PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fabricio Werdum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sergei Haritonov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Werdum
vs
Haritonov

194 cm
21
238 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

194 cm
24
254 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite 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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Fabricio Werdum !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sergei Haritonov!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Viktor Lagutenko and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Haritonov misses with a wild combination.
Haritonov throws a lazy right hand but Werdum sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Haritonov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Werdum .
Good leg kick by Werdum there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Haritonov clobbers Werdum with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Sergei Haritonov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Haritonov scores with a nice strike.

Haritonov drops Werdum with a nice combination! Haritonov dives into Werdum 's guard, looking to finish!

It looks like Fabricio Werdum has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Werdum has control of Haritonov's left arm, preventing Haritonov from doing any damage.
Werdum manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Werdum unloads with some shots from mount but Haritonov bucks and avoids them well.
Haritonov is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Werdum trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Werdum is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Haritonov is surviving well by controlling Werdum 's body position as best he can.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Haritonov can do anything to dispel that myth.

Werdum with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

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.
Werdum throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Haritonov keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Werdum is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Haritonov is surviving well by controlling Werdum 's body position as best he can.
Werdum can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Haritonov is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haritonov tries to reverse the position but Werdum maintains control.
Haritonov tries to lock up and control but Werdum gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Werdum throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.

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.
Haritonov blocking the ground and pound.
Haritonov holds on for dear life, controlling Werdum 's posture momentarily.
Werdum throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Haritonov because Werdum loaded up on that one.
Haritonov can't escape the position.

Werdum looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergei Haritonov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Fabricio Werdum 's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

No joy there for Haritonov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Haritonov tries to bum rush Werdum with a series of wild strikes but Werdum uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Haritonov throws a right hand that Werdum ducks under and follows up with a left that Werdum also avoids with ease.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Werdum .
Werdum throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Haritonov swinging wildly here.
Haritonov tries to bum rush Werdum with a series of wild strikes but Werdum uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Haritonov throws a nice looking combination but Werdum bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A punch combination from Haritonov misses.
Haritonov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Werdum .
Haritonov throws a shot from downtown. Werdum moves away and avoids it.
Haritonov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Haritonov lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Werdum looks to land a combination but Haritonov avoids it well.
Haritonov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Haritonov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Werdum shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Haritonov as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fabricio Werdum . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Haritonov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Werdum counters with a big head kick but Haritonov shrugs it off.
Werdum moves forwards but Haritonov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Haritonov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Haritonov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Haritonov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Haritonov misses with a few strikes there.
Haritonov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Werdum counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Haritonov's guard now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Werdum trying to control the position from guard on top but Haritonov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Werdum stops Haritonov from standing up.
Werdum wants to control from the top but Haritonov keeps moving.
Haritonov wants to stand but Werdum is controlling the position.
Haritonov pulls Werdum in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Werdum preventing the sweep.

Fabricio Werdum has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Haritonov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Werdum showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Haritonov.
Haritonov leaves Werdum with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Werdum is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Haritonov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Werdum .

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.
Haritonov scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Haritonov looks to land a combination but Werdum avoids it well.
No joy there for Haritonov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Haritonov throws a combination that misses

and Werdum counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Werdum has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Haritonov is proving hard to escape from.
Haritonov wants to get back to his feet but Werdum is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Haritonov is controlling Werdum 's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergei Haritonov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Fabricio Werdum 's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Werdum shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Haritonov pinned against the cage. Haritonov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Haritonov misses the jab.
Haritonov throws a series of strikes that have Werdum backpedaling.
Haritonov misses with a hook. Werdum ducked under it nicely.
Haritonov scores with a shot to the body.

Haritonov lands a jab followed by a vicious hook that sends Werdum sprawling to the canvas. Haritonov follows him down, looking for the kill. Can Werdum hang on?
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Werdum avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Haritonov.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Haritonov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Werdum defending well though.
Haritonov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Werdum trying to control but Haritonov postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haritonov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Haritonov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Werdum 's head.
Werdum blocking the ground and pound attempt from Haritonov.
Haritonov thows a huge punch but Werdum dodges it nicely.
Werdum wants to control but Haritonov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Haritonov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Werdum 's head.
Werdum keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Haritonov wants to pass to mount but Werdum is defending the position.
Haritonov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two 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.
Haritonov is nestled in close to Werdum , controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Haritonov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Haritonov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Werdum 's head.
Haritonov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Werdum blocking the ground and pound attempt from Haritonov.
Werdum wants to improve his position but Haritonov is controlling well.
Haritonov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Werdum defending well though.
Haritonov wants to free his trapped foot but Werdum is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Haritonov is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haritonov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Werdum keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Haritonov throwing shots but Werdum is blocking nicely.
Haritonov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Werdum is staying active underneath Haritonov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Werdum avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Haritonov.
Werdum blocking the ground and pound attempt from Haritonov.
Haritonov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Werdum defending well though.
Haritonov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Haritonov prevents Werdum from standing back up.
Werdum is trying to maintain the position but Haritonov is very close to passing his half guard.
Haritonov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Haritonov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Werdum is looking to control Haritonov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Werdum avoid being mounted?
Haritonov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Werdum defending well though.
Haritonov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Werdum 's head.
Fabricio Werdum has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Haritonov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Haritonov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Werdum defending well though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sergei Haritonov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Haritonov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 for Sergei Haritonov!
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight for Sergei Haritonov!
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight for Sergei Haritonov!

Sergei Haritonov wins by unanimous decision!