PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Vaai Kolone (ranked 6506 p4p, 505 weight class) and Riley Ferguson (ranked 4763 p4p, 452 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Kolone
vs
Ferguson

178 cm
18
168 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

179 cm
19
160 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vaai Kolone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Riley Ferguson!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, George Francis and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Ferguson misses.
Ferguson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kolone can pounce on him.
Vaai Kolone seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ferguson misses with a hook
and Kolone counters with a nice uppercut.
Ferguson tries to clinch up but Kolone circles away and keeps his distance.
Ferguson looks to land a right hand but Kolone moved out of range.
Jab, jab by Kolone - just one landing.

Ferguson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Kolone tries to throw a body punch but Ferguson avoids it by throwing Kolone back against the ropes.
Ferguson has had enough of the clinch but Kolone keeps him there for the moment.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Ferguson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kolone avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ferguson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kolone slips under a jab.
Ferguson takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kolone tries to clinch there but Ferguson circles away.

Kolone has taken the fight to the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kolone breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ferguson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Some bone on bone action there as Ferguson checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kolone throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kolone tried to score with a low kick but Ferguson checks it.
Kolone scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Ferguson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kolone blocks a jab.
Ferguson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kolone manages to avoid it.
Kolone throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Ferguson now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Kolone tries to clinch up.
A jab lands there for Kolone.
Ferguson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ferguson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kolone doesn't seem bothered though.
Ferguson fails with an attempt to clinch.

Kolone tries to keep at a distance but Ferguson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kolone fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ferguson told us before the fight that he's been working on his elbows. An under utilised technique these days - let's see if it can sway the outcome of the fight.

Ferguson breaks the clinch.
Ferguson blocks a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kolone ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kolone misses with a low kick.
Ferguson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Kolone's head backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ferguson takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kolone.
Kolone connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kolone scores with a leg kick.
Kolone throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Ferguson's head.

Ferguson has managed to clinch.
Kolone throws a punch but it's blocked by Ferguson.
Ferguson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kolone.
Kolone scores with a shoulder strike.
Kolone has a couple of punches blocked by Ferguson.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ferguson.
Kolone blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kolone scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kolone throws a head punch that misses.
Ferguson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kolone blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Ferguson scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ferguson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kolone lands an elbow inside.

Ferguson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kolone misses with a straight left.
Ferguson defending well as Kolone loads up on a big left hand.
Ferguson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Good leg kick by Kolone there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kolone closes the distance but Ferguson moves to the side
and Ferguson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kolone tries to clinch there but Ferguson circles away.
Ferguson tries to move into range but Kolone moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Nice defenses there by Ferguson.
Ferguson looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kolone wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Ferguson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kolone.
Kolone connects with a solid leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ferguson tests Kolone's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kolone ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Ferguson misses the target.
Kolone tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Ferguson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kolone swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Ferguson.
Kolone turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kolone connects with a body shot that sends Ferguson's belly button to the back.
Kolone looks to throw the jab but Ferguson is out of range.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kolone, as that shot connected.
Kolone throws a leg kick but Ferguson checks it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ferguson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kolone shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Ferguson throws a hook but Kolone avoids it easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ferguson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kolone.
Kolone lands a head shot.
Kolone attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

Ferguson clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vaai Kolone dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ferguson misses with a body shot
and Kolone counters with a three punch combo that has Ferguson backing up. Ferguson nods at Kolone to acknowledge the strikes.
Ferguson misses with a series of wild punches.
Ferguson loads up on a big right hand but Kolone slips the punch.
Ferguson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Ferguson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kolone manages to avoid it.
Kolone displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ferguson throws out the jab.
Kolone lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kolone throws a nice inside leg kick.

Ferguson moves into range and clinches up with Kolone.
Kolone misses with a punch to the body.
Kolone lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Kolone lands an elbow just above Ferguson 's eye.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ferguson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kolone has him pressed against the ropes.

Ferguson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kolone throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ferguson throws the left hand but Kolone avoids the punch easily.
Vaai Kolone is winning the standup battle so far.
Kolone swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Ferguson.
Kolone on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kolone tries to clinch up but Ferguson circles away and keeps his distance.
A swing and a miss from Kolone.
Kolone throws a leg kick but Ferguson moved away.
Ferguson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kolone uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kolone steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ferguson.
Kolone connects with a body shot.

Ferguson moves into the clinch.

Ferguson breaks the clinch.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Ferguson 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.
Kolone will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kolone scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ferguson doesn't seem bothered though.
Ferguson just misses with a punch to the body.
Kolone tests Ferguson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ferguson moves out of range as Kolone strikes.
Kolone tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ferguson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ferguson gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kolone throws a predictable looking body shot
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
and Ferguson counters with a right hand to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Ferguson has managed to clinch.

Ferguson breaks from the clinch.
Kolone works the jab nicely.
Ferguson throws a jab but it's blocked by Kolone.
The fighters circling - Kolone throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ferguson looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Ferguson swings for the body but Kolone moves out of range.
Ferguson takes a kick to the side of the head.
Kolone throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kolone throws a hook but Ferguson blocks it.
Ferguson misses with a wild combination.
Kolone is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ferguson can do to turn this around?

Ferguson gets a clinch.
Kolone swings wildly with an uppercut but Ferguson uses good head movement to avoid it.

Ferguson manages to break the clinch.
Ferguson moves out of range as Kolone strikes.
Kolone connects with a looping right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kolone misses with a head kick.
Ferguson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kolone looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kolone scores with a punch to the head.
Kolone moves out of range of the strikes.
Kolone tried to counter with a leg kick but Ferguson avoided it.
Kolone uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ferguson.
Ferguson connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Ferguson blocks a head kick by Kolone.
Ferguson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kolone.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Ferguson, as that shot connected.
Ferguson drops his hands momentarily and Kolone takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Ferguson ducks under a wild hook from Kolone.
Kolone moves out of range of the strikes.
Kolone paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Kolone darts in and clinches Ferguson up against the ropes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Ferguson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kolone tries to land a leg kick but Ferguson saw it coming and moves away.
Ferguson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Ferguson's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ferguson moves into the clinch.
Ferguson lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Ferguson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ferguson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kolone swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ferguson throws a right and a left that Kolone avoids nicely.
Kolone motions for Ferguson to come forward. Kolone throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kolone doesn't manage to clinch there - Ferguson circles away.
Kolone staying out of range there.
Ferguson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kolone.

Kolone moves into range and clinches up with Ferguson.
Ferguson has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kolone.

Ferguson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kolone misses with a straight right.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ferguson stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kolone.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kolone darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Ferguson closes the distance and clinches.
Ferguson pushes Kolone back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kolone lands a shoulder strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vaai Kolone dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kolone cracks Ferguson with a good jab.
Ferguson throws a jab but it's blocked by Kolone.
Nice shot lands for Kolone.
Kolone lands a lovely overhand right.
Ferguson throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kolone connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kolone avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kolone staying out of range there.
A telegraphed right hand from Ferguson misses the target.
Kolone pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Ferguson back to the ropes. Kolone follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Ferguson tries to clinch but Kolone is having none of it.

Ferguson moves into the clinch.
Kolone comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ferguson takes an elbow to the temple.
Kolone lands a shoulder strike.
Ferguson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kolone backwards.

Ferguson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kolone ducks under a wild hook from Ferguson.
Ferguson looks to score with a jab to the body but Kolone is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kolone scores with a body shot.
Ferguson lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Kolone lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Kolone.

Ferguson rushes Kolone and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Kolone lands with a short shot to the head.
Ferguson misses with a punch on the inside.
Kolone misses with a hook to the ribs.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Kolone throws an elbow but misses.

Ferguson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kolone ducks under a wild hook from Ferguson.
Kolone swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Ferguson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kolone moves away.
Ferguson misses with an uppercut.
Ferguson throws a body punch but Kolone moves out of range.
Ferguson missing with a left hand there. Kolone was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ferguson wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kolone steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ferguson.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ferguson is looking to clinch but Kolone is avoiding it.
Ferguson avoids the head kick by Kolone.
Kolone connects with a solid leg kick.
Ferguson tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Ferguson tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Kolone manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ferguson swings away with a body shot that misses
and Kolone counters with a nice uppercut.
Kolone with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Ferguson on the wrong end of a nice jab.

Ferguson closes the distance and clinches.
Ferguson scores with a shot to the side of Kolone's head.
Ferguson is trying to break the clinch but Kolone has him pressed against the ropes.

Ferguson manages to break the clinch.
Ferguson lands a jab to Kolone's midsection.
A left lands for Kolone.
Ferguson is the more experienced fighter here and he's going to need to draw on some of that experience if he's going to pull this one out the bag.
Ferguson jabs Kolone to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kolone.
Ferguson misses with a few strikes there.

Ferguson moves into the clinch.
Kolone scores with a nice hook to the head.

Ferguson manages to break the clinch.
Ferguson misses with an uppercut. Kolone saw that one coming.
A telegraphed right hand from Kolone misses the target.

Kolone gets tackled into the ropes by Ferguson. Ferguson maintains the clinch.
Ferguson gets through Kolone's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kolone pushes Ferguson back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ferguson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kolone lands with a short shot to the head.
Kolone blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kolone scores with an uppercut up the middle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kolone lands a right hand.
Ferguson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ferguson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ferguson lands a left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ferguson breaks the clinch.
A big right from Kolone misses.
Kolone tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Ferguson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kolone throws a head kick but Ferguson moves out of range.
Kolone clobbers Ferguson with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Ferguson connects with a right hand. Kolone shakes it off.
Ferguson tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Kolone manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kolone staying out of range there.
Kolone throwing a counter right hand but Ferguson manages to avoid it.
A jab from Ferguson does it's job there.
Kolone swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Riley Ferguson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Ferguson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kolone lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Ferguson or not.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kolone cracks Ferguson with a nice body shot.
Kolone lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kolone.
Riley Ferguson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Ferguson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kolone fails with an attempt to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Vaai Kolone.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kolone, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight for Vaai Kolone!
Judge George Francis scores the fight for Vaai Kolone!
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight for Vaai Kolone!

Vaai Kolone wins by unanimous decision!
Vaai Kolone was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.