PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vladimir Putin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolai Selivanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nikolai Selivanov is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Putin
vs
Selivanov

175 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
27
205 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid 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, Vladimir Putin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolai Selivanov!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Ivan Kurochkin and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Putin gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
letting Selivanov counter with a right hand.
Selivanov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Selivanov connects with a crisp jab.
Putin with a lazy takedown attempt

and Selivanov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Selivanov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Selivanov preventing the sweep.
Selivanov 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.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Nikolai Selivanov was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Selivanov lands a high kick!

Selivanov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Putin wants to sweep but no luck.

Selivanov stands up and waves to Putin to follow him.
Selivanov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Putin counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Selivanov lands with a slapping head kick.
Selivanov throws a series of punches but Putin avoids them all with ease.
A good leg kick by Selivanov.
Putin shoots and misses
and Selivanov counters with a solid body kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vladimir Putin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Putin is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Putin is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Selivanov.

It looks like Vladimir Putin has been cut.
Putin throws an overhand right that lands on Selivanov's shoulder, as Selivanov tries to avoid the shot.
Selivanov fails to land with a series of punches.
Putin takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Selivanov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Putin manages to avoid it.
Putin doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Selivanov counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Putin!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Selivanov looking to control and managing it successfully.

Selivanov wants to finish this one by submission but Putin is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Selivanov.
Selivanov controlling from the full mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Selivanov's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

Nikolai Selivanov has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Putin with a lazy takedown attempt

and Selivanov counters with a single leg into guard. Putin didn't expect that.
Selivanov controlling from the top position.
Let's hope that Selivanov 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.
Putin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Selivanov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Selivanov wants to control from the top but Putin keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Nikolai Selivanov was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Selivanov blocks a low kick nicely.
Selivanov displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Selivanov just misses with a punch to the body.
Putin takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Putin gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Selivanov counters with a big head kick but Putin shrugs it off.
A decent looking cross lands there for Selivanov.
Selivanov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Putin manages to avoid it.
A combination from Putin does no damage.

Putin gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Selivanov postures up and lands a big shot to Putin's brow.
Putin can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Selivanov controls the pace.
Selivanov scoring with some ground and pound.
Putin working a defensive guard here.
Selivanov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Selivanov might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Putin is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Nikolai Selivanov.
Putin shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Selivanov counters with a leg kick.

Selivanov is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Putin's half guard.
Selivanov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Selivanov escapes and gets back to his feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Selivanov jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Selivanov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Putin throws a hook to the side of Selivanov's head but Selivanov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Putin gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Selivanov counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Putin's guard now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Selivanov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Vladimir Putin's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A head kick misses from Selivanov.
A lazy left from Selivanov finds it's target.
Selivanov scores with a jab.
Sloppy strikes from Putin. Those never looked like landing.
A jab from Selivanov does it's job there.
Selivanov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Putin's head backwards.
Selivanov lands a nice shot that snaps Putin's head back.
Putin with a poor takedown

so Selivanov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Putin can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Selivanov controls the pace.
Putin keeping full guard, as Selivanov tries to pass.
Selivanov controlling from the top position.
Selivanov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Selivanov tries to free his leg and advance position but Putin is retaining full guard.
Putin is trying to keep Selivanov in close.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Nikolai Selivanov.
A right-left combo lands from Selivanov.
Vladimir Putin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Putin lands a nice shot that snaps Selivanov's head back.
Putin has his takedown stuffed
and Selivanov counters with a stiff right hand.
A low kick from Putin misses

and Selivanov counters with a single leg into guard. Putin didn't expect that.
Selivanov stays in close to Putin's body and controls the position.
Selivanov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Putin is keeping the position for now.
Selivanov controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Nikolai Selivanov wasn't active enough on the ground.
Putin avoids the body shot from Selivanov.
Putin shoots and misses

so Selivanov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vladimir Putin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Selivanov is stalling in the full guard.
Putin wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Selivanov controlling from the top position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Nikolai Selivanov.
Putin on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Putin. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Putin misses with a takedown

and Selivanov counters with a single leg into guard. Putin didn't expect that.
Selivanov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Selivanov looking to pass the guard.
Putin wants to sweep here but Selivanov controlling him for the moment.

Putin is looking for a triangle but Selivanov pushes his legs off easily.
Selivanov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Selivanov looking to pass the guard.
Selivanov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Putin can't keep his opponent in guard - Selivanov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Selivanov is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Putin tries to roll over but Selivanov keeps him under control.
Selivanov slows the pace down in half guard.
Putin regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Putin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Nikolai Selivanov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Selivanov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Nikolai Selivanov hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
A head kick misses from Selivanov.
Putin falls off balance throwing a combination
and Putin takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Putin takes one to the chin there.
Selivanov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Selivanov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Putin shoots and misses
and Selivanov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Danga de danga de dang - Selivanov scores with a four punch combination!
Selivanov lands a jab to Putin's midsection.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Selivanov lands a two punch combo.

Putin gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Selivanov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Putin is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Selivanov sitting in guard here, content to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Selivanov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Vladimir Putin's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Selivanov swinging wildly here.
Selivanov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Putin stalks Selivanov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Selivanov's face. Selivanov staggers backwards, shaken.
Putin misses with a shot to the body

and Selivanov counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Putin!
Selivanov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Selivanov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Putin taking shots to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Selivanov takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Putin tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Selivanov looking to control and managing it successfully.
Selivanov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Selivanov trying to control but Putin is having none of it.
Selivanov landing strikes from the mount.
Putin tries to reverse the position but Selivanov maintains control.
Selivanov content just to control the position here.
Selivanov tries to control but Putin wriggling away.
Putin tries to lock up and control but Selivanov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Putin tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Selivanov content just to control the position here.
Putin is trying desperately to improve position.
Selivanov controlling his opponent.
Selivanov lands a heavy elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Putin wants to hold on but Selivanov pushes him away.
Selivanov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Putin. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Selivanov controlling from mount.
Putin is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Selivanov wants to finish this one by submission but Putin is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Selivanov.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Putin is working to get back to half guard.
Putin is working hard here to advance position.
Selivanov looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Putin is looking to improve his position but Selivanov isn't that keen on the idea.
Selivanov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Putin is trying to escape the mount.
Vladimir Putin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Selivanov controlling his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolai Selivanov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Selivanov 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight for Nikolai Selivanov!
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight for Nikolai Selivanov!
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight for Nikolai Selivanov!

Nikolai Selivanov wins by unanimous decision!