PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Miller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrey Egorov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ricardo Miller had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 206.0lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Andrey Egorov is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Miller
vs
Egorov

190 cm
22
225 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

185 cm
20
204 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ricardo Miller!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Andrey Egorov!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Viktor Lagutenko and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Egorov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Egorov misses with a takedown
and Miller cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

It looks like Andrey Egorov has been cut.
Miller ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Egorov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Miller counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Egorov closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Miller is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Egorov off and has taken his back!
Will Miller go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

Miller is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Egorov has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Egorov is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Miller off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Egorov trying to control but not successfully.

Egorov is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Miller trying to control momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Egorov is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Miller.

Egorov showing good submission defense here.
Miller really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Egorov.

Miller working for a choke but Egorov is defending well.
Miller is not going to allow Egorov to sit and survive in this position.
Egorov is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Miller is staying active.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Miller working for the choke.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Miller is looking for the choke from the back position but Egorov is controlling his hands well.
Egorov can't escape the position.
Miller is not going to allow Egorov to sit and survive in this position.

Miller is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Egorov defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Miller is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Miller is breathing heavily.
Egorov has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Egorov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Miller. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Miller's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Miller is really struggling to control Egorov but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Egorov trying to control the action but Miller just sinks the hooks in.

Miller patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Miller has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Egorov has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Egorov looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

Miller is persistently looking for the submission but Egorov is defending it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Miller is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Egorov defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Miller trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Egorov is really stuck here.
Miller wants to control but Egorov is keeping busy.
Miller is not going to allow Egorov to sit and survive in this position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Miller dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Andrey Egorov's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Egorov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Egorov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Miller has managed to free his arm - good work.
Miller is staying active underneath Egorov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Miller tries to get to full guard but Egorov has control of the leg.
Miller is trying to control but can't.
Egorov trying to control from half guard but Miller is working away.
Miller wants to improve his position but Egorov is controlling well.
Egorov works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Egorov trying to control but Miller is having none of it.

Egorov moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Miller has worked his arm free - good work by Miller!

Egorov swings around for an armbar but Miller sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Egorov's guard.
Egorov is breathing heavily.

Egorov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Miller defends it easily.
Miller tries to free his leg and advance position but Egorov is retaining full guard.
Miller wants to control from the top but Egorov keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miller works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Miller looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Egorov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Miller wants to pass to mount but Egorov is defending the position.
Miller is looking to take a break and control but Egorov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Miller is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Miller trying to control but Egorov is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miller wants to take his opponent's back but Egorov doesn't allow it.

Miller moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Egorov has worked his arm free - good work by Egorov!
Egorov is trying to control Miller's posture but Miller avoids it.
Ricardo Miller overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Miller tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Miller goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Egorov has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Miller but great work by Egorov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Egorov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Egorov tries for a kimura but Miller is defending well.
Miller manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Egorov is looking for a sweep. Miller is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Miller is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Egorov manages to get to full guard.
Egorov looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Andrey Egorov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Andrey Egorov's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Nice defenses there by Egorov.
Ricardo Miller seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Miller cracks Egorov with an open hand slap.
A big left from Miller misses.
Egorov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

Egorov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Egorov is trying to get an arm triangle but Miller is defending well.
Miller regains half guard.

Miller is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Egorov pulls his head out easily.
Miller wants to control but Egorov is keeping busy.

Miller looking for submissions off his back.
Egorov tries to pass to full mount but Miller defends it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Egorov seems content to control.

Egorov is trying to work for a kimura but Miller is defending well.
Miller trying to control here.
Miller wants to get back to full guard.

Egorov wants to work for an arm triangle but Miller is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Miller tries to roll over but Egorov keeps him under control.
Egorov tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

That's two 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.
The fighters are battling for position here. Miller manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Miller is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Egorov defends well.
Miller is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Miller had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Egorov defends it easily.

Egorov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Egorov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Miller keeping moving, preventing Egorov from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Egorov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Miller is keeping the position for now.
Egorov slips nicely into half guard.

Egorov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Miller slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Miller had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Egorov defends it easily.

Egorov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Egorov is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Miller is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Miller has escaped and now he's on top!
Miller passes Egorov's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Egorov is staying active underneath Miller, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Miller is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Egorov defends it well.

Egorov actively working from the bottom here.

Miller is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Egorov sees it coming and defends easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ricardo Miller showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Miller has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:28
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:27
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricardo Miller!