PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Platinum Gold (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Vasiljev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gold
vs
Vasiljev

179 cm
24
167 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

178 cm
20
154 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

Decent wrestler
Decent elbows
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Platinum Gold!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Vasiljev!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Viktor Lagutenko and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vasiljev avoids a punch combination nicely.
A nice combination there by Gold.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gold.
Vasiljev scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

It looks like Platinum Gold has been cut.
Vasiljev fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gold avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Platinum Gold seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Gold moves into the clinch.
Gold dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Vasiljev prevents the takedown attempt.
Gold prevents Vasiljev from breaking the clinch.

Vasiljev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Vasiljev tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Gold holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Vasiljev wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gold has him pressed against the cage.
Gold lands a damaging elbow.
Gold fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Platinum Gold. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gold throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Gold creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Gold breaks from the clinch.
Vasiljev tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Gold is able to avoid easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasiljev throws a leg kick which misses Gold's front leg but catches the back leg as Gold tries to avoid it.
Vasiljev wants to clinch

and Gold counters with a shoot takedown. Vasiljev fights it but they end up in guard.
Gold thows a big elbow that misses.
Vasiljev is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Gold is controlling him.
Gold postures up in Vasiljev's guard and throws a big left but Vasiljev blocks it.
Gold has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Gold throwing strikes from guard but Vasiljev blocks nicely.
Vasiljev working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gold.
Gold throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Vasiljev works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Vasiljev pushes Gold off and gets back to his feet.
Vasiljev looks to clinch

and Gold counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Gold.

Gold successfully pulls guard.

Vasiljev decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Gold, up you get!
Vasiljev closes the distance but Gold moves to the side

and Gold holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Gold with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Gold lands a good knee to the midsection. Vasiljev won't want to take too many of those.
Gold is breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Gold breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Vasiljev throws a series of punches but Gold avoids them all with ease.
Vasiljev tries to clinch up

and Gold counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Gold.
Gold in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Vasiljev working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gold.
Vasiljev wants to stand but Gold is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gold working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gold throws and elbow that misses. Vasiljev uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Gold's guard. Nice move by Vasiljev!
Vasiljev wants to stand but Gold is controlling his posture from full guard.

Gold has his feet on Vasiljev's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Gold.
Gold working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gold looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Vasiljev is avoiding damage well.
Vasiljev stops Gold from passing to mount.
Gold lands a decent elbow from side control.
Gold looks up at the clock and then as Vasiljev takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Gold smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Gold looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Vasiljev is avoiding damage well.
Gold throwing strikes but Vasiljev manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Gold on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Gold tries to get out of the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Vasiljev has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Vasiljev enables Gold to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Vasiljev manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Platinum Gold dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Platinum Gold's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Gold darts in and clinches Vasiljev up against the cage.
Gold lands a shoulder strike.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Gold.
Vasiljev gets underhooks to prevent Gold's takedown attempt.
Gold goes for a takedown attempt but Vasiljev pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Gold gets the takedown into side control.
Gold is trying to ground and pound but Vasiljev uses the momentary lack of control by Gold to regain half guard.
Vasiljev avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gold.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gold missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Vasiljev pushes Gold off and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vasiljev instigates a clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gold drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Platinum Gold. That's going to take a lot out of him.

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

Vasiljev takes the fight into the clinch.

Gold pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Vasiljev tries to clinch up

and Gold counters with a single leg into guard. Vasiljev didn't expect that.
Gold in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gold throws and elbow that misses. Vasiljev uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Gold's guard. Nice move by Vasiljev!

Vasiljev stands and steps away. Gold gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gold shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Vasiljev as he jumps to the side.
Vasiljev clinches but Gold breaks the clinch

and Gold holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Gold misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Vasiljev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Gold tries to clinch up but Vasiljev circles away and keeps his distance.
Vasiljev wants to clinch but Gold slips to the side

and Gold counters by clinching up.
Vasiljev wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Vasiljev is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Gold pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Gold fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Vasiljev, pushing him back against the cage.
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!
Gold misses with a hook from the clinch.
Vasiljev wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Gold tries for a takedown. No joy.

Vasiljev breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasiljev tries to close the distance and clinch but Gold swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Gold fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Vasiljev sprawls well initially but Gold persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Vasiljev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gold.
Gold missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Gold thows a huge punch but Vasiljev dodges it nicely.
Gold not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Gold throws a strike but Vasiljev avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Gold stops Vasiljev from standing up.
Gold loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Gold throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Gold postures up in Vasiljev's guard and throws a big left but Vasiljev blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gold postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gold throws a strike but Vasiljev rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Vasiljev would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Gold looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Gold working a defensive guard here.

Vasiljev stands and steps away. Gold gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Platinum Gold dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Platinum Gold's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Vasiljev tries to clinch but Gold moves out of range.

Gold shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Vasiljev's guard.

Vasiljev is working an open guard so Gold takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Vasiljev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gold swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Vasiljev wants to clinch.
Vasiljev avoids a punch combination nicely.
Gold checks a leg kick.
Vasiljev closes the distance looking to clinch

and Gold counters by moving into the clinch.

Gold manages to break the clinch.
Gold shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Vasiljev defends it nicely.

Gold moves into range and clinches up with Vasiljev.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gold tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Vasiljev wants to break the clinch but can't.
Gold tries to score a body lock takedown but Vasiljev shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Platinum Gold. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gold fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nice elbow from Gold.
Vasiljev working hard to break the clinch.
Vasiljev wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Gold pushes Vasiljev back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Gold throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Vasiljev looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Vasiljev is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Vasiljev wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Gold lands a hook to the side of the head.

Gold breaks from the clinch.
Vasiljev looks to clinch

and Gold counters by clinching up.

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.
Vasiljev wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A nice right hand lands inside from Gold.
Gold tries to pull guard but Vasiljev holds him up against the cage and eventually Gold drops back down to his feet.
Gold goes for a takedown in the clinch but Vasiljev prevents it.
Gold misses with some punches.

Vasiljev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vasiljev tries to clinch but Gold moves away

and Gold counters by moving into the clinch.
Vasiljev tries to circle away but Gold has him pinned against the cage.
A right handed body shot lands from Gold.

Gold breaks from the clinch.
Vasiljev wants to land a leg kick but Gold is out of range.
Vasiljev wants to clinch but Gold slips to the side

and Gold counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Gold breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasiljev looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Vasiljev clinches but Gold breaks the clinch

and Gold counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Vasiljev's guard now.
Gold with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gold is looking to work some ground and pound but Vasiljev has wrist control.
Vasiljev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Gold throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Vasiljev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Gold cracks Vasiljev with a solid left hand.

Gold stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Ivan Vasiljev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Gold pushes Vasiljev up against the cage in a clinch.
Vasiljev is trying to force a seperation but Gold has the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gold lands an elbow inside that Vasiljev shrugs off.
Vasiljev wants to break free but Gold has control.
Gold makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Gold goes for a takedown in the clinch but Vasiljev prevents it.
Gold working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Gold throws a head punch that misses.
Vasiljev wants to get back to striking at distance but Gold won't allow it.
Vasiljev is trying to break the clinch but Gold has him pressed against the cage.

Vasiljev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Gold closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Vasiljev is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Gold scores with a couple of nice shots.
Gold thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Platinum Gold is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Gold thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Vasiljev's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Platinum Gold showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gold, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Platinum Gold!