PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ansis Kaupens (ranked 298 p4p, 238 weight class) and Hendrix Cabrera (ranked 40 p4p, 36 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Kaupens
vs
Cabrera

200 cm
29
190
19 - 7 - 1

185 cm
27
185
13 - 4 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

NARCOS
Conviction

Bondi MMA 🏝️
FF Gear

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 19 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Ansis Kaupens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Hendrix Cabrera!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Donald Grub and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kaupens blocks a jab.
Kaupens jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Kaupens blocks a jab.
Kaupens avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kaupens looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Cabrera has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Cabrera tests Kaupens's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kaupens jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kaupens looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A combination from Kaupens does no damage.
A telegraphed right hand from Cabrera misses the target.
Kaupens looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Cabrera throws a lazy right hand but Kaupens sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Cabrera just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromKaupens.
Cabrera tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kaupens was well out of range. Poor timing from Cabrera.
Cabrera is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Jab from Cabrera.
Kaupens looks to land a combination but Cabrera avoids it well.
Cabrera attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

Cabrera moves into the clinch.
Cabrera swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Cabrera scores with an uppercut up the middle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Cabrera creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Cabrera lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kaupens lands a left hand.
Cabrera misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kaupens.
Cabrera lands a body shot in the clinch.

Kaupens escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kaupens looks to land a right hand but Cabrera moved out of range.
Cabrera throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kaupens lands a nice hook to Cabrera's body. Cabrera takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Kaupens throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kaupens throws a low kick but Cabrera avoids it.
Kaupens walks into a left hand.
Cabrera ducks under a wild hook from Kaupens.

Cabrera closes the distance and clinches.
Cabrera misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kaupens misses with a body punch.
Kaupens's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kaupens really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Kaupens misses with a punch to the body.
Cabrera lands an uppercut.
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!
Kaupens wants to get back to striking at distance but Cabrera won't allow it.
Kaupens misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kaupens escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Cabrera throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Cabrera misses with a looping left.
A low kick lands for Cabrera.
Hendrix Cabrera seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cabrera bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kaupens's head.
Kaupens fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Cabrera is out of range.
Cabrera cracks Kaupens with a good jab.
Kaupens looks to throw the jab but Cabrera is out of range.
Cabrera takes a swing at Kaupens's ribcage but misses.
Cabrera tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Cabrera misses with a looping left.
Kaupens connects with a leg kick.
Cabrera misses the jab.
Cabrera feints and then cracks Kaupens's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kaupens down.
Cabrera throws a looping overhand right but Kaupens ducks down to avoid it.
Kaupens throws a sloppy head kick and Cabrera moves out of range easily.
Cabrera swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Kaupens avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaupens fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cabrera manages to avoid it.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kaupens, as that shot connected.
Kaupens throws a leg kick that is checked
and Cabrera counters with a nice uppercut.
Kaupens throws a push kick but Cabrera slaps the foot to one side.
Cabrera looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Cabrera throws a nice inside leg kick.
Cabrera misses with a right hand
and Kaupens counters with a stiff right hand.

It looks like Hendrix Cabrera has been cut.
Kaupens swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Cabrera.

Cabrera clinches up with Kaupens and pushes him back against the cage.
Kaupens lands with a left to the head.
Cabrera blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Kaupens breaks from the clinch.
Cabrera wants to clinch but Kaupens slips to the side
and Kaupens counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
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!
A swing and a miss from Kaupens.
Cabrera lands a nice hook to Kaupens's body. Kaupens takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Kaupens throws a lazy right hand but Cabrera sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kaupens ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cabrera moves away.
Cabrera misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kaupens.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera throws an off balance right hand
and Kaupens counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Cabrera misses the jab.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kaupens lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Cabrera has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Cabrera and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Kaupens fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Cabrera scores with a punch to the head.
Cabrera misses with a hook.
Cabrera takes a swing at Kaupens's ribcage but misses.
Kaupens fires out a quick counter leg kick but Cabrera just manages to avoid it.
Cabrera misses with a wild combination.

Cabrera gets a clinch.

Kaupens manages to break the clinch.
Cabrera misses with a low kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cabrera throws a leg kick but Kaupens moved away.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kaupens, as that shot connected.
Cabrera jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Cabrera is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Hendrix Cabrera will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Hendrix Cabrera's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kaupens throws a jab but it's blocked by Cabrera.
Cabrera takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Cabrera tries to clinch but Kaupens moves out of range.
Danga de danga de dang - Cabrera scores with a four punch combination!
Kaupens throws a wild body kick that Cabrera sees coming a mile off.
A clash of legs there as Cabrera blocks the low kick.
Ansis Kaupens is winning the standup battle so far.
Kaupens throws an overhand right that lands on Cabrera's shoulder, as Cabrera tries to avoid the shot.
Kaupens displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Cabrera throws out the jab.
Kaupens lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Cabrera connects with a single shot there.
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!
Kaupens misses with a kick to the body.
Cabrera fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kaupens is out of range.
Cabrera's corner calls for a 1-2. Cabrera obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
A lazy left from Cabrera finds it's target.
Cabrera tries to clinch but Kaupens is having none of it.
Cabrera lands a glancing blow to the side of Kaupens's head.
Kaupens on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Kaupens throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kaupens throws a body punch but Cabrera moves out of range.
Kaupens scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kaupens misses with an attempted mid kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Cabrera darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Cabrera clinches up with Kaupens and pushes him back against the cage.
Kaupens wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Cabrera has him pressed against the cage.
Cabrera jumps guard but Kaupens stands there with Cabrera around his waist. Cabrera gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Cabrera works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Kaupens breaks from the clinch.
Cabrera takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Kaupens takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kaupens tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
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!
Kaupens looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Cabrera scores with a body shot.
Kaupens ducks under a wild hook from Cabrera.
Cabrera with the inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera wants to clinch.
Cabrera doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Cabrera connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kaupens momentarily.
A head kick misses from Kaupens.
Cabrera was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Cabrera lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Cabrera slips a jab from Kaupens.
Cabrera looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Cabrera fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cabrera fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Kaupens.
Cabrera scores with a punch to the head.
Kaupens is looking to slow Cabrera down with leg kicks.
Kaupens shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A big left from Cabrera misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaupens swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cabrera throws a looping overhand right but Kaupens ducks down to avoid it.
Cabrera pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A big right from Cabrera misses.
Cabrera connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kaupens throws a hook but Cabrera avoids it easily.
Kaupens throws a leg kick that misses.
Kaupens throws a shot from downtown. Cabrera moves away and avoids it.
Kaupens swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kaupens throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A little jabbing left from Cabrera on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kaupens on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Cabrera cracks Kaupens with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Kaupens swats away the attempt to clinch by Cabrera.
Cabrera scores with a punch to the head.
Kaupens takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kaupens looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaupens waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cabrera.
Kaupens staying out of range there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kaupens misses with a looping left.
Cabrera lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Cabrera throws a shot from downtown. Kaupens moves away and avoids it.
Kaupens is looking for a counter combo.
Kaupens feints a jab promting Cabrera to slip. Kaupens then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Cabrera slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
A telegraphed right hand from Cabrera misses the target.
Kaupens pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cabrera works the jab nicely.
Kaupens lands an overhand right.
Kaupens misses with a body kick.
Cabrera displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kaupens throws out the jab.
Cabrera doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cabrera misses with an uppercut. Kaupens saw that one coming.
Cabrera connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kaupens jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kaupens misses with a few strikes there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Hendrix Cabrera will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Hendrix Cabrera's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

A solid leg kick lands there for Cabrera.
Kaupens waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cabrera.
Cabrera fails to land with a series of punches.
Kaupens swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Cabrera lands with an overhand left.
Cabrera lands with a straight right. Kaupens didn't see that one coming.
Kaupens throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kaupens is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
The crowd cheers as Cabrera lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kaupens doesn't seem phased though.
Kaupens takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Cabrera cracks a nice hook into Kaupens's ribs.
Cabrera tries to clinch up but Kaupens circles away and keeps his distance.
Cabrera lands a two punch combo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Cabrera forces Kaupens back against the cage and clinches.

Cabrera's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cabrera avoids the head kick by Kaupens.
Cabrera tried to score with a low kick but Kaupens checks it.
An attempted straight right counter from Kaupens misses the target.
Cabrera throws a hook but Kaupens avoids it easily.
Cabrera throws a low kick but Kaupens moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cabrera swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kaupens drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Cabrera thumps Kaupens with a low kick.
Cabrera turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kaupens thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Cabrera if he has to take too many more of those.
Cabrera fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kaupens manages to avoid it.
Cabrera looks to land a left hand but Kaupens moved out of range nicely.
Kaupens throws a body punch but Cabrera moves out of range.
Cabrera throws out a loose jab but Kaupens uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kaupens uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cabrera.
Cabrera scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Cabrera is looking to clinch.
Cabrera connects with a jab.
Kaupens misses with the combination.
Cabrera blocks the body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera avoids the body shot from Kaupens.
Sloppy strikes from Kaupens. Those never looked like landing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cabrera throws a hook but Kaupens blocks it.
Kaupens stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kaupens pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kaupens connects with an inside leg kick.
Cabrera tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kaupens paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Cabrera misses with a low kick as Kaupens jumps back.
Cabrera gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kaupens.
Kaupens throws out a powerful jab.

That has opened up Hendrix Cabrera's cut even more.
Kaupens chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Cabrera can pounce on him.
Kaupens throws a nice looking combination but Cabrera bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cabrera uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kaupens.
Cabrera throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Kaupens thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Cabrera if he has to take too many more of those.
Cabrera throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Cabrera.
Kaupens tries to work over Cabrera's front leg with a kick but Cabrera checks it.
A left and a right from Kaupens both land. Nice combination.
Cabrera is looking to slow Kaupens down with leg kicks.
Cabrera throws a leg kick which misses Kaupens's front leg but catches the back leg as Kaupens tries to avoid it.
Cabrera misses with a body shot.
Cabrera misses with a hook. Kaupens ducked under it nicely.
Cabrera swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cabrera fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Cabrera throws out a powerful jab.

Cabrera gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Cabrera's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kaupens takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kaupens throws a lazy right hand but Cabrera sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cabrera connects with a single shot there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cabrera takes a jab right on the kisser.
Cabrera throws a leg kick that misses.
Ansis Kaupens has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kaupens lands a slapping body shot.
That kick from Cabrera tenderised Kaupens's leg. Kaupens is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kaupens throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cabrera.
Kaupens misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kaupens scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kaupens missing with a left hand there. Cabrera was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Cabrera darts in and clinches Kaupens up against the cage.
Cabrera lands with a short shot to the head.
A frustrated look appears on Kaupens's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Hendrix Cabrera seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A short right from Cabrera.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cabrera blocking some punches.
Cabrera struggles to land a body shot inside as Kaupens controls his hands.
Kaupens misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kaupens can't find room to land a body shot as Cabrera controls the action.
Cabrera scores with a hook to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hendrix Cabrera comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Cabrera 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hendrix Cabrera!
A relieved looking Hendrix Cabrera thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.