PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Egor Russian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thor Ironman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Egor Russian has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Russian
vs
Ironman

187 cm
25
200 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

190 cm
24
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Egor Russian!
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, Thor Ironman!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Vladimir Khabensky and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ironman fails in his attempt to clinch.

Russian gets tackled into the cage by Ironman. Ironman maintains the clinch.
Russian gets underhooks to prevent Ironman's takedown attempt.
Russian jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Ironman walks away with a smile on his face. Russian gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Ironman cracks a nice hook into Russian's ribs.
Ironman wants to clinch

and Russian counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Ironman's guard now.
Ironman throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Ironman looking for a sweep. Not yet Ironman, not yet.
Russian trying to control the position from guard on top but Ironman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ironman 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.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ironman keeping full guard, as Russian tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ironman pulls Russian in to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Egor Russian wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Russian closes the distance and clinches up with Ironman, looking for a takedown. Russian pushes Ironman against the cage but Ironman circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ironman looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Russian wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ironman has Russian pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Russian manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Ironman comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Egor Russian has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Russian wants the takedown. Ironman is fighting it off but Russian persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Ironman's guard against the cage.
Ironman pulls Russian in close to his closed guard and prevents Russian from doing any damage or advancing position.
Russian is breathing heavily.

Ironman is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Russian defends well.
Ironman seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Russian stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ironman swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ironman is on top in guard.
Ironman content to stall in guard here.
Ironman throwing strikes from guard but Russian blocks nicely.

Ironman stands up from Russian's guard - Ironman perhaps looking for a knockout.
Ironman fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Russian does no damage.
Ironman avoids the head kick by Russian.
Ironman misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Egor Russian has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thor Ironman.
Ironman tries to clinch up.
Ironman tries to close the distance and clinch up but Russian swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ironman tries to clinch up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ironman lands a jab to the head.
Ironman shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Russian as he avoids it easily.
Russian swats away the attempt to clinch by Ironman.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thor Ironman dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Egor Russian's cut.
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.

Ironman tries to clinch up but Russian circles away and keeps his distance.
Egor Russian is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ironman tries to clinch up.

Russian gets a clinch.
Russian wants a takedown.

Russian breaks the clinch.
Ironman tries to clinch up.
Ironman is looking to clinch but Russian is avoiding it.
Russian circles away from the clinch attempt.

Ironman closes the distance and clinches.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ironman lands a knee to the head.
Ironman trying to land knees to the body.

Ironman breaks the clinch.
Ironman tries to close the distance and clinch up but Russian swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ironman misses with a series of wild punches.
Ironman tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Russian manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Russian.
Ironman tries to clinch there but Russian circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ironman is defended easily by Russian.
Russian stuffs the takedown attempt from Ironman. Ironman gets slowly back to his feet.
Ironman shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Russian but Russian pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Egor Russian has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thor Ironman.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russian shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ironman pinned against the cage. Ironman gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ironman is looking to clinch.
Ironman fails with a takedown attempt.
Ironman fails to land with a series of punches.

Russian changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ironman looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Ironman is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Russian's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ironman gets full guard.

Ironman escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Russian gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ironman is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ironman tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ironman is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Ironman seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Russian does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ironman thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Russian's head.
Ironman thows a huge punch but Russian dodges it nicely.

Ironman is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Russian sees it coming and defends easily.
Ironman is nestled in close to Russian, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ironman performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Russian tries to get to full guard but Ironman has control of the leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thor Ironman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Egor Russian's cut.
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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ironman darts in and clinches Russian up against the cage.

Russian drags the fight down to the ground.
Russian keeping moving, preventing Ironman from controlling successfully.
Russian working a defensive guard here.
Ironman wants to control from the top but Russian keeps moving.
Ironman throws a big right hand that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Russian preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ironman in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ironman postures up in Russian's guard and throws a big left but Russian blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ironman wants to control from the top but Russian keeps moving.
Russian on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Russian tries to get out of the position.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Thor Ironman hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Ironman fails with an attempt to clinch.
Russian shoots for a double leg takedown but Ironman sprawls well. He's pushed Russian's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Russian throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ironman will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Russian avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ironman moves in looking to clinch but Russian pushes him off.

Ironman has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ironman breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ironman looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ironman tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Russian paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Good leg kick by Ironman there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

Ironman takes the fight into the clinch.
Ironman is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Knees to the body from Ironman.
Ironman can't get the takedown.
Ironman creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Russian's defenses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ironman breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ironman tries to score a power double leg takedown but Russian sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ironman somewhat.
Ironman misses with a double jab.
Ironman throws a combination that misses

and Russian counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Ironman's guard now.
Russian knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ironman on the ground.
Russian trying to control but Ironman is working from the bottom.

Russian drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Ironman dives on top into guard.
Russian managing to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ironman wants to control from the top but Russian keeps moving.
Ironman throwing strikes but missing.
Ironman is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Thor Ironman.
Russian shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ironman sprawls well. Ironman wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Russian gets slowly back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thor Ironman comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ironman has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:30
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thor Ironman!
After the fight, Thor Ironman was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.