PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Caniel Dormier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mateusz Kowalski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mateusz Kowalski has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Caniel Dormier's chin.

Dormier
vs
Kowalski

178 cm
25
180 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

177 cm
26
180 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Big heart

Good wrestler
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Caniel Dormier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mateusz Kowalski!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Shigeki Sano and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dormier tries to keep at a distance but Kowalski has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kowalski will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Dormier up against the cage.
Kowalski content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Dormier misses with a knee to the head.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Kowalski takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The referee is keeping an eye on Kowalski - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Dormier trying to land knees to the body.
The referee calls for Kowalski to work.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Mateusz Kowalski.

Kowalski moves into the clinch successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kowalski is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
The referee calls for Kowalski to work.
Kowalski's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Dormier tries to circle away but Kowalski has him pinned against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalski stalling the fight.
Kowalski is stalling here.
The crowd are getting on Kowalski's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Mateusz Kowalski.
Kowalski tries to clinch up.
Dormier throws a nice outside leg kick.
Dormier throws a head kick that Kowalski semi-blocks.

It looks like Mateusz Kowalski has been cut.

Kowalski clinches.
Kowalski keeps control of Dormier as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kowalski stalling against the cage.
Dormier letting Kowalski take a breather here.

Dormier escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Kowalski pushes Dormier up against the cage in a clinch.
Dormier using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kowalski has Dormier pressed against the cage, preventing Dormier from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kowalski is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Kowalski stalls.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski is struggling to control the position.
Kowalski keeps control of Dormier as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Dormier tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kowalski avoids it.
Kowalski avoiding damage as Dormier throws knees to the body.
Kowalski leaning against his opponent.
Kowalski taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Mateusz Kowalski.
Kowalski circles away from the clinch attempt.

Kowalski clinches up against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Dormier breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A combination from Dormier does no damage.
Kowalski on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Kowalski takes the fight into the clinch.
Kowalski slowing the pace effectively.
Dormier using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Dormier tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Dormier looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Dormier has had enough of the clinch but Kowalski keeps him there for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dormier tries to break the clinch but Kowalski is controlling the position.
Kowalski will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Dormier up against the cage.
Dormier landing knees to the head.
Kowalski pressing his opponent against the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Kowalski will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Dormier up against the cage.

Dormier pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mateusz Kowalski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kowalski takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Kowalski moves into the clinch successfully.
Dormier misses with a knee to the head.
Dormier being controlled against the cage.

Dormier breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've been informed that Kowalski has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dormier tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kowalski manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Kowalski moves into the clinch.
Kowalski is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Kowalski's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Kowalski receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Mateusz Kowalski.

Kowalski has closed the distance and engaged Dormier in a clinch.
Dormier scores with a knee to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kowalski manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Dormier landing knees to the body.
Dormier misses with a knee strike.
Dormier is trying to break the clinch but Kowalski has him pressed against the cage.
Kowalski looking to slow down the pace here.

Dormier breaks the clinch.
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 Caniel Dormier will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mateusz Kowalski's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Dormier cracks a nice hook into Kowalski's ribs.
Dormier misses with a two punch combination.
A chopping leg kick lands by Dormier.

Kowalski has closed the distance and engaged Dormier in a clinch.
Kowalski leaning against his opponent.
Dormier crunches a lovely knee into Kowalski's ribcage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Mateusz Kowalski seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Dormier misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kowalski.
Kowalski is pushing Dormier up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Dormier is trying to break the clinch but Kowalski is controlling him.
Dormier looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kowalski stalling in the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Kowalski.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Kowalski takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Mateusz Kowalski.

Kowalski clinches up against the cage.
Dormier throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kowalski blocks it with crossed arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kowalski.
Kowalski stalling in the clinch.
Kowalski is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Kowalski dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Kowalski is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Dormier is keeping busy.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Mateusz Kowalski.
Dormier with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

Kowalski closes the distance and clinches.
Kowalski holding his opponent close, against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Kowalski taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Dormier tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kowalski avoiding damage.
Dormier working hard to break the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Mateusz Kowalski.

Kowalski gets a clinch.
The referee calls for Kowalski to work.

Dormier breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kowalski blocks a head kick by Dormier.
Kowalski wants to clinch but Dormier slips to the side
and Dormier counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kowalski looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Dormier swats away the attempt to clinch by Kowalski.
Dormier seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Kowalski is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Dormier rushes Kowalski and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Dormier unloads a knee to the mid-section. Kowalski lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dormier tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kowalski avoids it.
Dormier wants to get back to striking at distance but Kowalski won't allow it.
Kowalski stalling in the clinch but Dormier improves position.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Kowalski in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski prevents Dormier from breaking the clinch.
Kowalski controlling the action here for a moment.

Dormier breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kowalski fails in his attempt to clinch.
Dormier throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Dormier throws a series of strikes that have Kowalski backpedaling.

Dormier gets tackled into the cage by Kowalski. Kowalski maintains the clinch.
Dormier using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kowalski has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Dormier escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kowalski swats away the attempt to clinch by Dormier.

Kowalski clinches up with Dormier and pushes him back against the cage.
Dormier tries to break the clinch but Kowalski is controlling the position.
Kowalski on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Dormier tries to break the clinch but Kowalski is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dormier is trying to break free.
Kowalski will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Dormier up against the cage.
Kowalski content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Kowalski is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Dormier trying to land knees to the body.
Kowalski content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Dormier tries to break the clinch but Kowalski is controlling the position.
Dormier tries to break the clinch but Kowalski is controlling the position.
Dormier tries a knee to the head but Kowalski blocks it.
Dormier utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kowalski on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Dormier scores a nice knee to the body.
Kowalski is looking to control Dormier's arms but Dormier gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kowalski has his back to the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Caniel Dormier dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mateusz Kowalski's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kowalski clinches with his opponent.
Kowalski slows down the pace here.
Dormier misses with a knee strike.
The referee is keeping an eye on Kowalski - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Kowalski controlling the action here for a moment.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Mateusz Kowalski.

Kowalski gets a clinch.
Dormier is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kowalski is defending well for now.
Kowalski prevents Dormier from breaking the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Dormier's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Kowalski closes the distance and clinches.
Kowalski stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Kowalski is pushing Dormier up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Dormier connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kowalski's face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dormier utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

Dormier breaks from the clinch.

Kowalski closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The referee calls for Kowalski to work.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kowalski.

Dormier pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Dormier tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kowalski manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kowalski managing to block the knees to the body from Dormier.
Dormier looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Kowalski takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dormier throws a knee to the head but misses.

Dormier pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Dormier cracks Kowalski with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Kowalski forces Dormier back against the cage and clinches.
Dormier tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Dormier is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kowalski is defending well for now.
Kowalski avoiding damage as Dormier throws knees to the body.
Kowalski displaying some good clinch control by pressing Dormier up against the cage.
Kowalski will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Dormier up against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dormier missing with knees to the body.
Kowalski is stalling here.
Kowalski leaning against his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Mateusz Kowalski.

Kowalski closes the distance and pushes Dormier back into the cage.
Dormier is trying to break the clinch but Kowalski is controlling him.
Kowalski stalling against the cage.
Kowalski manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Kowalski wants to stall.

Dormier manages to break the clinch.
Dormier misses with a body kick.

Kowalski forces Dormier back against the cage and clinches.

Dormier's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Kowalski moves into the clinch successfully.
Dormier misses with a knee to the head.
Kowalski stalling in the clinch but Dormier improves position.

Dormier breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Kowalski fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Dormier, pushing him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski stalls.
Kowalski trying to stall but Dormier improves his position.

Dormier breaks the clinch.

Kowalski has Dormier up against the cage in a clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Kowalski - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Kowalski is trying to stall.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Mateusz Kowalski.

Kowalski gets a clinch.

Dormier manages to break the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kowalski tries to clinch but Dormier moves out of range.

Kowalski clinches up against the cage.
Dormier is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kowalski is defending well for now.
A bit of stalling here from Kowalski.
Mateusz Kowalski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kowalski displaying some good clinch control by pressing Dormier up against the cage.
Dormier working hard to break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mateusz Kowalski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Dormier 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Caniel Dormier!