PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Victor Putznaya (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Russel Bell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Putznaya
vs
Bell

171 cm
20
161 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

190 cm
20
165 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Knockout power

Global MMA Gear

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Victor Putznaya!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Russel Bell!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, John Mangel and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

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

Bell decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Bell.
Bell is looking to take a break and control but Putznaya is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bell takes a little break here. Putznaya wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Bell tries to advance position but instead Putznaya slips a leg back in to half guard.
Putznaya is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Putznaya actively working from the bottom here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Bell in particular looking to stall.
Putznaya wants to get back to full guard.
Putznaya is working hard here to advance position.
Putznaya on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Putznaya tries to get out of the position.
Bell wants to take a breather but Putznaya is having none of it.
Bell tries to pass the half guard into mount. Putznaya knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Putznaya gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Bell to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Bell content to stall in guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bell wants to control from the top but Putznaya keeps moving.

Putznaya escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bell gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Bell is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Putznaya 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.
Bell controls from within his opponent's guard.

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

Putznaya looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Bell trying to control the position from guard on top but Putznaya is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bell throwing strikes from guard but Putznaya blocks nicely.
Bell trying to control but Putznaya is working from the bottom.

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.

Putznaya looking for a guillotine here but Bell defends easily.
Putznaya keeping moving, preventing Bell from controlling successfully.

Despite being in the dominant position, Russel Bell just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Putznaya misses with a takedown attempt

and Bell counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Bell wants to free his trapped foot but Putznaya is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Putznaya might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Bell trying to control the action but Putznaya is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Russel Bell dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Putznaya swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Putznaya misses with an uppercut.
Bell shoots for a takedown but Putznaya saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Bell takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Putznaya throws a sloppy head kick

and Bell counters with a nice double leg into side control. Putznaya won't be happy with that.
Bell wants to control but Putznaya is keeping him busy.
Putznaya regains half guard.
Bell is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Putznaya regains full guard. Nicely done.
Bell works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Bell is keen to just control but Putznaya is a slippery customer.
Putznaya moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bell looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Bell avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Bell trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bell stays in close to Putznaya's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bell postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Putznaya throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Bell controls from within his opponent's guard.
Bell trying to control but Putznaya is working from the bottom.
Bell seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bell wants to control from the top but Putznaya keeps moving.

Despite being in the dominant position, Russel Bell just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Putznaya keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Bell shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Victor Putznaya has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Russel Bell.
Bell avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Bell closes the distance and clinches.
Bell fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Bell successfully pulls guard.
Putznaya with a nice head shot there.
Bell looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Putznaya advances to half guard.
Putznaya lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bell keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Bell blocking the ground and pound attempt from Putznaya.
Bell trying to control but Putznaya postures up.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Bell is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Putznaya is staying active.
Putznaya scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Bell is looking for a sweep. Putznaya is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Putznaya is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Bell controlling the position for now.
Putznaya not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Bell won't allow Putznaya to pass to mount.
Putznaya thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Bell moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Bell is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Victor Putznaya will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Bell scores with a takedown into Putznaya's guard.
Bell sitting in guard here, content to control.

Putznaya is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Russel Bell has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bell passes into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bell is keen to just control but Putznaya is a slippery customer.

Putznaya looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bell passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Putznaya!

Bell moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Putznaya has worked his arm free - good work by Putznaya!
Bell moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Putznaya is looking for a sweep.

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.
Bell trying to control the position but Putznaya is working away.
Putznaya is looking to reverse the position.

Bell decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Bell moves in looking to clinch but Putznaya pushes him off.

Bell shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Putznaya's guard.
Bell not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Bell wants to control from the top but Putznaya keeps moving.
Putznaya trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bell distracts Putznaya with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Putznaya working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bell doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bell manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Putznaya looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bell content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Bell is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Putznaya preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bell won't allow Putznaya to sweep him here.

That's four 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.

Putznaya escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bell gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Bell seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Bell must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bell is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Russel Bell comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Bell has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Russel Bell!