PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Elwood Black (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lambis Kobelikos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lambis Kobelikos has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Elwood Black's chin.

Black
vs
Kobelikos

175 cm
21
215 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Elwood Black!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Lambis Kobelikos!
The judges for this bout are Topper Green, John Mangel and Ben Watson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Black clinches up with Kobelikos and pushes him back against the cage.
Kobelikos looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!

Black's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Black could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Kobelikos drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Black throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Black seems keen to control Kobelikos's posture.
Black manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kobelikos manages to get himself to full guard.

Kobelikos working a defensive guard here.
Black sitting in guard here, content to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Our spies down at at Cozad MMA Sydney inform us that Kobelikos has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kobelikos wants to hit a switch here but Black passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Kobelikos there!
Black controlling the pace for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Black continues to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Kobelikos is trying to reverse the position but instead Black has taken his back - oops!

Black working for a choke but Kobelikos is defending well.

Black working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Black has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Kobelikos's body.

Black looking to break Kobelikos's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Kobelikos remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Black will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Black is looking for the choke from the back position but Kobelikos is controlling his hands well.
Black scores with punches and elbows.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Black controlling the positon.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Black's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Further stalling from Black.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elwood Black dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Black darts in and clinches Kobelikos up against the cage.

Black breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lambis Kobelikos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kobelikos throws a lazy head kick
and Black counters with a leg kick.

Kobelikos changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Black looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Elwood Black overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kobelikos blocks the strikes from Black.
Black is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Kobelikos's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Kobelikos is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Black gets back to full guard.
Black bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kobelikos's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Black sitting in guard here, content to control.
If it seems like I'm not saying a lot, it's just because Black is stinking the place up with his stalling.
More hug and hope from Black.
Black has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Kobelikos is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Black 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.
Black connects with a couple of short punches.
Black not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Black darts in and clinches Kobelikos up against the cage.
Black is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kobelikos pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Black has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Kobelikos is trying to keep an underhook but Black manages to get the takedown into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kobelikos is looking to improve his position.
Black seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elwood Black dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Black clinches.

Black gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Kobelikos regains guard.
Black controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Black is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kobelikos can do to turn this around?
Kobelikos takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Black lands a couple of elbows.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Black with a nice head shot there.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Black rushes Kobelikos and presses him up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Kobelikos has hold of one of Black's legs. Black is fighting the takedown attempt but Kobelikos gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Black trying to strike off his back.
Black looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Black is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Black throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Kobelikos won't allow Black to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Black is on top in guard.

Black 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Black with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Black controlling from the top position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Black fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kobelikos, pushing him back against the cage.
Lambis Kobelikos has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Elwood Black is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Black drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kobelikos pulls his leg out and moves away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Elwood Black showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Black has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Topper Green scores the fight 30:27
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Elwood Black!