PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Donald Kerabatsos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Calzaghe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Kerabatsos
vs
Calzaghe

170 cm
25
147 lbs
10 - 5 - 1

185 cm
32
158 lbs
18 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 10 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Donald Kerabatsos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Joe Calzaghe!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Trevor Gratis and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Calzaghe on the wrong end of a nice hook.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kerabatsos.
Calzaghe stalks Kerabatsos and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kerabatsos's face. Kerabatsos staggers backwards, shaken.
Calzaghe is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Calzaghe dives in and scores a takedown into Kerabatsos's guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Kerabatsos preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Calzaghe has gone for a leg lock! Kerabatsos slips out almost immediately though and dives into Calzaghe's guard.

Kerabatsos decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Calzaghe, up you get!
Kerabatsos lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Calzaghe at a distance.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kerabatsos misses with a body punch
and Calzaghe counters with a one-two to the body.
Kerabatsos lands with a thumping leg kick.
Calzaghe tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Kerabatsos.
Kerabatsos scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

Calzaghe looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Calzaghe in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Kerabatsos is working an open guard so Calzaghe takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Calzaghe throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kerabatsos darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Kerabatsos with a hook.
Calzaghe misses with a two punch combination.
Calzaghe shoots for a takedown but Kerabatsos saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kerabatsos misses with a double jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kerabatsos.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kerabatsos throws a wild body kick that Calzaghe sees coming a mile off.
No luck for Calzaghe with that takedown attempt.
Kerabatsos thows a body shot but no joy.
Donald Kerabatsos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Calzaghe shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kerabatsos defends it nicely.
Donald Kerabatsos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Calzaghe.
Kerabatsos works the jab nicely.
Calzaghe closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kerabatsos circles away.
Calzaghe misses with a takedown
and Kerabatsos counters with a low kick, right behind Calzaghe 's knee.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kerabatsos throws a head kick that half lands.
Kerabatsos misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kerabatsos throws a sloppy head kick and Calzaghe moves out of range easily.
Good leg kick by Kerabatsos there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Calzaghe uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kerabatsos.
Kerabatsos lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Calzaghe circles away quickly and effectively.
A leg kick checked by Calzaghe.
Calzaghe ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Calzaghe scores with a body shot.
Donald Kerabatsos is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kerabatsos throws a leg kick but Calzaghe moved away.
Kerabatsos throws a leg kick but Calzaghe sees it coming and checks it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Calzaghe.
A bone on bone clash there as Calzaghe blocks the leg kick.
Calzaghe checks a low kick from Kerabatsos.
Kerabatsos leaves Calzaghe with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kerabatsos.
Kerabatsos swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Calzaghe throws a lazy right hand but Kerabatsos sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Calzaghe needs to keep his hands up - Kerabatsos had a free shot at his head there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A jab from Kerabatsos misses.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kerabatsos.
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 Donald Kerabatsos will probably get the nod.
That's time! Kerabatsos's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Calzaghe fails with a takedown attempt.
Kerabatsos looks to score with a jab to the body but Calzaghe is just out of range.
An inside leg kick from Kerabatsos misses.
Donald Kerabatsos is winning the standup battle so far.
Kerabatsos lands with a thumping leg kick.
Good shot there by Kerabatsos.
Calzaghe misses with a two punch combination.
Calzaghe fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Calzaghe shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kerabatsos as he avoids it easily.
Donald Kerabatsos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Calzaghe.
Kerabatsos chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Calzaghe throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kerabatsos.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kerabatsos lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Calzaghe has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Calzaghe and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Calzaghe blocks a head kick by Kerabatsos.
Calzaghe steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kerabatsos.
Calzaghe closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kerabatsos circles away.
Kerabatsos dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Calzaghe. That did some damage!
Kerabatsos chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kerabatsos scores with a push kick.
Calzaghe uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kerabatsos.
Kerabatsos throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Calzaghe blocks a low kick nicely.
Calzaghe misses with the combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kerabatsos looks to throw the jab but Calzaghe is out of range.
Kerabatsos scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Kerabatsos leaves Calzaghe with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Calzaghe misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kerabatsos thuds a left hand into Calzaghe's body.
Good exchange - Kerabatsos coming out on top.
Kerabatsos slips a jab and a cross from Calzaghe.
A head kick misses from Kerabatsos.
Calzaghe staying out of range there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kerabatsos lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Calzaghe fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Crunch! Kerabatsos slams his shin into Calzaghe's torso.
Calzaghe's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kerabatsos connects with a solid leg kick.
Kerabatsos tries a head kick but it misses.
Calzaghe looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Calzaghe uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kerabatsos.
Calzaghe uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kerabatsos.
The fighters circling - Kerabatsos throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kerabatsos.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kerabatsos throws a sloppy head kick and Calzaghe moves out of range easily.
Calzaghe misses with a takedown
and Kerabatsos counters with a nice body kick.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kerabatsos lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Calzaghe has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Calzaghe and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Calzaghe slips under a jab.
Calzaghe misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nice uppercut there from Kerabatsos.
Calzaghe moves away from the strike by Kerabatsos.
Joe Calzaghe is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Calzaghe throws the left hand but Kerabatsos avoids the punch easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kerabatsos throws a nice inside leg kick.
Calzaghe tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kerabatsos sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Calzaghe somewhat.
Kerabatsos scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Calzaghe doesn't seem bothered though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Donald Kerabatsos dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Calzaghe takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Kerabatsos connects with a leg kick. Calzaghe looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Kerabatsos looks to score with a jab to the body but Calzaghe is just out of range.
Kerabatsos throws a body punch but Calzaghe moves out of range.
Calzaghe finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Calzaghe moves in looking to clinch but Kerabatsos pushes him off.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kerabatsos. Calzaghe does a little dance to reset his feet.

Calzaghe feints and as Kerabatsos raises his hands in defense, Calzaghe changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Calzaghe drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kerabatsos dives on top into guard.
Calzaghe wants to sweep here but Kerabatsos controlling him for the moment.
Kerabatsos knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Calzaghe on the ground.

Calzaghe is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kerabatsos wants to pass the guard but Calzaghe is keeping the position.

Calzaghe escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kerabatsos gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Calzaghe is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kerabatsos is aware though and is defending well.
Kerabatsos is stalling in the full guard.
Joe Calzaghe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Calzaghe throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Calzaghe escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kerabatsos gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kerabatsos might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Calzaghe looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Calzaghe is looking for a triangle here but Kerabatsos uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kerabatsos 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 Calzaghe's shoulder. That is not cool.
Calzaghe manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Calzaghe is looking to advance position but Kerabatsos won't allow it.

Calzaghe is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kerabatsos manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Calzaghe stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kerabatsos swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Calzaghe stands up over Kerabatsos, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Calzaghe with a flurry of punches that miss.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Calzaghe accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Donald Kerabatsos is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kerabatsos working a defensive guard here.

Calzaghe has gone for a leg lock! Kerabatsos slips out almost immediately though and dives into Calzaghe's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Calzaghe looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Calzaghe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kerabatsos 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Donald Kerabatsos!