PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Lena Thorevska (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yuske Kawanushi (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.

Thorevska
vs
Kawanushi

166 cm
25
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

168 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Lena Thorevska!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Yuske Kawanushi!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, James Glass and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Thorevska avoids the head kick by Kawanushi.
Kawanushi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Thorevska.
Thorevska throws a hook but Kawanushi blocks it.
Kawanushi throws a chopping leg kick but Thorevska manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kawanushi tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Thorevska defends well and Kawanushi ends up having to push Thorevska into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Kawanushi slows down the pace here.
Kawanushi drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Thorevska gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Kawanushi tries to pull guard but Thorevska forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Lena Thorevska has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yuske Kawanushi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawanushi is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Thorevska to keep the fight standing.
Kawanushi with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Kawanushi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kawanushi misses with a body kick.
Thorevska throws a big shot that misses.
Thorevska avoids the head kick by Kawanushi.
Kawanushi doesn't manage to clinch there - Thorevska circles away.
Kawanushi slips a jab and a cross from Thorevska.
Kawanushi slips a jab from Thorevska.
Kawanushi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Thorevska.
Thorevska missing with a left hand there. Kawanushi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nice cross by Thorevska.
Kawanushi wants to clinch.
Thorevska throws out a powerful jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thorevska throws a hook to the side of Kawanushi's head but Kawanushi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Thorevska throws a hook to the side of Kawanushi's head but Kawanushi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kawanushi blocks a jab.
Nice straight punches there by Thorevska. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Thorevska.
Thorevska stuffs the takedown.
A punch combination from Kawanushi misses.

Kawanushi clinches with his opponent.
Kawanushi drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Thorevska gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Thorevska working aggressively here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawanushi tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kawanushi blocking some punches.
Kawanushi is working for takedown but Thorevska is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kawanushi looks winded!
Thorevska prevents a body shot from Kawanushi.
Kawanushi tries to throw a body punch but Thorevska avoids it by throwing Kawanushi back against the cage.
Kawanushi tries to pull guard but Thorevska holds him up against the cage and eventually Kawanushi drops back down to his feet.
Thorevska is trying to maintain a safe position but Kawanushi gets an underhook and turns Thorevska into the cage.
Kawanushi is trying to pull guard but Thorevska turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thorevska misses with some punches.
Thorevska throws a punch but it's blocked by Kawanushi.
Kawanushi fails to pull guard.
Kawanushi has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Thorevska stalling in the clinch.
Kawanushi misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Thorevska.

Kawanushi manages to break the clinch.
Thorevska scores with a jab to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thorevska misses with a looping right.
Thorevska connects with a right hand. Kawanushi shakes it off.
Thorevska looks to land a right hand but Kawanushi moved out of range.
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 Lena Thorevska will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Thorevska throws a lazy right hand but Kawanushi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Kawanushi clinches up with Thorevska and pushes him back against the cage.
Kawanushi tries for a takedown. No joy.
Kawanushi throws a head punch that misses.
Kawanushi jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Thorevska walks away with a smile on his face. Kawanushi gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
A left lands for Thorevska.
Thorevska throws a jab when Kawanushi was well out of range.
Kawanushi is looking to clinch but Thorevska is avoiding it.
Thorevska lands a jab to the head.
Kawanushi finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Kawanushi shoots in but Thorevska avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Lena Thorevska has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yuske Kawanushi.
Thorevska throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Some wild striking there from Thorevska.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thorevska lands a head shot.
Thorevska bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Kawanushi's head backwards.
Yuske Kawanushi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kawanushi misses with a head kick.
Kawanushi is breathing heavily.
Nice takedown defense from Thorevska. No joy for Kawanushi on that attempt.
Thorevska works over Kawanushi's head and body with a nice combination.
Kawanushi slips a jab from Thorevska.
Kawanushi takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Thorevska misses with a few strikes there.
Thorevska misses with a hook.
Thorevska looks to land a right hand but Kawanushi moved out of range.
Kawanushi slips under a jab.
Kawanushi wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kawanushi throws a looping overhand right but Thorevska ducks down to avoid it.
Thorevska sizes up Kawanushi with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Kawanushi moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Thorevska takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
A big left from Thorevska misses.
Thorevska lands a jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Thorevska scores with a jab.
Thorevska is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Thorevska slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kawanushi has a takedown stuffed.
Thorevska misses with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice cross by Thorevska.
Kawanushi slips a straight right by Thorevska.
Kawanushi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Thorevska.

Thorevska gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Thorevska is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Thorevska is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kawanushi defends well.
Kawanushi wanted to stand there but Thorevska had control of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Thorevska is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kawanushi defends well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Thorevska is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Kawanushi rolls with it to try and escape but Thorevska cranks on the arm and Kawanushi is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:41 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Lena Thorevska!