PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pyotr Alexeyevich Romanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Emmanuel Baptiste (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alexeyevich Romanov's entrance music is Paint it black. A fine choice. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Alexeyevich Romanov
vs
Baptiste

186 cm
28
203 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

185 cm
27
195 lbs
14 - 8 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pyotr Alexeyevich Romanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Emmanuel Baptiste!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Konstantin Menshow and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alexeyevich Romanov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Baptiste to counter with a crisp jab.
Baptiste swinging wildly here.
Alexeyevich Romanov misses with a takedown
and Baptiste counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Alexeyevich Romanov thinking.
Alexeyevich Romanov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Baptiste counters with a good low kick that Alexeyevich Romanov was not able to check.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pyotr Alexeyevich Romanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Baptiste throws a jab but it's blocked by Alexeyevich Romanov.
Baptiste swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Alexeyevich Romanov avoids the body shot from Baptiste.
Baptiste is trying hard to land a takedown here. Alexeyevich Romanov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Baptiste gets a takedown into half guard.
Baptiste is looking to advance position but Alexeyevich Romanov won't allow it.
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.

Baptiste is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Alexeyevich Romanov is just riding it out for now. Baptiste eventually gives up the hold.
Baptiste is nestled in close to Alexeyevich Romanov, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Alexeyevich Romanov is defending against the submission attempts here by Baptiste.
Alexeyevich Romanov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Baptiste.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Baptiste thows a huge punch but Alexeyevich Romanov dodges it nicely.
Baptiste seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Alexeyevich Romanov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Baptiste throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Baptiste is thwarting Alexeyevich Romanov's attempts to control the position.

Alexeyevich Romanov is defending against the submission attempts here by Baptiste.

Baptiste seems to be working for a kimura but Alexeyevich Romanov defends the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baptiste trying to control the action but Alexeyevich Romanov is working from the bottom.
Baptiste throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Baptiste is looking for a kimura but Alexeyevich Romanov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Baptiste to get the leverage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Baptiste not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Alexeyevich Romanov keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Baptiste content to control rather than advance.
Alexeyevich Romanov is staying active underneath Baptiste, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Alexeyevich Romanov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Baptiste drops an elbow to the side of Alexeyevich Romanov's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emmanuel Baptiste dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Alexeyevich Romanov looks to clinch
and Baptiste counters with a three punch combo that has Alexeyevich Romanov backing up. Alexeyevich Romanov nods at Baptiste to acknowledge the strikes.
Alexeyevich Romanov tries to move into range but Baptiste moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Alexeyevich Romanov misses with a takedown attempt
and Alexeyevich Romanov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Alexeyevich Romanov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Baptiste counters with a thumping low kick.
Alexeyevich Romanov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Baptiste counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pyotr Alexeyevich Romanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alexeyevich Romanov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Alexeyevich Romanov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Baptiste counters with a nice uppercut.
Alexeyevich Romanov tries for a takedown but Baptiste circles away easily
and Baptiste counters with a series of strikes. Alexeyevich Romanov will be more careful next time no doubt.

Alexeyevich Romanov gets caught flat footed, as Baptiste shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Baptiste wants to pass the guard but Alexeyevich Romanov is keeping the position.
Baptiste showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baptiste postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Baptiste lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Baptiste postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Alexeyevich Romanov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Baptiste controls the pace.
Baptiste with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Alexeyevich Romanov keeping moving, preventing Baptiste from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexeyevich Romanov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Baptiste tries to free his leg and advance position but Alexeyevich Romanov is retaining full guard.
Baptiste trying to control the position from guard on top but Alexeyevich Romanov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Baptiste thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Baptiste pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Alexeyevich Romanov is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baptiste throws a strike but Alexeyevich Romanov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Baptiste controls Alexeyevich Romanov momentarily but Alexeyevich Romanov frees himself.

Baptiste looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Baptiste looking to hit a scissor sweep but Alexeyevich Romanov is one step ahead there.
Alexeyevich Romanov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Alexeyevich Romanov throws a strike but Baptiste rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

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

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

Emmanuel Baptiste showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

A head kick misses from Baptiste.
Alexeyevich Romanov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Baptiste counters with a nice body shot.
Alexeyevich Romanov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Baptiste counters with a straight right hand.
Alexeyevich Romanov with a lazy takedown attempt

and Baptiste counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Alexeyevich Romanov!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pyotr Alexeyevich Romanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Alexeyevich Romanov is squirming around, avoiding Baptiste's attempts to control the action.
Baptiste is landing with some decent strikes but Alexeyevich Romanov is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Baptiste looking to ground and pound but Alexeyevich Romanov is blocking nicely.
Baptiste throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Baptiste can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Alexeyevich Romanov is looking to escape.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Baptiste working for a guillotine from mount but Alexeyevich Romanov is in no mood to give up.
Baptiste tries to control but Alexeyevich Romanov wriggling away.
Baptiste is trying to control here but Alexeyevich Romanov has managed to regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Baptiste seems to be working for a kimura but Alexeyevich Romanov defends the submission attempt.
Alexeyevich Romanov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Baptiste passes to full mount!
Alexeyevich Romanov wants to control but Baptiste is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baptiste lands a big shot there that rocks Alexeyevich Romanov but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Baptiste unloading with bombs!
Baptiste pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Pyotr Alexeyevich Romanov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alexeyevich Romanov tries to reverse the position but Baptiste maintains control.
Alexeyevich Romanov in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

Baptiste looking to secure an arm triangle but Alexeyevich Romanov defends it well.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baptiste landing punches.
Emmanuel Baptiste is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Baptiste tries to control but Alexeyevich Romanov wriggling away.

Baptiste working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Baptiste is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Alexeyevich Romanov has managed to escape the submission attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Emmanuel Baptiste comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Baptiste 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Emmanuel Baptiste!