PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bob Marley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kostya Zhuravlev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zhuravlev has chosen Aria - Volja i Razum as his entrance music. Kostya Zhuravlev has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Marley
vs
Zhuravlev

190 cm
25
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

162 cm
25
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Solid 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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Bob Marley!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kostya Zhuravlev!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Illya Tyunina and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Zhuravlev manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Marley on his heels. He'll look to pass Marley's guard now, I'm sure.
Marley trying to keep a closed guard but Zhuravlev is proving a slippery customer.
Zhuravlev pushes down on Marley's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Marley is refusing to be controlled, as Zhuravlev sits in half guard.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Zhuravlev has eaten all the pies!
Zhuravlev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Marley is controlling Zhuravlev's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Zhuravlev lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Zhuravlev is looking for a kimura but Marley is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Zhuravlev to get the leverage.
Marley is trying to maintain the position but Zhuravlev is very close to passing his half guard.
Marley avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Zhuravlev.
Marley trying to control from the bottom.
Marley avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Zhuravlev.
Marley moves into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhuravlev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Marley is trying to keep Zhuravlev in close.
Marley is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The fighters are battling for position here. Zhuravlev manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Zhuravlev is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Marley is breathing heavily.
Zhuravlev sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Marley defending well though.
Zhuravlev throwing shots but Marley is blocking nicely.
Marley trying to hold on to Zhuravlev's head to control him but Zhuravlev postures up.
Zhuravlev thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Marley's head.

Zhuravlev is trying to work for a kimura but Marley is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Marley controlling the position for now.
Zhuravlev scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Zhuravlev is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Marley is defending against the submission attempts here by Zhuravlev.
Marley has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Zhuravlev is working away from the top position though.
Marley is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Zhuravlev there.
Zhuravlev winds up and cracks Marley with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Marley wants to get back to full guard.
Zhuravlev sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Marley defending well though.
Zhuravlev is looking to take a break and control but Marley is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Zhuravlev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Zhuravlev is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Marley tries to roll over but Zhuravlev keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhuravlev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Zhuravlev wants to work for an arm triangle but Marley is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Zhuravlev connects with a nice short shot to Marley's temple.
Nice strikes from Zhuravlev there.
Marley blocking the ground and pound attempt from Zhuravlev.
Ground and pound from Zhuravlev.
Marley tries to kick Zhuravlev off but Zhuravlev keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Zhuravlev looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Marley with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Zhuravlev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Zhuravlev wants to work for an arm triangle but Marley is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kostya Zhuravlev dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Zhuravlev looking to score a takedown here. Marley is defending well but Zhuravlev drives through and ends up in Marley's guard.
Zhuravlev postures up.
Zhuravlev sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Marley's guard.

Zhuravlev wants to work for an arm triangle but Marley is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Zhuravlev prevents Marley from standing back up.
Zhuravlev working the head and body with strikes.
Marley is looking for a sweep. Zhuravlev is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Zhuravlev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Zhuravlev throwing shots but Marley is blocking nicely.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Zhuravlev connects with a nice short shot to Marley's temple.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Zhuravlev takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Kostya Zhuravlev has got the better of the ground game so far.

Zhuravlev is working for a kimura but Marley is defending it quite comfortably.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhuravlev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Marley is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Zhuravlev has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Zhuravlev thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Marley blocking the ground and pound attempt from Zhuravlev.
Marley tries to get to full guard but Zhuravlev has control of the leg.
Marley is trying to stand up here but Zhuravlev is controlling him well.
Marley trying to control here.

Zhuravlev is working for a submission of some sort.

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.
Marley pushes Zhuravlev off looking to stand but Zhuravlev dives back in and keeps control.
Zhuravlev not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Marley is defending against the submission attempts here by Zhuravlev.
Marley is refusing to be controlled, as Zhuravlev sits in half guard.
Zhuravlev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Zhuravlev is trying to work for a kimura but Marley is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Zhuravlev is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Marley defends it well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Marley is pressing down on Zhuravlev's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Zhuravlev is looking to work some ground and pound but Marley has wrist control.
Zhuravlev throwing strikes from guard but Marley blocks nicely.
Marley is trying to control the position but Zhuravlev postures up.
Marley keeping full guard, as Zhuravlev tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Zhuravlev is looking to work some ground and pound but Marley has wrist control.
Marley looking to control.
Zhuravlev stops Marley from standing up.
Marley controls Zhuravlev momentarily but Zhuravlev frees himself.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Bob Marley just wasn't active enough.

Zhuravlev closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Zhuravlev lands in his opponent's guard.

Marley had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Zhuravlev defends it easily.
Marley wants to sweep but no luck.

Zhuravlev drops back looking for a leg! Marley is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Marley manages to kick Zhuravlev off! Zhuravlev jumps back into Marley's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kostya Zhuravlev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Marley's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Zhuravlev shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Marley's guard.

Zhuravlev drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Marley dives on top into guard.
Marley preventing the sweep.

Zhuravlev escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Marley gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Zhuravlev 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.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Zhuravlev has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Marley can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marley trying to control but Zhuravlev is working from the bottom.
Marley really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Zhuravlev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Zhuravlev keeping moving, preventing Marley from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Bob Marley.
Zhuravlev with a poor takedown

and Marley counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Zhuravlev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marley wants to stand up but Zhuravlev is controlling the position.
Zhuravlev is pressing down on Marley's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Marley will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Zhuravlev wants to sweep here but Marley controlling him for the moment.
Zhuravlev manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Marley manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zhuravlev is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Marley manages to get to full guard.
Zhuravlev won't allow Marley to sweep him here.
Zhuravlev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Zhuravlev drops back looking for a leg! Marley is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Marley manages to kick Zhuravlev off! Zhuravlev jumps back into Marley's guard.
Marley doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Bob Marley has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kostya Zhuravlev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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.
Zhuravlev works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Zhuravlev is thwarting Marley's attempts to control the position.
Zhuravlev looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Zhuravlev misses with a hook to the body

and Marley counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Zhuravlev is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bob Marley showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Zhuravlev 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 28:29
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kostya Zhuravlev!