PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Joseph Monferand (ranked 2954 p4p, 25603 weight class) and Vasilij Krasnov (ranked 365 p4p, 668 weight class). Vasilij Krasnov acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Monferand
vs
Krasnov

160 cm
25
180
2 - 0 - 0

177 cm
26
170
1 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Joseph Monferand!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vasilij Krasnov!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Krasnov is looking to clinch but Monferand is avoiding it.
Krasnov jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Monferand is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Krasnov's half guard.
Krasnov manages to get to full guard.
Monferand stands up over Krasnov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Monferand tries to free his leg and advance position but Krasnov is retaining full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Krasnov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Krasnov has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Cozad MMA St Petersburg. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Monferand knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Krasnov on the ground.
Monferand is looking to work some ground and pound but Krasnov has wrist control.
Monferand trying to move into half guard but instead Krasnov has managed to sweep!

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Krasnov is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Monferand working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Krasnov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Krasnov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Krasnov trying to control the position from guard on top but Monferand is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Monferand looking to control.

Krasnov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Krasnov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Monferand seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Krasnov advances to half guard.

That's two 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.
Krasnov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Monferand is trying to get back to full guard.
Monferand wants to control but Krasnov is keeping busy.
Monferand is looking to improve his position.
Krasnov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Monferand does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Krasnov is thwarting Monferand's attempts to control the position.
Krasnov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Monferand does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Monferand tries to roll over but Krasnov keeps him under control.
Krasnov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monferand is looking to improve his position.
Krasnov wants to take a breather but Monferand is having none of it.
Monferand keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Monferand gets full guard.
Monferand pulls Krasnov in close to his closed guard and prevents Krasnov from doing any damage or advancing position.
Monferand looking to control but Krasnov passes into half guard.
Monferand might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Monferand is not content to let Krasnov control the position.
Krasnov thows a huge punch but Monferand dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monferand blocking the ground and pound attempt from Krasnov.
Krasnov is looking to take a break and control but Monferand is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Monferand is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Krasnov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Monferand on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Monferand tries to get out of the position.
Monferand is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Krasnov wants to take a breather but Monferand is having none of it.
Krasnov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Monferand trying to hold on to Krasnov's head to control him but Krasnov postures up.
Monferand is not content to let Krasnov control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Monferand wants to get back to full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Vasilij Krasnov will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A combination from Krasnov does no damage.
Monferand tries to counter with a takedown but Krasnov is quick to defend against it.
Monferand looks to throw the jab but Krasnov is out of range.
Despite the aggression on Krasnov's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Monferand needs to keep his hands up - Krasnov had a free shot at his head there.
Monferand moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Krasnov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Krasnov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Vasilij Krasnov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Monferand thows a left - swing and a miss!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Krasnov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Krasnov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Krasnov looks to land a right hand but Monferand moved out of range.
Monferand changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krasnov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Monferand.

Monferand closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Krasnov quickly recovers to half guard.
Krasnov trying to hold on to Monferand's head to control him but Monferand postures up.
Krasnov is not content to let Monferand control the position.
Monferand is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Monferand scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Krasnov is looking for a sweep. Monferand is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Monferand working the head and body with strikes.
Monferand thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Krasnov has hold of Monferand's hands but Monferand slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Monferand trying to control from Krasnov's half guard. Krasnov has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monferand connects with a couple of short punches.
Monferand throws a big right hand that misses.
Krasnov trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Krasnov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Monferand working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Monferand working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Krasnov's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Krasnov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Monferand chips away with some ground and pound.
Monferand chips away with some ground and pound.
Monferand pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Krasnov is keeping the position for now.
Monferand chips away with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Krasnov controls Monferand momentarily but Monferand frees himself.
Krasnov keeping moving, preventing Monferand from controlling successfully.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Monferand's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Krasnov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Monferand distracts Krasnov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Krasnov striking off his back but it's not causing Monferand any problems.
Monferand has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Monferand trying to control but Krasnov is working from the bottom.
Krasnov throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Monferand trying to control the position from guard on top but Krasnov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Monferand lands a couple of elbows.
Monferand scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Monferand wants to pass the guard but Krasnov is keeping the position.
Krasnov trying to control the position.
Monferand postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Krasnov is rocked!
Monferand distracts Krasnov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Krasnov is still in real trouble! Can Monferand finish him?
Monferand gets to his feet and stands over Krasnov, holding his ankles. He dives in with a big left hand that connects! Krasnov felt that one! Monferand unloads more punches and elbows and this one is over! The ref has dived in to save Krasnov from any more punishment!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Joseph Monferand!