PBP Commentary

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

Butsikov
vs
Vojnov

208 cm
18
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
22
274 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Enjoys gardening

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Butsikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Andrei Vojnov!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Igor Prikhodko and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Vojnov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Vojnov thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Butsikov trying to remain calm as Vojnov controls from the top position.
Butsikov tries to bench press Vojnov off him but Vojnov keeps the position.
Vojnov looks up at the clock and then as Butsikov takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Vojnov smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

Vojnov stands up and beckons Butsikov to his feet.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Vojnov.
Butsikov wants to control but Vojnov postures up.
Butsikov is looking for a sweep.
Vojnov is staying tight to Butsikov's torso, preventing him from escaping.

Vojnov swings around for an armbar but Butsikov sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Vojnov's guard.
Vojnov has control of Butsikov's left arm, preventing Butsikov from doing any damage.
Let's hope that Vojnov has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Andrei Vojnov was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Butsikov with a poor takedown

and Vojnov counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Butsikov's guard now.
Vojnov wants to control from the top but Butsikov keeps moving.
Vojnov controlling from the top position.
Butsikov has Vojnov pulled in close to control his posture.
Vojnov works over Butsikov with some ground and pound from guard.
Vojnov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Butsikov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vojnov sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Andrei Vojnov has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Vojnov misses with a series of wild punches.

Vojnov rushes Butsikov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Butsikov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Butsikov goes for a takedown attempt but Vojnov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Butsikov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Butsikov closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Vojnov quickly recovers to half guard.
Butsikov is breathing heavily.
Vojnov desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Vojnov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Butsikov 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.
Vojnov wants to sweep but no luck.
Butsikov prevents Vojnov from getting back to his feet.
Butsikov thows a big elbow that misses.

Vojnov pushes Butsikov off and scrambles back to his feet.
Butsikov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Butsikov fails with the takedown

and Vojnov moves into the clinch.
Butsikov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Vojnov walks away with a smile on his face. Butsikov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Vojnov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Vojnov seems to be looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Butsikov is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Butsikov is pressing down on Vojnov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Vojnov controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Butsikov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Vojnov defends well.
Vojnov stopping the sweep attempt from Butsikov.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vojnov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrei Vojnov dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Butsikov misses with a two punch combination.

Vojnov gets a takedown into half guard.
Butsikov is trying to control but can't.
Butsikov is looking for a sweep. Vojnov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Vojnov is pressing down on Butsikov's thigh, looking to free his foot. Butsikov is holding on for now.
Vojnov controlling the action here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Butsikov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vojnov trying to control but Butsikov is working from the bottom.
Vojnov prevents Butsikov from getting back to his feet.
Vojnov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Andrei Vojnov hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Butsikov fails with the takedown

so Vojnov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Vojnov forces his way into half guard.
Vojnov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Butsikov with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Vojnov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Butsikov has managed to free his arm - good work.
Well, if Vojnov is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Butsikov tries to get to full guard but Vojnov has control of the leg.
Vojnov stalling.
Vojnov prevents Butsikov from improving his position.

Vojnov postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Butsikov to stand up.
Butsikov closes the distance but Vojnov moves to the side

and Vojnov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Vojnov.
Butsikov tries to pull guard but Vojnov won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vojnov stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Butsikov is trying to maintain a safe position but Vojnov gets an underhook and turns Butsikov into the cage.

Vojnov breaks the clinch.

Vojnov has closed the distance and engaged Butsikov in a clinch.
Butsikov stalling in the clinch but Vojnov improves position.
Butsikov jumps guard but Vojnov stands there with Butsikov around his waist. Butsikov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ivan Butsikov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Vojnov has clasped his hands together around Butsikov's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Sloppy strikes there by Vojnov.
Vojnov trying to control the action but Butsikov is working from the bottom.
Butsikov is looking to regain half guard here but Vojnov keeps moving and retains side control.
Vojnov staying calm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vojnov trying to control the action but Butsikov is working from the bottom.
A lull in the action here.

Vojnov is trying to get an arm triangle but Butsikov is defending well.
Vojnov wants to control but Butsikov is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrei Vojnov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Butsikov clinches but Vojnov breaks the clinch

and Vojnov counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Butsikov wants to control but Vojnov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Butsikov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Vojnov.
Vojnov content to control rather than advance.
Butsikov is looking for a sweep. Vojnov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Vojnov wants to free his trapped foot but Butsikov is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Butsikov wants to improve his position but Vojnov is controlling well.

Vojnov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Butsikov is trying to control but can't.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vojnov trying to mount his opponent but Butsikov defends it.
The fighters are battling for position here. Butsikov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Butsikov trying to keep a closed guard but Vojnov is proving a slippery customer.
Butsikov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Vojnov chips away with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Vojnov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Vojnov stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Vojnov gets the takedown into side control.
Butsikov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Vojnov moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

Butsikov throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Vojnov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vojnov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Vojnov fails to land the takedown.
Butsikov throws a sloppy head kick and Vojnov moves out of range easily.

Vojnov closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Butsikov to the mat! Butsikov manages to get full guard.

Vojnov stands and steps away. Butsikov gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Vojnov blocks the body kick.
Butsikov looks to throw the jab but Vojnov is out of range.

Vojnov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Vojnov controls the position.
Vojnov in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Vojnov cracks Butsikov with a big elbow.
Andrei Vojnov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Butsikov is trying to work for a sweep but Vojnov has mounted him!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vojnov punishing his opponent with strikes.
Butsikov wants to hold on but Vojnov pushes him away.
Vojnov controlling the position easily from mount.
Butsikov wants to control but Vojnov is having none of it.
Butsikov sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Ivan Butsikov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Andrei Vojnov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Vojnov working over Butsikov with some ground and pound. Butsikov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andrei Vojnov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Vojnov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrei Vojnov!