Quick Fight Championship PBP Commentary

Main event

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Victor Stroev (ranked 3311 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zhasulan Boranbayev (ranked 4076 p4p, 0 weight class). Victor Stroev has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Stroev
vs
Boranbayev

175 cm
25
156 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

177 cm
25
157 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Experienced

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Victor Stroev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Zhasulan Boranbayev!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Vladimir Khabensky and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Boranbayev fails with a takedown attempt.

Boranbayev gets a takedown into half guard.
Stroev trying to hold on to Boranbayev's head to control him but Boranbayev postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Boranbayev trying to control from half guard but Stroev is working away.
Boranbayev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stroev is not content to let Boranbayev control the position.
Stroev is controlling Boranbayev's trapped leg to prevent Boranbayev from advancing to side control.
It looks like Boranbayev is going to stand back up.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Stroev moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Stroev keeping moving, preventing Boranbayev from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Stroev looking to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Stroev clinches up against the cage.
Boranbayev tries for a takedown but Stroev manages to get underhooks.

Stroev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Boranbayev throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Stroev's waist but Stroev gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Boranbayev off to one side.
Victor Stroev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zhasulan Boranbayev.
Boranbayev tries to clinch there but Stroev circles away.
Stroev throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Boranbayev's waist but Boranbayev gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Stroev off to one side.

Stroev looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Stroev tries to pass the half guard into mount. Boranbayev knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stroev stalling.
Stroev is trying to control the action in half guard but Boranbayev is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Boranbayev wants to get back to full guard.

Boranbayev is defending against the submission attempts here by Stroev.
Stroev perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Boranbayev wants to control but Stroev is keeping busy.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Stroev takes the fight into the clinch.
Boranbayev using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Stroev has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Boranbayev wants to break free but Stroev has control.
A frustrated look appears on Boranbayev's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Stroev drags the fight down to the ground.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Victor Stroev dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Stroev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Boranbayev as he avoids it easily.
Boranbayev misses with a head kick.
Stroev misses with a series of wild punches.
Nice sprawl there from Stroev as Boranbayev shoots in.
Boranbayev shoots in for a double leg but Stroev sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Boranbayev shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Stroev pinned against the cage. Stroev gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Victor Stroev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zhasulan Boranbayev.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stroev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Victor Stroev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Boranbayev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Stroev but Stroev pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Stroev is looking to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stroev thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Boranbayev if he has to take too many more of those.
Stroev slaps away a takedown attempt from Boranbayev, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Stroev seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

Stroev has managed to clinch.
Stroev looking for a takedown.
Stroev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Boranbayev can do to turn this around?
Boranbayev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Stroev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Stroev checks a leg kick.
Stroev stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Stroev wants it to stay on the feet.
Boranbayev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Boranbayev throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stroev closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Boranbayev to the mat! Boranbayev manages to get full guard.
Stroev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Boranbayev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Stroev would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Stroev wants to control from the top but Boranbayev keeps moving.
Stroev is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stroev has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Boranbayev is proving hard to escape from.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boranbayev keeping moving, preventing Stroev from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Stroev tries to clinch up but Boranbayev circles away and keeps his distance.

Stroev gets caught flat footed, as Boranbayev shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Stroev is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Boranbayev defends well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Stroev wants to get back to his feet but Boranbayev passes into half guard.
Boranbayev is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stroev wants to control but Boranbayev is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Stroev is trying to get back to full guard.
Stroev holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Boranbayev is trying to control the action in half guard but Stroev is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Well, if Boranbayev is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Victor Stroev dominated that second 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. This is the final round!

Boranbayev shoots in and drives through. Stroev sprawls well.
Boranbayev swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Stroev counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Stroev trying to control the position from guard on top but Boranbayev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stroev is working Boranbayev over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Boranbayev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Stroev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Stroev wanted to stand there but Boranbayev had control of the position.

Boranbayev throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Stroev escapes and throws Boranbayev's legs to the side, diving into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stroev tries to move into full mount but can't pass Boranbayev's legs.
Boranbayev wants to control but Stroev postures up.
Stroev throws a strike aimed at the side of Boranbayev's head but Boranbayev avoids it well.
Stroev is looking to take a break and control but Boranbayev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on Boranbayev's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Boranbayev shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Stroev pinned against the cage. Stroev gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Stroev misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
As Stroev backs off Boranbayev throws a huge counter combo but Stroev manages to avoid it all.
Boranbayev leaves Stroev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Boranbayev misses with a kick to the body
and Stroev counters with a series of strikes. Boranbayev will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stroev blocks a head kick by Boranbayev.
Stroev is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Boranbayev.
Boranbayev looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Stroev is fending him off so far but Boranbayev persists. Nope, Stroev circles away and we're back to standing.
Victor Stroev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zhasulan Boranbayev.
Boranbayev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Boranbayev misses with a low kick.
Stroev shoots in looking for a takedown but Boranbayev manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Stroev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Stroev.
Boranbayev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Stroev manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Stroev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Boranbayev looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Stroev closes the distance and clinches up with Boranbayev, looking for a takedown. Stroev pushes Boranbayev against the cage but Boranbayev circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Boranbayev avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Stroev misses with a body kick.
Boranbayev misses with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boranbayev fails with the takedown.
Boranbayev defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Stroev.
Boranbayev throws a head kick but Stroev moves out of range.
Boranbayev throws a head kick that misses.
Boranbayev shoots in but no luck this time.
Boranbayev stuffs the takedown.
A lazy body kick from Boranbayev

and Stroev counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stroev tries to stand and escape but Boranbayev is controlling the position.
Victor Stroev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Boranbayev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Stroev.

And that's the end of the fight!
Victor Stroev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Stroev 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Victor Stroev!