PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between max sirokov irsis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolay Dukov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). irsis comes to the cage accompanied by rocky. Nikolay Dukov has the eye of the tiger tonight.

sirokov irsis
vs
Dukov

182 cm
24
200 lbs
7 - 2 - 1

182 cm
26
190 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, max sirokov irsis!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolay Dukov!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Igor Prikhodko and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
irsis throws a shot from downtown. Dukov moves away and avoids it.

Dukov shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Dukov was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

Dukov wants to finish this one by submission but irsis is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Dukov.
irsis is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

Dukov has hold of irsis's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and irsis manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
irsis is trying to stand up.
Dukov unloading with bombs!
irsis is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
BOOM! Dukov connects with a massive shot to the dome!

Dukov swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and irsis is now in Dukov's guard. A big mistake from Dukov there, giving up the dominant position!

That's one minute gone in the round.

irsis gets to his feet. Dukov looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Dukov slips a straight right by irsis.
irsis lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Dukov backs up against the cage.

It looks like Nikolay Dukov has been cut.
The fighters circling - irsis throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
irsis waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Dukov.
Dukov slips under a jab.
irsis throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Dukov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Dukov lands in his opponent's guard.
irsis is looking to stand up but Dukov isn't so interested in that idea.
Dukov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Dukov tries to free his leg and advance position but irsis is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
irsis is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Dukov is controlling him.
Dukov trying to control the position from guard on top but irsis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dukov is looking to advance position but irsis has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
irsis get's back to his feet.
A slow jab from irsis misses its intended target.
Dukov moves out of range as irsis strikes.
irsis throws a hook but Dukov avoids it easily.
irsis looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
max sirokov irsis is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
irsis misses with a straight right.
Dukov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A punch combination from irsis misses.
Dukov slips a jab from irsis.

Dukov closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. irsis quickly recovers to half guard.
Dukov wants to pass to mount but irsis is defending the position.
irsis pushes Dukov off looking to stand but Dukov dives back in and keeps control.
irsis is breathing heavily.
Dukov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
irsis is trying to stand back up but Dukov is controlling him

Dukov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, irsis has managed to free his arm - good work.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
irsis is trying to stand.

Dukov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Dukov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
irsis is looking to escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dukov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Dukov tries to pass to full mount but irsis defends it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that max sirokov irsis will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Nikolay Dukov's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Dukov tries to score a power double leg takedown but irsis sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Dukov somewhat.
Nice defenses there by Dukov.

Dukov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
irsis wants to get back to his feet.
Dukov wants to control but irsis is keeping him busy.
irsis pushes Dukov off looking to stand but Dukov dives back in and keeps control.
Dukov trying to pass the guard but irsis defending well.
Dukov prevents irsis from standing back up.
Dukov wants to take a breather but irsis is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Nikolay Dukov has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
irsis looks to land a combination but Dukov avoids it well.
irsis throws the left hand but Dukov avoids the punch easily.
irsis fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
irsis misses with a two punch combination.
irsis rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dukov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nice sprawl there from irsis as Dukov shoots in.
Dukov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. irsis tries to avoid it but Dukov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag irsis to the ground. irsis escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
max sirokov irsis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nikolay Dukov.
irsis connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Dukov shoots in and bounces irsis off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Dukov stands and throws irsis's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Dukov is looking to take a break and control but irsis is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Dukov thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dukov tries for a kimura but irsis is defending well.
irsis is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Dukov is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dukov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
irsis is trying to buck Dukov off.
Dukov tries to move into full mount but can't pass irsis's legs.

irsis explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
irsis throws a looping overhand right but Dukov ducks down to avoid it.
Dukov shoots in but irsis avoids the takedown attempt easily.
irsis throws the left hand but Dukov avoids the punch easily.

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.

Dukov feints and as irsis raises his hands in defense, Dukov changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Dukov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. irsis swivels though and keeps the full guard.

irsis manages to escape and get back to his feet.
irsis lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Dukov circles away quickly and effectively.
irsis is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Dukov moves out of range of the strikes.
Nice defenses there by Dukov.
Dukov fails with the takedown.
Dukov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by irsis.
irsis looks to land a right hand but Dukov moved out of range.
irsis throws a big shot that misses.
Dukov dives in and grabs irsis's left leg, looking for a takedown. irsis pushes down on Dukov's head and hops out.
irsis looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Dukov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from irsis.
irsis rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dukov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Dukov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nikolay Dukov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Nikolay Dukov's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

irsis missing with a left hand there. Dukov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Dukov staying out of range there.

Dukov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for irsis!

Dukov has control of irsis's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and irsis regains control of the situation pretty easily.
irsis is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dukov trying to control but irsis is having none of it.
irsis trying desperately to get to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dukov wants to control the pace but irsis is squirming around nicely.
irsis is trying to stand up.
Nikolay Dukov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Dukov tries to control but irsis wriggling away.
irsis is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Dukov tries to control but irsis wriggling away.

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.
irsis's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Dukov looking to ground and pound but irsis is blocking nicely.

Dukov is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, irsis has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Dukov looking to control but irsis is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Dukov with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
irsis's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
irsis trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Dukov looking for a guillotine from mount but irsis is having none of it.
irsis's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Dukov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
irsis is really trying hard to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
irsis is squirming around, avoiding Dukov's attempts to control the action.
irsis wants to try and get back to his feet.

Dukov looking to secure an arm triangle but irsis defends it well.
irsis is squirming around, avoiding Dukov's attempts to control the action.

Dukov is working for a guillotine from mount but irsis frees his head quite easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
irsis is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolay Dukov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Dukov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 29:29
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... max sirokov irsis!
max sirokov irsis retains his light heavyweight title!