PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Roko Stradivari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrej Kabak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Stradivari
vs
Kabak

187 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
22
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Fast

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Roko Stradivari!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Andrej Kabak!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Igor Prikhodko and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kabak throws a front kick aimed at Stradivari's knee but Stradivari avoids it well.
Stradivari shoots in and drives through. Kabak sprawls well.
Stradivari avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kabak circles away from the clinch attempt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Stradivari wants a takedown.

Stradivari has picked Kabak up - he's going for a ride! Stradivari dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Kabak works his way to full guard. Good work.

Kabak had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Stradivari is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Kabak Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Stradivari's back instead.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Kabak controlling the positon.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kabak is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Kabak gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Kabak gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Kabak apologises and we restart here on the feet.

Kabak instigates a clinch.
Kabak has Stradivari pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Stradivari manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kabak is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Stradivari gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kabak landing some nice looking knees to the body.
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!

Kabak breaks the clinch.
A punch combination from Kabak misses.
Stradivari blocks a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stradivari avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Stradivari fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roko Stradivari. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stradivari is breathing heavily.
Stradivari avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kabak tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Stradivari swivels and escapes.
Stradivari fails in his attempt to clinch.
Roko Stradivari seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stradivari tries to clinch but Kabak moves away
and Kabak counters with a two punch combo.
Kabak is looking to clinch but Stradivari is avoiding it.
Stradivari fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kabak will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kabak tries to bum rush Stradivari with a series of wild strikes but Stradivari uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A head kick misses from Stradivari.
Kabak throws a nice inside leg kick.

Kabak closes the distance and clinches.
Stradivari can't get the takedown.
Stradivari goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kabak prevents it.

Kabak breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Stradivari has managed to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kabak lands a shoulder strike.
Stradivari can't break the clinch.

Kabak jumps into guard, dragging Stradivari to the mat.
Kabak has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kabak seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kabak looking for a guillotine here but Stradivari defends easily.
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!

Kabak working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Stradivari doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Stradivari manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Stradivari tries to free his leg and advance position but Kabak is retaining full guard.

Stradivari stands up and waves to Kabak to follow him.
Kabak rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Stradivari moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Stradivari closes the distance but Kabak moves to the side
and Kabak counters with a series of strikes. Stradivari will be more careful next time no doubt.
Kabak fails to land the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stradivari takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kabak avoids a punch combination nicely.
Stradivari throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Stradivari closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kabak circles away.
Stradivari throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kabak.
Kabak works over Stradivari's head and body with a nice combination.
Kabak throws a series of punches but Stradivari avoids them all with ease.
Kabak shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Stradivari as he avoids it easily.
Donk. Stradivari catches Kabak right on the button with a cross.
Kabak tries to clinch up but Stradivari circles away and keeps his distance.

Kabak clinches up with Stradivari and pushes him back against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Kabak.
Kabak is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Stradivari pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kabak tries to pull guard but Stradivari won't allow it.
Kabak drops down looking for an ankle pick but Stradivari pulls his leg out and moves away.
Stradivari throws a head kick but Kabak moves out of range.
Kabak fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Stradivari has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stradivari goes for a takedown attempt but Kabak pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kabak.
Stradivari throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kabak counters with a three punch combo that has Stradivari backing up. Stradivari nods at Kabak to acknowledge the strikes.
Kabak misses with a low kick.
Stradivari attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

Stradivari forces Kabak back against the cage and clinches.
Kabak scores with a shot to the side of Stradivari's head.
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!
Kabak gets underhooks to prevent Stradivari's takedown attempt.

Kabak breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Stradivari, as that shot connected.
Kabak tries for a takedown but Stradivari circles away easily

and Stradivari counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Stradivari looking for a takedown.
Kabak drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stradivari is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kabak pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Stradivari prevents a takedown attempt there.

Kabak manages to break the clinch.
Kabak is looking to clinch but Stradivari is avoiding it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrej Kabak dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kabak lands a left and a right that sends Stradivari crashing to the canvas! Kabak dives into mount looking to finish!

Stradivari is rocked!
Stradivari is in all sorts of trouble here.
Oh Stradivari is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

Kabak with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Stradivari seems to have got his legs back now.
Kabak controlling from the full mount.
The referee warns Stradivari that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Kabak is landing with some decent strikes but Stradivari is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Kabak controlling his opponent.

Kabak has hold of Stradivari's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Stradivari manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.Kabak misses with a head shot.
Stradivari knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kabak on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stradivari is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Stradivari wants to control but Kabak is having none of it.
Stradivari is working to get back to half guard.
Kabak is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Stradivari wants to try and get back to his feet.
Kabak punishing his opponent with strikes.
Kabak putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Kabak misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Stradivari is looking to get to half guard.
Stradivari is in a horrible position here. Kabak smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Kabak looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
BOOM! Kabak connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Kabak controlling the pace for now.
Kabak's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Andrej Kabak has got the better of the ground game so far.
Stradivari throwing hammer fists to the chest of Kabak. What's that going to do exactly?

Kabak working for a submission but Stradivari is keeping him at bay.
Stradivari is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kabak controlling the position easily from mount.
Kabak is landing with some decent strikes but Stradivari is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

Kabak looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Kabak throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Kabak working the ground and pound effectively.
Kabak connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

Kabak wants to finish this one by submission but Stradivari is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Kabak.
Stradivari in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Kabak controlling from the full mount.
Let's hope that Kabak has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stradivari squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Stradivari on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Stradivari tries to get out of the position.
Stradivari throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Stradivari wants to try and get back to his feet.
Stradivari is wriggling around trying to escape.
Kabak scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Kabak lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kabak lands a heavy elbow.
Kabak controlling the position easily from mount.
Kabak in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Kabak connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Stradivari tries to hold on but Kabak postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stradivari is looking to get to half guard.
Kabak avoids the attempt from Stradivari to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stradivari really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrej Kabak showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Stradivari cracks a nice hook into Kabak's ribs.
Stradivari tries to clinch but Kabak moves away
and Kabak counters with a three punch combo that has Stradivari backing up. Stradivari nods at Kabak to acknowledge the strikes.

It looks like Roko Stradivari has been cut.
A punch combination from Stradivari misses.
Kabak throws a nice outside leg kick.
Stradivari misses with a jab, cross combination.
Stradivari looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Kabak has Stradivari up against the cage in a clinch.

Kabak breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Kabak shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Kabak is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Stradivari is just riding it out for now. Kabak eventually gives up the hold.

Kabak escapes and gets back to his feet.
Roko Stradivari is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Kabak closes the distance and clinches.
Kabak takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kabak tries to break the clinch but Stradivari is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stradivari drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kabak is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Stradivari escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stradivari is looking to clinch but Kabak is avoiding it.

Stradivari looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Kabak on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Kabak is staying active underneath Stradivari, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kabak is pressing down on Stradivari's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Stradivari trying to control but Kabak is working from the bottom.
Kabak manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Stradivari is trying to escape the mount.
Kabak sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stradivari trying desperately to get to his feet.
Kabak controlling his opponent.
Kabak is landing with some decent strikes but Stradivari is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Kabak lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Stradivari working to try and regain half guard.
Kabak avoids the attempt from Stradivari to control.
Kabak trying to control but Stradivari is having none of it.
Stradivari is looking to get to half guard.
Kabak looking to ground and pound but Stradivari is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stradivari tries to hold on but Kabak pushes him away.
You get the feeling that Stradivari really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Kabak working the ground and pound effectively.
Kabak has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kabak tries to control but Stradivari wriggling away.
Stradivari keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Stradivari tries to hold on but Kabak postures up.
Kabak connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Kabak lands a big elbow.
Stradivari tries to hold on but Kabak postures up.
Stradivari is looking to improve his position but Kabak isn't that keen on the idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kabak has hold of Stradivari's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Stradivari manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Kabak throws some wild stikes that Stradivari manages to avoid easily.
Kabak has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Stradivari's face.
Kabak controlling the position easily from mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kabak has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Stradivari's face.
Roko Stradivari has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kabak fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stradivari taking shots to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andrej Kabak comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kabak has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 26:30
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 26:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrej Kabak!