PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rodney Vlad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ruslan Gaziziov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Vlad
vs
Gaziziov

225 cm
23
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
18
169 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rodney Vlad!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ruslan Gaziziov!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Dillan Fox and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vlad closes the distance but Gaziziov moves to the side
and Vlad takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Vlad scores with a head kick.

It looks like Ruslan Gaziziov has been cut.

Vlad gets the takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vlad tries to stand but Gaziziov is controlling his head.
Vlad content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Gaziziov holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
Gaziziov struggling a bit here.
Gaziziov avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Vlad.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vlad is looking to take a break and control but Gaziziov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Vlad decides to stand up, so the ref orders Gaziziov to his feet.
Gaziziov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Gaziziov with a poor takedown

and Vlad counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Gaziziov wants to control but Vlad is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vlad wants to pass to mount but Gaziziov is defending the position.

Gaziziov kicks Vlad off and gets back to his feet.

Vlad shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

Gaziziov defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Vlad.
Gaziziov tries to hold on but Vlad postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gaziziov is bucking up trying to escape but Vlad cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Gaziziov tries to control Vlad's body but Vlad pushes him off. Gaziziov squirms to his side and now Vlad has his back!

Gaziziov is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Vlad really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Gaziziov looking very determined here, making life difficult for Vlad.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vlad controlling from the back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gaziziov trying to control the hands but Vlad breaks the grip.
Vlad tries to keep control of the position but Gaziziov is staying busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodney Vlad dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ruslan Gaziziov's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Gaziziov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Gaziziov seems to be looking for submissions.

Gaziziov is trying to work for a kimura but Vlad is defending well.

Gaziziov is working for a submission of some sort.
Vlad trying to control but Gaziziov postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vlad wants to get back to his feet.
Vlad moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Gaziziov drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Vlad manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Gaziziov has Vlad in his guard.
Gaziziov is breathing heavily.

Vlad decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Gaziziov takes the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gaziziov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Vlad pulls Gaziziov into guard.
Vlad manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Vlad sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Vlad working Gaziziov over with strikes here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vlad working for a submission but Gaziziov is keeping him at bay.
Rodney Vlad overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Gaziziov in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Gaziziov tries to hold on but Vlad postures up.
Gaziziov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Vlad kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's four 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.
Vlad controlling from the full mount.
Gaziziov tries to hold on but Vlad postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodney Vlad dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ruslan Gaziziov's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. 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.

Gaziziov moves into range and clinches up with Vlad.

Vlad pulls Gaziziov into guard.
Gaziziov postures up.

Gaziziov drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Vlad dives on top into guard.
Vlad looking to pass the guard.
Vlad content to stall in guard here.
Vlad lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gaziziov controls Vlad momentarily but Vlad frees himself.
Vlad pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gaziziov is keeping the position for now.
Vlad trying to control but Gaziziov is working from the bottom.
Vlad is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Gaziziov is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

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.

Rodney Vlad has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Vlad gets caught flat footed, as Gaziziov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Gaziziov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Vlad wants to stand and escape but Gaziziov is having none of it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gaziziov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Gaziziov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Vlad tries to bench press Gaziziov off him but Gaziziov keeps the position.

Gaziziov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Vlad is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Gaziziov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vlad is trying to get back to his feet.

Gaziziov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Vlad can't do much from the bottom here.

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

That's four 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.
Gaziziov is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Vlad is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Ruslan Gaziziov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The referee warns Gaziziov that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Vlad cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Vlad controlling his opponent.
Vlad lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Rodney Vlad is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Rodney Vlad.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Vlad, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 30:27
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rodney Vlad!