PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dariusz Ruslan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Greg VanWinkle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ruslan's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Hester Prynne. VanWinkle has chosen Motorhead - Smiling Like A Killer as his entrance music. 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.

Ruslan
vs
VanWinkle

198 cm
23
219 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

192 cm
26
220 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Sancho's Panchos

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dariusz Ruslan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Greg VanWinkle!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Konstantin Menshow and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ruslan throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck VanWinkle on the side of the head.
Ruslan looks to score with a jab to the body but VanWinkle is just out of range.
VanWinkle uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ruslan.
Ruslan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but VanWinkle was well out of range. Poor timing from Ruslan.
Dariusz Ruslan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
VanWinkle throws a body punch but Ruslan moves out of range.
Ruslan lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but VanWinkle circles away quickly and effectively.
Ruslan wants to clinch up but VanWinkle keeps it at a distance.
Ruslan connects with a good right hand that stumbles VanWinkle. VanWinkle circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
VanWinkle takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Ruslan has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Ruslan there as he acknowledges the shot.
Nice body punch from Ruslan.
VanWinkle checks the leg kick nicely there.
VanWinkle ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ruslan misses the shot to the body.
Ruslan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruslan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as VanWinkle throws out the jab.
Ruslan uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from VanWinkle.
A big right from VanWinkle misses.
Ruslan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but VanWinkle moves away.
Nice defenses there by Ruslan.
VanWinkle ducks under a wild hook from Ruslan.
VanWinkle misses with a looping left.
VanWinkle keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ruslan.
Ruslan misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ruslan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ruslan moves out of range of the strikes.
VanWinkle showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ruslan.
Ruslan lands with a nice body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
VanWinkle throws a predictable looking body shot
and Ruslan counters with a straight right hand.
VanWinkle scores with a jab.
Ruslan takes one on the button.
Ruslan dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
VanWinkle steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ruslan.
Ruslan lands a jab to VanWinkle's midsection.
VanWinkle moves out of range of the strikes.
Ruslan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but VanWinkle moves away.
Ruslan lands a right hook to the body.
VanWinkle throws a jab but it's blocked by Ruslan.
Ruslan throws a leg kick but VanWinkle checks it.
Ruslan is looking to clinch but VanWinkle is avoiding it.
VanWinkle blocks a head kick by Ruslan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruslan scores with a nice strike.
VanWinkle staying out of range there.
Ruslan fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ruslan slips a jab from VanWinkle.
Ruslan lands a jab to VanWinkle's midsection.
Ruslan jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A head kick misses from Ruslan.
Ruslan misses with a hook.
VanWinkle keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ruslan misses the body punch
and VanWinkle counters with a nice uppercut.
VanWinkle swings for the body but Ruslan moves out of range.
Ruslan misses with a body punch
and VanWinkle counters with a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruslan slips a straight right by VanWinkle.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Ruslan, as that shot connected.
Ruslan throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ruslan lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but VanWinkle circles away quickly and effectively.
VanWinkle misses with a straight right.
VanWinkle throws a looping overhand right but Ruslan ducks down to avoid it.
Ruslan misses with a low kick.
Ruslan lands an overhand right.
Ruslan waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract VanWinkle.
Ruslan slips under a jab.
Ruslan works VanWinkle's body with a nice hook.
VanWinkle misses with an uppercut.
VanWinkle misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Ruslan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ruslan lands a nice looking body shot.
VanWinkle staying out of range there.
Ruslan misses with a body shot.
Ruslan just misses with a punch to the body.
Ruslan misses with a telegraphed body shot
and VanWinkle counters with a left to the body.
VanWinkle blocks a low kick nicely.
VanWinkle takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Ruslan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ruslan throws a big shot that misses.
A telegraphed right hand from VanWinkle misses the target.
VanWinkle connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Ruslan takes one on the button.
Ruslan misses with a straight left.
Dariusz Ruslan is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Ruslan.
Ruslan wants to clinch
and VanWinkle connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ruslan blocks a jab.
VanWinkle throws a nice looking combination but Ruslan bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
VanWinkle jabs at Ruslan's body.
Ruslan misses with a double jab
and VanWinkle counters with a nice body shot.
Ruslan swings away with a body shot that misses
and VanWinkle counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ruslan throws a leg kick but VanWinkle moved away.
Ruslan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but VanWinkle manages to avoid it.
VanWinkle throws a looping overhand right but Ruslan ducks down to avoid it.
Ruslan throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruslan throws a body punch but VanWinkle moves out of range.
Jab by Ruslan.
VanWinkle ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ruslan dodges the punch combination from VanWinkle.
VanWinkle throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Ruslan misses the body punch
and VanWinkle counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A telegraphed right hand from Ruslan misses the target.
Ruslan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
VanWinkle slips a straight right by Ruslan.
Ruslan takes one on the button.
VanWinkle uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ruslan.

Ruslan gets a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
VanWinkle wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
VanWinkle wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ruslan has him pressed against the cage.
Ruslan struggles to land a body shot inside as VanWinkle controls his hands.

VanWinkle escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A shot to the body from Ruslan misses
and VanWinkle counters with a straight right hand.
VanWinkle 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.
VanWinkle throws a predictable looking body shot
and Ruslan connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
VanWinkle avoids the head kick by Ruslan.
VanWinkle takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Ruslan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as VanWinkle throws out the jab.
Ruslan fails with an attempt to clinch.
VanWinkle walks into a jab.
Ruslan jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ruslan throws a predictable looking body shot
and VanWinkle connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruslan scores with a jab to the body.
Ruslan throws a lazy right hand but VanWinkle sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ruslan cracks VanWinkle with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Ruslan throws a head kick that misses.
A big right from Ruslan misses.
Ruslan tries to clinch
and VanWinkle counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from VanWinkle.
VanWinkle swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nice defenses there by VanWinkle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
VanWinkle swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
VanWinkle misses with a looping left.
Ruslan throws a lazy right hand but VanWinkle sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Greg VanWinkle showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

VanWinkle fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ruslan manages to avoid it.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by VanWinkle!
Ruslan changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
VanWinkle takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Ruslan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
VanWinkle lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ruslan at a distance.
VanWinkle ducks under a wild hook from Ruslan.
A jab from VanWinkle misses.
VanWinkle keeps the fight on the outside.
VanWinkle moves into range and connects with a jab.
VanWinkle keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ruslan.
VanWinkle gets cracked there but stands up to it.
VanWinkle throws a jab but it's blocked by Ruslan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot to the body from Ruslan misses
and VanWinkle counters with a lovely straight right hand!
VanWinkle takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Ruslan misses with a hook to the body
and VanWinkle cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ruslan is looking to clinch but VanWinkle is avoiding it.
Ruslan delivers a nice body kick.
Ruslan lands a glancing blow to the side of VanWinkle's head.
Ruslan thows a body shot but no joy.
VanWinkle throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ruslan stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
VanWinkle throws a jab when Ruslan was well out of range.
Ruslan throws out a loose jab but VanWinkle uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ruslan goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
A jab from VanWinkle misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
VanWinkle misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ruslan throws a jab when VanWinkle was well out of range.
Ruslan throws a series of punches but VanWinkle moves out of range.
VanWinkle keeps the fight on the outside.
Ruslan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ruslan swings for the body but VanWinkle moves out of range.
VanWinkle throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
enabling Ruslan to counter with a crisp jab.
Jab from VanWinkle.
VanWinkle looks to score with a jab to the body but Ruslan is just out of range.
VanWinkle misses with a looping left.
Ruslan looks to throw the jab but VanWinkle is out of range.
Ruslan staying out of range there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
VanWinkle throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
VanWinkle lands with an uppercut that bounces Ruslan off the cage and back into rage.
Ruslan throws an uppercut from half a mile away. VanWinkle sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ruslan uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from VanWinkle.
Ruslan staying out of range there.
A combination from VanWinkle does no damage.
VanWinkle ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ruslan moves out of range of the strikes.
Ruslan moves out of range as VanWinkle strikes.
VanWinkle dodges the punch combination from Ruslan.
VanWinkle misses with a series of wild punches.
VanWinkle just misses with a punch to the body.

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.
Ruslan lands with a kick to the temple. VanWinkle shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Ruslan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from VanWinkle.
Ruslan throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Ruslan looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Ruslan misses with a wild body shot.
Ruslan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ruslan throws a hook to the side of VanWinkle's head but VanWinkle sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ruslan throws a predictable looking body shot
and VanWinkle counters with a right hand to the body.
VanWinkle throws a series of strikes that have Ruslan backpedaling.
Ruslan tries to clinch up but VanWinkle circles away and keeps his distance.
VanWinkle uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ruslan.
Ruslan scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Greg VanWinkle comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think VanWinkle 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Greg VanWinkle!