PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Abdul Kaloev (ranked 1519 p4p, 703 weight class) and Piotr Rokicki (ranked 231 p4p, 109 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Kaloev
vs
Rokicki

160 cm
29
185
11 - 5 - 0

183 cm
50
196
26 - 14 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Abdul Kaloev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Piotr Rokicki!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Sam Margolis and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kaloev gets the takedown into side control.
Rokicki tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kaloev wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Kaloev remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

Kaloev tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Kaloev tries to advance to mount but Rokicki instead regains half guard.
Kaloev wants to pass to mount but Rokicki is defending the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kaloev prevents Rokicki from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaloev trying to control the action but Rokicki is working from the bottom.
Kaloev is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Rokicki!

Kaloev swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Rokicki is now in Kaloev's guard. A big mistake from Kaloev there, giving up the dominant position!
Kaloev working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rokicki.
Rokicki throws a big elbow that misses.
Kaloev lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Kaloev looking to sit in guard and control but Rokicki gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Rokicki must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Rokicki sitting in guard here, content to control.
Kaloev wants to sweep here but Rokicki controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rokicki wants to control from the top but Kaloev keeps moving.
Kaloev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kaloev wants to sweep but no luck.
Rokicki keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kaloev's head.
Rokicki throws a big elbow that misses.
Rokicki wants to control from the top but Kaloev keeps moving.
Rokicki is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Rokicki won't allow Kaloev to sweep him here.
Rokicki scoring with some ground and pound.
Kaloev bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rokicki's guard.

Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kaloev wants to pass the guard but Rokicki is keeping the position.
Kaloev is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaloev throws an elbow that misses. Rokicki uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kaloev's guard. Nice move by Rokicki!

There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kaloev is on top in guard.

Rokicki wants to sweep here but Kaloev controlling him for the moment.
Kaloev trying to control the position from guard on top but Rokicki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kaloev drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Rokicki manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kaloev has Rokicki in his guard.

Rokicki is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rokicki trying to control but Kaloev is working from the bottom.
Kaloev trying to keep a closed guard but Rokicki is proving a slippery customer.
Rokicki wants to control from the top but Kaloev keeps moving.
Rokicki keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kaloev's head.
Kaloev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rokicki trying to control the position from guard on top but Kaloev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kaloev might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rokicki won't allow Kaloev to sweep him here.
Kaloev is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Piotr Rokicki will probably get the nod.
That's time! Kaloev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kaloev needs to keep his hands up - Rokicki had a free shot at his head there.
Rokicki tries to clinch up but Kaloev circles away and keeps his distance.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Rokicki.
Kaloev dives in for a single leg takedown but Rokicki sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Kaloev drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rokicki pulls his leg out and moves away.
Rokicki fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kaloev shoots for a takedown but Rokicki saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abdul Kaloev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kaloev takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Rokicki tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A slapping leg kick lands for Rokicki.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kaloev goes for a double leg but Rokicki avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Rokicki continues to drive forward.
Rokicki lands an elbow just above Kaloev 's eye.
Rokicki's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Kaloev jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Rokicki walks away with a smile on his face. Kaloev gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kaloev shoots for a double leg takedown but Rokicki sprawls well. He's pushed Kaloev's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rokicki stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rokicki wants it to stay on the feet.
Rokicki lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Rokicki has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kaloev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rokicki sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kaloev somewhat.
Kaloev looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rokicki is fending him off so far but Kaloev persists. Nope, Rokicki circles away and we're back to standing.
Kaloev on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

Rokicki gets the takedown into side control.
Kaloev tries to bench press Rokicki off him but Rokicki keeps the position.
Rokicki takes a little break here. Kaloev wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Rokicki connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Kaloev some visible discomfort.
Kaloev is trying to control Rokicki's posture but Rokicki avoids it.
Kaloev is looking to reverse the position.
Kaloev parries the strikes from Rokicki easily there. Rokicki is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Kaloev to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kaloev is trying to get back to half guard.
Rokicki content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Kaloev tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rokicki wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Rokicki wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kaloev keeps working.
Rokicki scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Kaloev to see if he's OK.
Rokicki is chipping away with strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rokicki working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Kaloev tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Piotr Rokicki has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rokicki working the ground and pound but Kaloev is defending the strikes.
Rokicki just content to control the position.
Kaloev tries to buck Rokicki off but Rokicki is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaloev takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Rokicki takes a little break here. Kaloev wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Rokicki fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Kaloev sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Rokicki prevents Kaloev from improving his position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kaloev manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Rokicki passes Kaloev's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Rokicki is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kaloev sees it coming and defends easily.
Rokicki sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kaloev is trying to control but Rokicki manages to pass to mount!
Kaloev is bucking up trying to escape but Rokicki cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rokicki sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Kaloev is wriggling around trying to escape.
Kaloev sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Rokicki lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Rokicki prevents Kaloev from improving his position.
Kaloev trying to control here.
Kaloev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rokicki.
Rokicki not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rokicki sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kaloev defending well though.
Rokicki is keen to just control but Kaloev is a slippery customer.
Kaloev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rokicki trying to control the action but Kaloev is working from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Piotr Rokicki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Kaloev tries for a takedown but Rokicki sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kaloev misses with a takedown attempt
and Rokicki counters with a straight right hand.
Kaloev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rokicki sprawls well. Rokicki wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kaloev gets slowly back to his feet.
Despite the aggression on Rokicki's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Abdul Kaloev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kaloev is defended easily by Rokicki.
Rokicki lands with a slapping head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rokicki fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Kaloev with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling Rokicki to counter with a crisp jab.
Rokicki defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kaloev.
Kaloev goes for a double leg but Rokicki avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Rokicki continues to drive forward.
Kaloev is trying to pull guard but Rokicki turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rokicki lands a left hand.
Kaloev is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rokicki lands a body punch in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rokicki lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Rokicki dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Kaloev has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Rokicki after a bit of a struggle.
Nice elbow from Rokicki.
Rokicki works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kaloev is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rokicki pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kaloev tries to pull guard but Rokicki forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Rokicki using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Rokicki manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Rokicki throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Rokicki takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Kaloev's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Rokicki.
Good body shot from Rokicki.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rokicki scores with a shoulder strike.
Kaloev takes an elbow to the temple.
Kaloev tries for a takedown but Rokicki manages to get underhooks.
Rokicki lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Abdul Kaloev has been cut.
Rokicki is stalling here.
Rokicki lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kaloev or not.
Rokicki lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kaloev backwards.
Rokicki lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Rokicki gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kaloev.
Rokicki throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Rokicki connects with a knee to the head.
Rokicki is pressed up against the cage. Kaloev has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rokicki down to the mat. Rokicki avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
No joy there for Rokicki, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rokicki closes the distance and clinches.
Kaloev is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rokicki gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Rokicki.
Kaloev tries to pull guard but Rokicki holds him up against the cage and eventually Kaloev drops back down to his feet.
A hook to the body from Rokicki.
Rokicki's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Rokicki pressing his opponent against the cage.
Rokicki scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kaloev fails to pull guard.
Kaloev tries to score a body lock takedown but Rokicki shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kaloev has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Rokicki after a bit of a struggle.
Kaloev tries to pull guard but Rokicki holds him up against the cage and eventually Kaloev drops back down to his feet.
Rokicki working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rokicki connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kaloev's face.
A right hand to the body from Rokicki.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Rokicki obliges.
Rokicki presses Kaloev against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Piotr Rokicki is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A short right from Rokicki on the inside.
Rokicki lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Rokicki.
Abdul Kaloev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rokicki stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Rokicki creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kaloev's defenses.
Rokicki lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Kaloev wants a takedown but no success here.
Kaloev drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rokicki gets through Kaloev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Piotr Rokicki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rokicki has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 27:29
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 26:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Piotr Rokicki!