PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Konstantin Sannikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benn Rotthwell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Sannikov
vs
Rotthwell

175 cm
20
269 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

192 cm
23
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Konstantin Sannikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Benn Rotthwell!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Konstantin Menshow and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sannikov scores with a nice right hand.

It looks like Benn Rotthwell has been cut.
Sannikov fails in his attempt to clinch.

Sannikov has Rotthwell up against the cage in a clinch.
Rotthwell tries to break the clinch but Sannikov is controlling the position.
Sannikov tries for a takedown but Rotthwell manages to get underhooks.

Sannikov has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Rotthwell is trying to keep an underhook but Sannikov manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Sannikov is keen to just control but Rotthwell is a slippery customer.
Rotthwell really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sannikov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rotthwell is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Rotthwell can do anything to dispel that myth.
Sannikov is keen to just control but Rotthwell is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sannikov is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Sannikov really is a fat lump.
Sannikov trying to control from half guard but Rotthwell is working away.
Rotthwell wants to get back to his feet.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Sannikov fails in his attempt to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rotthwell looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Rotthwell looks for a takedown but Sannikov sprawls well.
Rotthwell shoots in for a double leg but Sannikov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sannikov shoots in for a double leg but Rotthwell sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sannikov fails in his attempt to clinch.

Sannikov closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Rotthwell to the mat! Rotthwell manages to get full guard.
Rotthwell has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sannikov tries to free his leg and advance position but Rotthwell is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rotthwell is adopting a defensive guard.
Rotthwell working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sannikov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Sannikov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rotthwell wants to sweep here but Sannikov controlling him for the moment.
Sannikov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sannikov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Sannikov rushes Rotthwell and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Sannikov trying to control the position but instead, Rotthwell has worked for underhooks and has pushed Sannikov into the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Konstantin Sannikov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Benn Rotthwell's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

A combination from Sannikov does no damage.
Rotthwell throws a hook to the side of Sannikov's head but Sannikov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sannikov stuffs the takedown attempt from Rotthwell. Rotthwell gets slowly back to his feet.

Sannikov scores a takedown into full mount!
Sannikov looking to finish with strikes here!
Rotthwell is just holding on here. Sannikov manages to take his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rotthwell holding both Sannikov 's hands and preventing any damage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sannikov missing with strikes.

That's two 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.
Sannikov tries to get the hooks in deep but Rotthwell pushed the leg off.
Sannikov throwing sloppy strikes.
Rotthwell is trying to get back to his feet but Sannikov has full control of the position and if anything, Rotthwell has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Sannikov tightening his grip on Rotthwell, looking for the choke.
Sannikov is looking to control Rotthwell but Rotthwell is wriggling around and keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sannikov missing with punches from the back.

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.
Rotthwell can't escape the position.
Rotthwell prevents Sannikov from getting a body triangle.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Sannikov is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Rotthwell defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Konstantin Sannikov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Benn Rotthwell's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Rotthwell waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sannikov.

Rotthwell closes the distance and clinches.
Sannikov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Sannikov pushes Rotthwell back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Sannikov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Sannikov wants a takedown.
Rotthwell gets underhooks to prevent Sannikov's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Konstantin Sannikov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rotthwell can't break the clinch.
Sannikov tries to break the clinch but Rotthwell is controlling the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Sannikov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rotthwell fails to land with a series of punches.
Sannikov shoots in for a takedown but Rotthwell shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Sannikov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rotthwell lands a slapping body shot.
Rotthwell connects with a jab, followed by a picture perfect straight right that sends Sannikov to the canvas, out cold! What a finish by Rotthwell!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:31 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Benn Rotthwell!