PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Leon Lance (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Igor Kusilutka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Leon Lance had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Lance
vs
Kusilutka

180 cm
32
180 lbs
15 - 10 - 0

189 cm
24
185 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 15 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Leon Lance!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Igor Kusilutka!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Aafke Stam and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lance throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kusilutka shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lance pinned against the cage. Lance gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Lance was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Lance throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kusilutka steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Lance.
Kusilutka wants to clinch.
Leon Lance seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kusilutka moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kusilutka has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Lance uses from the top position.
Kusilutka trying to keep a closed guard but Lance is proving a slippery customer.
Kusilutka manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Lance manages to get himself to full guard.

Kusilutka loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lance is trying to control the position but Kusilutka postures up.
Kusilutka throwing strikes but missing.
Kusilutka loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kusilutka with a flurry of punches that miss.
Lance not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Kusilutka is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Kusilutka working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kusilutka content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kusilutka throws a big elbow that misses.
Kusilutka won't allow Lance to get back to his feet.
Kusilutka has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kusilutka throws a strike but Lance rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Lance pushes down on Kusilutka's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Lance thows a huge punch but Kusilutka dodges it nicely.
Kusilutka trying to control but Lance postures up.
Lance trying to control from half guard but Kusilutka is working away.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kusilutka is pressing down on Lance's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kusilutka controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lance trying to control but Kusilutka is working from the bottom.
Lance preventing the sweep.

Kusilutka is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Lance tries to free his leg and advance position but Kusilutka is retaining full guard.
Kusilutka is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Lance looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Lance throws a right hand that Kusilutka ducks under and follows up with a left that Kusilutka also avoids with ease.

Kusilutka fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Lance sprawls well initially but Kusilutka persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Lance wants to control but Kusilutka is keeping busy.

Kusilutka is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kusilutka drops an elbow to the side of Lance's head.
Lance trying to control but Kusilutka postures up.
Lance tries to get to full guard but Kusilutka has control of the leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Lance is defending against the submission attempts here by Kusilutka.
Lance is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kusilutka's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kusilutka's back!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kusilutka controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad spot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Igor Kusilutka will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kusilutka.
Lance misses with a double jab.
The crowd cheers as Lance lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kusilutka doesn't seem phased though.

It looks like Igor Kusilutka has been cut.
Kusilutka slips a straight right by Lance.
Lance dips to his left and cracks Kusilutka with an uppercut!
Kusilutka gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Lance throws out a powerful jab.
Lance uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kusilutka has time to react.
Lance is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kusilutka can do to turn this around?

Kusilutka moves into range and clinches up with Lance.
Kusilutka working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kusilutka tries to pull guard but Lance holds him up against the cage and eventually Kusilutka drops back down to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kusilutka fails to pull guard.
Leon Lance has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Igor Kusilutka.
Kusilutka tries to pull guard but Lance forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Kusilutka swings wildly with an uppercut but Lance uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lance is looking to break free of the clinch but Kusilutka has double underhooks.
Kusilutka is trying to drag Lance to the mat but Lance just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Kusilutka pulls Lance into guard.
Lance passes into half guard.

Lance is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kusilutka is just riding it out for now. Lance eventually gives up the hold.
Lance is keen to just control but Kusilutka is a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lance is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Kusilutka reverses the position - he's now on top in Lance's guard.
Kusilutka throws a big elbow that misses.
Kusilutka is looking to work some ground and pound but Lance has wrist control.
Kusilutka throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lance works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kusilutka cracks Lance with a solid left hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kusilutka accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Lance has momentary wrist control but Kusilutka slips an elbow through the middle.
Kusilutka loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lance working a defensive guard here.
Lance working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kusilutka.
Lance keeping full guard, as Kusilutka tries to pass.
Lance is pulling down on Kusilutka's head. It's preventing any offense from Kusilutka, at least for the moment.
Kusilutka throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lance works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Lance preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Leon Lance is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Kusilutka gets the takedown into side control.
Lance is looking to reverse the position.

Kusilutka tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Kusilutka has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lance is trying to control Kusilutka's posture but Kusilutka avoids it.
Kusilutka working the ground and pound.
Lance tries to buck Kusilutka off but Kusilutka is having none of it.
Kusilutka scoring with punches from side control.

It looks like Leon Lance has been cut.
Kusilutka landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Lance is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Kusilutka thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
You can see the frustration on Lance's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Kusilutka showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Kusilutka looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Kusilutka is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Kusilutka lands strikes from half guard.
Lance gets full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kusilutka scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kusilutka throws a big right hand that misses.
Kusilutka throws a big right hand that misses.
Kusilutka is looking to work some ground and pound but Lance has wrist control.
Kusilutka makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Igor Kusilutka has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lance 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.
Kusilutka scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kusilutka forces his way into half guard.

Kusilutka is looking for a kimura here.
Lance regains full guard. Nicely done.
Kusilutka postures up in Lance's guard and throws a big left but Lance blocks it.
Kusilutka tries to free his leg and advance position but Lance is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Kusilutka has gone for a leg lock! Lance slips out almost immediately though and dives into Kusilutka's guard.

Lance postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lance trying to control but Kusilutka is working from the bottom.
Kusilutka is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Kusilutka working a defensive guard here.
Kusilutka controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kusilutka wants to sweep here but Lance controlling him for the moment.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Kusilutka keeping moving, preventing Lance from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kusilutka fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kusilutka takes one to the chin there.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kusilutka.
Lance lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Kusilutka shoots in and bounces Lance off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Kusilutka throws an elbow that misses. Lance uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kusilutka's guard. Nice move by Lance!

Kusilutka preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kusilutka keeping full guard, as Lance tries to pass.
Kusilutka tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Lance has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kusilutka controls Lance momentarily but Lance frees himself.
Lance pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kusilutka is keeping the position for now.
Kusilutka throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kusilutka wants to sweep but no luck.
Leon Lance has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Igor Kusilutka is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Lance throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kusilutka works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Igor Kusilutka.
I've got Kusilutka winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 28:30
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 28:30
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Igor Kusilutka!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Igor Kusilutka waved his t-shirt featuring Soul Supremacy Fight Gear's logo in front of the cameras.