PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Marijo Palavra (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anton Kardanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kardanov has chosen Riders on the storm as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Palavra
vs
Kardanov

170 cm
19
140 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

172 cm
19
144 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Self confident

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Kobra Clothing Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Marijo Palavra!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Anton Kardanov!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Aleksandr Martynov and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Palavra with a poor takedown

and Kardanov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Kardanov throws a strike but Palavra rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Kardanov is trying to control the position but Palavra postures up.
Palavra working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Palavra wants to control from the top but Kardanov keeps moving.
Kardanov trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Palavra wants to control from the top but Kardanov keeps moving.
Kardanov wants to sweep here but Palavra controlling him for the moment.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kardanov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kardanov keeping moving, preventing Palavra from controlling successfully.
Kardanov working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palavra throws a big right hand that misses.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Kardanov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Palavra sprawls well initially but Kardanov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Palavra has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kardanov is working away from the top position though.
Palavra blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kardanov.

Palavra pushes Kardanov off and gets back to his feet.

Kardanov closes the distance and pushes Palavra back into the cage.
Kardanov is working for takedown but Palavra is calmly controlling the position for now.
Palavra drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Palavra drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Kardanov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marijo Palavra. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Palavra wants a takedown but no success here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kardanov gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Kardanov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kardanov throws a strike but Palavra rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Palavra postures up.
Palavra controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Palavra postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kardanov controlling Palavra's posture.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Palavra is working Kardanov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palavra trying to control but Kardanov is working from the bottom.
Kardanov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Palavra is one step ahead there.
Kardanov pulls Palavra in close to prevent any damage.
Kardanov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Palavra. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Palavra keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kardanov's head.
Kardanov trying to keep a closed guard but Palavra is proving a slippery customer.
Kardanov keeping moving, preventing Palavra from controlling successfully.
Palavra won't allow Kardanov to sweep him here.
Palavra with a flurry of punches that miss.

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.
Kardanov keeping moving, preventing Palavra from controlling successfully.
Palavra stopping the sweep attempt from Kardanov.
Kardanov has momentary wrist control but Palavra slips an elbow through the middle.
Palavra has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Palavra drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kardanov dives on top into guard.
Palavra looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kardanov is one step ahead there.

Palavra kicks Kardanov off and gets to his feet.
Palavra has his takedown stuffed

so Kardanov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Kardanov dominated that round.
That's time! Palavra's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Palavra misses with a takedown

and Kardanov counters with a shoot takedown. Palavra fights it but they end up in guard.
Kardanov trying to control the position from guard on top but Palavra is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Palavra wants to sweep here but Kardanov controlling him for the moment.
Kardanov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Palavra is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kardanov is aware though and is defending well.
Palavra avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Palavra manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Kardanov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Palavra gets underhooks to prevent Kardanov's takedown attempt.

Kardanov turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Kardanov landing strikes.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kardanov is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Palavra knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Kardanov is looking to take a break and control but Palavra is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kardanov in the domination position with Palavra hanging on.
Kardanov is trying to ground and pound but Palavra uses the momentary lack of control by Kardanov to regain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kardanov is trying to control. Palavra wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Palavra is trying to control but can't.
Palavra is trying to get back to full guard.
Kardanov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Palavra's head.
Kardanov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Palavra keeps working.
Palavra moves into full guard.
Kardanov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Palavra wants to stand but Kardanov is controlling the position.
Kardanov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Palavra working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kardanov.
Kardanov connects with a couple of short punches.
Kardanov trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Palavra manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Palavra is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Palavra in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Palavra works over Kardanov with some ground and pound from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Palavra with a flurry of punches that miss.
Palavra pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kardanov is keeping the position for now.
Kardanov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Palavra wants to pass the guard but Kardanov is keeping the position.
Palavra is looking to work some ground and pound but Kardanov has wrist control.
Palavra passes Kardanov's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Kardanov regains full guard. Nicely done.
Kardanov keeping moving, preventing Palavra from controlling successfully.
Palavra looking to pass the guard.
Palavra landing with the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anton Kardanov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Kardanov tries to clinch but Palavra moves out of range.
Palavra avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Kardanov darts in and clinches Palavra up against the cage.
Kardanov gets underhooks to prevent Palavra's takedown attempt.
Kardanov is pressed up against the cage. Palavra has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kardanov down to the mat. Kardanov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kardanov is looking to clinch but Palavra is avoiding it.
Palavra shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Kardanov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kardanov.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marijo Palavra. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kardanov is trying to trip Palavra. He has hold of a leg but Palavra is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Kardanov persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Kardanov throws a strike but Palavra rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Kardanov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Palavra trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Palavra stands up over Kardanov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palavra wants to control from the top but Kardanov keeps moving.
Palavra tries to free his leg and advance position but Kardanov is retaining full guard.
Anton Kardanov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Palavra postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Palavra drops back looking for a leg! Kardanov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kardanov manages to kick Palavra off! Palavra jumps back into Kardanov's guard.
Palavra stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kardanov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kardanov pulls Palavra in close to his closed guard and prevents Palavra from doing any damage or advancing position.

Palavra has gone for a leg lock! Kardanov slips out almost immediately though and dives into Palavra's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Kardanov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kardanov landing some decent shots from guard.
Kardanov throwing strikes from guard but Palavra blocks nicely.
Kardanov tries to free his leg and advance position but Palavra is retaining full guard.
Palavra controls Kardanov momentarily but Kardanov frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kardanov trying to control but Palavra is working from the bottom.
Palavra trying to control the position here.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Marijo Palavra just wasn't active enough.
Kardanov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Palavra closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kardanov circles away.
Kardanov tries to clinch but Palavra is having none of it.
Kardanov doesn't manage to clinch there - Palavra circles away.
Kardanov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Palavra manages to avoid it.
Palavra doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Kardanov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kardanov.

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.

Kardanov turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Kardanov manages to end up in side control.
Kardanov 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.

Kardanov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Palavra can't do much from the bottom here.
Palavra managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Kardanov.
Kardanov is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Palavra's shoulder. That is not cool.

Kardanov is trying to get an arm triangle but Palavra is defending well.
Marijo Palavra has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kardanov trying to control the action but Palavra is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anton Kardanov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kardanov 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anton Kardanov!