PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Snord Cranston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jan Szczevnikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Cranston
vs
Szczevnikov

170 cm
23
155 lbs
3 - 3 - 1

182 cm
30
144 lbs
13 - 14 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 - 1, fighting out of London, Snord Cranston!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 14 - 1, fighting out of London, Jan Szczevnikov!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Daniel Bishop and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Szczevnikov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Cranston avoids it really well and circles away.
Cranston tries to clinch but Szczevnikov is having none of it.
Szczevnikov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Szczevnikov fails with the takedown.
Cranston tries to clinch there but Szczevnikov circles away.

Cranston moves into the clinch successfully.
Szczevnikov wants a takedown but no success here.
Snord Cranston has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jan Szczevnikov.
Szczevnikov can't get the takedown.
Szczevnikov has Cranston pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Cranston manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A right hand to the body from Cranston.

Cranston breaks from the clinch.
Szczevnikov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Cranston.
Szczevnikov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Cranston fails with an attempt to clinch.
Szczevnikov shoots in for a takedown but Cranston shows good takedown defense.
Szczevnikov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Snord Cranston seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cranston tries to clinch

and Szczevnikov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
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!
Cranston is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Szczevnikov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Szczevnikov's back!
Cranston gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cranston is looking to control Szczevnikov but Szczevnikov is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Szczevnikov covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Cranston scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Cranston scores with punches and elbows.
Cranston scores with punches and elbows.

Cranston working for the choke.
Cranston wants to control but Szczevnikov is keeping busy.
Cranston lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Szczevnikov.
Cranston tries to get the hooks in deep but Szczevnikov pushed the leg off.
Szczevnikov tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cranston looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Cranston is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Szczevnikov can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Szczevnikov tries to hold on but Cranston postures up.
Szczevnikov is working to get back to half guard.
Cranston scoring with strikes but Szczevnikov is staying in there.
Cranston lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Szczevnikov is in all sorts of trouble here.
Cranston trying to control but Szczevnikov is having none of it.
Szczevnikov is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Szczevnikov in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Szczevnikov keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Szczevnikov gets back to half guard.
Szczevnikov looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cranston missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Cranston lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Cranston is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Szczevnikov has managed to free his arm - good work.
Cranston trying to control from half guard but Szczevnikov is working away.
Cranston takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Cranston looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Szczevnikov manages to get to full guard.
Szczevnikov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Cranston is trying to get back to full guard.
Cranston is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Szczevnikov seems to be looking for submissions.
Cranston is concentrating on defense, preventing Szczevnikov from advancing position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Szczevnikov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Cranston doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Szczevnikov.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cranston is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Cranston wants to clinch up but Szczevnikov keeps it at a distance.
Cranston tries to close the distance and clinch up but Szczevnikov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Szczevnikov shoots in but no luck this time.
Szczevnikov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cranston swivels and escapes.
Cranston tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Szczevnikov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Cranston wants to clinch.
Szczevnikov keeps the fight on the outside.
Cranston tries to clinch but Szczevnikov moves out of range.
Cranston fails in his attempt to clinch.
Szczevnikov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Snord Cranston has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jan Szczevnikov.
Szczevnikov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Cranston tries to clinch up.
Szczevnikov swats away the attempt to clinch by Cranston.
Cranston tries to close the distance and clinch but Szczevnikov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Jan Szczevnikov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cranston fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Szczevnikov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cranston is looking to clinch.
Cranston is looking to clinch but Szczevnikov is avoiding it.
Szczevnikov shoots in looking for a takedown. Cranston tries to sprawl out of it but Szczevnikov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cranston manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Szczevnikov is breathing heavily.
Szczevnikov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A decent looking cross lands there for Cranston.
Cranston darts in trying to clinch

and Szczevnikov counters with a single leg into guard. Cranston didn't expect that.
Cranston has his hands on Szczevnikov's head, controlling the position.
Cranston wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Szczevnikov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cranston is keeping the position for now.
Cranston looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Cranston holds on and takes a little breather.

Szczevnikov drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Cranston manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Szczevnikov has Cranston in his guard.
Szczevnikov keeping moving, preventing Cranston from controlling successfully.
Cranston pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Szczevnikov is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Szczevnikov wants to sweep but no luck.
Cranston makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Szczevnikov keeping moving, preventing Cranston from controlling successfully.
Cranston knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Szczevnikov on the ground.
Cranston stands up over Szczevnikov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cranston trying to control but Szczevnikov is working from the bottom.
Cranston missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cranston pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Szczevnikov is keeping the position for now.
Cranston lands a couple of elbows.
Szczevnikov keeping moving, preventing Cranston from controlling successfully.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Szczevnikov is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cranston working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Szczevnikov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cranston is one step ahead there.

Szczevnikov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Cranston defends it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cranston with a nice head shot there.
Szczevnikov 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.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cranston postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Szczevnikov is trying to control the position but Cranston postures up.
Cranston tries to free his leg and advance position but Szczevnikov is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Snord Cranston dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Cranston thuds a left hand into Szczevnikov's body.
Cranston displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Szczevnikov.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Cranston scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Cranston is looking to clinch but Szczevnikov is avoiding it.
Szczevnikov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Cranston counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Szczevnikov!
Cranston breaks from Szczevnikov's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Szczevnikov gets back to half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cranston is pressing down on Szczevnikov's thigh, looking to free his foot. Szczevnikov is holding on for now.
Szczevnikov has hold of Cranston's hands but Cranston slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Cranston lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Snord Cranston overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Szczevnikov wants to improve his position but Cranston is controlling well.
Szczevnikov is not content to let Cranston control the position.
Cranston lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Szczevnikov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cranston working Szczevnikov over with strikes.
Cranston lands with a punch from half guard.
Szczevnikov is trying to maintain the position but Cranston is very close to passing his half guard.
Cranston is looking to advance position but Szczevnikov won't allow it.
Szczevnikov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Cranston seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Szczevnikov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Cranston's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Cranston's back!
Cranston trying to control but not successfully.

Szczevnikov is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Cranston is defending well though. Szczevnikov let's go of the attempt for now.
Cranston turns into Szczevnikov and is now in his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cranston advances position into side control!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cranston looking to control but instead Szczevnikov has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Cranston takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Cranston trying to control from half guard but Szczevnikov is working away.
Szczevnikov gets back to full guard.
Cranston scoring with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cranston trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Szczevnikov wants to sweep here but Cranston controlling him for the moment.

Szczevnikov working for a triangle but Cranston defends it easily.
Cranston is in close to Szczevnikov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Cranston slips nicely into half guard.
Nice strikes from Cranston there.
Szczevnikov won't allow Cranston to pass to mount.
Szczevnikov wants to improve his position but Cranston is controlling well.
Szczevnikov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Cranston is working for a kimura but Szczevnikov is defending it quite comfortably.
Szczevnikov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Szczevnikov gets back to full guard.
Cranston scoring with some ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cranston stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Szczevnikov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Szczevnikov wants to sweep but no luck.
Cranston landing with the ground and pound.
Jan Szczevnikov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cranston stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Szczevnikov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cranston trying to control but Szczevnikov is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Snord Cranston showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Cranston 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Snord Cranston!