PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Maks Smirnov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrei Sherstikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maks Smirnov has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Smirnov
vs
Sherstikov

210 cm
18
240 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

180 cm
18
250 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Maks Smirnov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Andrei Sherstikov!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Tarja Halkonen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sherstikov shoots in but no luck this time.
Jeez, both these guys look absolutely knackered already, that's not a good sign!
Sherstikov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Smirnov tries to clinch up but Sherstikov circles away and keeps his distance.
Sherstikov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sherstikov misses with a wild combination.
Smirnov shoots and misses

and Sherstikov decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Smirnov's guard.
Sherstikov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Sherstikov drops back, looking for a kneebar! Smirnov looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Smirnov looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Smirnov!
Sherstikov tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Smirnov presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Sherstikov tries to control the position but Smirnov now has his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sherstikov trying to control the position but Smirnov manages to sink in the hooks.
Smirnov really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Sherstikov.
Will Smirnov go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Sherstikov is trying to break free.
Sherstikov trying to control but not successfully.

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.
Sherstikov is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Smirnov is staying active.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Smirnov is hanging on to Sherstikov's back as he tries to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sherstikov should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Smirnov is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Sherstikov wants to get back to his feet.
Smirnov scores with strikes from the back.
Sherstikov tries to break free.
Sherstikov manages to reverse the position and now he's in Smirnov's guard. Nice work there by Sherstikov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sherstikov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Smirnov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sherstikov trying to control the position from guard on top but Smirnov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sherstikov is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Sherstikov has eaten all the pies!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sherstikov with a poor takedown
and Smirnov counters with a head kick. That will keep Sherstikov thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Andrei Sherstikov will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sherstikov misses with a takedown attempt

and Smirnov counters with a single leg into guard. Sherstikov didn't expect that.

Sherstikov scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Sherstikov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sherstikov throws the left hand but Smirnov avoids the punch easily.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Smirnov.
Sherstikov pushes Smirnov away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Smirnov gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
A control attempt from Sherstikov but he's now mounted!
Smirnov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Sherstikov is looking to escape.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sherstikov is looking to improve his position but Smirnov isn't that keen on the idea.
Smirnov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Sherstikov tries to reverse the position but Smirnov maintains control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Sherstikov has given up his back here.
Sherstikov holding both Smirnov 's hands and preventing any damage.
Can Sherstikov hold on?! Smirnov is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Smirnov just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Sherstikov is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Smirnov missing with punches from the back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sherstikov is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Smirnov is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Sherstikov is trying to break free.
Smirnov is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Sherstikov up.
Sherstikov breaks Smirnov's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Smirnov keeping moving, preventing Sherstikov from controlling successfully.
Smirnov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

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.
Smirnov keeping full guard, as Sherstikov tries to pass.
Sherstikov trying to control but Smirnov is working from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Sherstikov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Smirnov as he avoids it easily.
Sherstikov shoots in looking for a takedown. Smirnov tries to sprawl out of it but Sherstikov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Smirnov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Maks Smirnov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrei Sherstikov.
Smirnov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Maks Smirnov dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Smirnov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Sherstikov moves into range and clinches up with Smirnov.

Smirnov manages to pull guard.

Smirnov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sherstikov defends well.
Sherstikov stopping the sweep attempt from Smirnov.
Sherstikov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sherstikov trying to control but Smirnov is working from the bottom.
Smirnov lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Sherstikov!
Sherstikov wants to control but Smirnov is having none of it.
Sherstikov tries to reverse the position but Smirnov maintains control.
Smirnov manages to capitalize on a mistake by Sherstikov to take his back!

That's two 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.
Smirnov is not going to allow Sherstikov to sit and survive in this position.
Smirnov softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Smirnov controlling well, preventing Sherstikov from escaping the position.
Smirnov is not going to allow Sherstikov to sit and survive in this position.
Smirnov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov doesn't have the hooks in and Sherstikov manages to turn into his guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Andrei Sherstikov.
Sherstikov misses with a takedown

and Smirnov counters by clinching up.

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

Smirnov has closed the distance and engaged Sherstikov in a clinch.
Sherstikov is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Smirnov misses with an elbow over the top.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Sherstikov tries to pull guard but Smirnov won't allow it.
Maks Smirnov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrei Sherstikov.

Sherstikov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Smirnov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sherstikov wants to get back to his feet but Smirnov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Smirnov wants to control from the top but Sherstikov keeps moving.
Smirnov postures up.
Smirnov trying to control but Sherstikov is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Smirnov is standing up over Sherstikov. Sherstikov looks to escape but Smirnov dives into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maks Smirnov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Smirnov 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maks Smirnov!