PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Grigori Rasputin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matteo Pavanati (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pavanati has chosen Face the pain - Stemm as his entrance music. Matteo Pavanati has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Grigori Rasputin's chin.

Rasputin
vs
Pavanati

170 cm
20
150 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

170 cm
19
167 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

[JMFC] Arashi Fighting Nutrition Q160 Recovery

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Grigori Rasputin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Matteo Pavanati!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Andrew Berry and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pavanati throws the kick towards the body but Rasputin avoids it.
Rasputin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Pavanati as he avoids it easily.
Pavanati fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Pavanati bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Rasputin's head backwards.
Pavanati tries to clinch up.
Rasputin walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Pavanati thows a left - swing and a miss!
A combination from Rasputin does no damage.
Pavanati misses with a wild body shot.
A combination from Rasputin does no damage.
Pavanati ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Pavanati darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Rasputin fails with a takedown attempt.
Rasputin on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pavanati throws a hook to the side of Rasputin's head but Rasputin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rasputin tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Pavanati swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Grigori Rasputin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pavanati misses the shot to the body.
Pavanati tests Rasputin's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Pavanati scores with a kick to the midsection.
Pavanati lets loose with a powerful body kick. Rasputin will feel that in the morning.
Nice jab there from Pavanati.
Rasputin shoots in for a double leg but Pavanati sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A punch combination from Rasputin misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pavanati misses with a head kick.
Pavanati scores with a leg kick.
Pavanati tries to clinch up but Rasputin circles away and keeps his distance.

Rasputin moves into the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rasputin is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Pavanati to keep the fight standing.
Pavanati tries to land a knee to the head but Rasputin blocks with his arms.
Rasputin is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Pavanati misses with a body punch.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Rasputin. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Pavanati looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Pavanati doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Pavanati works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Pavanati unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Pavanati throws a head punch that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pavanati throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Rasputin changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Pavanati fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Matteo Pavanati is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pavanati feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rasputin's calf.
Grigori Rasputin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rasputin wants to land a leg kick but Pavanati is out of range.
Pavanati throws a leg kick which misses Rasputin's front leg but catches the back leg as Rasputin tries to avoid it.
Pavanati lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Rasputin doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A slapping leg kick lands for Pavanati.
Pavanati throws a body punch but Rasputin moves out of range.
Rasputin throws a head kick that misses
and Pavanati counters with a nice low kick that buckles Rasputin's knee momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pavanati stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Pavanati wants it to stay on the feet.
Rasputin shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Pavanati as he avoids it easily.
Rasputin is breathing heavily.

Rasputin gets a clinch.
Rasputin looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pavanati tries to land knees in the clinch but Rasputin avoids the damage to the body.
Pavanati tries to land knees in the clinch but Rasputin avoids the damage to the body.
Rasputin is working for takedown but Pavanati is calmly controlling the position for now.
Pavanati throws a knee to the head but misses.
Rasputin is trying to drag Pavanati to the mat but Pavanati just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pavanati misses with a hook to the ribs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matteo Pavanati dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rasputin pushes Pavanati up against the cage in a clinch.
Rasputin can't get the takedown.
Rasputin is trying to push Pavanati away but Pavanati has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Pavanati misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rasputin wants to get back to striking at distance but Pavanati won't allow it.
Pavanati tries to work over Rasputin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rasputin managing to block the knees to the body from Pavanati.
Pavanati scores with a knee to the head.

It looks like Grigori Rasputin has been cut.
Rasputin working hard to break the clinch.
Rasputin blocks an elbow strike from Pavanati.
Pavanati tries a knee to the head but Rasputin blocks it.
Pavanati lands a left hand.
Pavanati gets underhooks to prevent Rasputin's takedown attempt.
Pavanati can't find room to land a body shot as Rasputin controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rasputin stalling in the clinch but Pavanati improves position.
Pavanati trying to control the position but instead, Rasputin has worked for underhooks and has pushed Pavanati into the cage.

Pavanati drops Rasputin with a big knee straight up the middle! Rasputin is covering up against the cage but manages to escape and gets back to his feet!

Rasputin is rocked!
Rasputin will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Oh Rasputin is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Pavanati connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Rasputin momentarily.
Pavanati lands a nice shot to the body.
Rasputin shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Grigori Rasputin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pavanati ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Rasputin closes the distance and clinches up with Pavanati, looking for a takedown. Rasputin pushes Pavanati against the cage but Pavanati circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rasputin seems to have got his legs back now.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rasputin doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pavanati stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Rasputin looks for a takedown but Pavanati sprawls well.
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!
Pavanati connects with a body shot that sends Rasputin's belly button to the back.
Pavanati with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

Pavanati has closed the distance and engaged Rasputin in a clinch.
Pavanati scores with a knee to the head.
Pavanati putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Rasputin in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Pavanati throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Pavanati pressing his opponent against the cage.
Pavanati lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Rasputin is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pavanati drops Rasputin with a big knee straight up the middle! Rasputin is covering up against the cage but manages to escape and gets back to his feet!
Pavanati cracks the inside of Rasputin's front leg.
Pavanati misses with a body shot.
Rasputin shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Pavanati pinned against the cage. Pavanati gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Pavanati scores with a crisp jab that stopped Rasputin in his tracks.
Pavanati lands the left hand.
Matteo Pavanati seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Pavanati tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rasputin paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Pavanati connects with a jab.
Pavanati stuffs the takedown attempt from Rasputin. Rasputin gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pavanati fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Rasputin has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
The fight stays on the outside here - Pavanati looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rasputin throws a sloppy head kick and Pavanati moves out of range easily.

Rasputin moves into the clinch.
Matteo Pavanati seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Rasputin just misses with a elbow thrown towards Pavanati's brow.
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!
Rasputin has had enough of the clinch but Pavanati keeps him there for the moment.
Knees in the clinch landing for Pavanati.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Knees in the clinch landing for Pavanati.
Knees in the clinch landing for Pavanati.
Pavanati looking to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matteo Pavanati showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Grigori Rasputin's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Rasputin takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Rasputin tries to score a power double leg takedown but Pavanati sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rasputin somewhat.
Pavanati scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Rasputin gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Pavanati.
Pavanati tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Pavanati takes a swing at Rasputin's ribcage but misses.
Rasputin takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Pavanati ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Rasputin swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rasputin walks into a straight right hand from Pavanati.
Pavanati with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Pavanati fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rasputin shoots for a double leg takedown but Pavanati sprawls well. He's pushed Rasputin's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pavanati is looking to clinch but Rasputin is avoiding it.
Pavanati scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

Rasputin shoots in and gets a takedown into Pavanati's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Pavanati can do anything to dispel that myth.
Rasputin sitting in guard here, content to control.
Pavanati really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rasputin. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rasputin throws a big right hand that misses.
Pavanati has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Pavanati 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pavanati is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

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

Rasputin clinches.
Pavanati landing knees to the body.
Pavanati throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Rasputin blocks it with crossed arms.
Pavanati trying to land knees to the body.
Rasputin tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Pavanati smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Grigori Rasputin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pavanati lands with a straight right. Rasputin didn't see that one coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rasputin has a takedown stuffed.

Rasputin instigates a clinch.
Pavanati leaning his opponent against the cage.
Rasputin tries to circle away but Pavanati has him pinned against the cage.
Rasputin content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Rasputin as Pavanati tries to tie him up.
Stalling in the clinch from Pavanati.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pavanati tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rasputin avoids it.
Pavanati misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rasputin avoiding damage as Pavanati throws knees to the body.
Rasputin working hard to break the clinch.
Matteo Pavanati is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Rasputin looking for a takedown.
Rasputin misses with an elbow over the top.
Rasputin drops down looking for an ankle pick but Pavanati pulls his leg out and moves away.
Pavanati throws a leg kick which misses Rasputin's front leg but catches the back leg as Rasputin tries to avoid it.
Grigori Rasputin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pavanati is looking to slow Rasputin down with leg kicks.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matteo Pavanati comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Pavanati 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matteo Pavanati!