PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Vladimir Kunitskiy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sanji Sanpun (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sanpun has chosen Snacktime - Barenaked Ladies as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kunitskiy
vs
Sanpun

173 cm
26
146 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

178 cm
28
157 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Vladimir Kunitskiy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sanji Sanpun!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Dillan Fox and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kunitskiy keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Sanpun throws a sloppy head kick and Kunitskiy moves out of range easily.
Sanpun sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Kunitskiy attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Sanpun moves into range and connects with a jab.
The fighters circling - Kunitskiy throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Sanpun has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Kunitskiy lands with an uppercut that bounces Sanpun off the cage and back into range.
Sanpun misses with a combination
and Kunitskiy counters with a two punch combo.
Sanpun lands with a nice body punch.
Kunitskiy looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Sanpun throws a head kick but Kunitskiy moves out of range.
Kunitskiy misses with a hook to the body
and Sanpun counters with an outside leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sanpun misses with a few strikes there.
Sanpun moves in looking to clinch but Kunitskiy pushes him off.
Sanpun ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kunitskiy moves away.
A head kick from Kunitskiy lands but Sanpun takes it in his stride.
Kunitskiy staying out of range there.
Sanpun throws an overhand right that lands on Kunitskiy's shoulder, as Kunitskiy tries to avoid the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kunitskiy fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kunitskiy misses with a two punch combination.
Sanpun tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kunitskiy manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kunitskiy loads up on a big right hand but Sanpun slips the punch.
Sanpun misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sanpun misses with a straight left.
Sanpun misses with a straight right.
Sanpun throws a head kick that misses
and Kunitskiy makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Kunitskiy thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Sanpun if he has to take too many more of those.
Sanpun dives in for a single leg takedown but Kunitskiy sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Sanpun wants to take the fight to the mat but Kunitskiy manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Kunitskiy lands a left hand.
Sanpun lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A frustrated look appears on Sanpun's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kunitskiy lands with a short shot to the head.
Kunitskiy blocks a body shot from Sanpun.
Kunitskiy lands an elbow that stopped Sanpun in his tracks for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sanpun.

Sanpun turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kunitskiy sneaks back into half guard.
Sanpun is thwarting Kunitskiy's attempts to control the position.

Kunitskiy is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Sanpun pulls his head out easily.

Kunitskiy looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kunitskiy wants to control but Sanpun is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Sanpun is looking for a kimura but Kunitskiy is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sanpun to get the leverage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kunitskiy is looking to control Sanpun's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kunitskiy avoid being mounted?
Kunitskiy is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sanpun's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sanpun's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kunitskiy wants to control but Sanpun is keeping busy.

Kunitskiy tightening his grip on Sanpun, looking for the choke.
Sanpun looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Sanpun tries to escape but Kunitskiy has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Kunitskiy not allowing Sanpun to control his hands.
Sanpun is really stuck here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sanpun manages to reverse the position and now he's in Kunitskiy's guard. Nice work there by Sanpun.
Sanpun stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kunitskiy swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kunitskiy is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Sanpun avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sanpun 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.
Sanpun missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kunitskiy looking to control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sanpun in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sanpun chips away with some ground and pound.
Kunitskiy looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sanpun forces his way into half guard.
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 Vladimir Kunitskiy will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sanpun is looking to land body kicks.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kunitskiy.
Kunitskiy lands an overhand right.

Sanpun rushes Kunitskiy and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Sanpun's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kunitskiy misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sanpun blocks a body shot from Kunitskiy.
Sanpun throws a punch but it's blocked by Kunitskiy.
A shot in the inside from Kunitskiy.
Sanpun tries to score a body lock takedown but Kunitskiy shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A shot in the inside from Kunitskiy.
Kunitskiy managing to block the knees to the body from Sanpun.
Sanpun can't break the clinch.
Kunitskiy prevents a body shot from Sanpun.
Kunitskiy gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Knees to the body from Kunitskiy.
Sanpun dodges an elbow strike from Kunitskiy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanpun is trying to pull guard but Kunitskiy has him pressed against the cage.
Sanpun managing to block the knees to the body from Kunitskiy.
Kunitskiy avoids a wild elbow strike from Sanpun.
Sanpun comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Kunitskiy throws a punch but it's blocked by Sanpun.
Kunitskiy blocks an uppercut.
Kunitskiy lands a left hand.
Kunitskiy misses with a punch to the body.
Sanpun misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sanpun tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Sanpun lands a nice shot to the body.
Kunitskiy scores with a nice hook to the head.
Sanpun misses with an elbow over the top.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kunitskiy.
Kunitskiy doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sanpun lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kunitskiy lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kunitskiy lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kunitskiy lands a right hand that snaps the head of Sanpun backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sanpun tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Sanpun unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kunitskiy lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Sanpun pulls guard.
Kunitskiy wants to control from the top but Sanpun keeps moving.
Sanpun manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kunitskiy manages to get himself to full guard.

Kunitskiy has his foot on Sanpun's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sanpun works his way back into a safe position though.

Kunitskiy throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Kunitskiy is looking for a triangle but Sanpun pushes his legs off easily.
Sanpun trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Kunitskiy looking for a guillotine here but Sanpun defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanpun trying to control but Kunitskiy is working from the bottom.

Kunitskiy is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sanpun defends well.
Sanpun postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Sanpun trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Kunitskiy is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Kunitskiy has his foot on Sanpun's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sanpun works his way back into a safe position though.

Kunitskiy escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sanpun gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kunitskiy is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanpun wants to control from the top but Kunitskiy keeps moving.
Kunitskiy trying to control the position.
Sanpun trying to control the position from guard on top but Kunitskiy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Sanpun has gone for a leg lock! Kunitskiy slips out almost immediately though and dives into Sanpun's guard.
Kunitskiy trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanpun is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sanpun looking to control but Kunitskiy passes into half guard.
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 Vladimir Kunitskiy will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Nice body punch from Kunitskiy.
Sanpun tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kunitskiy manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sanji Sanpun is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Kunitskiy closes the distance and pushes Sanpun back into the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kunitskiy.
Sanpun trying to land knees to the body.
Kunitskiy lands with a left to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kunitskiy.
A head punch on the inside from Kunitskiy fails to land.
Kunitskiy fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kunitskiy lands a right hand that snaps the head of Sanpun backwards.
Sanpun changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kunitskiy fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Some wild striking there from Sanpun.
Kunitskiy moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanpun throws a low kick but Kunitskiy avoids it.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kunitskiy, as that shot connected.
Sanpun circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sanpun tries to close the distance and clinch but Kunitskiy swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kunitskiy misses with a hook.
Sanpun moves out of range as Kunitskiy throws a body kick.
Sanpun tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kunitskiy swings widly with a right hand
and Sanpun counters with a nice uppercut.
Kunitskiy tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Sanpun crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Kunitskiy - the referee stops the clock and Sanpun gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Kunitskiy. Sanpun manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Sanpun slips a straight right by Kunitskiy.
Kunitskiy lands with a nice body punch.
Kunitskiy throws a sloppy head kick and Sanpun moves out of range easily.
Kunitskiy slips a straight right by Sanpun.
Sanji Sanpun has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanpun lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

Kunitskiy fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sanpun, pushing him back against the cage.
Sanpun putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Kunitskiy in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Kunitskiy lands a nice uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kunitskiy working Sanpun over with knees to the body.
Sanpun misses with a hook from the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Kunitskiy.
Sanpun looking to throw knees to the head but Kunitskiy is blocking nicely.
Sanpun takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Sanpun breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kunitskiy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sanpun checks the leg kick.
Kunitskiy pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kunitskiy misses with a body kick.

Sanpun closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Sanpun lands in his opponent's guard.

Sanpun is sitting in close to Kunitskiy's body. Kunitskiy has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Sanpun is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Sanpun is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Kunitskiy.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Vladimir Kunitskiy!
After the big win, Vladimir Kunitskiy made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Zipp Zapp and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.