PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Boris Pavlov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexey Durandin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Durandin has chosen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKLCQvQohGI as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Pavlov
vs
Durandin

185 cm
23
180 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

180 cm
21
190 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

Vandal Fight Boutique (prices $8 - $30)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Boris Pavlov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexey Durandin!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Valeri Chadov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pavlov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Durandin.
Boris Pavlov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Durandin shoots in looking for a takedown. Pavlov tries to sprawl out of it but Durandin keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Pavlov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Pavlov tries to clinch but Durandin is having none of it.
Pavlov tries to clinch but Durandin is having none of it.

Durandin looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Pavlov wants to sweep but no luck.
Durandin tries to free his leg and advance position but Pavlov is retaining full guard.
Pavlov controls Durandin momentarily but Durandin frees himself.
Pavlov is pulling down on Durandin's head. It's preventing any offense from Durandin, at least for the moment.
Pavlov 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.
Pavlov is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pavlov keeping moving, preventing Durandin from controlling successfully.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Pavlov is looking to clinch.
Pavlov tries to close the distance and clinch but Durandin swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Pavlov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Pavlov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Durandin has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Pavlov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Boris Pavlov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexey Durandin.
Pavlov throws an elbow that misses.
Pavlov struggles to land a body shot inside as Durandin controls his hands.
Pavlov lands a nice uppercut.
Durandin wants a takedown but no success here.
Pavlov throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pavlov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Durandin takes a shot to the head.
Pavlov wants to stall.
Pavlov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Pavlov can't find room to land a body shot as Durandin controls the action.
Durandin blocking some punches.
Pavlov throws a head punch that misses.
Pavlov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Pavlov lands with a light punch inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Durandin.
Pavlov taking a breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Durandin blocks the elbow strike.
Durandin tries to score a body lock takedown but Pavlov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Pavlov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Pavlov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Pavlov prevents the takedown attempt.
Durandin tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Pavlov smiles and moves away.
Pavlov wants to clinch.
Durandin shoots and misses

so Pavlov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Pavlov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Pavlov postures up and lands a big shot to Durandin's brow.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pavlov is looking to work some ground and pound but Durandin has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Durandin has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Pavlov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Durandin trying to control the position.
Pavlov postures up and lands a big shot to Durandin's brow.
Pavlov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Pavlov throws a big right hand that misses.
Pavlov postures up in Durandin's guard and throws a big left but Durandin blocks it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pavlov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Durandin not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Pavlov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boris Pavlov dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Pavlov doesn't manage to clinch there - Durandin circles away.
Durandin looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Pavlov is fending him off so far but Durandin persists. Nope, Pavlov circles away and we're back to standing.

Durandin gets a clinch.
Durandin has Pavlov pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Pavlov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Pavlov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Pavlov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Pavlov misses with a punch on the inside.
Pavlov tries to stall but Durandin uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Pavlov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Pavlov has Durandin pressed against the ropes, preventing Durandin from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Pavlov gets through Durandin's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Pavlov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Pavlov swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Durandin changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Pavlov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Boris Pavlov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexey Durandin.
Durandin moves away from the strike by Pavlov.
Pavlov doesn't manage to clinch there - Durandin circles away.
Durandin fails with a takedown attempt.
Pavlov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Pavlov instigates a clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Pavlov.
Durandin avoids the elbow strike from Pavlov, against the ropes.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Pavlov.
Pavlov can't find room to land a body shot as Durandin controls the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pavlov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Pavlov misses with a knee strike.
Durandin is trying to drag Pavlov to the mat but Pavlov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Pavlov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Pavlov misses with a punch on the inside.
Pavlov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Pavlov lands a right hand.
Durandin looking for a takedown.
Pavlov stalling.
Pavlov prevents a takedown attempt there.
Pavlov misses with the head strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Durandin drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Pavlov working aggressively here.
Pavlov lands a shot to the body.
Durandin tries to pull guard but Pavlov holds him up against the ropes and eventually Durandin drops back down to his feet.
Pavlov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Durandin backwards.
A right hook to the body lands for Pavlov.
Pavlov is pushing Durandin up against the ropes, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Pavlov struggles to land a body shot inside as Durandin controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Durandin is trying to break the clinch but Pavlov has him pressed against the ropes.
Pavlov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Pavlov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Durandin.
A head punch on the inside from Pavlov fails to land.
Pavlov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pavlov misses with the head strike.
Pavlov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Durandin.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Durandin on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Durandin drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boris Pavlov dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Durandin keeps the fight on the outside.
Durandin avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Boris Pavlov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Durandin gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Pavlov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Pavlov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Durandin is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Pavlov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Pavlov thows a huge punch but Durandin dodges it nicely.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Durandin on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Durandin is looking to control Pavlov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Durandin avoid being mounted?
Pavlov not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Durandin trying to control from the bottom.
Pavlov lands with a punch from half guard.
Durandin wants to control but Pavlov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Pavlov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Nice strikes from Pavlov there.
Pavlov winds up and cracks Durandin with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Durandin avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Pavlov.
Pavlov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Durandin can do to turn this around?
Pavlov working Durandin over with strikes.
Durandin taking some punishment here, with Pavlov in his half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pavlov lands with a punch from half guard.
Pavlov lands with a punch from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pavlov looks to land a strike but Durandin avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Durandin working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Pavlov.
Pavlov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Pavlov cracks Durandin with a solid left hand.
Pavlov with a nice head shot there.
Pavlov working some strikes from top position.
Pavlov throws a strike but Durandin rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Pavlov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Durandin trying to control the position from guard on top but Pavlov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Durandin postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Durandin won't allow Pavlov to sweep him here.
Pavlov is pulling down on Durandin's head to control his posture.
Pavlov working a defensive guard here.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Durandin fails with the takedown

and Pavlov counters by clinching up.
Pavlov looking to throw knees to the head but Durandin is blocking nicely.
Pavlov missing with knees to the body.
Boris Pavlov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Durandin tries for a takedown but Pavlov manages to get underhooks.
Boris Pavlov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexey Durandin.
Pavlov gets underhooks to prevent Durandin's takedown attempt.
Pavlov swings wildly with an uppercut but Durandin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Pavlov gets through Durandin's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pavlov scores with a shot to the side of Durandin's head.
Pavlov lands with a short shot to the head.
Durandin is trying to drag Pavlov to the mat but Pavlov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Pavlov lands a nice shot to the body.
Durandin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Pavlov misses with a punch to the body.
Durandin tries to pull guard but Pavlov won't allow it.
Pavlov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Durandin is defending well for now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stalling in the clinch from Pavlov.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Pavlov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Durandin blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boris Pavlov clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Durandin takes a swing at Pavlov's ribcage but misses.
Pavlov doesn't manage to clinch there - Durandin circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Pavlov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Durandin circles away from the clinch attempt
and Pavlov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Durandin swats away the attempt to clinch by Pavlov.

Pavlov takes the fight into the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Pavlov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Durandin backwards.
Durandin blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pavlov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Pavlov slowing the pace effectively.
Durandin drops down looking for an ankle pick but Pavlov pulls his leg out and moves away.
Pavlov tries to clinch up but Durandin circles away and keeps his distance.
Pavlov wants to clinch.
Durandin keeps the fight on the outside.
Pavlov tries to close the distance and clinch but Durandin swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Pavlov looks to clinch

and Durandin counters with a shoot takedown. Pavlov fights it but they end up in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Durandin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Durandin postures up.
Durandin trying to control the position from guard on top but Pavlov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pavlov is adopting a defensive guard.
Pavlov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

We're going to have a standup here because Boris Pavlov wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Pavlov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Pavlov showed some decent athleticism there.
Pavlov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Durandin on the ground.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Durandin is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Pavlov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Pavlov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Pavlov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Durandin keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Pavlov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Boris Pavlov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Pavlov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Pavlov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Durandin's head.
Durandin has hold of Pavlov's hands but Pavlov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Pavlov thows a huge punch but Durandin dodges it nicely.
Pavlov lands with a punch from half guard.
Durandin regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Pavlov.
Pavlov scoring with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pavlov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Pavlov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Pavlov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Pavlov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Pavlov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Pavlov throws a strike but Durandin rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Durandin is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pavlov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Boris Pavlov had his way with Alexey Durandin in that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Pavlov tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Durandin counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Pavlov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Pavlov keeping full guard, as Durandin tries to pass.
Pavlov pulls Durandin in close to prevent any damage.
Pavlov throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Durandin is fighting to break Pavlov's control of his arms but Pavlov is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Durandin is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.
Pavlov has Durandin pulled in close to control his posture.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Pavlov manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pavlov misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Durandin manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Pavlov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Durandin's head.
Durandin blocking the ground and pound attempt from Pavlov.
Pavlov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Pavlov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Pavlov looks to land a strike but Durandin avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Pavlov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pavlov throwing strikes from guard but Durandin blocks nicely.
Pavlov throwing strikes from guard but Durandin blocks nicely.
Pavlov throwing strikes from guard but Durandin blocks nicely.
Alexey Durandin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pavlov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Durandin's head.
Pavlov scoring with some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Pavlov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Durandin controls Pavlov momentarily but Pavlov frees himself.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Durandin might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Pavlov kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pavlov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Pavlov lands a couple of elbows.
Durandin utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Pavlov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Durandin is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Pavlov is trying to get back to full guard.
Pavlov looks like he's trying to stand up.
Pavlov is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Durandin is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Pavlov defends it well.
Pavlov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Durandin.
Pavlov gets full guard.
Pavlov is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Pavlov looking for a sweep. Not yet Pavlov, not yet.
Durandin scoring with punches to the head and body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pavlov wants to sweep here but Durandin controlling him for the moment.
Durandin with a flurry of punches that miss.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Durandin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pavlov is keeping the position for now.
Boris Pavlov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Boris Pavlov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Pavlov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 50:45
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 50:45
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Boris Pavlov!
Boris Pavlov retains his middleweight title!