PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Golovko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ruth Less (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Golovko
vs
Less

176 cm
25
168 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

177 cm
25
158 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Self confident

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Golovko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ruth Less!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Konstantin Menshow and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Golovko drives through with a takedown into Less's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Golovko throws and elbow that misses. Less uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Golovko's guard. Nice move by Less!
Golovko is looking to stand back up but Less counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Golovko.

Golovko is defending against the submission attempts here by Less.
Less thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Golovko's head.
Less has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Less stops Golovko from getting back to his feet.
Less wants to control but Golovko is keeping him busy.
Golovko is controlling Less's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Golovko looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Less throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Less prevents Golovko from improving his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Less thows a huge punch but Golovko dodges it nicely.
Less is pressing down on Golovko's thigh, looking to free his foot. Golovko is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Golovko closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Less to the mat! Less manages to get full guard.

Less working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Golovko doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Golovko manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Golovko stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Less swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Less wants to sweep but no luck.
Less preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Less not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Less preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Golovko lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Golovko is looking to work some ground and pound but Less has wrist control.
Golovko wants to pass the guard but Less is keeping the position.
Less trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Less is on top in guard.
Golovko 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.
Less pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Golovko is keeping the position for now.
Less trying to control the position from guard on top but Golovko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Golovko wants to sweep here but Less controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Less trying to control the position from guard on top but Golovko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Ruth Less hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Less gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Less is trying to keep Golovko in close.

Less is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Golovko defends well.
Less looks gassed!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Golovko trying to control the position from guard on top but Less is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Less is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Alexander Golovko will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Golovko checks a leg kick.

Golovko shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Less manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Golovko knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Less on the ground.
Golovko is looking to advance position but Less has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Golovko trying desperately to get to his feet.

Less jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Golovko manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Less lands a few punches from side control.
Less trying to control the action but Golovko is working from the bottom.
Golovko is trying to control Less's posture but Less avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Golovko is looking for a sweep.
Less tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

Less decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Golovko scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Golovko in side control lands a decent elbow.
Golovko in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Golovko is looking to take a break and control but Less is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Golovko connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Less some visible discomfort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Golovko is looking to take a break and control but Less is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Less takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Golovko working the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Golovko tries to advance to mount but can't.
Alexander Golovko overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Golovko lands a few punches from side control.
Golovko landing a few strikes.
Less is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Golovko off and has taken his back!
Less is breathing heavily.
Less has the hooks in. Golovko is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Less trying to control momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
I really don't envy Golovko right now.

Less working for a choke but Golovko is defending well.
Golovko is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Less tries to keep control of the position but Golovko is staying busy.
Golovko tries to roll but Less sticks to his back.
Golovko is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Golovko covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Less keeps control of the position as Golovko tries to break free.
Less misses with punches from the back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Less looking to break Golovko's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Golovko remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Less will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Golovko has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Golovko dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Golovko gets a takedown into half guard.
Less moves into full guard.
Less lands a decent punch to the body there.
Less manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Less trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Golovko is working to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Less with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Less takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Less can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Golovko is looking to escape.
Golovko holds on to Less around his waist, trying desperately to prevent any attacks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Golovko is working to get back to half guard.
Golovko tries to hold on but Less pushes him away.
Golovko regains half guard.
Golovko is trying to stand up here but Less is controlling him well.
Less wants to control but Golovko is keeping him busy.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Golovko tries to get to full guard but Less has control of the leg.
Less is keen to just control but Golovko is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Ruth Less.

Golovko darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Less slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Less wants to stand but Golovko is controlling the position.

Less is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Less keeping full guard, as Golovko tries to pass.
Golovko has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Golovko postures up and lands a big shot to Less's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Golovko tries to free his leg and advance position but Less is retaining full guard.
Golovko makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Golovko wants to pass the guard but Less is keeping the position.
Less is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Golovko is controlling him.
Golovko stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Less swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Golovko wants to get up but he can't break Less's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Golovko tries to free his leg and advance position but Less is retaining full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Golovko landing with the ground and pound.
Ruth Less has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alexander Golovko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Golovko seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Golovko showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Golovko 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Golovko!