PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Masato Saeba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bolodenka Kharitonov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Saeba comes to the cage accompanied by Easy Action. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Saeba
vs
Kharitonov

179 cm
20
179 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

185 cm
21
179 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Masato Saeba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bolodenka Kharitonov!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Robert Twigg and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saeba avoids the body shot from Kharitonov.
Kharitonov fails to land with a series of punches.
Saeba lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Kharitonov tries to close the distance and clinch but Saeba swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kharitonov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kharitonov tries to move into range but Saeba moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kharitonov looks to land a left hand but Saeba moved out of range nicely.
Bolodenka Kharitonov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kharitonov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Saeba jabs at Kharitonov's body.
Kharitonov avoids the head kick by Saeba.
Nice uppercut lands for Saeba. That snapped Kharitonov's head back.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kharitonov falls off balance throwing a combination
and Saeba counters with a good, hard body kick but Kharitonov shrugs it off.
Kharitonov looks gassed!
Kharitonov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Saeba can pounce on him.
Saeba feints and then cracks Kharitonov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kharitonov down.
Saeba lands a lovely overhand right.
Saeba looks to score with a jab to the body but Kharitonov is just out of range.
Saeba throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Saeba digs a good body shot into Kharitonov's ribs.
Saeba tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A jab from Saeba does it's job there.
Saeba lands with a slapping head kick.
Saeba dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kharitonov. That did some damage!
A head kick lands from Saeba that sends Kharitonov to the canvas. Kharitonov tries to scramble back to his feet but Saeba brings him back down into side control.

Kharitonov is rocked!

It looks like Bolodenka Kharitonov has been cut.
Kharitonov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Saeba. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Saeba is trying to get an arm triangle but Kharitonov is defending well.
Kharitonov is still in real trouble! Can Saeba finish him?

Saeba is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kharitonov is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Kharitonov seems to have recovered his senses.

Saeba is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kharitonov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kharitonov is not content to let Saeba control the position.
Kharitonov being controlled for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kharitonov tries to escape but Saeba is in control.
Saeba slows the pace down.
Saeba is looking to take a break and control but Kharitonov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Saeba sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Kharitonov is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Kharitonov throws out a loose jab but Saeba uses good head movement to avoid it.
Good shot there by Kharitonov.
Kharitonov misses with a wild combination.
Kharitonov loads up on a big right hand but Saeba slips the punch.
Kharitonov looks to clinch
letting Saeba counter with a right hand.
Kharitonov lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Bolodenka Kharitonov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Saeba throws a leg kick which misses Kharitonov's front leg but catches the back leg as Kharitonov tries to avoid it.

Saeba gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Saeba avoiding damage.
Kharitonov managing to block the knees to the body from Saeba.
Kharitonov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Saeba lands an elbow just above Kharitonov 's eye.
Kharitonov is trying to break the clinch but Saeba has him pressed against the cage.

Saeba jumps into guard, dragging Kharitonov to the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Saeba is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Saeba is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Saeba trying to control the position here.

Saeba looking for a guillotine here but Kharitonov defends easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kharitonov is looking to stand up but Saeba won't let him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Masato Saeba dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bolodenka Kharitonov's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kharitonov punishes Saeba's body with a nice straight punch.
Kharitonov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kharitonov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kharitonov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kharitonov throws a shot from downtown. Saeba moves away and avoids it.
Kharitonov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kharitonov scores with the left hand. Saeba knows he should have avoided that one.
Kharitonov loads up on a big right hand but Saeba slips the punch.
Nice shot by Kharitonov.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kharitonov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Kharitonov's corner calls for a 1-2. Kharitonov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Kharitonov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Saeba stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Saeba wants to clinch up but Kharitonov keeps it at a distance.
Kharitonov scores with a jab to the head.
Kharitonov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Saeba tries to bum rush Kharitonov with a series of wild strikes but Kharitonov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Saeba slips a jab and a cross from Kharitonov.
Saeba throws a wild body kick that Kharitonov sees coming a mile off.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saeba connects with a jab.
Kharitonov connects with a single shot there.
Kharitonov misses with a straight left.
A jab from Kharitonov misses.
Kharitonov misses with a few strikes there.
Saeba avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Saeba has taken the fight to the clinch.
Saeba lands an elbow just above Kharitonov 's eye.
Saeba using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kharitonov wants to get back to striking at distance but Saeba won't allow it.
Kharitonov is trying to break the clinch but Saeba has him pressed against the cage.
Kharitonov avoiding damage as Saeba throws knees to the body.
Saeba keeps control of Kharitonov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Saeba crunches a lovely knee into Kharitonov's ribcage.
Saeba prevents Kharitonov from breaking the clinch.
Kharitonov is trying to break free.
A bit of stalling here from Saeba.
Kharitonov prevents the takedown attempt.

Kharitonov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Masato Saeba is winning the standup battle so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saeba lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Kharitonov misses with a wild body shot.
Kharitonov tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kharitonov tries to close the distance and clinch but Saeba swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kharitonov walks into a stiff left hand from Saeba.
Kharitonov cracks Saeba with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Saeba dodges the punch combination from Kharitonov.
Saeba dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kharitonov tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Saeba throws a good cross that connects.
Saeba lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kharitonov at a distance.
Kharitonov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Saeba pushes Kharitonov up against the cage in a clinch.
Knees to the body from Saeba.
Saeba landing knees to the body.
Saeba misses with a knee to the head.
The is referee keeping an eye on Saeba - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Saeba for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Kharitonov is trying to break free.
Saeba looking to stall.
Saeba landing knees to the head.
Kharitonov wants to get back to striking at distance but Saeba won't allow it.
Kharitonov wants to break free but Saeba has control.
Saeba trying to land knees to the body.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Saeba.

Kharitonov breaks the clinch.
Saeba pushes Kharitonov away with a front kick.
Saeba looks to throw the jab but Kharitonov is out of range.
Nice straight punches there by Kharitonov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kharitonov.
Kharitonov tries to clinch up.
Kharitonov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Kharitonov throws a hook but Saeba avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saeba uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kharitonov.
Kharitonov misses with a hook.
Saeba throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Saeba throws a right hand that Kharitonov ducks under and follows up with a left that Kharitonov also avoids with ease.
Kharitonov looks to clinch
and Saeba counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Saeba misses with a body shot.
Bolodenka Kharitonov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kharitonov misses with a low kick.
Kharitonov looks to land a left hand but Saeba moved out of range nicely.
Saeba fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kharitonov throws a looping overhand right but Saeba ducks down to avoid it.
Kharitonov is looking to clinch.
Kharitonov jabs Saeba right on the nose. Saeba blinks but takes it well.
Saeba moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kharitonov tests Saeba's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kharitonov misses with a looping right.
Saeba jabs at Kharitonov's body.
Saeba throws a body punch but Kharitonov moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kharitonov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Saeba uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kharitonov.
Saeba throws a series of strikes that have Kharitonov backpedaling.
Saeba uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kharitonov.
Saeba misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kharitonov.
Kharitonov tries a head kick but it misses.
Saeba looks to land a left hand but Kharitonov moved out of range nicely.
Some wild striking there from Kharitonov.

Kharitonov gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Kharitonov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Saeba is one step ahead there.
Saeba stops Kharitonov from standing up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Saeba 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kharitonov looking to control.
Saeba trying to control the position from guard on top but Kharitonov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Kharitonov holds on and takes a little breather.
Saeba trying to control the position from guard on top but Kharitonov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Saeba drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Kharitonov manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Saeba has Kharitonov in his guard.
Saeba looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kharitonov is one step ahead there.

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.
Kharitonov wanted to stand there but Saeba had control of the position.
Saeba pulls Kharitonov in close to prevent any damage.
Kharitonov would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Kharitonov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saeba working a defensive guard here.
Kharitonov wants to get up but he can't break Saeba's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

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

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kharitonov scores with a hook.
Nice uppercut lands for Kharitonov. That snapped Saeba's head back.
Kharitonov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Kharitonov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Saeba moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Saeba avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kharitonov misses the jab.
Kharitonov misses with a double jab.
Saeba throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kharitonov on the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Kharitonov misses its intended target.
Nice shot by Saeba.
Saeba lands a head shot.
Kharitonov slips a jab and a cross from Saeba.
Saeba moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Kharitonov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
enabling Saeba to counter with a crisp jab.
Kharitonov misses with a straight left.
Saeba misses with an uppercut. Kharitonov saw that one coming.
Kharitonov misses with a double jab

and Saeba counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Bolodenka Kharitonov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Saeba wants to pass to mount but Kharitonov is defending the position.
Kharitonov is trying to stand up here but Saeba is controlling him well.
Kharitonov tries to get to full guard but Saeba has control of the leg.
Saeba is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

And that's the end of the fight!
Masato Saeba showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Saeba 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 George Francis scores the fight for Masato Saeba!
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight for Masato Saeba!
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight for Masato Saeba!

Masato Saeba wins by unanimous decision!