PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tye Kwondo (ranked 1939 p4p, 572 weight class) and Kirill Semenov (ranked 226 p4p, 69 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Kwondo
vs
Semenov

190 cm
26
269
5 - 2 - 0

192 cm
25
267
8 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid 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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tye Kwondo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kirill Semenov!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Sandra Marshall and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Semenov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Semenov working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Semenov preventing the sweep.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Semenov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Kwondo has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Semenov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kwondo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Semenov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kwondo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Kwondo had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Semenov defends it easily.

Semenov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Kwondo is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Semenov is aware though and is defending well.
Semenov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kwondo's head.
Kwondo trying to keep a closed guard but Semenov is proving a slippery customer.
Semenov works over Kwondo with some ground and pound from guard.
Semenov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Kwondo's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Kwondo is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Semenov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kwondo has momentary wrist control but Semenov slips an elbow through the middle.
Kwondo is trying to keep Semenov in close.
Semenov passes Kwondo's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Semenov is looking to advance position but Kwondo won't allow it.
Semenov keeps trying to improve his position.
Semenov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Semenov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Semenov is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Semenov lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Semenov avoids the attempt from Kwondo to control.
Kwondo is looking to improve his position but Semenov isn't that keen on the idea.
Semenov lands a couple of good shots and Kwondo has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Kwondo wants to escape the position.
Semenov is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Semenov gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Semenov gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Semenov apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Semenov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Kwondo looking for submissions off his back.
Kwondo missing with punches from the bottom.
Semenov is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
BOOM! Semenov connects with a massive shot to the dome!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Semenov cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Semenov lands a big elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kwondo takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Semenov landing strikes, looking to finish!
Kwondo taking shots to the head.
Kwondo holds of for dear life.
Kwondo sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Semenov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Semenov is pressing down on Kwondo's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kwondo is holding on for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kwondo has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Semenov is working away from the top position though.
Semenov is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Kwondo reverses the position - he's now on top in Semenov's guard.
Kwondo throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Semenov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kwondo is in close to Semenov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Semenov can do anything to dispel that myth.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kwondo throws a big elbow that misses.
Kwondo won't allow Semenov to sweep him here.
Kwondo passes Semenov's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Kwondo thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Kwondo is working for a kimura but Semenov is defending it quite comfortably.
Kwondo working Semenov over with strikes.
Semenov manages to get to full guard.
Semenov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Semenov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kirill Semenov dominated that round.
That's time! Kwondo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Semenov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Kwondo!
Semenov working the ground and pound.
Semenov in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Kwondo sneaks back into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Semenov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kwondo knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kwondo manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Kwondo has his foot on Semenov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Semenov works his way back into a safe position though.
Semenov working some strikes from top position.

Kwondo looking for a guillotine here but Semenov defends easily.
Semenov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
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!
Semenov with a nice head shot there.

Kwondo looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Semenov is in close to Kwondo's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Semenov preventing the sweep.
Semenov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Semenov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Semenov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kwondo works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Semenov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kwondo is keeping the position for now.
Semenov landing some decent shots from guard.
Semenov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Semenov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kwondo swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kwondo looking to control.
Semenov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Semenov looking to pass the guard.
Semenov lands a couple of elbows.
Kwondo thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kwondo is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Semenov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Kwondo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Semenov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Semenov tries to free his leg and advance position but Kwondo is retaining full guard.
Semenov is working Kwondo over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Semenov stands up over Kwondo, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Kwondo controls Semenov momentarily but Semenov frees himself.
Semenov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Semenov throwing strikes from guard but Kwondo blocks nicely.
Semenov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Semenov landing some decent shots from guard.
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!
Semenov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Semenov tries to free his leg and advance position but Kwondo is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Semenov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kwondo has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Semenov has managed to get both his arms back between Kwondo's legs - danger averted.
Kwondo is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Semenov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kwondo's head.
Semenov postures up and lands a big shot to Kwondo's brow.
Semenov won't allow Kwondo to sweep him here.
Semenov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Semenov looking to pass the guard.

Semenov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Semenov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kwondo is keeping the position for now.

Kwondo looking for a guillotine here but Semenov defends easily.
Semenov lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Semenov postures up.
Semenov is looking to advance position but Kwondo has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Semenov is bucking up trying to escape but Kwondo cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Semenov is trying to escape the mount.
Kwondo thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
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!
Semenov is in all sorts of trouble here.
Semenov is still trying to improve position.
Kwondo looking to control and managing it successfully.

Kwondo working for a submission but Semenov is keeping him at bay.

Kwondo working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kirill Semenov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. This is the final round!

Semenov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Kwondo has hold of Semenov's hands but Semenov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Kwondo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Semenov pulls his head out easily.
Semenov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Semenov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Semenov lands a nice short elbow.
Kwondo landing a few short strikes.
Semenov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kwondo has hold of Semenov's hands but Semenov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Semenov working the head and body with strikes.
Kwondo trying to hold on to Semenov's head to control him but Semenov postures up.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Semenov connects with a nice short shot to Kwondo's temple.
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!
Kwondo trying to hold on to Semenov's head to control him but Semenov postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Semenov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Semenov working Kwondo over with strikes.
Kwondo on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Semenov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kwondo with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Semenov working over Kwondo with some ground and pound. Kwondo looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Semenov working over Kwondo with some ground and pound. Kwondo looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Semenov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Semenov tries to pass to full mount but Kwondo defends it.
Kwondo preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Kirill Semenov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Semenov winds up and cracks Kwondo with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Semenov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Semenov works his foot free and advances to mount.
Kwondo is looking to improve his position but Semenov isn't that keen on the idea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Semenov avoids the attempt from Kwondo to control.
Semenov raining down shots from the mount!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Semenov landing strikes from the mount.
Semenov landing punches.
Semenov landing punches.
Semenov lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Kwondo hang on?

Kwondo is rocked!
Semenov cracks Kwondo with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Oh Kwondo is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Semenov loads up with a big shot that hurts Kwondo! He's pulled Semenov in close but Semenov has postured up and lands more strikes. Can Kwondo survive? More strikes from Semenov and Kwondo is out! The ref jumps in to save him! Brutal ground and pound!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Kirill Semenov!
A relieved looking Kirill Semenov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.