PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Eiji Kawashima (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vinny Russo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Russo is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Volbeat - The Human Instrument. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kawashima
vs
Russo

182 cm
31
173 lbs
29 - 6 - 0

181 cm
36
186 lbs
38 - 18 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Hellbent

KAISER
Heisenberg

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Eiji Kawashima!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 38 - 18 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Vinny Russo!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Phil Schofield and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Russo scores with a one two! Kawashima had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Kawashima throws a lazy right hand but Russo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
We've been told by Kawashima's head coaches at Furia Top Team that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Kawashima throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kawashima throws a jab when Russo was well out of range.
Russo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Russo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kawashima is looking to clinch.
Russo shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kawashima defends it nicely.
Kawashima throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russo moves out of range as Kawashima throws a body kick.

Kawashima has closed the distance and engaged Russo in a clinch.
Russo wants a takedown but no success here.
Russo tries to work over Kawashima's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Russo has Kawashima pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kawashima manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Eiji Kawashima has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vinny Russo.
Kawashima swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kawashima tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Russo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kawashima's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kawashima lands a shoulder strike.
Russo working aggressively here.
Kawashima looking to stall.

Russo breaks from the clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Russo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russo gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Kawashima misses with a wild combination.
Russo defending well as Kawashima loads up on a big left hand.

Kawashima moves into the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kawashima lands a hook that snaps the head of Russo backwards.
Russo tries to work over Kawashima's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Russo lands a right hand.
Kawashima blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Russo has clasped his hands together around Kawashima's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Russo in side control, throwing shots but Kawashima defends.
Russo fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Kawashima dodges the ground and pound from Russo.
Russo misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Russo working the ground and pound but Kawashima is defending the strikes.
Kawashima tries to buck Russo off but Russo is having none of it.
Kawashima managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Russo.
Kawashima parries the strikes from Russo easily there. Russo is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Kawashima to escape.
Russo wants to control but Kawashima is keeping him busy.
Russo scores with a couple of short elbows.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Russo working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Russo throws a strike aimed at the side of Kawashima's head but Kawashima avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An elbow from Russo crashes against the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kawashima is working to avoid the ground and pound but Russo connects with a decent elbow.
Russo scoring with punches from side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kawashima is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Kawashima keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kawashima is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Russo scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kawashima trying to control but Russo postures up.
Kawashima controlling the position for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Russo trying to control the action but Kawashima is working from the bottom.
Russo has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kawashima avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Russo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vinny Russo dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kawashima throws a leg kick

and Russo counters with a single leg into guard. Kawashima didn't expect that.
Russo wants to control from the top but Kawashima keeps moving.
Kawashima looking to hit a scissor sweep but Russo is one step ahead there.

Russo drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kawashima dives on top into guard.

Russo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Russo is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawashima controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Russo is looking for a triangle here but Kawashima uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Russo can't do much from the bottom here.
Kawashima fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Russo tries to buck Kawashima off but Kawashima is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russo is trying to work for a sweep but Kawashima has mounted him!
Kawashima content just to control the position here.
Russo is trying desperately to improve position.
Russo wants to control but Kawashima is having none of it.
Kawashima can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Russo is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Kawashima content just to control the position here.
Kawashima trying to control but Russo is having none of it.
Russo tries to hold on but Kawashima pushes him away.
Russo is trying desperately to improve position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russo is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Kawashima content just to control the position here.
Russo regains half guard.
Russo keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Vinny Russo has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Eiji Kawashima has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Kawashima throws the kick towards the body but Russo avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vinny Russo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kawashima throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kawashima throws a jab when Russo was well out of range.
Kawashima moves in looking to clinch but Russo pushes him off.
Kawashima misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Russo.
Kawashima looks for the body kick but Russo saw that one coming.
Russo listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Russo takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Russo with a hook.
Kawashima ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Russo moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawashima lands with a kick to the temple. Russo shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

It looks like Vinny Russo has been cut.
Russo shoots in for a double leg but Kawashima sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Russo misses with a body punch
and Kawashima counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kawashima misses with a two punch combination.
Eiji Kawashima is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kawashima looks to land a right hand but Russo moved out of range.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Kawashima, right into the meat.
Russo dives in and grabs Kawashima's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kawashima pushes down on Russo's head and hops out.
Kawashima fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kawashima looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Kawashima enables Russo to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Kawashima manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kawashima seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Russo tries to free his leg and advance position but Kawashima is retaining full guard.
Russo scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Eiji Kawashima has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Russo gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Kawashima tries to close the distance and clinch but Russo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kawashima waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Russo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawashima throws a predictable looking body shot

and Russo counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kawashima won't be happy with that.
Kawashima dodges the ground and pound from Russo.
Russo works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Kawashima is trying to get back to half guard.
Sloppy strikes there by Russo.

Russo tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Russo misses with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russo connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Kawashima some visible discomfort.
Kawashima is looking for a sweep.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Russo advances to full mount.
Russo throws some wild stikes that Kawashima manages to avoid easily.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Russo cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Russo lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Russo lands a heavy elbow.
Kawashima regains half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Russo landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vinny Russo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Russo winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vinny Russo!
As Vinny Russo got his breath back, he grabbed the microphone and managed to blurt out the following: Man, Eiji is one tough dude. His head was hard on my fists. Damn.'.