PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Dana Black (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksandr Skerlik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Black's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Onward to Victory. Dana Black could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Aleksandr Skerlik's chin.

Black
vs
Skerlik

170 cm
19
150 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

175 cm
23
154 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Dangerous knees
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dana Black!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aleksandr Skerlik!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Aleksandr Martynov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Black tries for a takedown but Skerlik sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Skerlik tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Black paws at him with a jab and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Skerlik looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Skerlik clinches up with Black and pushes him back against the ropes.
Skerlik stalls.
A knee to the head by Skerlik.
Skerlik working Black over with knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Black fails to land.
Skerlik stalling against the ropes.
Skerlik connects with a nasty looking knee right to Black's face.
Black takes a knee to the side of the body.
Skerlik connects with a nasty looking knee right to Black's face.
Skerlik stalling.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Black.
Black looking for a takedown.
Black misses with a short punch on the inside.
Black doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Skerlik with a knee to the head.
Skerlik with a knee to the head.

It looks like Dana Black has been cut.
Skerlik has Black pushed against the ropes.
Black doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the ropes, as the pace of the fight slows.
Black misses with a punch on the inside.
Skerlik landing knees to the head.
Black takes a knee right on the jaw!
Skerlik with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Skerlik is looking to control Black's arms but Black gets an underhook and turns him. Now Skerlik has his back to the ropes.
Skerlik blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Black misses with a punch on the inside.
Skerlik landing knees to the head.
Black throws a head punch that misses.
Skerlik dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the ropes.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Skerlik.
Skerlik has Black pushed against the ropes.
Skerlik receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Skerlik blocks an uppercut.
Skerlik with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Skerlik holding his opponent close, against the ropes.
Black misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Aleksandr Skerlik.
Black looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Skerlik tries to clinch

and Black counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Black.
Skerlik using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Black has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Black has a couple of punches blocked by Skerlik.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Skerlik is pressed up against the ropes. Black has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Skerlik down to the mat. Skerlik avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dana Black. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Skerlik tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Black manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Skerlik is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Black has closed the distance and engaged Skerlik in a clinch.
Black misses with some punches.
Skerlik tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Black drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Skerlik tries a knee to the head but Black blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skerlik with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Black.
Skerlik with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Black throws a punch but it's blocked by Skerlik.
Skerlik landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Skerlik looks gassed!
Black tries to pull guard but Skerlik holds him up against the ropes and eventually Black drops back down to his feet.
Skerlik working Black over with knees to the body.
Skerlik scores a nice knee to the body.
Black doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Skerlik utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Skerlik is looking to control Black's arms but Black gets an underhook and turns him. Now Skerlik has his back to the ropes.
Black takes a knee right on the jaw!
Skerlik misses with a knee to the head.
Black misses with a short punch on the inside.
Skerlik misses with a knee to the head.
Skerlik is stalling here.
Skerlik looking to throw knees to the head but Black is blocking nicely.
Skerlik tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Black avoids it.
Black fails to pull guard.
Black swings wildly with an uppercut but Skerlik uses good head movement to avoid it.
Skerlik tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Black avoids it.
Black has a couple of punches blocked by Skerlik.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Black misses with a short punch on the inside.
Black misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Skerlik.
Skerlik blocking some punches.
Skerlik with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Skerlik lands a knee to the head.
Black misses with the head strike.
Black misses with a punch on the inside.
Skerlik is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Black working aggressively here.
Black changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Skerlik fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Black looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Black clinches with his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandr Skerlik dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dana Black'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.

Skerlik rushes Black and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Black misses with a short punch on the inside.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Black swings wildly with an uppercut but Skerlik uses good head movement to avoid it.
Black takes a knee right on the jaw!
A bit of stalling here from Skerlik.
Skerlik lands an elbow just above Black 's eye.
Skerlik crunches a lovely knee into Black's ribcage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Skerlik is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Black is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Skerlik pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Skerlik lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A head punch on the inside from Black fails to land.
Black is looking to control Skerlik's arms but Skerlik gets an underhook and turns him. Now Black has his back to the ropes.
Skerlik will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Black up against the ropes.
Skerlik unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Skerlik with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Black fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Skerlik using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Skerlik connects with a knee to the head.
Skerlik landing knees to the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Skerlik blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Black fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Black fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Black misses with a punch on the inside.
Black tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Skerlik just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Black takes a knee right on the jaw!
A nice right hand lands inside from Black.
Black misses with a hook from the clinch.
Skerlik lands a nice elbow.
Skerlik blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Skerlik landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Skerlik throws a knee to the head but misses.
Black throws a punch but it's blocked by Skerlik.
Skerlik gets underhooks to prevent Black's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dana Black. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Come on Skerlik - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Black tries to pull guard but Skerlik holds him up against the ropes and eventually Black drops back down to his feet.
Black misses with some punches.
Black misses with the head strike.
Black fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Skerlik lands a knee to the head.
Skerlik lands a knee to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Black fails to land.
Skerlik blocking some punches.
Skerlik landing knees to the head.
Skerlik throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Black blocks it with crossed arms.
Black wants to get back to striking at distance but Skerlik won't allow it.

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.
Black takes a knee right on the jaw!
Skerlik tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Black avoids it.
Skerlik blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Black blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Black throws a punch but it's blocked by Skerlik.
Black tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Skerlik just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Skerlik is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Black tries to pull guard but Skerlik won't allow it.
Skerlik is struggling to control the position.
Black tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Skerlik smiles and moves away.
Black stalks Skerlik and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Skerlik's face. Skerlik staggers backwards, shaken.

Skerlik closes the distance and clinches.
Skerlik is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Black is keeping busy.
Black trying to stall but Skerlik improves his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skerlik connects with a nasty looking knee right to Black's face.
Black takes a knee to the side of the body.
Skerlik looking to throw knees to the head but Black is blocking nicely.
Black misses with the head strike.
Black doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Skerlik blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Black takes an elbow to the forehead.
Skerlik taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
A knee to the head by Skerlik.
Black tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Skerlik misses with a knee to the head.
Black lands a right hand that snaps the head of Skerlik backwards.
Black swings wildly with an uppercut but Skerlik uses good head movement to avoid it.
Skerlik blocks an uppercut.
Black throws a head punch that misses.
Skerlik utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Black can't get the takedown.
Skerlik tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Black avoids it.
Skerlik is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Skerlik is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Black wants a takedown but no success here.

That's four 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.
Skerlik tries to land a knee to the head but Black blocks with his arms.
Skerlik utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Black lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Black trying to control the position but instead, Skerlik has worked for underhooks and has pushed Black into the ropes.
Skerlik blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Skerlik utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Skerlik slows down the pace here.
Aleksandr Skerlik seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Black looking to slow down the pace here.
A head punch on the inside from Black fails to land.
Black fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Black throws a head punch that misses.
Skerlik connects with a nasty looking knee right to Black's face.
Black takes a knee right on the jaw!
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Black as Skerlik tries to tie him up.
Black blocks an elbow strike from Skerlik.
Black swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Skerlik prevents Black from breaking the clinch.
Skerlik tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandr Skerlik showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Dana Black's cut.
That's time! Black's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Black scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Skerlik wants to clinch.
Skerlik moves in looking to clinch but Black pushes him off.
Black tries to score a power double leg takedown but Skerlik sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Black somewhat.

Skerlik closes the distance and clinches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Skerlik.
Skerlik throws a knee to the head but misses.
Skerlik lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Black takes an elbow to the forehead.
Skerlik effectively controlling the action here.
Skerlik misses with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Skerlik.
Skerlik with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Black is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Black throws a punch but it's blocked by Skerlik.
Black swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Skerlik missing with knees to the body.
Skerlik misses with a knee to the head.
Black fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Skerlik keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Black's efforts to push away.
Black has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A head punch on the inside from Black fails to land.
Black misses with the head strike.
Skerlik holding his opponent close, against the ropes.
Skerlik blocking some punches.
Skerlik throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Black blocks it with crossed arms.
Black misses with a hook from the clinch.
Skerlik throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Black blocks it with crossed arms.

That's two 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.
Skerlik blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Black swings away with an uppercut that misses.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Skerlik throws an elbow but misses.
Skerlik blocking some punches.
Black fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Black.
Skerlik utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Skerlik throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Black blocks it with crossed arms.
Black wants a takedown but no success here.
Black throws a punch but it's blocked by Skerlik.
Black tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Skerlik lands a knee to the head.
Black is trying to force a seperation but Skerlik has the dominant position.
Skerlik tries a knee to the head but Black blocks it.
Black tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Black stalling in the clinch but Skerlik improves position.
Skerlik trying to control the position but instead, Black has worked for underhooks and has pushed Skerlik into the ropes.
Skerlik throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Black blocks it with crossed arms.
Black wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dana Black. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Skerlik prevents Black from breaking the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Skerlik using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Black tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Skerlik smiles and moves away.
Skerlik tries to clinch there but Black circles away.
Aleksandr Skerlik seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The fight stays on the outside here - Skerlik looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Skerlik is looking to clinch but Black is avoiding it.
Dana Black has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A combination from Black does no damage.

Skerlik forces Black back against the ropes and clinches.

That's four 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.
Skerlik putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Black in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Skerlik is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Black misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Skerlik.
Skerlik is stalling here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Black.
Skerlik connects with a knee to the head.
Skerlik with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Black misses with a short punch on the inside.
Black misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Skerlik.
Black fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Black wants to stall.
Skerlik slowing the pace effectively.
Black blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Skerlik gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Black.
Skerlik landing knees to the head.
Aleksandr Skerlik is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Skerlik blocking some punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aleksandr Skerlik comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Skerlik winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aleksandr Skerlik!