PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jorik Vartanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lokomitch Ratslavo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ratslavo is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Slayer - Bloodline. Lokomitch Ratslavo has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Jorik Vartanov's chin.

Vartanov
vs
Ratslavo

190 cm
26
265 lbs
7 - 8 - 0

191 cm
26
245 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jorik Vartanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Lokomitch Ratslavo!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ratslavo is looking to clinch.
Ratslavo looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Vartanov misses with a double jab.
Ratslavo doesn't manage to clinch there - Vartanov circles away.
Ratslavo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Vartanov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Vartanov is looking to clinch.

Ratslavo darts in and clinches Vartanov up against the cage.
Vartanov wants to get back to striking at distance but Ratslavo won't allow it.
Vartanov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Vartanov controlling the action here for a moment.

Ratslavo manages to break the clinch.
Vartanov lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Vartanov shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A head kick misses from Vartanov.
Vartanov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ratslavo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Vartanov forces Ratslavo back against the cage and clinches.

Ratslavo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
An inside leg kick from Vartanov misses.
Ratslavo cracks Vartanov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Jorik Vartanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jab by Vartanov.
Vartanov circles away from the clinch attempt.

Ratslavo moves into range and clinches up with Vartanov.

Ratslavo breaks from the clinch.
Ratslavo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Vartanov.
Vartanov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Ratslavo lunges at Vartanov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Vartanov's hand.
Ratslavo lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vartanov fails with a takedown attempt.
A combination from Ratslavo does no damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vartanov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Vartanov misses with a low kick as Ratslavo jumps back.
Vartanov doesn't manage to clinch there - Ratslavo circles away.
Nice shot by Ratslavo.
Ratslavo lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Vartanov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ratslavo lands a two punch combo.
Ratslavo scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Ratslavo works over Vartanov's head and body with a nice combination.
Ratslavo tries a head kick but it misses.
Vartanov wants to clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Vartanov misses with a two punch combination.
The fighters circling - Vartanov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ratslavo throws a series of strikes that have Vartanov backpedaling.
Vartanov tries to clinch but Ratslavo is having none of it.
Ratslavo is working the combinations to good effect here.
Ratslavo takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ratslavo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ratslavo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Vartanov fails to land with a series of punches.
Vartanov wants to clinch up but Ratslavo keeps it at a distance.
Ratslavo lands with an uppercut that bounces Vartanov off the cage and back into rage.
Vartanov fails with a takedown attempt.
Vartanov tries to close the distance and clinch but Ratslavo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ratslavo lands a really nice looking cross but Vartanov seems unphased.

Ratslavo rushes Vartanov and presses him up against the cage.
Ratslavo is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee is keeping an eye on Vartanov - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Vartanov can't break the clinch.

Ratslavo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Vartanov moves into the clinch.

Ratslavo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ratslavo tries to land a front kick but Vartanov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Vartanov wants to clinch.
Ratslavo lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Ratslavo.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ratslavo tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Vartanov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vartanov tries to clinch up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lokomitch Ratslavo dominated that round.
That's time! Vartanov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ratslavo closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Ratslavo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Vartanov.
Vartanov looks to land a combination but Ratslavo avoids it well.
Vartanov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ratslavo.

Ratslavo darts in and clinches Vartanov up against the cage.
Vartanov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ratslavo avoids it.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Ratslavo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Vartanov takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Ratslavo lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Ratslavo.
Lokomitch Ratslavo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ratslavo displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Vartanov throws a lazy right hand but Ratslavo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ratslavo throws a sloppy head kick and Vartanov moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vartanov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ratslavo lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Ratslavo looks to land a combination. Vartanov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Ratslavo throws a series of punches but Vartanov moves out of range.
Ratslavo throws a head kick that misses.
A right-left combo lands from Ratslavo.
Ratslavo tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Vartanov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ratslavo staying out of range there.
Ratslavo lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Vartanov backs up against the cage.
Ratslavo scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Ratslavo keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Vartanov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ratslavo fails in his attempt to clinch.
Vartanov looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Ratslavo tries to clinch up.
Vartanov wants to clinch up but Ratslavo keeps it at a distance.
Some wild striking there from Ratslavo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vartanov misses with a looping left.
Ratslavo lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
A slow jab from Vartanov misses its intended target.
Vartanov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Ratslavo checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Vartanov throws a series of punches but Ratslavo moves out of range.
Lokomitch Ratslavo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ratslavo keeps the fight on the outside.
Vartanov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Ratslavo clinches up with Vartanov and pushes him back against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ratslavo is trying to break free.
A frustrated look appears on Vartanov's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Vartanov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
No joy there for Vartanov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ratslavo scores with a jab. Vartanov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vartanov misses with a lunging right hand
and Ratslavo counters with a series of strikes. Vartanov will be more careful next time no doubt.
Vartanov misses with a low kick.
Ratslavo uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Vartanov.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Vartanov.

Ratslavo clinches with his opponent.
Vartanov wants to break free but Ratslavo has control.
Vartanov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ratslavo smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jorik Vartanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ratslavo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A nice combination there by Ratslavo.
Ratslavo misses with a double jab.
Ratslavo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ratslavo is looking to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Vartanov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ratslavo lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Vartanov backs up against the cage.
Vartanov tries to clinch there but Ratslavo circles away.
Vartanov misses with a low kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Vartanov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ratslavo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ratslavo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ratslavo swats away the attempt to clinch by Vartanov.
A left and a right from Ratslavo both land. Nice combination.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Vartanov moves into the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vartanov tries to break the clinch but Ratslavo is controlling the position.

Ratslavo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lokomitch Ratslavo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Ratslavo tries to clinch but Vartanov is having none of it.

Vartanov drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Vartanov wants to get up but he can't break Ratslavo's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Vartanov stands up from Ratslavo's guard - Vartanov perhaps looking for a knockout.
Vartanov is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Ratslavo.
Ratslavo looks to land a combination but Vartanov avoids it well.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Ratslavo lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Vartanov has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Vartanov and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ratslavo.

Vartanov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Vartanov tries to break the clinch but Ratslavo is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ratslavo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Vartanov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Ratslavo has managed to clinch.
Vartanov's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Vartanov jumps guard but Ratslavo stands there with Vartanov around his waist. Vartanov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Ratslavo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ratslavo keeps the fight on the outside.
Left hook, right uppercut from Ratslavo.
Ratslavo fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vartanov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ratslavo fails with an attempt to clinch.

Vartanov has closed the distance and engaged Ratslavo in a clinch.

Ratslavo manages to break the clinch.
Vartanov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
No joy there for Ratslavo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Vartanov forces Ratslavo back against the cage and clinches.
Ratslavo prevents the takedown attempt.

Ratslavo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ratslavo keeps the fight on the outside.
Vartanov lands an overhand right.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ratslavo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ratslavo tries to clinch up but Vartanov circles away and keeps his distance.
Vartanov is looking to clinch.
Vartanov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Vartanov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Vartanov clinches with his opponent.
Vartanov is trying to break free.
Lokomitch Ratslavo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Ratslavo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sloppy strikes from Ratslavo. Those never looked like landing.
Jorik Vartanov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jorik Vartanov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Vartanov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Ratslavo manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ratslavo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Ratslavo!
Vartanov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ratslavo.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ratslavo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ratslavo closes the distance and lands a one-two.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vartanov misses with a right hand
and Ratslavo counters with a left and a right that stings Vartanov.
Ratslavo takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Vartanov swats away the attempt to clinch by Ratslavo.
Vartanov misses with a takedown attempt - Ratslavo sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jorik Vartanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ratslavo misses with a two punch combination.
Ratslavo throws a head kick that misses.
Ratslavo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Vartanov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ratslavo keeps the fight on the outside.
Ratslavo lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Vartanov backs up against the cage.
Vartanov has a takedown stuffed.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vartanov tries to clinch up but Ratslavo circles away and keeps his distance.
Ratslavo tries to close the distance and clinch but Vartanov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vartanov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Vartanov misses with a head kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jorik Vartanov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ratslavo 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lokomitch Ratslavo!