PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Kimbley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akira Marufuji (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kimbley
vs
Marufuji

200 cm
22
270 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

196 cm
18
275 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Prefers standup

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 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Kimbley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Akira Marufuji!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Fedor Mirinova and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marufuji thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Kimbley if he has to take too many more of those.
A nice inside leg kick there by Marufuji. That's going to slow Kimbley down.

Marufuji gets tackled into the cage by Kimbley. Kimbley maintains the clinch.

Kimbley turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Kimbley taking a breather here.

Kimbley decides to stand back up. Kimbley steps back and let's Marufuji get back to his feet.
Kimbley shoots in for a takedown but Marufuji shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A nice inside leg kick there by Marufuji. That's going to slow Kimbley down.
Marufuji throws a nice outside leg kick.
Marufuji lands a leg kick that knocks Kimbley off balance momentarily.
Kimbley has a takedown stuffed.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Marufuji slaps away a takedown attempt from Kimbley, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Kimbley. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kimbley closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Kimbley is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marufuji parries the strikes from Kimbley easily there. Kimbley is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Marufuji to escape.
Kimbley gets to mount! Marufuji was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kimbley with good strikes from the mount here!
Kimbley with a couple of short strikes.
Kimbley is in the full mount, landing strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kimbley controlling from mount.
Kimbley has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Marufuji tries to hold on but Kimbley postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marufuji is in all sorts of trouble here.
Kimbley has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Kimbley looking to control and managing it successfully.
Marufuji takes a big shot to the dome and his eyes have rolled back in his head! Kimbley's killer instinct has kicked in as he finishes the fight with more strikes. Impressive finish.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:50 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Alexander Kimbley!