PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Villi Kotobalavu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lukasz Sajewski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Kotobalavu
vs
Sajewski

180 cm
34
169 lbs
29 - 12 - 2

177 cm
24
169 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

Great wrestler
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 12 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Villi Kotobalavu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lukasz Sajewski!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Saam Ante and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sajewski chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kotobalavu can pounce on him.
Sajewski cracks Kotobalavu with a right hand to the side of the head.
Sajewski shoots in but no luck this time.
Sajewski ducks under a wild hook from Kotobalavu.
Kotobalavu goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Kotobalavu looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Sajewski has his hands on Kotobalavu's head, controlling the position.
Kotobalavu throws a big right hand that misses.
Sajewski has control of Kotobalavu's left arm, preventing Kotobalavu from doing any damage.
Kotobalavu wants to control from the top but Sajewski keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sajewski working a defensive guard here.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Lukasz Sajewski hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Kotobalavu on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Sajewski misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kotobalavu.
Kotobalavu misses with a leg kick.
Sajewski throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kotobalavu fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sajewski.

Kotobalavu darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Sajewski is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Sajewski moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kotobalavu in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kotobalavu has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Sajewski keeping moving, preventing Kotobalavu from controlling successfully.
Kotobalavu stopping the sweep attempt from Sajewski.
Kotobalavu trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sajewski not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kotobalavu postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sajewski keeping moving, preventing Kotobalavu from controlling successfully.
Sajewski is adopting a defensive guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Kotobalavu throws a big elbow that misses.
Sajewski controls Kotobalavu momentarily but Kotobalavu frees himself.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Sajewski throws a hook but Kotobalavu blocks it.
Sajewski takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Kotobalavu, right into the meat.
Sajewski blocks a head kick by Kotobalavu.
Kotobalavu lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kotobalavu moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kotobalavu catches Sajewski with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Sajewski checks the leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kotobalavu manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Sajewski on his heels. He'll look to pass Sajewski's guard now, I'm sure.
Sajewski wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

Kotobalavu is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Sajewski is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Sajewski has escaped and now he's on top!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kotobalavu looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sajewski is one step ahead there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kotobalavu utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Villi Kotobalavu dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Sajewski checks a low kick from Kotobalavu.
Some bone on bone action there as Sajewski checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Kotobalavu shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sajewski as he avoids it easily.
Kotobalavu takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Sajewski takes a swing at Kotobalavu's ribcage but misses.
Sajewski misses with a body shot.
A head kick misses from Kotobalavu.

Kotobalavu gets the takedown into side control.

Kotobalavu swings around for an armbar but Sajewski sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Kotobalavu's guard.
Sajewski's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Sajewski throws a strike but Kotobalavu rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Sajewski looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sajewski controls Kotobalavu momentarily but Kotobalavu frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kotobalavu won't allow Sajewski to sweep him here.
Sajewski controlling the position.
Kotobalavu wants to control from the top but Sajewski keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Villi Kotobalavu.
Sajewski misses with the combination.
Kotobalavu pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kotobalavu throws a head kick that misses.
Sajewski misses with a head kick.

Kotobalavu scores a takedown into full mount!
Sajewski regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kotobalavu is working for a submission of some sort.
Sajewski gets back to full guard.
Sajewski is pulling down on Kotobalavu's head to control his posture.
Sajewski preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kotobalavu stopping the sweep attempt from Sajewski.
Sajewski is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kotobalavu with a flurry of punches that miss.
Villi Kotobalavu overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kotobalavu 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.
Kotobalavu throws a big elbow that misses.
Kotobalavu wants to control from the top but Sajewski keeps moving.
Sajewski is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
An inside leg kick from Kotobalavu misses.
Sajewski lands a right hook to the body.
Kotobalavu throws a poor cross that misses
and Sajewski counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kotobalavu thinking.
Sajewski finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A bone on bone clash there as Sajewski blocks the leg kick.

Kotobalavu closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Sajewski quickly recovers to half guard.
Sajewski controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Kotobalavu wants to control but Sajewski is keeping him busy.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sajewski trying to control from the bottom.
Sajewski makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Sajewski.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Villi Kotobalavu will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kotobalavu slips under a jab from Sajewski.
Kotobalavu cracks Sajewski with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Sajewski takes a jab right on the kisser.
Kotobalavu slips a jab from Sajewski.
Sajewski lands with a right hand.
Kotobalavu moves out of range as Sajewski throws a body kick.
Kotobalavu connects with an inside leg kick.
Sajewski throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Kotobalavu shoots in but no luck this time.
Kotobalavu throws a leg kick but Sajewski checks it.
Sajewski misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kotobalavu attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Sajewski digs a good hook to Kotobalavu's body.
Sajewski scores with a kick to the midsection.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kotobalavu swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sajewski lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Lukasz Sajewski seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sajewski displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kotobalavu throws out the jab.
Sajewski looks to land a right hand but Kotobalavu moved out of range.
Sajewski avoids the head kick by Kotobalavu.
Kotobalavu cracks Sajewski with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Sajewski is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kotobalavu rather than just go for the knockout.
Sajewski lands a nice shot that snaps Kotobalavu's head back.
Kotobalavu shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sajewski as he avoids it easily.

Sajewski shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
The referee warns Kotobalavu that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Kotobalavu is wriggling around trying to escape.
Sajewski raining down shots from the mount!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sajewski breaks from Kotobalavu's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Sajewski wants to control the pace but Kotobalavu is squirming around nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sajewski controlling from mount.
Kotobalavu can't escape the position.
Sajewski in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Sajewski pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Lukasz Sajewski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kotobalavu bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Kotobalavu postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kotobalavu trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kotobalavu throwing strikes but missing.
Sajewski has Kotobalavu pulled in close to control his posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kotobalavu landing with the ground and pound.
Sajewski is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Kotobalavu trying to control the position from guard on top but Sajewski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sajewski controls Kotobalavu momentarily but Kotobalavu frees himself.
Kotobalavu throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kotobalavu postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Sajewski preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sajewski keeping moving, preventing Kotobalavu from controlling successfully.
Sajewski looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kotobalavu is one step ahead there.
Kotobalavu throws a big right hand that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sajewski wants to hit a switch here but Kotobalavu passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Sajewski there!
Kotobalavu looking to finish with strikes here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Lukasz Sajewski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kotobalavu 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 29:29
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!