PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Vladimir Van Kirkland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tohino Cerezo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Van Kirkland kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Ludacris - Act A Fool. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Van Kirkland
vs
Cerezo

180 cm
21
164 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

180 cm
21
160 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Insanely flexible

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Happy Pills
KAISER

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vladimir Van Kirkland!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tohino Cerezo!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Jorge Garcia and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A good leg kick by Van Kirkland.
Cerezo throws the left hand but Van Kirkland avoids the punch easily.
A head kick from Van Kirkland lands but Cerezo takes it in his stride.
Cerezo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cerezo moves out of range of the leg kick from Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland connects with an inside leg kick.
Vladimir Van Kirkland seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Van Kirkland throws a nice head kick!
Cerezo tries for a takedown but Van Kirkland sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Van Kirkland misses with an uppercut. Cerezo saw that one coming.
Cerezo takes a jab right on the kisser.
Cerezo looks to throw the jab but Van Kirkland is out of range.
Van Kirkland misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cerezo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Kirkland throws a quick inside leg kick.
Van Kirkland throws a jab but it's blocked by Cerezo.
Cerezo blocks a jab.
Van Kirkland pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Van Kirkland tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A leg kick checked by Cerezo.
Van Kirkland throws a leg kick
and Cerezo counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Vladimir Van Kirkland is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Van Kirkland finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Van Kirkland wants to land a leg kick but Cerezo is out of range.
Cerezo shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Van Kirkland defends it nicely.
Vladimir Van Kirkland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tohino Cerezo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Van Kirkland chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A chopping leg kick lands by Van Kirkland.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cerezo.
Some bone on bone action there as Cerezo checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Van Kirkland throws out a leg kick but Cerezo moves out of range and Van Kirkland only half commits.
Van Kirkland cracks the inside of Cerezo's front leg.

Cerezo gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cerezo misses with a punch on the inside.
Cerezo misses with a hook to the ribs.
Cerezo doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Cerezo is looking to take this one to the mat.
Cerezo is trying desperately to land a takedown but Van Kirkland is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Cerezo.
Cerezo lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Van Kirkland breaks from the clinch.
Cerezo avoids a kick to the body.
A head kick misses from Van Kirkland.
A nice leg kick lands there from Van Kirkland.

Van Kirkland fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Cerezo, pushing him back against the cage.
Cerezo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Van Kirkland has a couple of punches blocked by Cerezo.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland misses with a knee strike.
A head punch on the inside from Cerezo fails to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Van Kirkland manages to break the clinch.
A chopping leg kick lands by Van Kirkland.
Cerezo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Van Kirkland paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A swing and a miss from Van Kirkland.

Cerezo pushes Van Kirkland up against the cage in a clinch.
Cerezo's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Van Kirkland wants to break the clinch but can't.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cerezo.
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!
Cerezo is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Van Kirkland is defending well.
Cerezo tries to score a body lock takedown but Van Kirkland shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Van Kirkland lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Cerezo softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cerezo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Cerezo.
Cerezo misses with a punch on the inside.
Cerezo lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Van Kirkland backwards.
Cerezo blocking some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Van Kirkland dominated that round.
That's time! Van Kirkland's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Van Kirkland misses the jab.
Vladimir Van Kirkland is winning the standup battle so far.
Van Kirkland tries a head kick but it misses.
Tohino Cerezo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A chopping leg kick lands by Van Kirkland.
Cerezo blocks a head kick by Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland throws a hook but Cerezo blocks it.
Van Kirkland wants to land a leg kick but Cerezo is out of range.
Van Kirkland misses with a low kick.
Van Kirkland waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cerezo.
Cerezo throws a looping overhand right but Van Kirkland ducks down to avoid it.
Van Kirkland will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Van Kirkland tries a low kick but Cerezo avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Kirkland stuffs the takedown.
Cerezo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
No joy there for Cerezo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Van Kirkland dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Cerezo. That did some damage!
Cerezo tries to clinch
and Van Kirkland counters with an inside leg kick.
Van Kirkland throws a quick inside leg kick.
Van Kirkland swats away the attempt to clinch by Cerezo.
Van Kirkland misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cerezo checks a low kick from Van Kirkland.
Cerezo connects with a right hand. Van Kirkland shakes it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland misses the shot to the body.
Cerezo jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Cerezo blocks a low kick nicely.
Van Kirkland looks to land a right hand but Cerezo moved out of range.
Cerezo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Van Kirkland moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Van Kirkland defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cerezo.
Vladimir Van Kirkland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tohino Cerezo.
Cerezo blocks a low kick nicely.
Van Kirkland tries a low kick but Cerezo avoids it.
Van Kirkland misses with a low kick.
Van Kirkland is looking to chop away at Cerezo's legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland throws a shot from downtown. Cerezo moves away and avoids it.
Van Kirkland scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Van Kirkland waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cerezo.
Van Kirkland plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Van Kirkland misses with a low kick.
Van Kirkland throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Van Kirkland misses with a low kick.
Van Kirkland lands a right hook to the body.
Van Kirkland swings widly with a right hand

and Cerezo counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Cerezo tries to pull guard but Van Kirkland won't allow it.

Van Kirkland breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Van Kirkland 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 Cerezo has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Cerezo and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Cerezo lands a jab to the head.
Van Kirkland throws a leg kick that misses.
Cerezo slips under a jab.
An inside leg kick lands from Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland tries a head kick but it misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cerezo blocks a jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Van Kirkland throws a leg kick but Cerezo sees it coming and moves out of range.
Van Kirkland throws a front kick aimed at Cerezo's knee but Cerezo avoids it well.

Cerezo has closed the distance and engaged Van Kirkland in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Van Kirkland dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Van Kirkland misses with a leg kick.

Cerezo scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Van Kirkland is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Cerezo's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Cerezo's back!
Cerezo avoids the strikes from Van Kirkland.
Cerezo covering up well under a series of strikes from Van Kirkland.
Cerezo is in bad spot here.
Cerezo trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Cerezo rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Van Kirkland prevents Cerezo from improving his position.
Van Kirkland is taking a breather. Cerezo 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.
Cerezo is positioning himself well to prevent Van Kirkland advancing to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cerezo looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Van Kirkland throwing shots but Cerezo is blocking nicely.
Van Kirkland looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Cerezo is looking to improve his position.
Cerezo wants to get back to full guard but Van Kirkland has passed into side control.
You can see the frustration on Cerezo's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Van Kirkland stands up.
Van Kirkland avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Cerezo.
Van Kirkland wants to land a leg kick but Cerezo is out of range.
Van Kirkland throws a quick inside leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Cerezo.
Van Kirkland thumps Cerezo with a low kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Cerezo checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Van Kirkland throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland misses with a hook.
Cerezo is looking to clinch.
Van Kirkland throws a nice inside leg kick.
Van Kirkland blocks a jab.
Van Kirkland pivots, looking for a leg kick but Cerezo is out of range and Van Kirkland settles back down.
Cerezo shoots in and drives through. Van Kirkland sprawls well.
Cerezo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Van Kirkland sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cerezo somewhat.
Van Kirkland pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland circles away from the clinch attempt.

Cerezo clinches up against the cage.
Cerezo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Van Kirkland working aggressively here.

Van Kirkland manages to break the clinch.
A clash of legs there as Cerezo blocks the low kick.
Cerezo slips a jab from Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland throws a leg kick but Cerezo moved away.
Cerezo avoids the head kick by Van Kirkland.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cerezo takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Cerezo scores with the left hand. Van Kirkland knows he should have avoided that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Van Kirkland clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Van Kirkland misses with a low kick as Cerezo jumps back.

Cerezo closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Van Kirkland's guard.
Van Kirkland keeping moving, preventing Cerezo from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cerezo pushing down on Van Kirkland's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Cerezo is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Van Kirkland defends it well.
Van Kirkland has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Cerezo is working away from the top position though.

Cerezo is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Van Kirkland slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Van Kirkland is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Van Kirkland is really struggling to control Cerezo but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cerezo thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Van Kirkland keeping moving, preventing Cerezo from controlling successfully.

Cerezo is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Van Kirkland is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Van Kirkland has escaped and now he's on top!
Van Kirkland trying to control but Cerezo is working from the bottom.

Cerezo is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Van Kirkland is aware though and is defending well.

Van Kirkland avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Cerezo has his foot on Van Kirkland's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Van Kirkland works his way back into a safe position though.
Cerezo is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cerezo looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Van Kirkland slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Van Kirkland advances position into side control!
Van Kirkland trying to control the position but Cerezo is working away.
Cerezo tries to improve position but can't.

Van Kirkland is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Cerezo is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Van Kirkland is chipping away with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cerezo parries the strikes from Van Kirkland easily there. Van Kirkland is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Cerezo to escape.
Van Kirkland trying to control the action but Cerezo is working from the bottom.
Cerezo is looking to regain half guard here but Van Kirkland keeps moving and retains side control.
Van Kirkland throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Cerezo is looking for a sweep.
Van Kirkland working the ground and pound.
Van Kirkland misses with the ground and pound.
Van Kirkland creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Van Kirkland trying to control the action but Cerezo is working from the bottom.
Cerezo is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Kirkland is trying to ground and pound but Cerezo uses the momentary lack of control by Van Kirkland to regain half guard.
Cerezo is trying to get back to full guard.
Van Kirkland trying to mount his opponent but Cerezo defends it.
Van Kirkland seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Cerezo does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Vladimir Van Kirkland overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Cerezo keeping control of the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Cerezo looking for a kimura from the bottom but Van Kirkland passes into side control!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Van Kirkland tries for a kimura but Cerezo is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Vladimir Van Kirkland will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Van Kirkland connects with a solid leg kick.
Van Kirkland buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Van Kirkland throws a sloppy head kick and Cerezo moves out of range easily.
Cerezo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Van Kirkland moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Cerezo ducks under a wild hook from Van Kirkland.
Van Kirkland misses with a low kick.
Van Kirkland bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Cerezo's head.
A low kick from Van Kirkland misses
and Cerezo counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Van Kirkland. That's going to slow Cerezo down.
Van Kirkland misses with a low kick.
Van Kirkland lands a leg kick that knocks Cerezo off balance momentarily.
Van Kirkland is looking to score with low kicks.
Van Kirkland pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Van Kirkland tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Cerezo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Van Kirkland paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Cerezo doesn't manage to clinch there - Van Kirkland circles away.
Van Kirkland throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Van Kirkland displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Cerezo throws out the jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cerezo blocks a jab.
Cerezo swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Van Kirkland swats away the attempt to clinch by Cerezo.
Cerezo checks the leg kick nicely there.
Van Kirkland connects with a jab.

Cerezo is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Van Kirkland's half guard.
Van Kirkland trying to control here.
Cerezo prevents Van Kirkland from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cerezo is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Van Kirkland makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Van Kirkland.
Tohino Cerezo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Cerezo is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Van Kirkland is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Van Kirkland has escaped and now he's on top!
Cerezo controls Van Kirkland momentarily but Van Kirkland frees himself.
Van Kirkland trying to control but Cerezo is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Van Kirkland is posturing up here but Cerezo has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Van Kirkland tries to roll out but it's too tight and Van Kirkland has to tap! Slick submission there by Cerezo!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:19 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Tohino Cerezo!
Tohino Cerezo is the new lightweight champion!
An out of breath Tohino Cerezo thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.