PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Grigoriy Dants (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Divan MEBELSHIK (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Divan MEBELSHIK will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Dants
vs
MEBELSHIK

180 cm
25
260 lbs
5 - 7 - 0

205 cm
19
220 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Decent knees
Determined

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 5 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Grigoriy Dants!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Divan MEBELSHIK!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Vladimir Khabensky and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dants throws a jab but it's blocked by MEBELSHIK.
MEBELSHIK misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dants throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
MEBELSHIK slips a jab and a cross from Dants.
Dants goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Dants throws a right and a left that both miss.
Dants misses with a series of wild punches.
MEBELSHIK tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
MEBELSHIK moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Dants misses with a double jab.

MEBELSHIK closes the distance and clinches.

Dants breaks from the clinch.
MEBELSHIK throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
MEBELSHIK throws a head kick that half lands.
Dants takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

MEBELSHIK moves into the clinch.
Dants has had enough of the clinch but MEBELSHIK keeps him there for the moment.
MEBELSHIK trying to control the position but instead, Dants has worked for underhooks and has pushed MEBELSHIK into the cage.
Dants tries to break free but MEBELSHIK pushes him back against the cage.

MEBELSHIK's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
MEBELSHIK throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
A jab from Dants misses.
Dants throws a lazy head kick
and MEBELSHIK counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Dants is lucky that one didn't land flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dants throws a combination that misses
and MEBELSHIK counters with a flying knee. Nice.
MEBELSHIK takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
MEBELSHIK throws a head kick that half lands.
Dants throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and MEBELSHIK makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Dants really felt that one!
MEBELSHIK throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Dants's head.
Dants is breathing heavily.
MEBELSHIK stalks Dants and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Dants's face. Dants staggers backwards, shaken.
MEBELSHIK goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dants swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and MEBELSHIK counters with a head kick. That will keep Dants thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

MEBELSHIK clinches up with Dants and pushes him back against the cage.

MEBELSHIK breaks from the clinch.
MEBELSHIK throws a head kick that Dants semi-blocks.
MEBELSHIK throws a head kick that Dants semi-blocks.
MEBELSHIK goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
A head kick from MEBELSHIK lands but Dants takes it in his stride.

MEBELSHIK closes the distance and clinches.
Dants is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
MEBELSHIK unloads a knee to the mid-section. Dants lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

MEBELSHIK breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
MEBELSHIK lands with a slapping head kick.
MEBELSHIK throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
MEBELSHIK throws a head kick that Dants semi-blocks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MEBELSHIK lands with a slapping head kick.

MEBELSHIK takes the fight into the clinch.
MEBELSHIK lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
A short right from MEBELSHIK on the inside.
MEBELSHIK effectively controlling the action here.
MEBELSHIK lands an elbow inside.
MEBELSHIK lands an elbow just above Dants 's eye.
MEBELSHIK lands an elbow just above Dants 's eye.

MEBELSHIK breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Dants takes a head kick and keeps coming.

MEBELSHIK gets a clinch.

MEBELSHIK manages to break the clinch.
MEBELSHIK lands with a kick to the temple. Dants shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Dants throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and MEBELSHIK holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
MEBELSHIK creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Dants's defenses.
MEBELSHIK gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
MEBELSHIK keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Dants's efforts to push away.

MEBELSHIK manages to break the clinch.
Dants takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MEBELSHIK looks to land a combination. Dants sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
MEBELSHIK throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Dants.
MEBELSHIK throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Dants.
MEBELSHIK throws a head kick that Dants semi-blocks.

Dants tries to keep at a distance but MEBELSHIK has taken the fight into the clinch.

MEBELSHIK breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Dants takes a kick to the side of the head.
MEBELSHIK throws a one two combo.
MEBELSHIK throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
MEBELSHIK lands a head kick!
A kick lands to the mid section there for MEBELSHIK.
MEBELSHIK throws a head kick that half lands.
Dants takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
MEBELSHIK lands with a slapping head kick.
MEBELSHIK throws a series of strikes that have Dants backpedaling.
MEBELSHIK scores with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MEBELSHIK throws a head kick that Dants semi-blocks.
A kick lands to the mid section there for MEBELSHIK.
MEBELSHIK lands with a kick to the temple. Dants shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
MEBELSHIK throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
MEBELSHIK lands with a kick to the temple. Dants shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
MEBELSHIK lands a high kick!
Dants takes a kick to the side of the head.
MEBELSHIK plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
MEBELSHIK throws a nice head kick!

MEBELSHIK forces Dants back against the cage and clinches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Dants's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Dants takes a kick to the side of the head.
Grigoriy Dants seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
MEBELSHIK throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
MEBELSHIK ducks under a wild hook from Dants.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

MEBELSHIK clinches with his opponent.

MEBELSHIK pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Dants throws a left and a right that both miss
and MEBELSHIK counters with a head kick.
Dants misses with a combination
and MEBELSHIK counters with a head kick. That will keep Dants thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Divan MEBELSHIK dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

MEBELSHIK has Dants up against the cage in a clinch.
Dants can't break the clinch.
MEBELSHIK has Dants pressed against the cage, preventing Dants from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
MEBELSHIK connects with a knee to the head.

MEBELSHIK manages to break the clinch.
MEBELSHIK lands with a kick to the temple. Dants shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Dants closes this distance looking for a takedown but MEBELSHIK circles away.
MEBELSHIK throws a nice head kick!
MEBELSHIK goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
MEBELSHIK throws a head kick but Dants moves out of range.
Dants throws an uppercut from half a mile away. MEBELSHIK sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Dants swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and MEBELSHIK counters with a flying knee. Nice.
MEBELSHIK has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
MEBELSHIK throws a nice head kick!
MEBELSHIK misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A big right from Dants misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
MEBELSHIK throws a head kick that half lands.
Grigoriy Dants is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
MEBELSHIK lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
MEBELSHIK connects with a high kick.
MEBELSHIK goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dants throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and MEBELSHIK counters with a head kick. That will keep Dants thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
MEBELSHIK throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
MEBELSHIK lands with a slapping head kick.
A head kick from MEBELSHIK lands but Dants takes it in his stride.
MEBELSHIK plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Dants is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by MEBELSHIK.
Dants on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by MEBELSHIK. MEBELSHIK obviously looking to wear him down.
MEBELSHIK lands a high kick!
MEBELSHIK lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
MEBELSHIK connects with a high kick.
MEBELSHIK throws a head kick that half lands.
Dants loads up on a big right hand but MEBELSHIK slips the punch.
MEBELSHIK lands with a kick to the temple. Dants shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

Dants tries to keep at a distance but MEBELSHIK has taken the fight into the clinch.
MEBELSHIK with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

MEBELSHIK breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Dants swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and MEBELSHIK counters with a three punch combo that has Dants backing up. Dants nods at MEBELSHIK to acknowledge the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dants misses with an uppercut. MEBELSHIK saw that one coming.
Dants falls off balance throwing a combination
and MEBELSHIK counters with a head kick. That will keep Dants thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
MEBELSHIK is looking to slow Dants down with leg kicks.
MEBELSHIK tries to clinch up but Dants circles away and keeps his distance.
Dants misses with a double jab
and MEBELSHIK counters with a big head kick but Dants shrugs it off.
MEBELSHIK lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Dants backs up against the cage.
Dants swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and MEBELSHIK counters with a head kick.
MEBELSHIK checks a low kick from Dants.
Dants misses with a combination
and MEBELSHIK counters with a head kick.
MEBELSHIK lands a head kick. Dants smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Dants throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and MEBELSHIK counters with a head kick.
MEBELSHIK lands a head kick. Dants smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Dants lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
MEBELSHIK throws a sloppy head kick and Dants moves out of range easily.
Dants throws a head kick that MEBELSHIK semi-blocks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dants throws a combination that misses
and MEBELSHIK counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Dants is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Dants throws a left and a right that both miss
and MEBELSHIK makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Dants throws a jab when MEBELSHIK was well out of range.
MEBELSHIK misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dants looks to land a left hand but MEBELSHIK moved out of range nicely.
Dants throws a hook but MEBELSHIK blocks it.
Dants takes a kick to the side of the head.
MEBELSHIK connects with a high kick.
MEBELSHIK plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
MEBELSHIK throws a head kick that half lands.
MEBELSHIK lands a head kick. Dants smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
MEBELSHIK misses with a wild combination.
Divan MEBELSHIK seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Dants throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and MEBELSHIK counters with a body kick.
MEBELSHIK throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
MEBELSHIK pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Dants throws a combination that misses
and MEBELSHIK counters with a two punch combo.
MEBELSHIK takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MEBELSHIK defending well as Dants loads up on a big left hand.
Dants avoids the head kick by MEBELSHIK.
MEBELSHIK scores with a head kick.
Dants is really struggling to find his range with his punches. MEBELSHIK's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
A jab from Dants finds it's way through MEBELSHIK's defenses.
MEBELSHIK bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
MEBELSHIK throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Dants.
MEBELSHIK with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Dants to score with a decent uppercut.
MEBELSHIK throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Dants's head.
Dants throws a combination that misses
and MEBELSHIK counters with a flying knee. Nice.
MEBELSHIK throws a head kick but Dants moves out of range.
MEBELSHIK lands with a slapping head kick.
MEBELSHIK scores with a head kick.
MEBELSHIK throws a head kick that Dants semi-blocks.
MEBELSHIK lands a head kick. Dants smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
MEBELSHIK misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dants throws a left and a right that both miss
and MEBELSHIK counters with a big head kick but Dants shrugs it off.
A nice combination there by MEBELSHIK.
MEBELSHIK throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Dants's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Divan MEBELSHIK showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

MEBELSHIK uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Dants.
MEBELSHIK bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

MEBELSHIK gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
MEBELSHIK has Dants pressed against the cage, preventing Dants from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Dants wants to get back to striking at distance but MEBELSHIK won't allow it.

MEBELSHIK's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

MEBELSHIK clinches up against the cage.
MEBELSHIK stalling.
Dants has had enough of the clinch but MEBELSHIK keeps him there for the moment.
Dants is trying to break the clinch but MEBELSHIK is controlling him.
MEBELSHIK stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
MEBELSHIK lands a good knee to the midsection. Dants won't want to take too many of those.

MEBELSHIK breaks from the clinch.
MEBELSHIK tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Dants paws at him with a jab and circles away.
MEBELSHIK plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Dants throws a combination that misses
and MEBELSHIK counters with a big head kick but Dants shrugs it off.
Dants blocks a head kick by MEBELSHIK.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
MEBELSHIK throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Dants looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MEBELSHIK lands with a nice combination. Dants backs away looking to recover.
Dants misses with a double jab

and MEBELSHIK counters by moving into the clinch.
MEBELSHIK lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. MEBELSHIK obliges.
Dants is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
MEBELSHIK lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
MEBELSHIK wants to stall.

MEBELSHIK escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dants throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and MEBELSHIK counters with a head kick.
MEBELSHIK stalks Dants and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Dants's face. Dants staggers backwards, shaken.
MEBELSHIK misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dants throws a left and a right that both miss

and MEBELSHIK holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

MEBELSHIK breaks the clinch.
MEBELSHIK feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Dants's calf.
Dants throws a lazy head kick
and MEBELSHIK counters with a nice kick to the body.
Dants swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and MEBELSHIK counters with a big head kick but Dants shrugs it off.
Dants throws a combination that misses
and MEBELSHIK counters with a flying knee. Nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dants misses with a double jab

and MEBELSHIK counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
MEBELSHIK lands an elbow inside.
Dants can't break the clinch.

Dants breaks from the clinch.
Dants is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Dants avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Dants throws a sloppy head kick
and MEBELSHIK counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Dants is lucky that one didn't land flush.
MEBELSHIK looks to land a combination but Dants avoids it well.
MEBELSHIK throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Dants's head.

MEBELSHIK instigates a clinch.
A nice left hand lands by MEBELSHIK.

MEBELSHIK escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
MEBELSHIK misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
MEBELSHIK scores with a head kick.
Dants throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and MEBELSHIK counters with a big head kick but Dants shrugs it off.
Dants falls off balance throwing a combination
and MEBELSHIK counters with a head kick. That will keep Dants thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Dants falls off balance throwing a combination
and MEBELSHIK counters with a flying knee. Nice.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MEBELSHIK plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Dants misses with a combination
and MEBELSHIK counters with a two punch combo.
Nice body kick there by MEBELSHIK.
Dants throws a head kick that misses
and MEBELSHIK counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Dants is lucky that one didn't land flush.
MEBELSHIK scores with a head kick.
Dants misses with a combination
and MEBELSHIK counters with a head kick. That will keep Dants thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Dants misses with a double jab
and MEBELSHIK counters with a big head kick but Dants shrugs it off.
MEBELSHIK scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
MEBELSHIK throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Dants.
Dants misses with a leg kick
enabling MEBELSHIK to counter with a crisp jab.
Dants blocks a head kick by MEBELSHIK.
Dants lands with a right hand.
MEBELSHIK lands a head shot.
MEBELSHIK lands a nice looking body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MEBELSHIK misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dants misses with a double jab
and MEBELSHIK counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Dants is lucky that one didn't land flush.

MEBELSHIK clinches with his opponent.
Dants wants to break the clinch but can't.
Dants will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
MEBELSHIK lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
MEBELSHIK keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Dants's efforts to push away.
A short right from MEBELSHIK.
MEBELSHIK lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
MEBELSHIK has Dants pressed against the cage.
MEBELSHIK lands a knee to the head.
MEBELSHIK creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Dants's defenses.
Dants looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
MEBELSHIK keeps control of Dants as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

MEBELSHIK breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
MEBELSHIK lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Grigoriy Dants has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Divan MEBELSHIK is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
MEBELSHIK lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Divan MEBELSHIK comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well MEBELSHIK has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 26:30
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 26:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Divan MEBELSHIK!