PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Antoine Kelstral (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ilir Latifi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Latifi has chosen House of the Rising Sun as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. On his way into the cage it seems that Antoine Kelstral has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Antoine Kelstral seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Kelstral
vs
Latifi

191 cm
24
214 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

173 cm
25
220 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Big heart

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Intelligent

Steel Penn\'s Virtually Identical
TROJ[A]N (sponsorships avaliable)

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Antoine Kelstral!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ilir Latifi!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Latifi.

Latifi closes the distance and clinches.
Kelstral taking a breather.
Kelstral is trying to push Latifi away but Latifi has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kelstral wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Latifi is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kelstral taking a breather.
Latifi drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Antoine Kelstral has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ilir Latifi.
Kelstral has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Latifi drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Kelstral gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Latifi keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kelstral's efforts to push away.
Kelstral wants to get back to striking at distance but Latifi won't allow it.
Kelstral looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Latifi wants a takedown.

Latifi tightens his grip and picks Kelstral up, before dumping him to the ground. Kelstral manages to land in guard.
Latifi is in close to Kelstral's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Kelstral wants to stand but Latifi is controlling the position.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Latifi has eaten all the pies!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Latifi controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Kelstral knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Latifi on the ground.
Latifi prevents Kelstral from getting back to his feet.
Latifi looking to pass the guard.
Latifi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Latifi engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Latifi has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kelstral is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Latifi is controlling him.
Latifi controlling from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Latifi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kelstral circles away.
Kelstral misses with a double jab.
Kelstral cracks Latifi with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Kelstral shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Latifi defends it nicely.
Kelstral keeps the fight on the outside.
Ilir Latifi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kelstral drives through and clinches with Latifi against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kelstral is trying to maintain a safe position but Latifi gets an underhook and turns Kelstral into the cage.
Latifi taking a breather.
A frustrated look appears on Kelstral's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kelstral is trying to push Latifi away but Latifi has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kelstral trying to stall but Latifi improves his position.
Latifi is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Kelstral is defending well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Latifi has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Kelstral regains guard immediately.
Latifi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kelstral is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ilir Latifi dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Latifi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kelstral pinned against the cage. Kelstral gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Kelstral clinches.
Kelstral wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Latifi has Kelstral pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Latifi pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Kelstral tumbling to the mat - Latifi dives into Kelstral's guard.
Latifi's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Kelstral is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Latifi is controlling him.
Kelstral keeping moving, preventing Latifi from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Latifi drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Latifi jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Latifi sitting in guard here, content to control.
Kelstral wants to stand up but Latifi is controlling him.
Kelstral can't keep his opponent in guard - Latifi advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Latifi seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kelstral does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Latifi is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Latifi perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Latifi uses his free foot to push down on Kelstral's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Kelstral.
Latifi lands a heavy elbow.
Latifi can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kelstral is looking to escape.
Latifi won't let Kelstral get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Latifi takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Latifi is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Kelstral can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Latifi tries to control but Kelstral wriggling away.
Kelstral on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kelstral tries to get out of the position.
Kelstral wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Latifi wants to control the pace but Kelstral is squirming around nicely.
Kelstral is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Latifi tries to control but Kelstral wriggling away.
The referee warns Kelstral that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ilir Latifi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Latifi dives in for a single leg takedown but Kelstral sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Kelstral gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Latifi.
Kelstral wants to break free but Latifi has control.
Kelstral is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Latifi has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Kelstral after a bit of a struggle.
Antoine Kelstral has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ilir Latifi.
Latifi is trying to drag Kelstral to the mat but Kelstral just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Kelstral has Latifi pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kelstral prevents a takedown attempt there.
Kelstral has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Latifi keeps control of Kelstral as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kelstral is trying to break free.
Kelstral wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Latifi has Kelstral pressed against the cage, preventing Kelstral from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Latifi wants to take the fight to the mat but Kelstral manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Kelstral is trying to force a seperation but Latifi has the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kelstral has had enough of the clinch but Latifi keeps him there for the moment.
Latifi stalling the fight.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Latifi tries for a takedown. No joy.
Kelstral tries to stall but Latifi uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kelstral looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Ilir Latifi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kelstral stops a takedown attempt from Latifi.
Latifi goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kelstral prevents it.
Latifi is struggling to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kelstral is trying to break free.

Latifi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Latifi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kelstral sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Antoine Kelstral has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Latifi fails with the takedown.
A combination from Kelstral does no damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Latifi or perhaps it was just good defense by Kelstral which made him look bad.
Latifi moves out of range of the strikes.
Latifi's coach down at Weed Nation was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Latifi's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Latifi slips a straight right by Kelstral.
Latifi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kelstral sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Latifi somewhat.
Latifi fails with a takedown attempt.
Latifi's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kelstral connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Latifi scrambles back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Antoine Kelstral showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Latifi has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ilir Latifi!
Ilir Latifi took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Steel Penn's Virtually Identical for their support in the buildup to the fight.