kolobnev manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Connors has Kolobnev in his guard.
Connors wants to stand but Kolobnev is controlling the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Igor Kolobnev.
I think Kolobnev has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 29:28
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Igor Kolobnev!
An out of breath Igor Kolobnev thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.