PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Merefedenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Igor Sikorsky (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Igor Sikorsky was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Merefedenko
vs
Sikorsky

184 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
21
205 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Anthony Merefedenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Igor Sikorsky!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Fedor Mirinova and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Merefedenko.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Sikorsky enables Merefedenko to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Sikorsky manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Sikorsky controls Merefedenko momentarily but Merefedenko frees himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Merefedenko wants to control from the top but Sikorsky keeps moving.
Merefedenko looking to pass the guard.
Merefedenko is fighting to break Sikorsky's control of his arms but Sikorsky is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Igor Sikorsky was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Sikorsky fails in his attempt to clinch.
Merefedenko throws the kick towards the body but Sikorsky avoids it.
Sikorsky misses with a takedown attempt

and Merefedenko counters with a single leg into guard. Sikorsky didn't expect that.
Sikorsky has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sikorsky keeping moving, preventing Merefedenko from controlling successfully.
Sikorsky looking to hit a scissor sweep but Merefedenko is one step ahead there.
Sikorsky pulls Merefedenko in to control the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Sikorsky gets a clinch.
Merefedenko tries to pull guard but Sikorsky holds him up against the cage and eventually Merefedenko drops back down to his feet.
Merefedenko tries a knee to the head but Sikorsky blocks it.
Merefedenko drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sikorsky pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Sikorsky lands a body shot.
Merefedenko is breathing heavily.

Sikorsky is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Merefedenko's half guard.
Merefedenko is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sikorsky's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sikorsky's back!
Sikorsky trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Sikorsky needs to remain patient if he's going to get out of this sticky situation.
Merefedenko avoiding Sikorsky 's attempts to control his hands.
Sikorsky turns into Merefedenko and is now in his guard.

Sikorsky stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sikorsky shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Sikorsky gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sikorsky looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Sikorsky shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Merefedenko manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Sikorsky wants to control from the top but Merefedenko keeps moving.
Merefedenko is trying to keep Sikorsky in close.

Sikorsky gets to his feet. Merefedenko looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Sikorsky fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Merefedenko stuffs the takedown attempt from Sikorsky. Sikorsky gets slowly back to his feet.

Sikorsky looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Sikorsky wants to control from the top but Merefedenko keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Merefedenko tries to strike from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Sikorsky dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Merefedenko closes the distance but Sikorsky moves to the side

and Sikorsky counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Sikorsky just leaning against Merefedenko, taking a breather.
Sikorsky gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Merefedenko.
Merefedenko trying to control the position but instead, Sikorsky has worked for underhooks and has pushed Merefedenko into the cage.
Sikorsky leaning his opponent against the cage.
The crowd are getting on Sikorsky's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sikorsky is trying to drag Merefedenko to the mat but Merefedenko just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Merefedenko tries to circle away but Sikorsky has him pinned against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sikorsky gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Sikorsky gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Sikorsky tries to clinch but Merefedenko is having none of it.
Merefedenko shoots for a takedown but Sikorsky saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Sikorsky closes the distance and clinches up with Merefedenko, looking for a takedown. Sikorsky pushes Merefedenko against the cage but Merefedenko circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Sikorsky tests Merefedenko's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Merefedenko wants to clinch but Sikorsky slips to the side
and Sikorsky counters with a body kick that stops Merefedenko in his tracks momentarily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Sikorsky moves into the clinch.

Sikorsky breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Merefedenko throws a body kick the misses

and Sikorsky counters with a takedown into side control.
Sikorsky working away.

Sikorsky is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Merefedenko knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sikorsky is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Merefedenko knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Sikorsky scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Merefedenko to see if he's OK.

Sikorsky stands up.
Sikorsky feints a jab promting Merefedenko to slip. Sikorsky then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Merefedenko slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

It looks like Anthony Merefedenko has been cut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sikorsky scores with a crisp jab that stopped Merefedenko in his tracks.

Sikorsky forces Merefedenko back against the cage and clinches.
Sikorsky effectively controlling the action here.

Sikorsky breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sikorsky misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Anthony Merefedenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Igor Sikorsky.
Merefedenko leaves Sikorsky with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Sikorsky misses with the combination.
Merefedenko keeps the fight on the outside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sikorsky changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Merefedenko tries to avoid it but Sikorsky manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Merefedenko to the ground. Merefedenko escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Merefedenko shoots and misses

and Sikorsky counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Merefedenko looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Sikorsky puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Sikorsky with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Sikorsky working over Merefedenko with some ground and pound. Merefedenko looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Merefedenko is trying to escape back to his feet but Sikorsky uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Merefedenko is trying to improve his position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sikorsky controls the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Sikorsky showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Anthony Merefedenko's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Sikorsky fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Merefedenko sprawls well initially but Sikorsky persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Sikorsky trying to control from half guard but Merefedenko is working away.
Sikorsky works his foot free and advances to mount.

Sikorsky looking for a guillotine from mount but Merefedenko is having none of it.

Merefedenko defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Sikorsky.
Merefedenko gets back to half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sikorsky decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Sikorsky shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Sikorsky is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Sikorsky lands with a punch from half guard.
Merefedenko is staying active underneath Sikorsky, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Sikorsky winds up and cracks Merefedenko with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Sikorsky is trying to control. Merefedenko wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sikorsky controlling the action here.
Sikorsky has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Sikorsky wants to free his trapped foot but Merefedenko is holding on for dear life with his legs.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Igor Sikorsky wasn't active enough on the ground.
Horrible takedown by Sikorsky or perhaps it was just good defense by Merefedenko which made him look bad.
Merefedenko shoots and misses

and Sikorsky counters with a shoot takedown. Merefedenko fights it but they end up in guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Sikorsky decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Merefedenko, up you get!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sikorsky shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Merefedenko napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Merefedenko is trying to buck Sikorsky off.

Sikorsky decides to stand up, so the ref orders Merefedenko to his feet.

Sikorsky is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Merefedenko's half guard.
Merefedenko wants to improve his position but Sikorsky is controlling well.
Sikorsky seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Merefedenko does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sikorsky frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Sikorsky breaks from Merefedenko's wrist control and lands an elbow.

Sikorsky has hold of Merefedenko's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Merefedenko manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Merefedenko working to try and regain half guard.
Sikorsky tries to control but Merefedenko wriggling away.
Anthony Merefedenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Igor Sikorsky 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.
Sikorsky cracks Merefedenko with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

And that's the end of the fight!
Igor Sikorsky comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sikorsky has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 26:30
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 25:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Igor Sikorsky!