PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Robin Kluivert (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Igor Kusilutka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kluivert
vs
Kusilutka

182 cm
24
183 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

189 cm
23
185 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Good knees
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Soul Supremacy Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Robin Kluivert!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Igor Kusilutka!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Paul Aken and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kluivert shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Kusilutka can't keep his opponent in guard - Kluivert advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Kluivert is pressing down on Kusilutka's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kusilutka is holding on for now.
Kluivert sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Kusilutka has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Kluivert is on him like a limpet, forcing Kusilutka back against the cage.
Kusilutka prevents the takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kusilutka wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kluivert tries for a takedown. No joy.
I was talking to Kluivert's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Kusilutka on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kluivert drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Kusilutka gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robin Kluivert. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kusilutka misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kluivert is looking to take this one to the mat.

Kluivert turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kusilutka wants to get back to his feet.
Kusilutka regains half guard, as Kluivert was trying to land strikes.
Kusilutka tries to kick Kluivert off but Kluivert keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Kluivert looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Kusilutka told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Kusilutka is trying to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kluivert is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Kusilutka wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kusilutka tries to clinch up.
Kusilutka tries to clinch but Kluivert is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kusilutka ducks under a wild hook from Kluivert.
Kluivert misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Kusilutka gets caught flat footed, as Kluivert shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Kluivert trying to control the position from guard on top but Kusilutka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kluivert's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Kusilutka keeping full guard, as Kluivert tries to pass.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kusilutka preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kusilutka wants to stand up but Kluivert is controlling him.
Kusilutka avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kluivert 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.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kluivert pushing down on Kusilutka's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Kusilutka is not content to let Kluivert control the position.

Kluivert is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kluivert stops Kusilutka from getting back to his feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kluivert throwing shots but Kusilutka is blocking nicely.
Kluivert controlling the action here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Kusilutka chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kluivert can pounce on him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robin Kluivert dominated that round.
That's time! Kluivert's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kluivert doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Kusilutka counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kluivert thinking.
Kluivert shoots in and drives through. Kusilutka sprawls well.
Kusilutka slaps away a takedown attempt from Kluivert, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robin Kluivert. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kusilutka throws a wild body kick that Kluivert sees coming a mile off.
Igor Kusilutka is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kusilutka is looking to clinch but Kluivert is avoiding it.
Kusilutka throws a series of punches but Kluivert avoids them all with ease.
Kusilutka moves to clinch but Kluivert breaks away

and Kluivert counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kluivert.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kluivert accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kusilutka is wriggling around but Kluivert manages to pass to half guard.
Kluivert takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Kluivert is working for a kimura but Kusilutka is defending it quite comfortably.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kluivert trying to pass the guard but Kusilutka defending well.
Kluivert wants to control but Kusilutka is keeping him busy.

Kluivert is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Kluivert trying to control from half guard but Kusilutka is working away.
Robin Kluivert overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kusilutka wants to get back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kusilutka tries to close the distance and clinch but Kluivert swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kusilutka is looking to clinch.
Kusilutka takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kusilutka tries to clinch

and Kluivert counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Kluivert trying to control from Kusilutka's half guard. Kusilutka has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Kluivert trying to control but Kusilutka is working from the bottom.
Kusilutka keeping full guard, as Kluivert tries to pass.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kluivert passes Kusilutka's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kluivert prevents Kusilutka from standing back up.
Kluivert is keen to just control but Kusilutka is a slippery customer.
Kusilutka tries to kick Kluivert off but Kluivert keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Kluivert is working for a submission of some sort.

Kluivert is looking for a kimura but Kusilutka is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kluivert to get the leverage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Kluivert passes to full mount!
Kluivert looking to ground and pound but Kusilutka is blocking nicely.
Kluivert trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Kluivert throws some wild stikes that Kusilutka manages to avoid easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kusilutka is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.

Kluivert is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Kusilutka has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Kusilutka!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robin Kluivert dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Kusilutka moves into the clinch successfully.
Kluivert changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kusilutka fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kluivert shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kusilutka pinned against the cage. Kusilutka gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kluivert is looking to land body kicks.
Kusilutka tries to clinch there but Kluivert circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kusilutka is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kluivert is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kusilutka can do to turn this around?
Kusilutka is looking to clinch but Kluivert is avoiding it.
No luck for Kluivert with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robin Kluivert. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kusilutka tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kluivert swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Kusilutka. No joy for Kluivert on that attempt.
Kusilutka jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kluivert looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Kusilutka tries to sprawl but Kluivert drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kluivert stops Kusilutka from getting back to his feet.
Kluivert wants to free his trapped foot but Kusilutka is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Kluivert prevents Kusilutka from standing back up.

Kluivert is looking for a kimura here.

Kluivert is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kusilutka has managed to free his arm - good work.
Igor Kusilutka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kluivert wants to advance to full mount but Kusilutka doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Kluivert stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kusilutka swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kluivert prevents Kusilutka from getting back to his feet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kluivert shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Kusilutka. No joy for Kluivert on that attempt.
Kusilutka is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kluivert looks for a takedown but Kusilutka sprawls well.
Kusilutka lands a jab to Kluivert's midsection.
Kluivert throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kusilutka.
Kluivert tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kusilutka is able to avoid easily.
Kluivert is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kusilutka sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kusilutka throws a front kick that sends Kluivert stumbling back into the cage.
Kusilutka tries to clinch but Kluivert moves out of range.
Kusilutka is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kusilutka displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kluivert throws out the jab.
Kusilutka throws a body kick that misses.
Kluivert takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kusilutka moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Kluivert shoots and misses
and Kusilutka counters with a left to the body.
Kusilutka wants to clinch up but Kluivert keeps it at a distance.
Kluivert takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kluivert circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kusilutka stuffs the takedown attempt from Kluivert. Kluivert gets slowly back to his feet.
Kusilutka goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Robin Kluivert is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kluivert goes for a double leg but Kusilutka avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kusilutka continues to drive forward.
Kusilutka gets underhooks to prevent Kluivert's takedown attempt.

Kusilutka breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kusilutka tries to clinch but Kluivert moves away

and Kluivert counters with a takedown into side control.
Kusilutka is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Kluivert has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Kluivert takes a little break here. Kusilutka wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Igor Kusilutka comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kluivert has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 29:28
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robin Kluivert!
A relieved looking Robin Kluivert thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.