PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bagdan Khmelnytsky (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Silvio Briatore (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Silvio Briatore told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Khmelnytsky
vs
Briatore

180 cm
22
196 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

170 cm
25
198 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Next Level Nutrition (158q for $50!!!!)

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 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Bagdan Khmelnytsky !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Silvio Briatore!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Ivan Kurochkin and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Khmelnytsky displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Briatore throws out the jab.
Briatore moves out of range as Khmelnytsky strikes.
Khmelnytsky tries to bum rush Briatore with a series of wild strikes but Briatore uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Khmelnytsky fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Khmelnytsky fails to land with a series of punches.
Briatore slips a jab and a cross from Khmelnytsky .

Briatore shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Khmelnytsky napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Khmelnytsky is looking for a sweep.
Khmelnytsky on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Briatore is looking to take a break and control but Khmelnytsky is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Briatore working the ground and pound.
Khmelnytsky is not content to let Briatore control the position.
Khmelnytsky on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Khmelnytsky tries to get out of the position.
Khmelnytsky regains half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khmelnytsky is staying active underneath Briatore, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Briatore drops an elbow to the side of Khmelnytsky 's head.
Briatore prevents Khmelnytsky from standing back up.
Khmelnytsky keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Briatore sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Khmelnytsky defending well though.
Khmelnytsky is looking to improve his position.
Briatore is thwarting Khmelnytsky 's attempts to control the position.
Khmelnytsky is trying is best to control the position here.
Khmelnytsky keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Briatore thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Khmelnytsky 's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Khmelnytsky swings for the body but Briatore moves out of range.
Briatore throws out a loose jab but Khmelnytsky uses good head movement to avoid it.
Khmelnytsky throws a low kick but Briatore avoids it.
Khmelnytsky misses with a looping right.
Khmelnytsky throws out a loose jab but Briatore uses good head movement to avoid it.
Khmelnytsky lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

It looks like Silvio Briatore has been cut.
Khmelnytsky bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Khmelnytsky throws a hook but Briatore blocks it.
Briatore tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Khmelnytsky swivels and escapes.
Khmelnytsky throws an overhand right that lands on Briatore's shoulder, as Briatore tries to avoid the shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Briatore shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Khmelnytsky as he jumps to the side.
Khmelnytsky throws a right and a left that Briatore avoids nicely.
Khmelnytsky misses with a leg kick.
Khmelnytsky will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Khmelnytsky misses with a straight right.
Briatore throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Briatore keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Briatore misses the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Khmelnytsky attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Khmelnytsky keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Bagdan Khmelnytsky has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Silvio Briatore.
Khmelnytsky scores with a three punch combo!
Khmelnytsky ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Briatore moves away.
Khmelnytsky scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Khmelnytsky looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Khmelnytsky slips a straight right by Briatore.
Khmelnytsky misses with a leg kick.
Briatore misses with a combination
letting Khmelnytsky counter with a right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bagdan Khmelnytsky dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Silvio Briatore's cut.
That's time! Khmelnytsky 's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Briatore tests Khmelnytsky 's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Briatore misses with a few strikes there.
Briatore scores with a jab. Khmelnytsky acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Khmelnytsky slips a jab from Briatore.
Briatore misses with a hook.
Briatore avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khmelnytsky throws a series of punches but Briatore moves out of range.
Bagdan Khmelnytsky is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Briatore bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Khmelnytsky is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Briatore.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Briatore blocks the leg kick.
Khmelnytsky dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Khmelnytsky falls off balance throwing a combination
and Briatore connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Khmelnytsky throws a left and a right that both miss
and Briatore connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Briatore is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Khmelnytsky .
Bagdan Khmelnytsky is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Briatore looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Khmelnytsky swings for the body but Briatore moves out of range.
Briatore might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Briatore shoots in and bounces Khmelnytsky off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Briatore has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Briatore won't allow Khmelnytsky to sweep him here.
Briatore throws a big right hand that misses.
Briatore controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Briatore won't allow Khmelnytsky to sweep him here.
Briatore postures up in Khmelnytsky 's guard and throws a big left but Khmelnytsky blocks it.
Khmelnytsky is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Briatore trying to control here.
Khmelnytsky with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Briatore is looking to improve his position.
Briatore blocking the ground and pound attempt from Khmelnytsky .
Khmelnytsky tries to stand and escape but Briatore is controlling the position.
Briatore tries to roll over but Khmelnytsky keeps him under control.
Briatore is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Briatore is positioning himself well to prevent Khmelnytsky advancing to mount.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Briatore throws a hook but Khmelnytsky blocks it.
Khmelnytsky throws a sloppy body shot

and Briatore counters with a takedown into side control.
Khmelnytsky manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Khmelnytsky trying to control from half guard but Briatore is working away.
Khmelnytsky perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Silvio Briatore showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Silvio Briatore's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Briatore looks to land a right hand but Khmelnytsky moved out of range.
Khmelnytsky connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Khmelnytsky fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Khmelnytsky misses with a double jab
and Khmelnytsky takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Briatore lands with an overhand left.
Khmelnytsky wants to land a leg kick but Briatore is out of range.

Briatore drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Khmelnytsky wants to sweep here but Briatore controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Briatore throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Khmelnytsky wants to sweep here but Briatore controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Khmelnytsky keeping moving, preventing Briatore from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Briatore working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Briatore wants to pass the guard but Khmelnytsky is keeping the position.
Briatore passes Khmelnytsky 's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Briatore not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Khmelnytsky is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Briatore's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Briatore's back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Briatore tries to break free.
Briatore manages to reverse the position and now he's in Khmelnytsky 's guard. Nice work there by Briatore.
Briatore is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Briatore distracts Khmelnytsky with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Khmelnytsky keeping moving, preventing Briatore from controlling successfully.
Khmelnytsky controls Briatore momentarily but Briatore frees himself.
Khmelnytsky 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.
Khmelnytsky is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Khmelnytsky controlling Briatore's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Briatore content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Khmelnytsky trying to control the position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Khmelnytsky is looking to score with low kicks.
A looping hook to the body misses from Khmelnytsky . Briatore does a little dance to reset his feet.
Khmelnytsky misses with a wild body shot.
Khmelnytsky misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Briatore is defended easily by Khmelnytsky .
A cross from Briatore lands.
Briatore gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Khmelnytsky counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Khmelnytsky slips under a jab from Briatore.
Briatore dodges the punch combination from Khmelnytsky .
Briatore shoots and misses
and Khmelnytsky counters with a nice body shot.

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 Bagdan Khmelnytsky .
I think Khmelnytsky 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!