PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vladimir Raskolnikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hard Core (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Raskolnikov comes to the cage accompanied by Goryachie vremya - Kasta. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Raskolnikov
vs
Core

190 cm
22
195 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

180 cm
24
192 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vladimir Raskolnikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Hard Core!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Viktor Lagutenko and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Raskolnikov misses with a series of wild punches.
Core fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Core fails with a takedown attempt.
Core doesn't manage to clinch there - Raskolnikov circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Core changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Raskolnikov tries to avoid it but Core manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Raskolnikov to the ground. Raskolnikov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Vladimir Raskolnikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hard Core.
Core dodges the punch combination from Raskolnikov.
Core keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Core looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Raskolnikov is fending him off so far but Core persists. Nope, Raskolnikov circles away and we're back to standing.
Raskolnikov works over Core's head and body with a nice combination.
Core will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Core changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Raskolnikov looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Core is looking to take a break and control but Raskolnikov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Raskolnikov is looking to regain half guard here but Core keeps moving and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Core is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Raskolnikov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Core wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Raskolnikov, who protects the arm well.

Core tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Raskolnikov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Core on the ground.

Core tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Core has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Core looks gassed!
Raskolnikov tries to bench press Core off him but Core keeps the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raskolnikov is trying to control Core's posture but Core avoids it.
Raskolnikov is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

Core goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Raskolnikov has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Core but great work by Raskolnikov.
Core tries to buck Raskolnikov off but Raskolnikov is having none of it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Core uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Raskolnikov.
Horrible takedown by Core or perhaps it was just good defense by Raskolnikov which made him look bad.
Vladimir Raskolnikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

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.
Raskolnikov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Core stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Core tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Raskolnikov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Core shoots in for a takedown but Raskolnikov shows good takedown defense.
Raskolnikov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Raskolnikov stuffs the takedown.
Raskolnikov scores with a body shot.
Core takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Raskolnikov dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nice body punch from Raskolnikov.

Raskolnikov moves into the clinch.
Raskolnikov has had enough of the clinch but Core keeps him there for the moment.
Raskolnikov has had enough of the clinch but Core keeps him there for the moment.
Raskolnikov is trying to break the clinch but Core is controlling him.
Raskolnikov wants to break free but Core has control.

Raskolnikov manages to break the clinch.
Core fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Raskolnikov 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.
Raskolnikov stuffs the takedown.
Core is breathing heavily.

Raskolnikov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Core, pushing him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raskolnikov lands a hook that snaps the head of Core backwards.
Core has Raskolnikov pressed against the cage, preventing Raskolnikov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Core keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Raskolnikov's efforts to push away.
Raskolnikov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Core wants a takedown but no success here.
Vladimir Raskolnikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hard Core.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Core prevents Raskolnikov from breaking the clinch.

Raskolnikov breaks the clinch.

Raskolnikov has taken the fight to the clinch.

Raskolnikov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Raskolnikov is looking to wear down Core with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Raskolnikov doesn't manage to clinch there - Core circles away.

Core closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Raskolnikov to the mat! Raskolnikov manages to get full guard.
Raskolnikov working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Core postures up in Raskolnikov's guard and throws a big left but Raskolnikov blocks it.
Core scoring with some ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Core's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Core throwing strikes from guard but Raskolnikov blocks nicely.
Core postures up.
Raskolnikov is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Core is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Raskolnikov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Raskolnikov tries to get out of the position.
Core forces his way into half guard.
Core missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Core thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Raskolnikov's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raskolnikov is looking to improve his position.
Core looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Core is trying hard to land a takedown here. Raskolnikov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Raskolnikov wants to clinch.
Raskolnikov throws out a leg kick but Core moves out of range and Raskolnikov only half commits.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Core shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Raskolnikov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Raskolnikov wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Core.
Raskolnikov is trying to escape the mount.
Raskolnikov wants to hold on but Core pushes him away.

Core is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Raskolnikov is surviving well by controlling Core's body position as best he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Core is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Raskolnikov is surviving well by controlling Core's body position as best he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hard Core showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Raskolnikov stuns Core with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Raskolnikov forces Core back against the cage and clinches.
Raskolnikov working hard to break the clinch.
Raskolnikov is trying to break the clinch but Core has him pressed against the cage.
Core prevents Raskolnikov from breaking the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Raskolnikov can't break the clinch.
Raskolnikov prevents the takedown attempt.
Raskolnikov is pressed up against the cage. Core has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Raskolnikov down to the mat. Raskolnikov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Raskolnikov wants to clinch.
Vladimir Raskolnikov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Core looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Raskolnikov is fending him off so far but Core persists. Nope, Raskolnikov circles away and we're back to standing.
Vladimir Raskolnikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hard Core.
Core takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Core shoots in for a takedown but Raskolnikov shows good takedown defense.
Core tries to clinch but Raskolnikov moves away
and Raskolnikov counters with a nice body shot.
Core takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Raskolnikov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Raskolnikov lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Core backs up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raskolnikov lands a jab to the head.
Hard Core seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Core misses with a takedown
and Raskolnikov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Raskolnikov has managed to clinch.
Raskolnikov using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Raskolnikov breaks from the clinch.
Core doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Raskolnikov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raskolnikov wants to break free but Core has control.

Raskolnikov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Core takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Good shot there by Raskolnikov.
Raskolnikov scores with a three punch combo!
Raskolnikov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Core circles away quickly and effectively.
Core misses with a takedown
and Raskolnikov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raskolnikov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Core tries for a takedown but Raskolnikov circles away easily
and Raskolnikov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Core takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Nice uppercut there from Raskolnikov.
Raskolnikov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Raskolnikov takes the fight into the clinch.
Raskolnikov is looking to break free of the clinch but Core has double underhooks.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vladimir Raskolnikov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Raskolnikov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 29:27
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:27
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vladimir Raskolnikov!