PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lucien Kessler (ranked 4302 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kaspars Kambala (ranked 7013 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kessler
vs
Kambala

190 cm
25
250 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

215 cm
18
267 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Lucien Kessler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kaspars Kambala!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Bart Greer and Santiago Holmes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kessler misses with a body punch.

Kambala turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Kambala manages to end up in side control.
My spies in Cozad The Island inform me that Kambala has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Kessler is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Kessler is not content to let Kambala control the position.
Kambala tries to move into full mount but can't pass Kessler's legs.
Kessler wants to control but Kambala postures up.
Kambala content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kessler is looking for a sweep.
Kessler can't do much from the bottom here.
Kessler is being controlled here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kessler is trying to get back to half guard.
Kambala controls the position.

Kambala looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Kessler is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Kambala scoring with punches and elbows.
Kambala advances to mount.
Kessler tries to reverse the position but Kambala maintains control.
Kambala lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Kessler really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Kambala tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kessler working to try and regain half guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kessler is working hard here to advance position.
Kambala wants to stand but Kessler is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.
Kessler keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Kambala content just to control the position here.
Kessler regains half guard.
Kambala scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Kambala is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Kambala is controlling the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kambala missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kambala with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Kessler tries to roll over but Kambala keeps him under control.
Kessler is not content to let Kambala control the position.
Kambala passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kambala controlling the position easily from mount.
Kambala's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Kessler is working to get back to half guard.
Kessler is squirming around, avoiding Kambala's attempts to control the action.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kessler looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Kessler is really stuck here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kaspars Kambala dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kambala on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kambala uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kessler.
Kessler lands a body shot.

Kambala drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Kambala wants to stand but Kessler is controlling his arm.
Kessler is looking to reverse the position.
Kessler gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Kessler is not content to let Kambala control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kambala works his way into full mount!
Kessler bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kambala keeping full guard, as Kessler tries to pass.
Kambala is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kessler is controlling him.
Kambala controls Kessler momentarily but Kessler frees himself.
Kambala has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Kambala throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Kambala escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kessler gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kessler prevents Kambala from getting back to his feet.
Kessler slips nicely into half guard.
Kambala is positioning himself well to prevent Kessler advancing to mount.

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.
Kambala pushes Kessler off looking to stand but Kessler dives back in and keeps control.

Kessler is working for a submission of some sort.
Kambala slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Kambala working for a triangle but Kessler defends it easily.
Kambala is breathing heavily.

Kessler drops back looking for a leg! Kambala is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kambala manages to kick Kessler off! Kessler jumps back into Kambala's guard.
Kessler might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Kambala striking off his back but it's not causing Kessler any problems.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kessler advances position into side control!
You can see the frustration on Kambala's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Kessler goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Kambala rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Kessler's guard! Nice work there by Kambala!
Kambala controlling from the top position.
Kambala trying to control but Kessler is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kessler not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kessler has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Kambala is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Kessler.

Kambala stands up and beckons Kessler to his feet.

Kambala closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kessler to the mat! Kessler manages to get full guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kambala's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Kambala is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Kambala chips away with some ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Kessler looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kambala stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kessler swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kambala controlling from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kaspars Kambala showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Kambala misses with a double jab
and Kessler cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Kessler clinches with his opponent.
Kessler lands a left hand.
Kessler throws a head punch that misses.
Kessler scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Kambala ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Kambala no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Kambala looking to control.
Kambala wants to stand up but Kessler is controlling him.
Kambala is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

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

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kessler looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kambala postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Kambala wants to control from the top but Kessler keeps moving.

Kessler working for a triangle but Kambala defends it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kambala is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Kessler looking for a guillotine here but Kambala defends easily.

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.
Kambala trying to control but Kessler is working from the bottom.
Kessler has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Kambala has passed into side control.
Kambala in side control lands a decent elbow.
Kambala is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Kessler prevents Kambala from moving into mount.
Kessler is trying to escape the position but Kambala is controlling the position.
Kessler regains half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kessler trying to control here.
Kessler wants to improve his position but Kambala is controlling well.
Kessler is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kambala scores with a couple of nice shots.
Well, if Kambala is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Kessler is pressing down on Kambala's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Kessler had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kambala defends it easily.
Kambala forces his way into half guard.
Kambala working the head and body with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kessler moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Kambala tries to free his leg and advance position but Kessler is retaining full guard.
Kambala is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
More stalling from Kambala.
Kambala stopping the sweep attempt from Kessler.
Kambala slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Kessler tries to bench press Kambala off him but Kambala keeps the position.

Kambala tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kambala wants to stand but Kessler has his arm trapped.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Kaspars Kambala.
I've got Kambala 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 27:30
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kaspars Kambala!