PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Yuri Vasilev (ranked 4297 p4p, 4544 weight class) and Michael Ennis (ranked 375 p4p, 0 weight class). Ennis has chosen Ghost - Youngboy as his entrance music. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Vasilev
vs
Ennis

184 cm
23
150
0 - 0 - 0

179 cm
21
172
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Likes comics

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Likes musicals

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yuri Vasilev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Michael Ennis!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Ivan Kurochkin and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vasilev tries to clinch but Ennis moves away
and Ennis counters with a left to the body.
Vasilev swinging wildly here.
Ennis tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Vasilev defends well and Ennis ends up having to push Vasilev into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Vasilev is looking to counter with head kicks.
Vasilev takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Ennis shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Vasilev defends it nicely.
Vasilev has his takedown stuffed
and Ennis counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Vasilev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Vasilev has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ennis is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Ennis wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ennis is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Vasilev is defending well.
Yuri Vasilev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Ennis.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasilev gets underhooks to prevent Ennis's takedown attempt.

Ennis pulls guard effortlessly.

Ennis pushes Vasilev off and gets back to his feet.
No joy there for Vasilev, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
And Ennis tries to counter it with a takedown but Vasilev pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Nice sprawl there from Ennis as Vasilev shoots in.
Vasilev really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Nice takedown defense from Vasilev. No joy for Ennis on that attempt.
Ennis tries to score a power double leg takedown but Vasilev sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ennis somewhat.
Ennis tries to clinch up
and Vasilev counters with a flying knee. Nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ennis shoots in looking for a takedown but Vasilev manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ennis's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Vasilev throws a body shot but no joy.
Ennis is looking for the big counter here.
Ennis looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ennis stuffs the takedown.
Ennis lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Ennis has a takedown stuffed.
Ennis looks winded!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vasilev is looking to clinch but Ennis is avoiding it.
Vasilev lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Ennis backs up against the cage.
Ennis stalks Vasilev and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Vasilev's face. Vasilev staggers backwards, shaken.
Ennis wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasilev misses the shot to the body.
Ennis shoots in looking for a takedown but Vasilev manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ennis's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ennis fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Vasilev throws a big counter combination but Ennis scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Ennis shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Vasilev defends it nicely.
Ennis shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Vasilev as he avoids it easily.

Vasilev throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Ennis was covering up waiting for the punch and Vasilev finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Ennis wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Vasilev manages to pass to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vasilev is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ennis defends it well.
Ennis is not content to let Vasilev control the position.

Vasilev is trying to work for a kimura but Ennis is defending well.
Ennis moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Yuri Vasilev will probably get the nod.
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.

Ennis shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Vasilev defends it nicely.
Ennis fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ennis wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vasilev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Vasilev clinches with his opponent.
Ennis jumps guard but Vasilev stands there with Ennis around his waist. Ennis gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ennis jumps guard but Vasilev stands there with Ennis around his waist. Ennis gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Yuri Vasilev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Ennis.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vasilev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ennis shoots in but Vasilev avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Vasilev wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Vasilev rushes Ennis and presses him up against the cage.

Vasilev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ennis shoots in looking for a takedown. Vasilev tries to sprawl out of it but Ennis keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Vasilev manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Vasilev doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Ennis counters with a left and a right that stings Vasilev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vasilev displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ennis.
Vasilev throws a big counter combination but Ennis scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Ennis is breathing heavily.
Vasilev shoots in looking for a takedown. Ennis tries to sprawl out of it but Vasilev keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ennis manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ennis throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Vasilev clinches up with Ennis and pushes him back against the cage.
Vasilev lands an elbow inside.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Ennis wants to take the fight to the mat but Vasilev manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Ennis tries to break free but Vasilev pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee is keeping an eye on Vasilev - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Ennis tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Vasilev smiles and moves away.
Vasilev fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Vasilev throws a series of punches but Ennis avoids them all with ease.
Ennis shoots in for a takedown but Vasilev shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Vasilev defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ennis.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Vasilev.

Vasilev takes the fight into the clinch.
Ennis prevents the takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ennis is looking to take this one to the mat.

Vasilev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A head kick from Vasilev lands but Ennis takes it in his stride.
Yuri Vasilev is winning the standup battle so far.
The fight stays on the outside here - Vasilev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Vasilev misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Vasilev closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Ennis to the mat! Ennis manages to get full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ennis wants to sweep here but Vasilev controlling him for the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vasilev controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Yuri Vasilev dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Vasilev shoots in looking for a takedown. Ennis tries to sprawl out of it but Vasilev keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ennis manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ennis shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Vasilev sprawls well. Vasilev wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ennis gets slowly back to his feet.
Vasilev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vasilev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Vasilev thows a body kick. Ennis tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Vasilev fails with the takedown

and Ennis holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yuri Vasilev. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vasilev has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Ennis uses from the top position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Vasilev working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ennis.
Vasilev pulls Ennis in close to his closed guard and prevents Ennis from doing any damage or advancing position.
Ennis stopping the sweep attempt from Vasilev.
Vasilev trying to control the position.
Ennis sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Vasilev's guard.
Ennis is controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vasilev trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Ennis looking to control and managing it successfully.
Ennis misses with a head shot.

Ennis get's back to his feet.
Ennis closes the distance and clinches up with Vasilev, looking for a takedown. Ennis pushes Vasilev against the cage but Vasilev circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasilev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ennis defends it nicely.
Ennis will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ennis looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Vasilev is fending him off so far but Ennis persists. Nope, Vasilev circles away and we're back to standing.

Vasilev throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Ennis was covering up waiting for the punch and Vasilev finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Vasilev decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Vasilev fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ennis dives in and grabs Vasilev's left leg, looking for a takedown. Vasilev pushes down on Ennis's head and hops out.
Vasilev looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ennis is fending him off so far but Vasilev persists. Nope, Ennis circles away and we're back to standing.

Vasilev shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Ennis napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Ennis tries to bench press Vasilev off him but Vasilev keeps the position.
Vasilev moves into full mount!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ennis trying desperately to get to his feet.
Ennis wants to control but Vasilev is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ennis really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Yuri Vasilev.
Well Vasilev 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight for Yuri Vasilev!
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight for Yuri Vasilev!
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight for Yuri Vasilev!

Yuri Vasilev wins by unanimous decision!
The defeated Michael Ennis had this to say: 'thanks to all my fans for coming out tonight, shame I couldn't get the job done but it is what it is.'.