PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Giorgio Tsoukalos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ken Kahne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Tsoukalos
vs
Kahne

169 cm
24
169 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

173 cm
24
158 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Union Fight Gear
Zipp Zapp

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 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Giorgio Tsoukalos!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ken Kahne!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Stewart Dunkirk and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tsoukalos shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kahne as he jumps to the side.
Giorgio Tsoukalos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kahne lands a leg kick that knocks Tsoukalos off balance momentarily.
Tsoukalos shoots in for a double leg but Kahne sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Tsoukalos misses with a looping left.
Tsoukalos fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kahne stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kahne wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Giorgio Tsoukalos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tsoukalos fails with a takedown attempt.
That kick from Kahne tenderised Tsoukalos's leg. Tsoukalos is trying to keep his angry face on.
Tsoukalos fails to land the takedown.
Kahne defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tsoukalos.
Tsoukalos misses with a takedown attempt - Kahne sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsoukalos tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Kahne counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Tsoukalos is trying to control but can't.
Kahne is pressing down on Tsoukalos's thigh, looking to free his foot. Tsoukalos is holding on for now.
Kahne working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Kahne is looking to advance position but Tsoukalos won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tsoukalos trying to control from the bottom.
Nice strikes from Kahne there.
Tsoukalos trying to control here.
Tsoukalos is refusing to be controlled, as Kahne sits in half guard.
Tsoukalos wants to improve his position but Kahne is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kahne missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kahne not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kahne is trying to control. Tsoukalos wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Tsoukalos controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Tsoukalos tries to roll over but Kahne keeps him under control.
My spies in Uncle Jim's Garage inform me that Kahne has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Tsoukalos blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kahne.
Kahne throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kahne is keen to just control but Tsoukalos is a slippery customer.
Tsoukalos trying to control from the bottom.
Tsoukalos on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Tsoukalos is staying active underneath Kahne, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Tsoukalos keeping hold of Kahne's head, controlling as best he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Tsoukalos throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Kahne was covering up waiting for the punch and Tsoukalos finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Kahne looking to control.
Tsoukalos has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Kahne is looking for a triangle but Tsoukalos pushes his legs off easily.
Kahne is trying to control the position but Tsoukalos postures up.
Tsoukalos is stalling in the full guard.
Kahne tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kahne escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tsoukalos gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Tsoukalos stays in close to Kahne's body and controls the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Tsoukalos pushing down on Kahne's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Tsoukalos is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tsoukalos trying to mount his opponent but Kahne defends it.
Tsoukalos wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kahne keeps working.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tsoukalos takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Tsoukalos is trying to control. Kahne wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ken Kahne will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Tsoukalos moves in looking to clinch but Kahne pushes him off.
Tsoukalos goes for a double leg but Kahne avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kahne continues to drive forward.
Kahne scores with a shot to the side of Tsoukalos's head.
Kahne goes for a takedown attempt but Tsoukalos pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Giorgio Tsoukalos is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tsoukalos shoots and misses

and Kahne counters with a single leg into guard. Tsoukalos didn't expect that.
Tsoukalos seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Tsoukalos is pulling down on Kahne's head. It's preventing any offense from Kahne, at least for the moment.
Kahne postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Tsoukalos preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kahne trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kahne postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kahne tries to free his leg and advance position but Tsoukalos is retaining full guard.
Kahne trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Tsoukalos manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsoukalos content just to control the position here.
Tsoukalos trying to control but Kahne is having none of it.
Kahne swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Kahne is trying desperately to improve position.
Tsoukalos wants to control the pace but Kahne is squirming around nicely.
Kahne keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Kahne has given up his back.
A lull in the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kahne trying to control the hands but Tsoukalos won't let him.
Tsoukalos wants to control the position but Kahne frees himself and scrambles - Tsoukalos manages to regain control in side control.
Kahne is trying to control Tsoukalos's posture but Tsoukalos avoids it.
Kahne seems a little lost for a moment, as Tsoukalos dominates the positioning.
Kahne regains half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tsoukalos looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Tsoukalos frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tsoukalos working for a submission but Kahne is keeping him at bay.
Kahne is working to get back to half guard.
Tsoukalos looking to control and managing it successfully.
Ken Kahne has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kahne regains half guard.
Tsoukalos controlling the action here.
Kahne is looking for a sweep. Tsoukalos is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kahne looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kahne manages to get to full guard.
Kahne keeping full guard, as Tsoukalos tries to pass.

Kahne looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Tsoukalos looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kahne looking for a guillotine here but Tsoukalos defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ken Kahne will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kahne swats away the attempt to clinch by Tsoukalos.
A combination from Tsoukalos does no damage.
No luck for Tsoukalos with that takedown attempt.

Tsoukalos pushes Kahne up against the cage in a clinch.

Kahne tightens his grip and picks Tsoukalos up, before dumping him to the ground. Tsoukalos manages to land in guard.
Kahne postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tsoukalos utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tsoukalos is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kahne has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsoukalos looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kahne is one step ahead there.
Kahne throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tsoukalos controlling Kahne's posture.
Kahne cracks Tsoukalos with a solid left hand.
Tsoukalos looking to control.
Kahne trying to control but Tsoukalos is working from the bottom.
Kahne tries to free his leg and advance position but Tsoukalos is retaining full guard.
Kahne with a nice head shot there.
Kahne throws a big right hand that misses.
Kahne postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kahne working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kahne postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tsoukalos looking for a sweep. Not yet Tsoukalos, not yet.
Tsoukalos pulls Kahne in close to prevent any damage.

Tsoukalos escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kahne gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kahne not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
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!
Kahne throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tsoukalos works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kahne loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tsoukalos tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kahne working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Tsoukalos's head.
Tsoukalos trying to keep a closed guard but Kahne is proving a slippery customer.
Tsoukalos looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kahne trying to control the position from guard on top but Tsoukalos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kahne preventing the sweep.
Tsoukalos looking to control.
Kahne lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Kahne throwing strikes but missing.
Kahne passes into half guard.
Nice strikes from Kahne there.
Tsoukalos is trying to get back to full guard.
Tsoukalos wants to control but Kahne is keeping busy.
Kahne working Tsoukalos over with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kahne is thwarting Tsoukalos's attempts to control the position.
Tsoukalos avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kahne.
Kahne looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Kahne sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Tsoukalos defending well though.
Tsoukalos is trying to get back to full guard.
Tsoukalos keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tsoukalos wants to improve his position but Kahne is controlling well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tsoukalos trying to control but Kahne postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ken Kahne really dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Tsoukalos looks to score with a jab to the body but Kahne is just out of range.
Tsoukalos throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kahne.
Tsoukalos with a lazy takedown attempt

and Kahne counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Kahne is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Tsoukalos defends it well.
Tsoukalos controlling the position for now.
Kahne scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Kahne working Tsoukalos over with strikes.
Tsoukalos controlling the position well.
Tsoukalos has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kahne is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsoukalos on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Tsoukalos avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kahne.
Kahne prevents Tsoukalos from improving his position.
Kahne working the head and body with strikes.
Kahne lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Kahne seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Kahne working the head and body with strikes.
Kahne missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kahne seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Kahne scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Tsoukalos is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kahne pulls his head out easily.
Kahne prevents Tsoukalos from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kahne sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Tsoukalos defending well though.
Kahne lands with a punch from half guard.
Tsoukalos wants to control but Kahne is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kahne prevents Tsoukalos from improving his position.
Kahne thows a huge punch but Tsoukalos dodges it nicely.
Tsoukalos is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kahne scores with a couple of nice shots.
Tsoukalos tries to get to full guard but Kahne has control of the leg.
Kahne trying to mount his opponent but Tsoukalos defends it.
Tsoukalos wants to control but Kahne is keeping busy.
Kahne prevents Tsoukalos from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kahne throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kahne not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Tsoukalos keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Tsoukalos is trying to get back to full guard.
Kahne working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Kahne throwing shots but Tsoukalos is blocking nicely.
Kahne trying to control from half guard but Tsoukalos is working away.
Ground and pound from Kahne.
Tsoukalos is trying to get back to full guard.
Kahne not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kahne lands a nice short elbow.
Kahne trying to control from half guard but Tsoukalos is working away.
Kahne sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Tsoukalos defending well though.
Kahne is thwarting Tsoukalos's attempts to control the position.
Tsoukalos keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Tsoukalos avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kahne.
Kahne is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tsoukalos is trying to get back to full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tsoukalos is working hard here to advance position.
Tsoukalos is trying to control but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ken Kahne dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Tsoukalos shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kahne sprawls well. Kahne wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Tsoukalos gets slowly back to his feet.
Tsoukalos fails with a takedown attempt.
Tsoukalos connects with a right hand. Kahne shakes it off.
Tsoukalos shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Giorgio Tsoukalos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kahne.
Nice sprawl there from Kahne as Tsoukalos shoots in.

Tsoukalos dives in and scores a takedown into Kahne's guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Tsoukalos passes Kahne's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Tsoukalos wants to take a breather but Kahne is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kahne looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Tsoukalos is looking to take a break and control but Kahne is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Tsoukalos passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Kahne!
Kahne is squirming around, avoiding Tsoukalos's attempts to control the action.
Kahne is wriggling around trying to escape.
Kahne tries to lock up and control but Tsoukalos gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Tsoukalos takes Kahne's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Kahne is in trouble.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kahne looking very determined here, making life difficult for Tsoukalos.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Kahne is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Tsoukalos struggling to keep hold of the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kahne wants to escape the position.
Kahne is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
A lull in the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kahne manages to reverse the position and now he's in Tsoukalos's guard. Nice work there by Kahne.
Kahne trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Giorgio Tsoukalos.

Tsoukalos feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Tsoukalos trying to control but Kahne is working from the bottom.

Kahne is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Tsoukalos tries to free his leg and advance position but Kahne is retaining full guard.

Kahne is looking for a triangle but Tsoukalos pushes his legs off easily.
Tsoukalos stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kahne swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tsoukalos is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kahne looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kahne throwing short punches from the bottom.
Giorgio Tsoukalos has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tsoukalos tries to free his leg and advance position but Kahne is retaining full guard.
Tsoukalos 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.
Kahne is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Tsoukalos is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kahne's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kahne's back!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Tsoukalos looking for the choke from the back.
Tsoukalos lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Tsoukalos lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Kahne.

Tsoukalos working for a choke but Kahne is defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Giorgio Tsoukalos showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kahne 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 46:49
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 46:49
Judge George Francis scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ken Kahne!
Ken Kahne is the new lightweight champion!