PBP Commentary

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

Butsikov
vs
Roman

207 cm
25
265 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

193 cm
26
255 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vanek Butsikov!
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, Samuel Roman!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Valeri Chadov and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Roman falls off balance throwing a combination
and Butsikov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Roman fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Roman misses with a few strikes there.
Roman throws the left hand but Butsikov avoids the punch easily.
Roman throws a left and a right that both miss
and Butsikov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Roman gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Butsikov stopping the sweep attempt from Roman.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Roman can do anything to dispel that myth.
Roman wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Butsikov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butsikov trying to control the position from guard on top but Roman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Butsikov wants to pass the guard but Roman is keeping the position.

Butsikov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Butsikov looking to pass the guard.

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

Butsikov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Butsikov tries to free his leg and advance position but Roman is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Butsikov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Butsikov wants to control from the top but Roman keeps moving.
Roman controlling Butsikov's posture.
Butsikov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Butsikov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Butsikov lands a couple of elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Butsikov wants to control from the top but Roman keeps moving.
Roman really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Butsikov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Butsikov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Roman trying to control the position.
Roman pulls Butsikov in close to his closed guard and prevents Butsikov from doing any damage or advancing position.

Butsikov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Roman pulls Butsikov in close to prevent any damage.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Butsikov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Butsikov trying to control but Roman is working from the bottom.
Roman has Butsikov pulled in close to control his posture.
Butsikov wants to control from the top but Roman keeps moving.

Butsikov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Roman looking to hit a scissor sweep but Butsikov is one step ahead there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Butsikov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vanek Butsikov dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Roman misses with a wild combination.
Samuel Roman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Roman lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Roman throws a jab when Butsikov was well out of range.
Roman fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Roman throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Butsikov.
A combination from Roman does no damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Roman throws a series of punches but Butsikov avoids them all with ease.
No joy there for Roman, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Butsikov moves out of range of the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roman misses with the combination.
Butsikov shoots for a double leg takedown but Roman sprawls well. He's pushed Butsikov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Roman scores with the left hand. Butsikov knows he should have avoided that one.
Butsikov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Roman.
Roman looks to land a combination. Butsikov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Roman looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Butsikov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Roman defends it easily.

Butsikov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Roman defends well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Butsikov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Roman controls the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Butsikov looking for a guillotine here but Roman defends easily.
Butsikov keeping moving, preventing Roman from controlling successfully.
Roman working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Roman is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Butsikov lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Roman!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Butsikov looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roman holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Butsikov tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Roman is squirming around, avoiding Butsikov's attempts to control the action.

Butsikov is working to isolate an arm here. It's a telegraphed submission attempt but he's gone for it anyway - and he's got it! Butsikov extends the arm and Roman is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:43 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Vanek Butsikov!