PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cezary Kesik (ranked 6843 p4p, 0 weight class) and Janis Stibelis (ranked 3958 p4p, 412 weight class). Kesik comes to the cage accompanied by Kękę - Presja. Janis Stibelis has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kesik
vs
Stibelis

183 cm
18
203 lbs
1 - 1 - 1

199 cm
23
210 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Hates pizza

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

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 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Cezary Kesik!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Janis Stibelis!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kesik shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Stibelis's guard.

Kesik stands and steps away. Stibelis gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Kesik drives through with a takedown into Stibelis's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Stibelis has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Kesik has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Stibelis blocks the elbow strike.
Kesik is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Stibelis is defending well for now.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stibelis managing to block the knees to the body from Kesik.
Stibelis being controlled against the cage.
Stibelis is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Stibelis successfully pulls guard.

Kesik stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Kesik closes the distance and clinches.
Stibelis tries to pull guard but Kesik won't allow it.
Kesik lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Janis Stibelis has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stibelis jumps guard and drags Kesik to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Kesik postures up.
Stibelis wants to sweep but no luck.
Kesik might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Kesik stands up from guard. Let's bang!
A punch combination from Stibelis misses.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kesik is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Stibelis is defending well for now.
Stibelis is working for takedown but Kesik is calmly controlling the position for now.
Cezary Kesik has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Janis Stibelis.
Stibelis looks winded!
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kesik.
Kesik has Stibelis pushed against the cage.
Stibelis is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kesik to keep the fight standing.

Kesik breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kesik gets a takedown into half guard.
Stibelis is looking to control Kesik's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Stibelis avoid being mounted?
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stibelis pushes Kesik off looking to stand but Kesik dives back in and keeps control.

Kesik decides to stand up.
Cezary Kesik seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kesik moves into the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kesik throws an elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kesik missing with knees to the body.
Kesik prevents a takedown attempt there.
A short uppercut from Kesik.
Stibelis tries to pull guard but Kesik won't allow it.
Kesik lands a shoulder strike.
Kesik slows down the pace here.
Stibelis fails to pull guard.
Stibelis jumps guard but Kesik stands there with Stibelis around his waist. Stibelis gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

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

Kesik fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Stibelis, pushing him back against the cage.
Kesik doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kesik misses with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stibelis avoiding damage as Kesik throws knees to the body.
We've been informed that Stibelis has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

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

Stibelis tries to keep at a distance but Kesik has taken the fight into the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Kesik.

Kesik breaks from the clinch.

Stibelis tries to keep at a distance but Kesik has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kesik missing with knees to the body.

Stibelis ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Stibelis no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Kesik gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Kesik takes the fight into the clinch.
A short uppercut from Kesik.

Kesik breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cezary Kesik dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Janis Stibelis's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kesik closes the distance and pushes Stibelis back into the cage.
Stibelis blocks the elbow strike.
Kesik stops a takedown attempt from Stibelis.
Kesik looking to throw knees to the head but Stibelis is blocking nicely.
Kesik is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Kesik is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stibelis can do to turn this around?
A nice glancing elbow lands by Kesik.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kesik.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Kesik takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

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

Kesik gets a clinch.
Cezary Kesik has scored more points in the clinch so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kesik scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kesik gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Stibelis is breathing heavily.

Kesik breaks the clinch.
Stibelis on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kesik. Kesik obviously looking to wear him down.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Kesik pushes Stibelis up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kesik has Stibelis pushed against the cage.
Kesik misses with a knee strike.
Kesik tries to land knees in the clinch but Stibelis avoids the damage to the body.
Kesik pushes Stibelis back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kesik is pushing Stibelis up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Kesik lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Stibelis tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kesik just stands there and leans against the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Kesik.
Kesik content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Kesik lands a nice shot to the body.
Kesik prevents the takedown attempt.
Cezary Kesik has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Janis Stibelis.
Kesik trying to land knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kesik throws an elbow but it misses.
Kesik pressing his opponent against the cage.
Stibelis has Kesik pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kesik manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Kesik pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Kesik rushes Stibelis and presses him up against the cage.
Kesik tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Stibelis avoids it.
Kesik lands a body punch.
Stibelis on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kesik is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Stibelis is defending well for now.
Kesik misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Stibelis.
Kesik tries to land a knee to the head but Stibelis blocks with his arms.
Kesik scores with a nice hook to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kesik has Stibelis pushed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kesik manages to break the clinch.

Kesik has Stibelis up against the cage in a clinch.

Kesik breaks from the clinch.

Stibelis has Kesik up against the cage in a clinch.
Kesik can't find room to land a body shot as Stibelis controls the action.
Kesik stalls.
A short uppercut from Kesik.
Stibelis tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kesik just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kesik throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kesik tries a body shot but Stibelis blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stibelis can't get the takedown.

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

Kesik has managed to clinch.
A knee to the head by Kesik.
Kesik misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kesik is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Stibelis ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Stibelis no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Kesik stands and steps away. Stibelis gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Kesik rushes Stibelis and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kesik lands with a left to the head.
Kesik tries to work over Stibelis's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A shot in the inside from Kesik.
Stibelis takes a knee to the side of the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cezary Kesik dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Janis Stibelis's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Kesik pushes Stibelis up against the cage in a clinch.
Nice body punch from Kesik - that landed with a thud.
Kesik lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Kesik digs a right hand into Stibelis's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Stibelis's gas tank.
Kesik lands a body punch in the clinch.

Kesik breaks the clinch.

Kesik clinches.
Stibelis tries to pull guard but Kesik won't allow it.
Kesik unloads a knee to the mid-section. Stibelis lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kesik lands a right hand.
Kesik is leaning against Stibelis and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stibelis takes a knee to the side of the body.
Kesik will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Stibelis up against the cage.
Stibelis takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Stibelis on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Kesik.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kesik throws an elbow but misses.

Kesik breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Stibelis shoots in for a double leg but Kesik sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Kesik pushes Stibelis up against the cage in a clinch.
Kesik working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kesik lands a left hand that snaps the head of Stibelis backwards.

Kesik escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kesik throws a head kick that misses.
Stibelis misses with a takedown attempt - Kesik sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Cezary Kesik has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Janis Stibelis.
Kesik lands with a shot to the body.

Stibelis tries to keep at a distance but Kesik has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kesik is working Stibelis over against the cage.
Kesik stalling the fight.
A left hand lands to the body for Kesik.
Stibelis prevents a body shot from Kesik.
Stibelis is trying to pull guard but Kesik turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Kesik lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kesik is pushing Stibelis up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Kesik breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Kesik gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kesik lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kesik.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stibelis has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kesik avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A short uppercut from Kesik.
A right hand to the body from Kesik.
Kesik digs a right hand underneath Stibelis's ribcage. Stibelis let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Stibelis blocks the elbow strike.

Kesik breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Stibelis gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Kesik gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Kesik clinches.
Kesik lands a nice shot to the body.
Stibelis takes a knee to the side of the body.
Kesik creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Stibelis's defenses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A nice right hand lands inside from Kesik.
Kesik missing with knees to the body.

Kesik escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stibelis dives in for a single leg takedown but Kesik sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Stibelis tries to keep at a distance but Kesik has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kesik lands a body punch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Kesik.
Kesik is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Stibelis is defending well for now.
Stibelis looking for a takedown.
Stibelis managing to block the knees to the body from Kesik.
Stibelis jumps guard but Kesik turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Kesik leaning his opponent against the cage.
Janis Stibelis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cezary Kesik is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Stibelis throws a head punch that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cezary Kesik showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kesik 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:25
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:25
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cezary Kesik!
Our winner, Cezary Kesik, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.