PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jake Rizzo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vik Kiv (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Rizzo
vs
Kiv

185 cm
24
161 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

150 cm
27
160 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jake Rizzo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vik Kiv!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Illya Tyunina and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rizzo wants to clinch up but Kiv keeps it at a distance.

Kiv closes the distance and clinches.
Kiv is trying to push Rizzo away but Rizzo has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kiv has had enough of the clinch but Rizzo keeps him there for the moment.
Kiv is trying to break free.
Kiv tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kiv is looking to break free of the clinch but Rizzo has double underhooks.
Rizzo trying to land knees to the body.
Rizzo working Kiv over with knees to the body.
Rizzo lands a knee to the body.
Kiv wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kiv can't break the clinch.

Kiv escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Rizzo closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Kiv's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kiv has closed the distance and engaged Rizzo in a clinch.
Rizzo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kiv is defending well for now.
Rizzo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kiv on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kiv avoiding damage as Rizzo throws knees to the body.
Kiv tries to circle away but Rizzo has him pinned against the cage.
Kiv drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rizzo gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Kiv can't break the clinch.
Kiv is trying to pull guard but Rizzo has him pressed against the cage.
Kiv tries to break free but Rizzo pushes him back against the cage.
Kiv tries for a takedown but Rizzo manages to get underhooks.
Jake Rizzo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vik Kiv.

Kiv manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rizzo connects with an inside leg kick.
Kiv throws an overhand right that lands on Rizzo's shoulder, as Rizzo tries to avoid the shot.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kiv.
Vik Kiv seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rizzo is looking to clinch.
Rizzo tries to close the distance and clinch but Kiv swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Kiv moves into the clinch.
Kiv wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rizzo has him pressed against the cage.
Kiv wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Rizzo has him pressed against the cage.
Kiv is trying to force a seperation but Rizzo has the dominant position.
Kiv displaying some good clinch control by pressing Rizzo up against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kiv tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Rizzo smiles and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiv misses with a takedown attempt - Rizzo sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kiv fails with a takedown attempt.

Rizzo moves into the clinch.
Kiv is trying to break the clinch but Rizzo is controlling him.
Rizzo keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kiv's efforts to push away.
Kiv is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kiv misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kiv throws a head punch that misses.
Kiv is trying to break the clinch but Rizzo has him pressed against the cage.
Kiv tries to break the clinch but Rizzo is controlling the position.
Kiv looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Rizzo prevents Kiv from breaking the clinch.
Kiv trying to stall but Rizzo improves his position.
Kiv managing to block the knees to the body from Rizzo.
Kiv is working for takedown but Rizzo is calmly controlling the position for now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kiv is trying to break the clinch but Rizzo is controlling him.
Rizzo has Kiv pressed against the cage, preventing Kiv from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Rizzo tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kiv avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vik Kiv dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rizzo tries to clinch there but Kiv circles away.
Kiv swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Rizzo gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kiv is trying to break the clinch but Rizzo has him pressed against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Kiv's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kiv on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kiv is trying to break the clinch but Rizzo has him pressed against the cage.
Kiv stalling in the clinch but Rizzo improves position.
Vik Kiv seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kiv is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Kiv blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rizzo has Kiv pressed against the cage, preventing Kiv from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kiv wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kiv has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kiv tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kiv tries to pull guard but Rizzo won't allow it.
Rizzo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kiv is defending well for now.
Kiv wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rizzo prevents a body shot from Kiv.

Kiv's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rizzo tries to clinch but Kiv moves out of range.
Kiv throws a lazy head kick
and Rizzo counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

Kiv pushes Rizzo up against the cage in a clinch.
Rizzo avoiding damage as Kiv throws knees to the body.
Rizzo is pressed up against the cage. Kiv has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rizzo down to the mat. Rizzo avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kiv just misses with a punch to the body.
Kiv is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rizzo sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Jake Rizzo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vik Kiv.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kiv closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kiv wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rizzo landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Kiv tries to break free but Rizzo pushes him back against the cage.
Kiv looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Rizzo landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kiv wants to get back to striking at distance but Rizzo won't allow it.
Kiv missing with knees to the body.
Kiv is trying to break the clinch but Rizzo has him pressed against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Kiv's face as he tries to break the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rizzo landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Rizzo has Kiv pressed against the cage, preventing Kiv from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Rizzo putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Kiv in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiv stops a takedown attempt from Rizzo.
Kiv stalls.
Kiv is trying to push Rizzo away but Rizzo has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kiv wants to break free but Rizzo has control.

Kiv breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rizzo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kiv.

Kiv takes the fight into the clinch.
Rizzo tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kiv avoids it.
Kiv wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Kiv escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rizzo fails in his attempt to clinch.

Kiv gets tackled into the cage by Rizzo. Rizzo maintains the clinch.
Rizzo missing with knees to the body.
Kiv is trying to push Rizzo away but Rizzo has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kiv is trying to break the clinch but Rizzo is controlling him.
Rizzo missing with knees to the body.

Kiv breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kiv swings widly with a right hand
and Rizzo counters with a nice leg kick.
Kiv tries to bum rush Rizzo with a series of wild strikes but Rizzo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kiv throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Kiv moves into range and clinches up with Rizzo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rizzo keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kiv's efforts to push away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vik Kiv showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kiv rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Rizzo counters with a slapping leg kick.
A combination from Kiv does no damage.
Kiv throws a lazy uppercut
and Rizzo counters with a left and a right that stings Kiv.
Kiv swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rizzo slips a jab from Kiv.
Rizzo tries to clinch but Kiv moves out of range.
Jake Rizzo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Kiv tries to keep at a distance but Rizzo has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kiv leaning against his opponent.
Kiv wants to break free but Rizzo has control.
Kiv misses with a body punch.
Kiv has had enough of the clinch but Rizzo keeps him there for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rizzo landing knees to the body.
Kiv is trying to break free.
Rizzo has Kiv pressed against the cage, preventing Kiv from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Kiv breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kiv swinging wildly here.
Kiv throws a head kick that misses

and Rizzo counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Kiv is trying to push Rizzo away but Rizzo has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kiv has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kiv blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kiv fails to pull guard.
Kiv is trying to pull guard but Rizzo has him pressed against the cage.
Kiv has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Rizzo unloads a knee to the mid-section.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kiv looking to stall.
Rizzo missing with knees to the body.
Kiv wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rizzo missing with knees to the body.
Kiv tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Rizzo just stands there and leans against the cage.
Jake Rizzo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vik Kiv.
Kiv wants to break the clinch but can't.
Rizzo keeps control of Kiv as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Rizzo has Kiv pressed against the cage, preventing Kiv from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kiv is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rizzo pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Knees to the body from Rizzo.
Kiv wants to get back to striking at distance but Rizzo won't allow it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A frustrated look appears on Kiv's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kiv is trying to push Rizzo away but Rizzo has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kiv has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rizzo avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kiv takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rizzo missing with knees to the body.
Kiv managing to block the knees to the body from Rizzo.
Kiv is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kiv on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kiv taking a breather.
Kiv wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kiv wants to break the clinch but can't.

Kiv breaks the clinch.
Kiv misses with a few strikes there.

Kiv instigates a clinch.
Rizzo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rizzo has Kiv pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kiv manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Rizzo tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kiv avoids it.
Kiv blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Jake Rizzo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kiv wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rizzo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kiv is defending well for now.
Rizzo managing to block the knees to the body from Kiv.
Kiv wants to get back to striking at distance but Rizzo won't allow it.
Kiv has had enough of the clinch but Rizzo keeps him there for the moment.
Rizzo trying to land knees to the body.
Rizzo is looking for a takedown.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rizzo has Kiv pressed against the cage, preventing Kiv from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kiv can't break the clinch.
Vik Kiv is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Rizzo tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kiv avoids it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vik Kiv comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kiv 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vik Kiv!