PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ruslan Temirov (ranked 227 p4p, 1070 weight class) and Mono Loco (ranked 34 p4p, 117 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Temirov
vs
Loco

164 cm
41
143
37 - 22 - 3

168 cm
39
152
23 - 28 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Brawler
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Threads
Voodoo Nutrition

Seventh Circle Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 37 - 22 - 3, fighting out of London, Ruslan Temirov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 28 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mono Loco!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Nard Betker and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Temirov throws a right hand that Loco ducks under and follows up with a left that Loco also avoids with ease.
Loco looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Loco blocks a jab.

Loco feints and as Temirov raises his hands in defense, Loco changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Loco stops Temirov from standing up.
Loco throws a big right hand that misses.
My spies in Beating a Dead Horse to Death Again inform me that Loco has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Loco with a flurry of punches that miss.
Loco trying to control but Temirov is working from the bottom.
Temirov wants to stand up but Loco is controlling him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Loco trying to control but Temirov is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Temirov wants to stand up but Loco is controlling him.
Temirov keeping moving, preventing Loco from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A nice leg kick lands there from Temirov.
Loco drops his hands momentarily and Temirov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Loco shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Temirov but Temirov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Temirov scores with a decent looking hook.
Temirov throws a shot to the body.
Temirov misses with an uppercut.
Loco moves away from the strike by Temirov.
Loco feints the counter takedown.
Ruslan Temirov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Temirov lands a jab-cross combination.
Loco tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Temirov swivels and escapes.
Temirov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Loco sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Temirov scores with a leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Loco scores with a takedown into Temirov's guard.
Loco trying to control the position from guard on top but Temirov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Temirov being controlled here, momentarily.
Loco trying to control the position from guard on top but Temirov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Loco with a flurry of punches that miss.
Loco controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

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

Temirov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Loco has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Temirov has managed to get both his arms back between Loco's legs - danger averted.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Loco is on top in guard.

Loco in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Loco looking to sit in guard and control but Temirov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Loco not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Temirov wants to stand but Loco has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Loco is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Temirov defends well.
Loco looking for a sweep. Not yet Loco, not yet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ruslan Temirov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Temirov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Temirov lands with a cross.
Loco staying out of range there.
No joy there for Temirov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Temirov jabs Loco to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Loco dodges the punch combination from Temirov.
Loco tries for a takedown but Temirov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Temirov half committed to a counter leg kick.
Temirov scores with a hook to the body. Loco takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Temirov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Loco.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Temirov lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Temirov misses with a hook.
Temirov throws a big shot that misses.
Loco with a poor takedown
enabling Temirov to counter with a crisp jab.
Ruslan Temirov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mono Loco.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Temirov digs a good hook to Loco's body.
Loco keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Loco moves forwards but Temirov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Temirov scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
A left lands for Temirov.
Nice defenses there by Loco.
Temirov stuffs the takedown.

Loco dives in and scores a takedown into Temirov's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Loco sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Let's hope that Loco has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Loco.

Temirov scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Temirov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Loco on the side of the head.
Temirov lands a slapping body shot.
Loco shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Loco shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Temirov pinned against the cage. Temirov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Loco avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Temirov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Temirov lands with a nice combination. Loco backs away looking to recover.
Temirov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Temirov wants it to stay on the feet.
Temirov looks to score with a jab to the body but Loco is just out of range.
Loco is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Temirov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Loco circles away quickly and effectively.
Temirov tries a low kick but Loco avoids it.
Loco walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Loco drops his hands momentarily and Temirov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Temirov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Temirov misses with a double jab

and Loco counters with a nice double leg into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Loco pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Temirov is keeping the position for now.
Temirov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Loco controls the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yet more stalling tactics from Loco.
Temirov wants to get back to his feet but Loco is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Loco is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Loco trying to control the position from guard on top but Temirov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ruslan Temirov dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Loco throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Temirov's waist but Temirov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Loco off to one side.
Temirov was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Temirov goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Loco walks into a stiff left hand from Temirov.
Loco shoots in but Temirov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Loco keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Loco throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Temirov's waist but Temirov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Loco off to one side.
Temirov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Ruslan Temirov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mono Loco.
A jab from Temirov does it's job there.
Temirov with the inside leg kick.
Temirov throws a right and a left that Loco avoids nicely.
Loco fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ruslan Temirov is winning the standup battle so far.
Loco has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Temirov finds it's way round the side to connect with Loco's head.
A telegraphed right hand from Temirov misses the target.
Loco with the counter takedown but Temirov avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Loco is defended easily by Temirov.
Jab, jab by Temirov - just one landing.
Loco changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Temirov tries to avoid it but Loco manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Temirov to the ground. Temirov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Loco will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Temirov shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Loco eats them both and turns towards Temirov to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Temirov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Loco can do to turn this around?
Temirov jabs Loco to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Temirov throws a right and a left that Loco avoids nicely.
Loco shoots in looking for a takedown but Temirov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Loco's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Loco dodges the punch combination from Temirov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Loco doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Temirov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Loco takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Temirov scores with a hook to the body. Loco takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Loco dodges the punch combination from Temirov.
Temirov throws a low kick but Loco moves out of range easily.
Loco fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Temirov connects with a right hand. Loco shakes it off.
Temirov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Loco circles away quickly and effectively.
Loco shoots in for a takedown but Temirov shows good takedown defense.
Temirov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Loco moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Loco feints and as Temirov raises his hands in defense, Loco changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Loco drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Temirov manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Loco has Temirov in his guard.

Temirov gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Temirov feints a jab promting Loco to slip. Temirov then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Loco slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Temirov scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

Loco throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Temirov was covering up waiting for the punch and Loco finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Loco working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Temirov keeping moving, preventing Loco from controlling successfully.
Mono Loco has got the better of the ground game so far.
Temirov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ruslan Temirov clearly takes that 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.

Temirov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Loco shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Temirov pinned against the cage. Temirov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Loco has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A nice leg kick from Temirov, right into the meat of the thigh.
Loco shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Temirov sprawls well. Temirov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Loco gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Temirov misses with an uppercut.
Loco shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Temirov tests Loco's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Temirov misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Temirov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Temirov scores with a shot to the body.
Temirov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Loco.
Loco avoids the body shot from Temirov.
Temirov misses with a body shot.
Loco ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Loco takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Temirov goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Loco walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Loco takes one to the side of the head.
Temirov misses with a body shot.
Good exchange - Temirov coming out on top.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sloppy strikes from Temirov. Those never looked like landing.
Loco feints the counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Temirov.
Temirov lands a lovely overhand right.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Loco.
Ruslan Temirov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mono Loco.
Loco with a lazy takedown attempt
and Temirov counters with a right hand to the body.
Loco with a poor takedown
and Temirov counters with a stiff right hand.
Loco is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Temirov connects with a looping right hand.
Loco takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Temirov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Loco has time to react.
Loco looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Temirov is fending him off so far but Loco persists. Nope, Temirov circles away and we're back to standing.
Loco walks into a straight right hand from Temirov.
Loco takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Temirov throws a shot from downtown. Loco moves away and avoids it.

Loco looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Temirov is looking to stand up but Loco isn't so interested in that idea.
Loco trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Loco trying to control the position from guard on top but Temirov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Loco controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Loco wants to control from the top but Temirov keeps moving.

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.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Loco shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Temirov sprawls well. Temirov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Loco gets slowly back to his feet.
Temirov just misses with a punch to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ruslan Temirov had his way with Mono Loco in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Temirov fails to land with a series of punches.
Nice sprawl there from Temirov as Loco shoots in.
Temirov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Loco.
Temirov throws a shot to the body.
Loco looks for a takedown but Temirov sprawls well.
Ruslan Temirov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mono Loco.
Loco takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Temirov misses with a hook

so Loco counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Temirov wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Loco manages to pass to side control.
Temirov is trying to stand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Loco throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Temirov is trying to stand.

Loco is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Temirov is just riding it out for now. Loco eventually gives up the hold.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Temirov swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Loco tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Loco shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Temirov sprawls well. Temirov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Loco gets slowly back to his feet.
It looked like Temirov was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Loco.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Loco fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Temirov connects with an inside leg kick.
Loco fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Loco has his takedown stuffed
and Temirov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Loco is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Temirov lands a jab to Loco's midsection.
Nice shot by Temirov.
Temirov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Loco dives in for a single leg takedown but Temirov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Temirov connects with a nice looking jab.
Danga de danga de dang - Temirov scores with a four punch combination!
Temirov throws a combination. Loco tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Nice cross by Temirov.
Loco needs to keep his hands up - Temirov had a free shot at his head there.
Loco displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Temirov throws out the jab.
Temirov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Temirov throws a jab when Loco was well out of range.
A slow jab from Temirov misses its intended target.
Loco dives in for a single leg takedown but Temirov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Loco's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Loco shoots in and drives through. Temirov sprawls well.
Temirov lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Temirov fails to land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Temirov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Temirov scores with a decent looking hook.
Loco shoots in for a double leg but Temirov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Temirov throws a series of punches but Loco avoids them all with ease.
Temirov misses the shot to the body.
Ruslan Temirov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Temirov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Loco counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Loco seems to be working for a kimura but Temirov defends the submission attempt.
Loco not doing much here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ruslan Temirov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Temirov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 50:45
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 50:45
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ruslan Temirov!
Ruslan Temirov retains his featherweight title!
Ruslan Temirov very nearly forgot to thank KOMBAT KLOTHING amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.