PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rob Elsworth (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pravoslav Rusic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Elsworth comes to the cage accompanied by Iron Maiden - Killers . Rob Elsworth could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Pravoslav Rusic's chin.

Elsworth
vs
Rusic

190 cm
24
209 lbs
12 - 9 - 1

187 cm
23
215 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good knees
Very strong

Dangerous GnP
Counter striker
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 9 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rob Elsworth!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pravoslav Rusic!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Aleksandr Martynov and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Elsworth swings for the body but Rusic moves out of range.

Rusic looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Elsworth!
Rusic looking to ground and pound but Elsworth is blocking nicely.
Rusic misses with a head shot.
Poor strikes thrown by Rusic there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Rusic landing punches.
Elsworth really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Elsworth tries to lock up and control but Rusic gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Elsworth manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Rusic missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Rusic throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rusic throwing shots but Elsworth is blocking nicely.
Elsworth has hold of Rusic's hands but Rusic slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Elsworth avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rusic.
Rusic slips a nice elbow through Elsworth's hands, connecting with Elsworth's forehead.
Rusic thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Elsworth's head.

Rusic seems to be looking for submissions.
Rusic with the ground and pound but Elsworth uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Elsworth utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rusic works over Elsworth with some ground and pound from guard.

Rusic is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Elsworth is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Elsworth has escaped and now he's on top!
Rusic has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rusic looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Rusic working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Elsworth doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Elsworth manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rusic looking to hit a scissor sweep but Elsworth is one step ahead there.

Rusic working for a triangle but Elsworth defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rusic throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Rusic looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Elsworth wants to stand but Rusic is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's four 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.
Rusic 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.

Rusic escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Elsworth gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Rusic looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rusic manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Elsworth manages to get himself to full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rusic accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Elsworth's corner calls for a 1-2. Elsworth obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

Elsworth closes the distance and clinches.
Rusic goes for a takedown in the clinch but Elsworth prevents it.
Elsworth scores with a nice hook to the head.
A body shot lands from Elsworth.
Elsworth lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Rusic.
Rusic jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Elsworth walks away with a smile on his face. Rusic gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Elsworth thuds his shin into the meat of Rusic's side.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Elsworth fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rusic, pushing him back against the cage.
Elsworth lands a body shot in the clinch.
Good body shot from Elsworth.
A nice left hand lands by Elsworth.
Nice elbow from Elsworth.
Elsworth lands a body shot in the clinch.
Elsworth lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Rusic takes an elbow to the temple.
Rusic is breathing heavily.
A hook to the body from Elsworth.
Elsworth lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Rusic's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A short body shot lands from Elsworth as the two fighters clinch.
Elsworth lands an elbow that stopped Rusic in his tracks for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Elsworth lands a good knee to the midsection. Rusic won't want to take too many of those.
Elsworth throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Rusics head.
Elsworth lands with a short shot to the head.
Rob Elsworth has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Elsworth gets through Rusic's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Elsworth lands with a light punch inside.
Elsworth lands a knee to the body.
Knees to the body from Elsworth.
Elsworth landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Elsworth lands a nice shot to the body.
Rusic tries to pull guard but Elsworth holds him up against the cage and eventually Rusic drops back down to his feet.
Rob Elsworth has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pravoslav Rusic.
Elsworth scores a nice knee to the body.
Rusic takes a shot to the head.
Rusic takes an elbow to the forehead.
Rusic fails to pull the fight into his guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Elsworth lands a hook to the side of the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Elsworth.
Rusic goes for a takedown attempt but Elsworth pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Rusic takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Elsworth looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A solid body kick from Elsworth.
Elsworth lets loose with a powerful body kick. Rusic will feel that in the morning.
Elsworth throws a quick inside leg kick.
Elsworth tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rusic was well out of range. Poor timing from Elsworth.
Elsworth pushes Rusic away with a front kick.
Elsworth works the jab nicely.
Nice shot lands for Elsworth.
Rusic looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Elsworth is fending him off so far but Rusic persists. Nope, Elsworth circles away and we're back to standing.
Elsworth ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Rusic takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Elsworth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Elsworth scores with a push kick.
Elsworth looks to land a combination but Rusic avoids it well.
Rusic takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Elsworth instigates a clinch.
A short right from Elsworth on the inside.
Rusic tries to pull guard but Elsworth won't allow it.
Elsworth landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Elsworth comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Elsworth lands a nice elbow.
Elsworth crunches a lovely knee into Rusic's ribcage.
Elsworth is leaning against Rusic and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Elsworth stops a takedown attempt from Rusic.
Elsworth utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Elsworth lands a body shot in the clinch.
Elsworth scores with a nice hook to the head.
Elsworth lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rusic backwards.
Elsworth prevents the takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Elsworth lands a nice elbow.
Elsworth lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Elsworth.
Rusic blocking some punches.
A right hook to the body lands for Elsworth.
Elsworth has a couple of punches blocked by Rusic.
Elsworth tries to land knees in the clinch but Rusic avoids the damage to the body.
Elsworth lands a good knee to the midsection. Rusic won't want to take too many of those.
Rusic tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Elsworth smiles and moves away.
Rusic fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Elsworth pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Elsworth thows a body kick. Rusic tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Rusic blocks a head kick by Elsworth.
Rusic takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rob Elsworth dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Elsworth tries to land a front kick but Rusic steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Elsworth stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Elsworth wants it to stay on the feet.
Elsworth is looking to wear down Rusic with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Elsworth lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Elsworth throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Elsworth misses with a two punch combination.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Elsworth.
Elsworth is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rusic can do to turn this around?
No luck for Rusic with that takedown attempt.
Elsworth throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Elsworth lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Elsworth lands with a shot to the body.
Elsworth misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rusic has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Elsworth.
Elsworth throws a front kick that sends Rusic stumbling back into the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Elsworth feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rusic's calf.

Elsworth clinches up against the cage.
Rusic takes a shot to the head.
Elsworth throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Elsworth lands a nice knee to the body.
A short uppercut from Elsworth.
Elsworth cracks Rusic with a nice body shot.
Elsworth pushes Rusic back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Elsworth.
A nice left hand lands by Elsworth.
Elsworth lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Elsworth lands a right hand.
Elsworth lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Rusic.
A short right from Elsworth on the inside.
A body shot lands from Elsworth.
Elsworth scores with a shoulder strike.
Elsworth unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A right handed body shot lands from Elsworth.
Elsworth stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Elsworth lands a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rusic tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Rob Elsworth has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pravoslav Rusic.
Elsworth lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Rusic or not.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Elsworth.
Elsworth stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Rusic tries for a takedown. No joy.
Elsworth using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Rusic jumps guard but Elsworth stands there with Rusic around his waist. Rusic gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Elsworth lands a good knee to the midsection. Rusic won't want to take too many of those.
Elsworth gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Rusic jumps guard but Elsworth stands there with Rusic around his waist. Rusic gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rusic tries to pull guard but Elsworth holds him up against the cage and eventually Rusic drops back down to his feet.
Nice elbow from Elsworth.
Elsworth scores with a nice hook to the head.
Rusic jumps guard but Elsworth stands there with Rusic around his waist. Rusic gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Elsworth lands with a left to the head.
Elsworth throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Elsworth scores with a hook to the body.
Elsworth scores with a shot to the side of Rusic's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Elsworth lands an uppercut.
A knee to the head by Elsworth.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Elsworth.
Rusic jumps guard but Elsworth stands there with Rusic around his waist. Rusic gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rusic takes an elbow to the forehead.
Rusic tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Elsworth just stands there and leans against the cage.
Elsworth landing knees to the body.
Rusic tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Elsworth just stands there and leans against the cage.
Rusic on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rusic tries for a takedown but Elsworth manages to get underhooks.
Rusic jumps guard but Elsworth stands there with Rusic around his waist. Rusic gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Elsworth working Rusic over with knees to the body.
Elsworth lands a nice knee to the body.
Rusic tries to pull guard but Elsworth holds him up against the cage and eventually Rusic drops back down to his feet.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Elsworth obliges.
Elsworth scores a nice knee to the body.
Elsworth stops a takedown attempt from Rusic.
Elsworth scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Elsworth landing some nice looking knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rusic tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Elsworth smiles and moves away.
Elsworth just misses with a punch to the body.
Rusic changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Elsworth tries to avoid it but Rusic manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Elsworth to the ground. Elsworth escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rusic stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Elsworth.
Elsworth lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

Rusic tries to keep at a distance but Elsworth has taken the fight into the clinch.
Elsworth digs a right hand into Rusic's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Rusic's gas tank.
Elsworth gets through Rusic's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rusic takes an elbow to the temple.
Elsworth crunches a lovely knee into Rusic's ribcage.
Rusic takes a knee to the side of the body.
A hook to the body from Elsworth.
Elsworth lands with a short shot to the head.
Elsworth throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Rusics head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rob Elsworth showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Elsworth has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:26
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 29:26
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rob Elsworth!