PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Stefan Struve (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Artem Muhomorov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Struve comes to the cage accompanied by Celldweller - Switchback . Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Struve
vs
Muhomorov

211 cm
20
260 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

200 cm
23
250 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Stefan Struve!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Artem Muhomorov!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Sergei Dronov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Struve showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Muhomorov.
Muhomorov doesn't manage to clinch there - Struve circles away.
Muhomorov doesn't manage to clinch there - Struve circles away.
Muhomorov takes a swing at Struve's ribcage but misses.
Struve throws a nice looking combination but Muhomorov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Muhomorov tries to clinch but Struve is having none of it.
Muhomorov is looking to clinch.

Muhomorov tries to keep at a distance but Struve has taken the fight into the clinch.

Struve drags the fight down to the ground.

Muhomorov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Struve has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Muhomorov has managed to get both his arms back between Struve's legs - danger averted.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muhomorov sitting in guard here, content to control.
Struve is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Muhomorov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Struve looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Struve is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Struve avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Struve working a defensive guard here.
Muhomorov stays in close to Struve's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Struve is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Muhomorov defends well.
Muhomorov trying to control the position from guard on top but Struve is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Muhomorov postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Muhomorov wants to pass the guard but Struve is keeping the position.
Struve trying to keep a closed guard but Muhomorov is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Struve looking to hit a scissor sweep but Muhomorov is one step ahead there.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Muhomorov closes the distance but Struve moves to the side
and Struve counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Muhomorov is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Muhomorov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Muhomorov swinging wildly here.
Muhomorov wants to clinch

and Struve holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A body shot lands from Muhomorov.
Struve fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Muhomorov is trying to break free.
Struve jumps guard but Muhomorov stands there with Struve around his waist. Struve gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Struve tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Muhomorov smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stefan Struve. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Muhomorov darts in trying to clinch
and Struve counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Muhomorov shoots in and drives through. Struve sprawls well.
Muhomorov loads up on a big right hand but Struve slips the punch.
Muhomorov tries to clinch but fails miserably
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Artem Muhomorov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Muhomorov tries to clinch up
and Struve counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Muhomorov looks gassed!
Struve turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

Struve gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Struve tries to pull guard but Muhomorov holds him up against the cage and eventually Struve drops back down to his feet.
Struve tries to pull guard but Muhomorov holds him up against the cage and eventually Struve drops back down to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Struve fails to pull the fight into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stefan Struve dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Muhomorov wants to clinch
and Struve counters with a nice body kick.
Struve has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Struve lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Struve, right into the meat.
Muhomorov tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Struve scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Struve jumps guard and drags Muhomorov to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Struve wants to stand but Muhomorov is controlling the position.
Muhomorov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Muhomorov is breathing heavily.
Struve lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Muhomorov!

Struve working for a submission but Muhomorov is keeping him at bay.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Struve sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Struve will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Struve with a couple of short strikes.

It looks like Artem Muhomorov has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Struve looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Poor strikes thrown by Struve there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Muhomorov is squirming around, avoiding Struve's attempts to control the action.

Struve jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Muhomorov is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Muhomorov and Struve has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Struve is looking to take a break and control but Muhomorov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Struve thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Struve stands up.

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.
Struve bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That has opened up Artem Muhomorov's cut even more.
Struve lands with a slapping head kick.

The cut above Artem Muhomorov's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Struve is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Muhomorov can do to turn this around?
Muhomorov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Muhomorov tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Struve counters by moving into the clinch.

Struve ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Struve no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Struve looking to control.
Muhomorov trying to control the position from guard on top but Struve is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Struve working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Muhomorov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Muhomorov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stefan Struve dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Artem Muhomorov's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Struve throws a head kick but Muhomorov moves out of range.
Struve connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Struve uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Muhomorov.
Struve misses the shot to the body.
Muhomorov closes the distance looking to clinch
and Struve counters with a body kick.
Struve scores with the left hand. Muhomorov knows he should have avoided that one.
Muhomorov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Muhomorov closes the distance but Struve moves to the side
and Struve counters with a nice low kick that buckles Muhomorov's knee momentarily.
Struve explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Struve misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stefan Struve is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Struve moves into range and clinches up with Muhomorov.
Struve tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Struve tries to pull guard but Muhomorov holds him up against the cage and eventually Struve drops back down to his feet.

Struve pulls Muhomorov into guard.
Muhomorov wants to pass the guard but Struve is keeping the position.
Struve looking to control.

Struve looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muhomorov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Struve wants to stand but Muhomorov is controlling the position.
Struve is trying to keep Muhomorov in close.
Struve keeping full guard, as Muhomorov tries to pass.

Struve working for a triangle but Muhomorov defends it easily.
Struve 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Muhomorov gets to his feet - Struve follows without any prompting.
Struve takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Struve scores with a kick to the midsection.
Muhomorov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Struve throws a head kick that half lands.
Struve throws a nice inside leg kick.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Struve throws a nice outside leg kick.
Muhomorov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Stefan Struve is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A thudding body kick lands there by Struve!
Muhomorov has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Struve.
A chopping leg kick lands by Struve.
Struve throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Muhomorov.

Artem Muhomorov's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.

Struve has managed to clinch.
Muhomorov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Muhomorov taking a breather.
Struve tries to pull guard but Muhomorov holds him up against the cage and eventually Struve drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stefan Struve. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Struve jumps into guard, dragging Muhomorov to the mat.
Artem Muhomorov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Muhomorov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Muhomorov postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stefan Struve showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Struve has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stefan Struve!