PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between James King (ranked 175 p4p, 444 weight class) and Ruslan Temirov (ranked 25 p4p, 57 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

King
vs
Temirov

170 cm
30
156
19 - 10 - 1

164 cm
40
143
35 - 22 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Vegan Gains
Groove Gear

Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, James King!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 35 - 22 - 2, fighting out of London, Ruslan Temirov!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Radbod Blank and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
King scores with a head kick.
Temirov ducks right into an uppercut from King.
King attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
King blocks a jab.
Temirov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before King can pounce on him.
Temirov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
King seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
King throws a sloppy head kick
and Temirov counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Temirov misses with an uppercut
and King counters with a nice body kick.
King showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Temirov.
As Temirov tries to get set, King tries to push him back and clinch up but Temirov manages to avoid the attempt.
King slips under a jab.
Temirov misses with a leg kick.
Temirov moves out of range of the body kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
King uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Temirov.
A slow jab from Temirov misses its intended target.
King wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Temirov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
King ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
King moves out of range of the strikes.
We've been told by King's head coaches at Panda Sprawl n Brawl that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
King throws a poor cross that misses
and Temirov counters with a leg kick.
King uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Temirov.
King pulls out of a head kick attempt.
King checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Temirov swinging wildly here.

King closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by King.

It looks like Ruslan Temirov has been cut.
King using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Temirov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Temirov wants to get back to striking at distance but King won't allow it.
Temirov blocks an elbow strike from King.
King misses with some punches.
Temirov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but King has him pressed against the cage.

Temirov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Temirov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Temirov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Temirov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
King lands a lovely overhand right.
Temirov throws a looping overhand right but King ducks down to avoid it.
King throws a sloppy head kick and Temirov moves out of range easily.
King connects with a looping right hand.
King blocks a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
King slips under a jab from Temirov.
King swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Temirov throws a right hand that King ducks under and follows up with a left that King also avoids with ease.
Temirov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but King circles away quickly and effectively.
Temirov throws a nice looking combination but King bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
King throwing a counter right hand but Temirov manages to avoid it.
King thows a body kick. Temirov tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Temirov looks to throw the jab but King is out of range.
Temirov throws a poor cross that misses
enabling King to counter with a crisp jab.
King bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Temirov throws a shot from downtown. King moves away and avoids it.
Temirov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Temirov throws a jab but it's blocked by King.
Temirov misses with the combination.
Temirov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and King counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Temirov thinking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from King.
King throws a shot to the body.
Temirov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt King.
Temirov lands a jab-cross combination.
Temirov falls off balance throwing a combination

and King holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Temirov breaks from the clinch.
Temirov misses with a looping right.
Temirov misses with a combination
and King counters with a stiff right hand.
Nice defenses there by King.
No joy there for Temirov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
King lands a slapping body shot.
Temirov checks the leg kick nicely there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that James King will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ruslan Temirov'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.

Temirov lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
A left lands for King.
Temirov just misses with a punch to the body.
King tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Temirov manages to circle out of the way.
Good exchange - King coming out on top.
A low kick from King misses
and Temirov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
King looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Temirov misses with the combination.
King tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Temirov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ruslan Temirov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Temirov cracks King with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Ruslan Temirov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

King instigates a clinch.
King throws a knee to the head but misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Temirov breaks from the clinch.
Temirov swings for the body but King moves out of range.
Temirov throws a hook to the side of King's head but King sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Temirov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Temirov with a nice cross.
King lands the left hand.
Temirov's jab looks to have found its range, popping King under the eye.
King wants to clinch up but Temirov keeps it at a distance.
Temirov misses with a hook.
Nice defenses there by King.
King moves away from the strike by Temirov.
Temirov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from King.
Temirov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Temirov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
King tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Temirov misses with a right hand
and King counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Temirov connects with the punch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
King showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Temirov.
Temirov misses with an uppercut
and King counters with a nice low kick that buckles Temirov's knee momentarily.
Temirov throws a right and a left that both miss.
A slow jab from King misses its intended target.
Temirov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Temirov in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Nice defenses there by King.
King avoids a punch combination nicely.
Temirov misses with a lunging right hand
and King counters with a big head kick but Temirov shrugs it off.
King throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
King misses with a few strikes there.
Ruslan Temirov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
King looks for the body kick but Temirov saw that one coming.
Good exchange - King coming out on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King throws a combination. Temirov tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Temirov cracks King with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
King uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Temirov.
Temirov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Temirov blocks a head kick by King.
Temirov scores with a shot to the body.
King lands with a hook. Temirov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A low kick from King misses
and Temirov counters with a right hand to the body.
Temirov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but King manages to avoid it.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as King checks a leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - King looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Temirov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
King jabbing away but nothing is landing.
King ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
King was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Temirov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Temirov looks to score with a jab to the body but King is just out of range.
Temirov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from King.
A counter left hand to the body from King misses its target.
King takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Some wild striking there from Temirov.
As Temirov tries to get set, King tries to push him back and clinch up but Temirov manages to avoid the attempt.
King on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Temirov misses with a series of wild punches.
A decent looking body kick lands there for King.
Temirov throws a big shot that misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ruslan Temirov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ruslan Temirov's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

King cracks Temirov with a good jab.
Temirov just misses with a punch to the body.
Temirov misses with a hook. King ducked under it nicely.
Temirov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. King looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
King scores with a kick to the body.
King tries to land a front kick but Temirov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
King steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Temirov.
King lands a leg kick that knocks Temirov off balance momentarily.
King lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Temirov circles away quickly and effectively.
Temirov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Temirov appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
King misses with a hook. Temirov ducked under it nicely.
Temirov throws a combination that misses
and King counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Temirov throws a hook but King avoids it easily.
Temirov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A little jabbing left from Temirov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A low kick lands for Temirov.
Temirov misses the jab.
A bone on bone clash there as King blocks the leg kick.
King with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
King scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Temirov misses with a looping right.
Temirov misses with a series of wild punches.
Temirov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
King stuns Temirov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Temirov throws out a loose jab but King uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Temirov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and King counters with a nice body kick.
Temirov swinging wildly here.
King lands a nice looking body shot.
King takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A combination from Temirov does no damage.
King misses with a looping right.
A slapping leg kick lands for King.
King uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Temirov.
Temirov cracks King with an open hand slap.
Temirov avoids the body shot from King.
Temirov swings for the body but King moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Temirov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from King.
King lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
King clobbers Temirov with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Temirov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Temirov throws a series of punches but King avoids them all with ease.
King slips under a jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Temirov. King does a little dance to reset his feet.
Temirov throws a looping overhand right but King ducks down to avoid it.
King is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Temirov.
King lands the left hand.
King tries to clinch but Temirov is having none of it.
Temirov connects with a solid leg kick.
Temirov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Temirov throws out a loose jab but King uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
King fails with an attempt to clinch.
King misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
King ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Temirov throws a jab but it's blocked by King.
King misses the shot to the body.
King throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Temirov misses with a combination

and King moves into the clinch.
King with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Temirov is trying to force a seperation but King has the dominant position.
King tries a knee to the head but Temirov blocks it.
King with an attempt at a knee that misses.
King misses with a knee to the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

James King clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Ruslan Temirov'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.

Temirov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Temirov misses the jab.
Temirov throws a left and a right that both miss

and King counters by clinching up.
Temirov blocks a body shot from King.
King misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Temirov.
King misses with a knee strike.
A short right hand to the side of the head by King.

Temirov breaks the clinch.
Temirov throws a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Temirov swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A big right from Temirov misses.
King fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
King avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Temirov throws a series of punches but King avoids them all with ease.
King wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Temirov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
King throws a body kick that misses.
King fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Temirov on the side of the head.
Temirov misses with an uppercut
and King counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Temirov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Temirov misses with a body shot.
An attempted straight right counter from King misses the target.
King thumps Temirov with a low kick.
Temirov throws a hook but King blocks it.
A swing and a miss from King.
Temirov swings away with a leg kick that misses.
King loads up on a big right hand but Temirov slips the punch.
Temirov throws a predictable looking body shot
and King counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Temirov stuns King with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Temirov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Temirov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from King.
A punch combination from Temirov misses.
A little feinted left hand from King on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Temirov throws a right and a left that King avoids nicely.
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!
Good leg kick by King.
King tries to land a leg kick but Temirov saw it coming and moves away.
Temirov was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
King takes a body punch but keeps moving.
King lands with a nice body kick.
Temirov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
King cracks Temirov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Temirov throws an overhand right that lands on King's shoulder, as King tries to avoid the shot.
Temirov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but King moves away.
King slips under a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Temirov swings for the body but King moves out of range.
Jab, jab by King - just one landing.
Temirov throws a lazy uppercut

and King moves into the clinch.
King with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
King looking to throw knees to the head but Temirov is blocking nicely.
King misses with a knee strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for King.
King swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A frustrated look appears on Temirov's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Temirov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Temirov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from King.
Temirov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Temirov has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from King.
King slips a jab and a cross from Temirov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
King throws a front kick that sends Temirov stumbling back into the cage.
Danga de danga de dang - Temirov scores with a four punch combination!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
King throws a body punch but Temirov moves out of range.
No joy there for Temirov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
King tries to counter by clinching up but Temirov breaks away and moves out of range.
Temirov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by King.
Temirov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract King.
King feinted there with a counter leg kick.
King tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Temirov is able to avoid easily.

King has managed to clinch.
King with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Temirov prevents a body shot from King.

Temirov breaks the clinch.
King is looking to chop away at Temirov's legs.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that James King will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ruslan Temirov's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

King digs a good body shot into Temirov's ribs.
A combination from Temirov does no damage.
Temirov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Temirov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. King sees it coming and avoids it easily.
King was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A looping hook to the body misses from Temirov. King does a little dance to reset his feet.
King throws a shot from downtown. Temirov moves away and avoids it.
Temirov scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
King tries to clinch but Temirov is having none of it.
King throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Temirov throws a leg kick but King sees it coming and moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
King tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Temirov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Temirov throws a shot from downtown. King moves away and avoids it.
King checks a low kick from Temirov.
Temirov scores with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Temirov fails to land with a series of punches.
Temirov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
King tries to counter by clinching up but Temirov breaks away and moves out of range.
King blocks a jab.
King tries to counter by clinching up but Temirov breaks away and moves out of range.

King moves into the clinch.
Temirov avoiding damage as King throws knees to the body.
King throws a punch but it's blocked by Temirov.
King misses with a body punch.
King tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
King throws a punch but it's blocked by Temirov.
King tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Temirov avoiding damage as King throws knees to the body.
King with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Temirov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
James King is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Temirov punishes King's body with a nice straight punch.
King has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Temirov finds it's way round the side to connect with King's head.
Temirov pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces King back to the cage. Temirov follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Temirov lands with a straight right. King didn't see that one coming.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Temirov misses with a double jab

and King counters by clinching up.
King creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Temirov's defenses.
Temirov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but King has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King prevents Temirov from breaking the clinch.
King throws a punch but it's blocked by Temirov.
Temirov is trying to break the clinch but King is controlling him.
Temirov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
King tries to land a knee to the head but Temirov blocks with his arms.

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.
King tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
King tries to land a knee to the head but Temirov blocks with his arms.
Temirov manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
King misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Temirov.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ruslan Temirov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think King 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 48:48
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 48:48
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 48:47

The fight is ruled a majority draw!
James King retains his title. It's always disappointing when a championship fight ends as a draw but that's what happens when you leave the fight in the judges hands!