PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Koji Kimura (ranked 3302 p4p, 2853 weight class) and Kai Faletau (ranked 385 p4p, 342 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kimura
vs
Faletau

197 cm
25
259
4 - 1 - 0

192 cm
26
258
3 - 4 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Koji Kimura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kai Faletau!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Winston Alpacca and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kimura shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kimura misses with a wild combination.
Kimura shoots in looking for a takedown. Faletau tries to sprawl out of it but Kimura keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Faletau manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kimura is trying hard to land a takedown here. Faletau sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Koji Kimura. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice straight punches there by Faletau. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Faletau.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Good exchange - Faletau coming out on top.
Kimura changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Faletau tries to avoid it but Kimura manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Faletau to the ground. Faletau escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A little jabbing left from Faletau on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

Kimura closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Faletau did well to prevent Kimura getting side control.
Kimura is thwarting Faletau's attempts to control the position.
Kimura has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

Kimura is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Faletau sees it coming and defends easily.
Faletau tries to get to full guard but Kimura has control of the leg.
Kimura wants to free his trapped foot but Faletau is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Faletau is doing well to control the position and prevent Kimura from advancing to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kimura trying to control from Faletau's half guard. Faletau has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Kimura cracks Faletau with a solid left hand.
Kimura scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kimura throws a big elbow that misses.
Faletau is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Faletau is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Kimura is staying active underneath Faletau, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kimura misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Kimura is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Faletau's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Faletau's back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kimura punches the canvas rather than the man.
Kimura gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Faletau is trapped and Kimura is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Faletau looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Kimura missing with punches from the back.
Kimura is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Faletau up.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Faletau covers up after that shot from Kimura.

Kimura looking for the choke from the back.
Faletau rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Faletau tries to roll over but Kimura keeps him under control.

Kimura seems to be looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Faletau gets back to full guard.
Kimura is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Kimura drops back, looking for a kneebar! Faletau looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Faletau looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Faletau!

Faletau wants to control but Kimura is keeping him busy.
Kimura tries to control but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kimura tries to get back to half guard but can't.
You get the feeling that Kimura really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Faletau trying to control but Kimura is having none of it.
Kimura really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Faletau trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Faletau thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Faletau lands with an overhand left.
Faletau works the jab nicely.
Faletau drops Kimura with a naaaaasty hook - Kimura is in real trouble here! Faletau dives in to side control and pounds out his opponent for a TKO victory! The crowd goes nuts!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:15 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kai Faletau!