PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Buck Kaw (ranked 3926 p4p, 4268 weight class) and Dakarai Kasongo (ranked 511 p4p, 537 weight class). Dakarai Kasongo has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kaw
vs
Kasongo

200 cm
25
214
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
26
210
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Buck Kaw!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dakarai Kasongo!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Aafke Stam and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kaw throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Kasongo takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Kaw throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kaw goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Kaw throws a head kick that misses

and Kasongo counters with a single leg into guard. Kaw didn't expect that.
Kasongo forces his way into half guard.
Kasongo slows the pace down in half guard.
Kasongo tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kaw knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Well, if Kasongo 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
It looks like Kasongo might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Kaw wants to get back to his feet.
Kasongo keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Kasongo is continuing to stall.
Kaw looks like he's trying to stand up.

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.
Kasongo slows the pace down in half guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kaw throws a head kick that misses

and Kasongo counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kaw won't be happy with that.

Kaw throws Kasongo to one side and escapes!
Kaw throws a combination that misses

and Kasongo counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Kaw is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Kasongo dives into side control.
Kaw knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kasongo on the ground.

Kasongo scores with punches from side control.
Kasongo controls the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kaw wants to get back to his feet.

Kasongo working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kasongo thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Kasongo working the ground and pound but Kaw is defending the strikes.
Kasongo slows the pace down.
Kaw prevents Kasongo from improving position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kasongo controlling from side mount.
Kaw is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Kasongo is controlling him well.
Kaw trying to remain calm as Kasongo controls from the top position.

Kasongo tries for a kimura but Kaw is defending well.
Kaw trying to remain calm as Kasongo controls from the top position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Dakarai Kasongo will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kaw throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kasongo drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kaw defends it well.
Kaw throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Kaw darts in trying to clinch

and Kasongo counters with a single leg into guard. Kaw didn't expect that.
Kasongo slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kasongo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kaw swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kasongo is still trying to improve position.

Kasongo drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kasongo jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Kasongo controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Kaw pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kasongo drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kaw defends it well.

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.
Kaw doesn't manage to clinch there - Kasongo circles away.
Kaw tries a head kick but it misses.

Kaw rushes Kasongo and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Kaw pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kaw swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Kasongo counters with a takedown into side control.
Kaw trying to remain calm as Kasongo controls from the top position.
The adventures of Kasongo the control monster continue. Boring.
Kasongo advances nicely into full mount.
Kasongo scoring with strikes but Kaw is staying in there.
Kasongo content just to control the position here.
Kasongo working the ground and pound effectively.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kasongo landing strikes from the mount.

Kasongo has control of Kaw's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Kaw regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Kasongo controlling his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kasongo's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
More stalling from Kasongo.
Let's hope that Kasongo has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Dakarai Kasongo has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kasongo with more of the same as he continues to hold on.
Kaw is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dakarai Kasongo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Kaw tries to close the distance and clinch but Kasongo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kaw misses with a head kick.
Kasongo is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Kaw tries to clinch up.
And Kasongo tries to counter it with a takedown but Kaw pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Buck Kaw is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kaw moves to clinch but Kasongo breaks away

and Kasongo counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Kaw scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Kasongo manages to mount him!
We've been hearing good reports from Kaw's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Kasongo content just to control the position here.
Kaw on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kaw tries to get out of the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kasongo working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Kasongo controlling the pace for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kasongo dominating with strikes here.
Kasongo controlling his opponent.

Kasongo goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Kaw turns into him and now he's in Kasongo's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kasongo wants to sweep but no luck.
Kaw has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Kasongo holds on and takes a little breather.
Kasongo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kaw won't allow Kasongo to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kasongo has Kaw pulled in close to control his posture.
Kasongo looking for a sweep. Not yet Kasongo, not yet.
Kasongo lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Kasongo content to stall in guard here.
Buck Kaw has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kasongo stands and throws Kaw's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Kasongo controlling the position from side mount.
Dakarai Kasongo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

And that's the end of the fight!
Dakarai Kasongo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kasongo 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 28:30
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dakarai Kasongo!