PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Beleg Kutalion (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikita Kalashnikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nikita Kalashnikov will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Kutalion
vs
Kalashnikov

195 cm
23
215 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Beleg Kutalion!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nikita Kalashnikov!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Alan Glass and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kalashnikov lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Kutalion tries to close the distance and clinch but Kalashnikov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kalashnikov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kutalion tries to clinch but Kalashnikov is having none of it.
Kutalion slips a jab and a cross from Kalashnikov.

Kutalion rushes Kalashnikov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kutalion on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kalashnikov trying to control the position but instead, Kutalion has worked for underhooks and has pushed Kalashnikov into the cage.
Kutalion slows down the pace here.
Kalashnikov throws a punch but it's blocked by Kutalion.
Kutalion has Kalashnikov pushed against the cage.
Kalashnikov misses with some punches.
Kutalion just leaning against Kalashnikov, taking a breather.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Beleg Kutalion.
Kalashnikov shoots in and drives through. Kutalion sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalashnikov swats away the attempt to clinch by Kutalion.
Kutalion wants to clinch up but Kalashnikov keeps it at a distance.
No joy there for Kalashnikov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kutalion wants to clinch.
Kalashnikov takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Kutalion wants to clinch up but Kalashnikov keeps it at a distance.
Kalashnikov tries to close the distance and clinch but Kutalion swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kutalion moves in looking to clinch but Kalashnikov pushes him off.

Kutalion forces Kalashnikov back against the cage and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalashnikov goes for a takedown attempt but Kutalion pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Kutalion misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kalashnikov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Kutalion closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kutalion lands in his opponent's guard.

Kalashnikov looking for a guillotine here but Kutalion defends easily.
Kutalion trying to control but Kalashnikov is working from the bottom.
Kalashnikov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kutalion wants to control from the top but Kalashnikov keeps moving.

Kalashnikov has an active guard here but Kutalion has managed to pass into half guard.
Kalashnikov looks gassed!

Kalashnikov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kutalion content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Kutalion wants to control but Kalashnikov is keeping him busy.
Kalashnikov is trying to get back to full guard.
Kutalion is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Kalashnikov!
Kutalion trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Kalashnikov is trying to escape the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kutalion moves to the back position.
Kalashnikov is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.

Kalashnikov defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Kutalion's arms.

Kutalion is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Kalashnikov has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Kutalion has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Kalashnikov rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Beleg Kutalion dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kalashnikov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kalashnikov keeps the fight on the outside.
Kutalion tries to clinch there but Kalashnikov circles away.
Beleg Kutalion seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kalashnikov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kalashnikov throws a nice looking combination but Kutalion bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Kutalion.
Kalashnikov misses with a double jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kalashnikov scores with a three punch combo!
Kutalion doesn't manage to clinch there - Kalashnikov circles away.

Kutalion has Kalashnikov up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalashnikov throws a head punch that misses.
Kutalion displaying some good clinch control by pressing Kalashnikov up against the cage.
Kutalion gets underhooks to prevent Kalashnikov's takedown attempt.
Kalashnikov is breathing heavily.
Kalashnikov misses with an elbow strike.
A bit of stalling here from Kutalion.
Kalashnikov swings wildly with an uppercut but Kutalion uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kutalion.

Kutalion jumps into guard, dragging Kalashnikov to the mat.

Kutalion throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Kalashnikov postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Kutalion is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Kalashnikov, into his guard.
Kutalion slips nicely into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kutalion is working for a submission of some sort.
Kalashnikov is looking for a sweep. Kutalion is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kalashnikov is refusing to be controlled, as Kutalion sits in half guard.
Kalashnikov gets full guard.
Kutalion stopping the sweep attempt from Kalashnikov.

Kalashnikov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kutalion not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kutalion trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kalashnikov doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Kalashnikov wants to sweep but no luck.

Kalashnikov has his foot on Kutalion's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kutalion works his way back into a safe position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kutalion pushes down on Kalashnikov's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Kalashnikov is looking to improve his position.
Kutalion trying to mount his opponent but Kalashnikov defends it.
Kalashnikov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Kalashnikov looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kalashnikov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kutalion is working away from the top position though.

Kalashnikov is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Kutalion pulls his head out easily.
Kutalion wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kalashnikov keeps working.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Kalashnikov lands a jab-cross combination.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kalashnikov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kutalion tries to clinch up.
Kalashnikov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Beleg Kutalion dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

No joy there for Kalashnikov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kalashnikov tries to bum rush Kutalion with a series of wild strikes but Kutalion uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A head kick by Kalashnikov misses

and Kutalion counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Kutalion passes into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kutalion is controlling the pace.
Kalashnikov manages to get to full guard.

Kalashnikov had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Kutalion is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Kalashnikov Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Kutalion's back instead.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kutalion tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Kutalion 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.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kutalion manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Kutalion has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kalashnikov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kutalion looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kalashnikov is one step ahead there.
Kalashnikov pushing down on Kutalion's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Kutalion is trying to maintain the position but Kalashnikov is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalashnikov works his foot free and advances to mount.

Kalashnikov has hold of Kutalion's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Kutalion manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Kutalion is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Kalashnikov trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Kalashnikov is working for a guillotine from mount but Kutalion frees his head quite easily.
Kutalion sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalashnikov trying to control the action but Kutalion is working from the bottom.
Kutalion moves into full guard.
Kutalion keeping full guard, as Kalashnikov tries to pass.
Kalashnikov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Kalashnikov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Kutalion looking for a guillotine here but Kalashnikov defends easily.
Kalashnikov preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Kutalion escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kalashnikov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Kutalion is looking for a triangle but Kalashnikov pushes his legs off easily.
Kalashnikov slips nicely into half guard.
Kutalion is looking to improve his position.
Kutalion gets back to full guard.

Kutalion is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kalashnikov passes Kutalion's left leg - he's now in half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Beleg Kutalion showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kutalion has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Beleg Kutalion!