PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sergey Kharitonov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kyle LeBlanc (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.

Kharitonov
vs
LeBlanc

180 cm
25
280 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

194 cm
24
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Bloodsport Nutrition

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sergey Kharitonov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kyle LeBlanc!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Konstantin Menshow and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
LeBlanc throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Kharitonov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
LeBlanc misses with a left hand
and Kharitonov counters with a lovely straight right hand!

It looks like Kyle LeBlanc has been cut.

Kharitonov rushes LeBlanc and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Kharitonov gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kharitonov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed LeBlanc's head.
LeBlanc is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kharitonov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kharitonov drops an elbow to the side of LeBlanc's head.
Kharitonov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Kharitonov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Kharitonov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kharitonov is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for LeBlanc!
Kharitonov avoids the attempt from LeBlanc to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kharitonov misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Kharitonov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
LeBlanc tries to lock up and control but Kharitonov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Kharitonov controlling the pace for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kharitonov thowing shots but they're missing.
LeBlanc should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Kharitonov thowing shots but they're missing.
Kharitonov lands a nice shot to the head.
Kharitonov controlling the position easily from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kharitonov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Kharitonov with a couple of short strikes.
LeBlanc taking shots to the head.
Kharitonov postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. LeBlanc looks a forlorn figure.
Kharitonov raining down hammerfists from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kharitonov lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

Kharitonov moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, LeBlanc has worked his arm free - good work by LeBlanc!
LeBlanc looks gassed!
Kharitonov scores with punches from side control.
LeBlanc gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kharitonov takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Kharitonov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergey Kharitonov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kyle LeBlanc's cut.
That's time! Kharitonov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kharitonov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but LeBlanc avoids it really well and circles away.
LeBlanc misses with a lunging right hand

and Kharitonov counters by clinching up.
LeBlanc gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kharitonov.

LeBlanc has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Kharitonov uses from the top position.

LeBlanc throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Kharitonov escapes and throws LeBlanc's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Kharitonov in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Kharitonov misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LeBlanc taking a bit of punishment here - Kharitonov scoring with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The ground and pound from Kharitonov seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Kharitonov trying to control the position but LeBlanc is working away.
Kharitonov controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kharitonov wants to control but LeBlanc is keeping him busy.
Kharitonov has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for LeBlanc!
LeBlanc can't escape the position.
Kharitonov controlling his opponent.
LeBlanc taking shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
LeBlanc is looking to improve his position but Kharitonov isn't that keen on the idea.
Kharitonov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Kharitonov controlling the position easily from mount.
LeBlanc is squirming around, avoiding Kharitonov's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The referee warns LeBlanc that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Kharitonov fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Kharitonov misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Kharitonov controlling from the full mount.
Kharitonov in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergey Kharitonov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Kyle LeBlanc's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Some wild striking there from LeBlanc.
Kharitonov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? LeBlanc is fending him off so far but Kharitonov persists. Nope, LeBlanc circles away and we're back to standing.
Kyle LeBlanc seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kharitonov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Kharitonov controls the position.
Kharitonov tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
LeBlanc can't do much from the bottom here.
Kharitonov misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LeBlanc trying to remain calm as Kharitonov controls from the top position.
Kharitonov is looking to take a break and control but LeBlanc is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kharitonov creates some space and throws a big elbow, but LeBlanc sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Kharitonov wants to control but LeBlanc is keeping him busy.
Kharitonov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that LeBlanc can do to turn this around?
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Kharitonov just content to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
LeBlanc sneaks back into half guard.
Kharitonov tries to stand and escape but LeBlanc is controlling the position.
Kharitonov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but LeBlanc does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Sergey Kharitonov wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Kharitonov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. LeBlanc looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
LeBlanc wants to control but Kharitonov postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An elbow from Kharitonov crashes against the mat.
LeBlanc wants to get back to his feet.
Sloppy strikes there by Kharitonov.
LeBlanc tries to buck Kharitonov off but Kharitonov is having none of it.
Sloppy strikes there by Kharitonov.
Kharitonov is working LeBlanc over with some ground and pound from side control.
Kharitonov cracks LeBlanc with an elbow. That is naaassty.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kharitonov lands a decent elbow from side control.
Kharitonov tries to score with some ground and pound. LeBlanc controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Kyle LeBlanc has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Kharitonov stands up and beckons LeBlanc to his feet.
LeBlanc throws a body punch but Kharitonov moves out of range.
LeBlanc misses with a lunging right hand

and Kharitonov counters with a takedown into side control.
Kharitonov looking to punish the body of his opponent here but LeBlanc is avoiding damage well.
LeBlanc on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
LeBlanc is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Sergey Kharitonov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kharitonov is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt LeBlanc will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sergey Kharitonov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kharitonov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 30:26
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:26
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sergey Kharitonov!