PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Vasilliy Kazakov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lativ Ilram (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lativ Ilram will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Kazakov
vs
Ilram

163 cm
26
146 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
155 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Oblivion Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Vasilliy Kazakov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Lativ Ilram!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Daniel Franklin and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slow jab from Ilram misses its intended target.

Ilram gets caught napping as Kazakov dives in and scores a takedown. Ilram manages to retain guard.
Kazakov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ilram swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ilram working a defensive guard here.
Ilram keeping full guard, as Kazakov tries to pass.
Kazakov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Ilram looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kazakov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Kazakov controlling the position from side mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ilram prevents Kazakov from moving into mount.
Kazakov content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Kazakov tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Kazakov moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

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.

Kazakov tries for a kimura but Ilram is defending well.
Ilram is looking to reverse the position.
Kazakov working away.
A lull in the action here as Kazakov stalls from top position.
Ilram stops Kazakov from passing to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ilram is letting Kazakov control him for a moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Ilram misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kazakov.

Kazakov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ilram manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Ilram keeping full guard, as Kazakov tries to pass.
Kazakov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Ilram looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kazakov sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Kazakov has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kazakov stands and throws Ilram's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Ilram tries to bench press Kazakov off him but Kazakov keeps the position.
Kazakov moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

Kazakov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Ilram has escaped the position, nice work there.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kazakov advances to full mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vasilliy Kazakov dominated that 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.

Kazakov shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Kazakov was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Kazakov controlling the position.
Ilram is looking for a sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ilram prevents Kazakov from moving into mount.
The referee asks Kazakov politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Kazakov prefers to stall for the moment though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ilram tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kazakov controls the position.
Ilram is looking to reverse the position.

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.
Kazakov advances nicely into full mount.
Kazakov controlling from the full mount.
Ilram tries to reverse the position but Kazakov maintains control.
Kazakov controlling the position easily from mount.
Ilram is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Ilram is working to get back to half guard.
Kazakov controlling the pace for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kazakov with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Kazakov goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Ilram is on top in guard.
Ilram looking to pass the guard.

Kazakov is looking for a triangle but Ilram pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ilram trying to control but Kazakov is working from the bottom.
Ilram sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Kazakov's guard.
Kazakov trying to control from the bottom.
Kazakov is pressing down on Ilram's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kazakov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ilram can do to turn this around?

Ilram is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Kazakov is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Kazakov has escaped and now he's on top!

Kazakov looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ilram defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kazakov.
Vasilliy Kazakov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kazakov gets a takedown into half guard.
Kazakov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Kazakov seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Ilram for as long as he can get away with.
Kazakov wants to pass the guard but Ilram is defending well.
Kazakov is thwarting Ilram's attempts to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kazakov performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ilram tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Kazakov has advanced to mount. Uh oh.

Kazakov working for a submission but Ilram is keeping him at bay.
Ilram is wriggling around trying to escape.
Vasilliy Kazakov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ilram is still trying to improve position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kazakov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Ilram can't escape the position.
Ilram stops Kazakov from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ilram really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Kazakov controlling the position easily from mount.
Ilram tries to hold on but Kazakov pushes him away.
Kazakov controlling from mount.

Kazakov looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Kazakov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's four 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.
Ilram tries to lock up and control but Kazakov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Kazakov controlling the position easily from mount.

Kazakov is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Ilram to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Ilram shrugs it off.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ilram keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vasilliy Kazakov clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ilram thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kazakov shoots in for a double leg but Ilram sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Kazakov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ilram looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Kazakov in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Ilram gets back to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ilram has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kazakov is working away from the top position though.
Kazakov has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ilram is working to get back to half guard.
Kazakov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Kazakov with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
Kazakov content just to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ilram is looking to improve his position but Kazakov isn't that keen on the idea.
Kazakov controlling the pace for now.
Ilram really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazakov controlling the position easily from mount.
Ilram sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Kazakov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's four 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.
Kazakov is thwarting Ilram's attempts to control the position.
Ilram wants to get back to full guard but Kazakov has passed into side control.
Kazakov is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Ilram's shoulder. That is not cool.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Kazakov.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Kazakov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Ilram to the ground. Kazakov is now in Ilram's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vasilliy Kazakov had his way with Lativ Ilram in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Ilram smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Kazakov goes for a double leg but Ilram avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ilram continues to drive forward.

Ilram gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Ilram working for a triangle but Kazakov defends it easily.
Ilram is trying to control the position from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kazakov sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Kazakov is pushing down on Ilram's leg trying to pass to half guard. Ilram is fighting to maintain full guard but Kazakov has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazakov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Ilram has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kazakov is working away from the top position though.
Ilram is trying to get back to full guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Kazakov in particular looking to stall.
Vasilliy Kazakov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ilram moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Kazakov closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Ilram quickly recovers to half guard.
Kazakov content to control rather than advance.
Kazakov'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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ilram is looking to improve his position.
Kazakov trying to control the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Kazakov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kazakov lands in his opponent's guard.
Kazakov stays in close to Ilram's body and controls the position.

Ilram working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Kazakov has passed into half guard!
Lativ Ilram has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kazakov not doing much here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vasilliy Kazakov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kazakov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 50:45
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 50:45
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vasilliy Kazakov!
Vasilliy Kazakov retains his featherweight title!