PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Flavius Nerva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Podryv Ustoev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Nerva
vs
Ustoev

189 cm
20
280 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

200 cm
24
264 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Flavius Nerva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Podryv Ustoev!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Dmitry Maklakov and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ustoev throws a head kick that misses.
Flavius Nerva seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Ustoev instigates a clinch.
Nerva is pressed up against the cage. Ustoev has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Nerva down to the mat. Nerva avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Nerva misses with a looping right.
Ustoev misses with a head kick.
Ustoev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nerva paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nerva looks to land a combination but Ustoev avoids it well.
Nerva lands a slapping body shot.
Nerva throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ustoev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nerva.
Ustoev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ustoev uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nerva.
Nerva throws a jab but it's blocked by Ustoev.
Nerva scores with the left hand. Ustoev knows he should have avoided that one.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nerva misses with a body shot.

Ustoev has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ustoev tries for a takedown. No joy.
Nerva tries to circle away but Ustoev has him pinned against the cage.
Ustoev changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Nerva fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Flavius Nerva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Podryv Ustoev.

Ustoev closes the distance and pushes Nerva back into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ustoev is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Nerva pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ustoev is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ustoev looks gassed!

Nerva has hold of one of Ustoev's legs. Ustoev is fighting the takedown attempt but Nerva gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Nerva postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Nerva postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Ustoev working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nerva.
Nerva missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ustoev has momentary wrist control but Nerva slips an elbow through the middle.
Ustoev not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Nerva postures up in Ustoev's guard and throws a big left but Ustoev blocks it.
Nerva connects with a couple of short punches.
Nerva cracks Ustoev with a solid left hand.
Nerva distracts Ustoev with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nerva throwing strikes but missing.

Ustoev working for a triangle but Nerva defends it easily.
Nerva stopping the sweep attempt from Ustoev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nerva scoring with punches to the head and body.
Ustoev is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Nerva distracts Ustoev with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Ustoev not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Ustoev is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Nerva scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Nerva tries to free his leg and advance position but Ustoev is retaining full guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Nerva is in close to Ustoev's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Ustoev working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nerva loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nerva trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nerva throwing strikes but missing.

Ustoev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nerva doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nerva manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Nerva postures up.
Nerva lands a couple of digs.
Nerva might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Ustoev had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Nerva is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Ustoev Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Nerva's back instead.
Nerva tries to break free.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nerva turns into Ustoev and is now in his guard.
Nerva throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Nerva is looking to work some ground and pound but Ustoev has wrist control.
Nerva loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ustoev not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ustoev tries to clinch there but Nerva circles away.
Ustoev looks for a takedown but Nerva sprawls well.
Ustoev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nerva.
Ustoev tries to close the distance and clinch but Nerva swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nerva misses with a straight left.
Nerva throws a series of punches but Ustoev avoids them all with ease.
Nerva misses with a body shot.
Nerva keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ustoev is defended easily by Nerva.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nerva throws a series of punches but Ustoev avoids them all with ease.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Flavius Nerva dominated that round.
That's time! Nerva's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nerva misses with the combination.
Nerva slaps away a takedown attempt from Ustoev, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nerva throws a body punch but Ustoev moves out of range.
Nerva throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Nerva cracks Ustoev with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Ustoev looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Nerva finish him?

Ustoev is rocked!
Ustoev avoids the body shot from Nerva.
A big right from Nerva misses.
Ustoev avoids the body shot from Nerva.

Nerva lands a big uppercut and Ustoev crumbles to the floor! The ref thinks about stopping the fight but Ustoev looks OK. Nerva waves Ustoev back to his feet!
Ustoev is still on wobbly legs! Can Nerva finish him?
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nerva thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ustoev doesn't manage to clinch there - Nerva circles away.
Ustoev seems to have recovered his senses.
Ustoev bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Ustoev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nerva looks to score with a jab to the body but Ustoev is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nerva keeps the fight on the outside.
Ustoev slips under a jab from Nerva.
Ustoev tries to clinch up but Nerva circles away and keeps his distance.
Nerva looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ustoev shoots in and drives through. Nerva sprawls well.
Nerva scores with a nice head shot.
Nerva stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Nerva wants it to stay on the feet.
Flavius Nerva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Podryv Ustoev.
Nerva throws an overhand right that lands on Ustoev's shoulder, as Ustoev tries to avoid the shot.
No luck for Ustoev with that takedown attempt.
Nerva throws a hook but Ustoev blocks it.
Ustoev wants to clinch.
Nerva listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Ustoev staying out of range there.
Nerva is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ustoev can do to turn this around?
Ustoev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Nerva misses.
Ustoev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ustoev has a takedown stuffed.
Ustoev avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ustoev moves away from the strike by Nerva.
Ustoev tries to clinch but Nerva is having none of it.
Ustoev takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Nerva thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ustoev moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ustoev tries to clinch but Nerva moves out of range.
Horrible takedown by Nerva or perhaps it was just good defense by Ustoev which made him look bad.
Nerva tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ustoev was well out of range. Poor timing from Nerva.
Nerva keeps the fight on the outside.
Ustoev wants to clinch up but Nerva keeps it at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Nerva.
Nerva displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ustoev.
Nerva avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ustoev tries to clinch there but Nerva circles away.
Nerva throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ustoev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ustoev tries to clinch up.
Nerva throws a jab but it's blocked by Ustoev.
A swing and a miss from Nerva.
Ustoev fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nerva avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nerva scores with a nice right hand.
Ustoev tries to clinch there but Nerva circles away.
Nice defenses there by Ustoev.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nerva misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nerva fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ustoev manages to avoid it.
Flavius Nerva is winning the standup battle so far.
Ustoev defending well as Nerva loads up on a big left hand.
Ustoev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ustoev shoots in for a takedown but Nerva shows good takedown defense.
Ustoev is looking to clinch.
Nerva jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ustoev tries to clinch up but Nerva circles away and keeps his distance.
Ustoev takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Nerva looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Nerva throwing shots but Ustoev is blocking nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nerva throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ustoev is trying is best to control the position here.
Flavius Nerva overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Nerva missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Flavius Nerva dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Nerva dives in and grabs Ustoev's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ustoev pushes down on Nerva's head and hops out.
Ustoev looks for a takedown but Nerva sprawls well.
Nerva swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ustoev is trying desperately to land a takedown but Nerva is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Ustoev.
Nerva throws a hook but Ustoev blocks it.
Nerva throws the left hand but Ustoev avoids the punch easily.
Ustoev tries to close the distance and clinch but Nerva swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Nerva crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Ustoev - the referee stops the clock and Nerva gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Ustoev. Nerva manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Ustoev connects with a high kick.

It looks like Flavius Nerva has been cut.
Ustoev doesn't manage to clinch there - Nerva circles away.
Ustoev goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Ustoev slips a jab from Nerva.
Ustoev lands with a kick to the temple. Nerva shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nerva fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ustoev manages to avoid it.

Ustoev darts in and clinches Nerva up against the cage.

Ustoev pulls Nerva into guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ustoev is trying to keep Nerva in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nerva trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nerva throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ustoev works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ustoev is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Nerva throwing strikes from guard but Ustoev blocks nicely.
Nerva throwing strikes from guard but Ustoev blocks nicely.
Ustoev controls Nerva momentarily but Nerva frees himself.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Nerva misses the jab.
Ustoev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nerva paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ustoev defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Nerva.
Nerva closes the distance and clinches up with Ustoev, looking for a takedown. Nerva pushes Ustoev against the cage but Ustoev circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Flavius Nerva. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ustoev lands a big head kick that sends Nerva tumbling to the mat! Ustoev takes a step backwards and waves Nerva back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Nerva is rocked!
Ustoev throws a quick head kick that knocks Nerva silly! This fight is all over! What a finish! Ustoev is up on the cage, taking in the applause from the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:02 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Podryv Ustoev!