PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Green (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolay Baskov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Baskov has chosen Nikolay Baskov - You are far from me as his entrance music. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Nikolay Baskov was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Green
vs
Baskov

215 cm
29
260 lbs
14 - 11 - 0

189 cm
24
249 lbs
7 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 14 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, James Green!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Nikolay Baskov!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Chris Edwards and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Green scores with a nice right hand.
Green misses with a hook

and Baskov counters with a single leg into guard. Green didn't expect that.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Green has a closed guard, preventing Baskov from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Green 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.
Baskov looking to pass the guard.
Baskov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Green is proving hard to escape from.
Green looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Baskov wanted to stand there but Green had control of the position.
Green wants to improve his position but instead Baskov has moved into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Green manages to get to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Green preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Baskov won't allow Green to sweep him here.
Baskov looking to pass the guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Baskov won't allow Green to sweep him here.
Green bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Baskov's guard.

Baskov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Green is aware though and is defending well.

Baskov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Green can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Baskov looking to control.
Green stopping the sweep attempt from Baskov.

Baskov is looking for a triangle but Green pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Green not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Green trying to control but Baskov is working from the bottom.
Baskov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Green wants to pass the guard but Baskov is keeping the position.
Green slips nicely into half guard.
Green looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Baskov wants to get back to his feet.
Green is trying to control the action in half guard but Baskov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Baskov actively working from the bottom here.
Baskov is refusing to be controlled, as Green sits in half guard.
Green is really struggling to control Baskov but he's trying to hold on to the position.

Green stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Green misses with a looping right.
Nikolay Baskov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Green throws an overhand right that lands on Baskov's shoulder, as Baskov tries to avoid the shot.
Baskov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Green at a distance.
Green wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baskov misses with a jab to the body
and Green counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Baskov misses with a combination
and Green counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Baskov throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Baskov has a takedown stuffed.
Baskov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Green throws out the jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Baskov looks to land a combination but Green avoids it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Nikolay Baskov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Baskov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Green tries to avoid it but Baskov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Green to the ground. Green escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Baskov dodges the punch combination from Green.
Nikolay Baskov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A big left from Green misses.
Baskov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Green checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Baskov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Baskov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Green manages to avoid it.
Green tries to clinch up but Baskov circles away and keeps his distance.
Baskov tries to clinch there but Green circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Green shoots for a double leg takedown but Baskov sprawls well. He's pushed Green's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A swing and a miss from Baskov.
Green checks a leg kick nicely.
Green throws out a loose jab but Baskov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Baskov ducks under a wild hook from Green.
Green throws a leg kick
and Baskov counters with a big head kick but Green shrugs it off.
Baskov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baskov lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Baskov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Green sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Baskov somewhat.
Baskov fails to land the takedown.
James Green has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nikolay Baskov.
Left hook, right uppercut from Baskov.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Baskov fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Green fails to land with a series of punches.
Baskov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nikolay Baskov seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Green gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Baskov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Baskov won't allow Green to sweep him here.
Green has a closed guard, preventing Baskov from standing up.
Baskov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Green gets back to half guard.
Green wants to get back to full guard.
Green is working hard here to advance position.

Baskov seems to be working for a kimura but Green defends the submission attempt.
Baskov passes to side control.
Nikolay Baskov has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Baskov has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Green shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolay Baskov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Green's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Green scores with a crisp jab that stopped Baskov in his tracks.
Baskov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Green circles away.
Baskov is looking to clinch but Green is avoiding it.
Baskov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Baskov lands with a straight right. Green didn't see that one coming.
Green throws the left hand but Baskov avoids the punch easily.
Green avoids the body shot from Baskov.
Baskov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Green tries to avoid it but Baskov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Green to the ground. Green escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Green scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Green tries to close the distance and clinch but Baskov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Baskov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Baskov does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Baskov looks to land a right hand but Green moved out of range.
Baskov swings away with a body shot that misses
letting Green counter with a right hand.
Green blocks a jab.
Green slaps away a takedown attempt from Baskov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
James Green has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nikolay Baskov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baskov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Baskov is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Green rather than just go for the knockout.
Baskov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Baskov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Baskov enables Green to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Baskov manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Green wants to control from the top but Baskov keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Baskov looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Green has picked Baskov up and slammed him! Baskov can't keep hold of the triangle and Green manages to pass to side control!
Baskov is looking to reverse the position.

Green looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Green is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Baskov has escaped the position, nice work there.
Baskov gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Green looking to control but Baskov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Green controlling from the full mount.
Baskov sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baskov wants to get back to his feet.
Green will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Green tries to pass to full mount but Baskov defends it.
Green prevents Baskov from improving his position.
Green trying to mount his opponent but Baskov defends it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Green is keen to just control but Baskov is a slippery customer.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Green works his foot free and advances to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Green is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Baskov has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Baskov!

And that's the end of the fight!
James Green showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Baskov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight as a draw!
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight for Nikolay Baskov!
Judge James Atkins scores the fight for Nikolay Baskov!

Nikolay Baskov wins by majority decision!