PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kokkoro Kirin (ranked 646 p4p, 1492 weight class) and Medzavi Nwaoge (ranked 93 p4p, 193 weight class). Nwaoge has chosen Buganda Music Ensemble - Mulirwana as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Kirin
vs
Nwaoge

203 cm
23
275
7 - 1 - 0

222 cm
27
290
6 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good gas tank

Blaze Clothing
Overeem’s Horse Meat

Tengelü Hekite

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kokkoro Kirin!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Medzavi Nwaoge!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Ron Honeybunn and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nwaoge misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kirin.
Kirin stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kirin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nwaoge was well out of range. Poor timing from Kirin.
Nwaoge tries to counter with a clinch but Kirin shakes him off and moves away.
Kirin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kirin definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
A punch combination from Kirin misses.
Nwaoge is looking to clinch.
Nwaoge on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Nwaoge slips a straight right by Kirin.
Nwaoge is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Nwaoge slips under a jab.

Nwaoge clinches up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kirin prevents a body shot from Nwaoge.
Nwaoge misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nwaoge tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kirin just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kirin working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nwaoge lands with a left to the head.

It looks like Kokkoro Kirin has been cut.
Nwaoge tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kirin smiles and moves away.
Nwaoge takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kirin throws a shot from downtown. Nwaoge moves away and avoids it.
Nwaoge steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kirin.
Kirin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kirin ducks under a wild hook from Nwaoge.
Kirin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kirin pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kirin swings for the body but Nwaoge moves out of range.
Kirin looks to land a right hand but Nwaoge moved out of range.
Kokkoro Kirin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kirin missing with a left hand there. Nwaoge was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kirin swings for the body but Nwaoge moves out of range.
The fighters circling - Kirin throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kirin circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nwaoge slips a straight right by Kirin.
Nwaoge tries to counter with a clinch but Kirin shakes him off and moves away.
Nwaoge tries to clinch but Kirin is having none of it.
Kirin pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nwaoge tries to counter by closing the distance.
Kirin throws a combination. Nwaoge tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kirin misses with the combination.
Nwaoge tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nwaoge moves out of range of the strikes.
Nwaoge avoids the body shot from Kirin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kirin cracks a nice hook into Nwaoge's ribs.
Kirin cracks Nwaoge with a good jab.
Kokkoro Kirin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice defenses there by Nwaoge.
Nwaoge is looking to clinch.
Kirin swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kirin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nwaoge tries to counter by closing the distance.
Kirin jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kirin lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nwaoge circles away quickly and effectively.
Nwaoge wants to counter the offense by Kirin and move into the clinch position.
A slow jab from Kirin misses its intended target.
Kirin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nwaoge walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Nwaoge keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kirin.
Nwaoge tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirin swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nwaoge closes the distance looking to clinch
and Kirin counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kirin just misses with a punch to the body.
Nwaoge tries to clinch up.
Nwaoge wants to clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kirin throws a body punch but Nwaoge moves out of range.
Nwaoge is looking to clinch.
Kirin keeps the fight on the outside.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kokkoro Kirin dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kokkoro Kirin's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kirin swinging wildly here.
Nwaoge slips a jab from Kirin.
Kirin throws a hook to the side of Nwaoge's head but Nwaoge sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kirin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nwaoge moves away.
Nwaoge tries to counter with a clinch but Kirin shakes him off and moves away.
Nwaoge tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kirin throws out a loose jab but Nwaoge uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kirin throws a body punch but Nwaoge moves out of range.
Nwaoge is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Nwaoge keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nwaoge wants to counter the offense by Kirin and move into the clinch position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nwaoge uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kirin.
Left hook, right uppercut from Kirin.
Nwaoge displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kirin throws out the jab.
Kirin throws out a loose jab but Nwaoge uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nwaoge tries to counter with a clinch but Kirin shakes him off and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Kirin misses.
Kirin lands a slapping body shot.
Kirin takes a swing at Nwaoge's ribcage but misses.
Kirin takes a swing at Nwaoge's ribcage but misses.
Nwaoge wants to counter with a clinch but Kirin pushes him away.
Kokkoro Kirin is winning the standup battle so far.
Nwaoge slips a straight right by Kirin.

Nwaoge closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kirin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nwaoge can do to turn this around?
Nwaoge misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nwaoge goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nwaoge taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Nwaoge drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nwaoge struggles to land a body shot inside as Kirin controls his hands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kirin has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Nwaoge tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nwaoge working aggressively here.
Nwaoge can't find room to land a body shot as Kirin controls the action.
Nwaoge goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kirin blocks a body shot from Nwaoge.
Nwaoge has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Kirin seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Nwaoge can turn it around.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nwaoge.
Nwaoge throws a head punch that misses.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Kirin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nwaoge slips under a jab from Kirin.
Kirin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nwaoge moves away.

Nwaoge fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kirin, pushing him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nwaoge tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kirin is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Nwaoge's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Nwaoge misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nwaoge fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nwaoge swings wildly with an uppercut but Kirin uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kirin.
Kirin working hard to break the clinch.
Nwaoge throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Nwaoge struggles to land a body shot inside as Kirin controls his hands.
Nwaoge throws a head punch that misses.
Kirin wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Nwaoge tries to throw a body punch but Kirin avoids it by throwing Nwaoge back against the cage.
Nwaoge struggles to land a body shot inside as Kirin controls his hands.
Nwaoge softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Kirin stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Nwaoge prevents a body shot from Kirin.
Nwaoge lands a body punch in the clinch.
Nwaoge swings away with an uppercut that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nwaoge.
Nwaoge misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nwaoge jumps guard but Kirin stands there with Nwaoge around his waist. Nwaoge gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nwaoge has a couple of punches blocked by Kirin.
Medzavi Nwaoge seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kirin avoids a wild elbow strike from Nwaoge.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kokkoro Kirin will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kokkoro Kirin's cut.
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.

Nwaoge is looking to clinch but Kirin is avoiding it.
A slow jab from Nwaoge misses its intended target.
Nwaoge has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kirin finds it's way round the side to connect with Nwaoge's head.
Nwaoge ducks under a wild hook from Kirin.
Nwaoge ducks under a wild hook from Kirin.
Good exchange - Kirin coming out on top.
Nwaoge tries to clinch there but Kirin circles away.
Kirin scores with a jab to the jaw.

Nwaoge closes the distance and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nwaoge tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kirin's elbow.
Kirin blocking some punches.
Nwaoge tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kirin's elbow.
Nwaoge cracks Kirin with a nice body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nwaoge misses with some punches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nwaoge is looking to control Kirin's arms but Kirin gets an underhook and turns him. Now Nwaoge has his back to the cage.
Kirin blocking some punches.
Nwaoge goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nwaoge goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nwaoge lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kirin.
Kirin blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nwaoge misses with a punch to the body.
Nwaoge pushes Kirin back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Nwaoge fails to land.
With the fighters up against the cage, Nwaoge throws an elbow but misses.
Nwaoge swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nwaoge misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nwaoge is trying to pull guard but Kirin turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Nwaoge fails to land.
Nwaoge works on Kirin's body with a couple of short punches.
Nwaoge has Kirin pressed against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Kirin scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kirin prevents a body shot from Nwaoge.

Kirin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nwaoge tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kirin swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kirin misses with a body shot.
Nwaoge wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nwaoge avoids the body shot from Kirin.
Jab, jab by Kirin - just one landing.
Kirin swats away the attempt to clinch by Nwaoge.
Kirin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nwaoge walks into a stiff left hand from Kirin.
A slow jab from Kirin misses its intended target.
Nwaoge wants to counter with a clinch but Kirin pushes him away.
Kirin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nwaoge lands a right hook to the body.
Nwaoge dodges the punch combination from Kirin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirin throws a hook but Nwaoge blocks it.
Nwaoge is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kirin swings for the body but Nwaoge moves out of range.
Nwaoge fails in his attempt to clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A nice left hand lands by Nwaoge.

Kirin breaks the clinch.
Nwaoge uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kirin.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Nwaoge rushes Kirin and presses him up against the cage.
Nwaoge doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Kokkoro Kirin did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Kokkoro Kirin's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kirin avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A telegraphed right hand from Kirin misses the target.
Nwaoge is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nwaoge slips a jab and a cross from Kirin.
Nice uppercut there from Kirin.
Kirin misses with a wild body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nwaoge looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nwaoge moves into the clinch.
Kirin prevents a body shot from Nwaoge.
Kirin blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirin blocks an elbow strike from Nwaoge.
Kirin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kirin is trying to push Nwaoge away but Nwaoge has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Nwaoge misses with the head strike.
Nwaoge goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nwaoge fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nwaoge fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nwaoge swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nwaoge working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Nwaoge tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kirin just stands there and leans against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nwaoge.
Kirin prevents a body shot from Nwaoge.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nwaoge is stalling here.
Nwaoge misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nwaoge tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Kirin manages to break the clinch.
Nwaoge slips a jab from Kirin.
Kirin uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kirin fails to land with a series of punches.
Kirin sets himself, and Nwaoge steps forward looking for the clinch! Kirin avoids it this time.
Kirin throws an overhand right that lands on Nwaoge's shoulder, as Nwaoge tries to avoid the shot.
Nwaoge fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nwaoge closes the distance looking to clinch
and Kirin counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nwaoge wants to clinch up but Kirin keeps it at a distance.
A cross from Kirin lands.
Nwaoge takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Kirin lands a nice hook to Nwaoge's body. Nwaoge takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Nwaoge is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kirin throws the left hand but Nwaoge avoids the punch easily.
Kirin throws a big shot that misses.

Nwaoge fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kirin, pushing him back against the cage.
Nwaoge prevents Kirin from breaking the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nwaoge misses with some punches.
Nwaoge throws a head punch that misses.
Nwaoge misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kirin looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kirin blocking some punches.
Kirin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nwaoge misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nwaoge tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kirin is trying to break free.

Nwaoge manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Kirin decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Nwaoge, up you get!
Nwaoge fails with an attempt to clinch.

Nwaoge rushes Kirin and presses him up against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kokkoro Kirin had his way with Medzavi Nwaoge in that round.
The cut man is working on Kokkoro Kirin's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Kirin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kirin throws a sloppy body shot

and Nwaoge counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Nwaoge.
Nwaoge swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kirin wants to break free but Nwaoge has control.

Kirin manages to break the clinch.
Kirin throws a right and a left that Nwaoge avoids nicely.
Nwaoge tries to counter with a clinch but Kirin shakes him off and moves away.
Kirin throws a series of punches but Nwaoge avoids them all with ease.
Kirin lands a nice shot to the body.
Nwaoge ducks under a wild hook from Kirin.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kirin throws a jab when Nwaoge was well out of range.
Nwaoge fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kirin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nwaoge manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kirin jabs Nwaoge to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kirin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kirin digs a good body shot into Nwaoge's ribs.
Nwaoge ducks under a wild hook from Kirin.
Nwaoge tries to counter by closing the distance.
Kirin misses with a double jab.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Kirin misses with an uppercut.
Kirin misses with a body shot.
Nwaoge with the counter takedown but Kirin avoids it easily.

Nwaoge moves into the clinch successfully.
Kirin blocks an uppercut.
Nwaoge throws a punch but it's blocked by Kirin.
Nwaoge tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kirin just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kokkoro Kirin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nwaoge lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kirin avoids a wild elbow strike from Nwaoge.
Kirin tries to break free but Nwaoge pushes him back against the cage.
Nwaoge lands a hook that snaps the head of Kirin backwards.
Nwaoge can't find room to land a body shot as Kirin controls the action.
Nwaoge misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nwaoge is trying to maintain a safe position but Kirin gets an underhook and turns Nwaoge into the cage.
Nwaoge lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kirin backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nwaoge tries to pull guard but Kirin forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Nwaoge tries to pull guard but Kirin holds him up against the cage and eventually Nwaoge drops back down to his feet.
Kokkoro Kirin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Medzavi Nwaoge.
Nwaoge throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nwaoge is trying to pull guard but Kirin has him pressed against the cage.
Nwaoge tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A frustrated look appears on Kirin's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Nwaoge fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Kirin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kirin blocks a body shot from Nwaoge.
Nwaoge swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kirin blocking some punches.
Nwaoge tries to throw a body punch but Kirin avoids it by throwing Nwaoge back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Nwaoge pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Nwaoge tries a body shot but Kirin blocks it.
Nwaoge throws a head punch that misses.
Nwaoge struggles to land a body shot inside as Kirin controls his hands.
Medzavi Nwaoge has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nwaoge scores with a shot to the side of Kirin's head.
Nwaoge goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kirin.
Nwaoge tries to work over Kirin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nwaoge looking to stall.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kirin lands with a right to the head.
Nwaoge throws a punch but it's blocked by Kirin.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Medzavi Nwaoge.
I think Kirin has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Damien Edna scores the fight 48:47
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 50:45
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kokkoro Kirin!
Kokkoro Kirin retains his heavyweight title!
Kokkoro Kirin thanked the fans post fight for their support.