PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Almaz Method (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Harvi Kalaso (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kalaso has chosen Hank Williams SR. as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Method
vs
Kalaso

185 cm
25
161 lbs
8 - 8 - 0

174 cm
40
167 lbs
38 - 32 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
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 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Almaz Method!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 38 - 32 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Harvi Kalaso!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Sergei Dronov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Method dives in and grabs Kalaso's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kalaso pushes down on Method's head and hops out.

Kalaso moves into the clinch successfully.
Kalaso unloads a knee to the mid-section. Method lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Kalaso landing knees to the head.
Kalaso lands with a short shot to the head.
Kalaso lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kalaso lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kalaso gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Kalaso breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Method closes the distance but Kalaso moves to the side

and Kalaso counters by moving into the clinch.

Kalaso breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Kalaso breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Method seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Almaz Method seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kalaso takes the fight into the clinch.
Kalaso gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Method.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kalaso breaks the clinch.

Kalaso clinches up against the cage.
Kalaso lands a knee to the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kalaso.
Method goes for a takedown attempt but Kalaso pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Almaz Method. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kalaso closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
A lull in the action here as Kalaso stalls from top position.
Kalaso creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Let's hope that Kalaso has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Method takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Method seems a little lost for a moment, as Kalaso dominates the positioning.
Kalaso grinds an elbow into Method's temple.

Kalaso looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Kalaso tries for a kimura but Method is defending well.
Method tries to bench press Kalaso off him but Kalaso keeps the position.
Method pushes Kalaso away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Kalaso gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Kalaso working the body and head with strikes.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Method tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kalaso wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalaso advances nicely into full mount.
Kalaso lands a big shot there that rocks Method but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Kalaso prevents Method from getting the reversal.
Kalaso content just to control the position here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Method in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Kalaso in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

Method is rocked!
Method is trying to escape the mount.
Oh Method is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kalaso sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Method seems to have got his legs back now.
Kalaso lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kalaso tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Method tries to hold on but Kalaso postures up.
Method knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kalaso on the ground.
Kalaso lands with some strikes.
Kalaso controlling from mount.
Kalaso is landing with some decent strikes but Method is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Method is looking to improve his position but Kalaso isn't that keen on the idea.
Kalaso tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harvi Kalaso dominated that round.
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.

Kalaso bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Kalaso works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Kalaso works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
You can see the frustration on Method's face as Kalaso controls the position.
Method is looking for a sweep.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Kalaso landing strikes.
Method is trying to improve his position.
Kalaso grinds an elbow into Method's temple.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kalaso scoring with punches from side control.
Harvi Kalaso has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kalaso advances nicely into full mount.
Kalaso tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Method is working to get back to half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Kalaso takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Kalaso landing strikes from the mount and Method is in trouble!
Method really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Kalaso has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kalaso controlling from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Method taking shots to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kalaso lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Method hang on?
Kalaso tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Kalaso is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Method is surviving well by controlling Kalaso's body position as best he can.

Kalaso goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Method is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Kalaso manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Method takes a knee to the side of the body.

Kalaso manages to break the clinch.
Method shoots in for a takedown but Kalaso shows good takedown defense.

Kalaso closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Method to the mat! Method manages to get full guard.
Kalaso seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Kalaso drops back looking for a leg! Method is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Method manages to kick Kalaso off! Kalaso jumps back into Method's guard.
Method controls Kalaso momentarily but Kalaso frees himself.
Kalaso showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Kalaso has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kalaso with a nice head shot there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kalaso postures up and lands a big shot to Method's brow.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kalaso's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Kalaso slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Kalaso works over Method with some ground and pound from guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kalaso content to stall in guard here.
Kalaso preventing the sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harvi Kalaso showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Kalaso closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Method to the mat! Method manages to get full guard.
Method is trying to control the position but Kalaso postures up.
Kalaso scoring with some ground and pound.
Kalaso not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Harvi Kalaso was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Kalaso drives through and clinches with Method against the cage.
Kalaso lands on the inside with an uppercut.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kalaso has managed to clinch.
Kalaso taking a breather.
Kalaso gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Nice elbow from Kalaso.
Kalaso working Method over with knees to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kalaso landing knees to the head.
Kalaso works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kalaso lands a good knee to the midsection. Method won't want to take too many of those.
Kalaso landing knees to the body.
Kalaso creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Method's defenses.
Kalaso slows down the pace here.
Kalaso lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Method backwards.
Almaz Method has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Method stalling in the clinch but Kalaso improves position.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
A head punch on the inside from Method fails to land.
Kalaso lands an elbow inside that Method shrugs off.
Kalaso with a knee to the head.
Kalaso is pushing Method up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Harvi Kalaso is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kalaso clinches up against the cage.
Method fails to pull guard.
Kalaso prevents a takedown attempt there.

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

Kalaso closes the distance and clinches.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Kalaso obliges.
Kalaso makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Method gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Kalaso counters with a single leg into guard. Method didn't expect that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Almaz Method. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kalaso not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Method looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kalaso is one step ahead there.
Kalaso not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kalaso's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Kalaso pushing down on Method's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Kalaso is taking a breather. Method says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Method flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Harvi Kalaso comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kalaso 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 26:30
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Harvi Kalaso!
Harvi Kalaso took some time post fight to say the following; 'Buy Juicy Fruit or F... U thanks for watching party at my house byob!!! '.