PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rustam Chsiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Adrian Bednarek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bednarek has chosen Prodigy - Firestarter as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Chsiev
vs
Bednarek

172 cm
20
165 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

180 cm
19
176 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Heavy handed

Russian Top Team Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rustam Chsiev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Adrian Bednarek!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Valeri Chadov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chsiev shoots in for a double leg but Bednarek sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Chsiev throws a body punch but Bednarek moves out of range.
Bednarek throws a hook to the side of Chsiev's head but Chsiev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Chsiev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bednarek.
Good shot there by Chsiev.
Chsiev digs a good hook to Bednarek's body.
Bednarek feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Chsiev's calf.
Bednarek misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Chsiev.
Chsiev checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Chsiev scores with a shot to the body.
Bednarek moves away from the strike by Chsiev.
Bednarek tries to clinch up but Chsiev circles away and keeps his distance.
Bednarek takes a swing at Chsiev's ribcage but misses.
A decent looking cross lands there for Chsiev.
Bednarek ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
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!
Bednarek ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Adrian Bednarek seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Chsiev does it's job there.
Chsiev takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Good exchange - Chsiev coming out on top.
Bednarek uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Chsiev.
Nice body punch from Chsiev.
Bednarek throws a chopping leg kick but Chsiev manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Chsiev scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Decent striking displayed by Chsiev there.
Bednarek throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Bednarek throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Bednarek enables Chsiev to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Bednarek manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Chsiev is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Chsiev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chsiev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Chsiev engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Chsiev tries to free his leg and advance position but Bednarek is retaining full guard.
Chsiev is working hard here to advance position.
Chsiev would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Chsiev has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Bednarek trying to control the position.

Chsiev gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bednarek has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
A jab lands there for Chsiev.
Chsiev swings widly with a right hand
and Bednarek counters with a left and a right that stings Chsiev.
Bednarek avoids the body shot from Chsiev.
Chsiev has a takedown stuffed.
Chsiev takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Chsiev misses with a looping left.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A lazy left from Chsiev finds it's target.
Bednarek lands with a hook. Chsiev tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Chsiev just misses with a punch to the body.
Bednarek misses with a series of wild punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bednarek is looking to clinch.
Bednarek lands a head kick. Chsiev smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bednarek is defended easily by Chsiev.
A jab from Bednarek does it's job there.

Chsiev fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Bednarek to the ground. Chsiev is now in Bednarek's guard.
Chsiev stopping the sweep attempt from Bednarek.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Chsiev postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Bednarek is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Chsiev, into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Chsiev misses with a hook. Bednarek ducked under it nicely.

Chsiev shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Bednarek napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Chsiev tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Chsiev has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Chsiev wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Bednarek, who protects the arm well.
Bednarek tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Chsiev wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chsiev creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Bednarek is not content to let Chsiev control the position.
Bednarek is trying to control Chsiev's posture but Chsiev avoids it.
Chsiev scores with a couple of short elbows.

Chsiev decides to stand back up.
Rustam Chsiev is winning the standup battle so far.
Chsiev throws a lazy uppercut
and Bednarek counters with a nice body shot.
Bednarek throws a leg kick which misses Chsiev's front leg but catches the back leg as Chsiev tries to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bednarek swings for the body but Chsiev moves out of range.
Bednarek tries to clinch up but Chsiev circles away and keeps his distance.
Bednarek is looking to clinch but Chsiev is avoiding it.
Bednarek misses with a low kick.
Bednarek lands a right hook to the body.
Bednarek misses the shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Chsiev misses with an uppercut.
Chsiev moves forwards but Bednarek connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Chsiev gets a double leg takedown into Bednarek's guard.
Chsiev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chsiev looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bednarek is controlling Chsiev's posture.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Chsiev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bednarek working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Bednarek's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Chsiev connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Bednarek scrambles back to his feet.
Chsiev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bednarek.
Bednarek thumps Chsiev with a low kick.
Chsiev sizes up Bednarek with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Bednarek. Chsiev shrugs it off though.
Bednarek defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Chsiev.
Bednarek scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Bednarek shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Chsiev as he avoids it easily.
Bednarek fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Chsiev doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bednarek misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Chsiev.
Bednarek scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Chsiev doesn't seem bothered though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Rustam Chsiev will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Chsiev misses with a body shot.
Chsiev takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Chsiev feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Bednareks jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Bednarek tries to close the distance and clinch up but Chsiev swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Bednarek uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Chsiev.
Chsiev swats away the attempt to clinch by Bednarek.
Bednarek throws a series of punches but Chsiev avoids them all with ease.
Bednarek steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Chsiev.
Bednarek scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Bednarek takes a swing at Chsiev's ribcage but misses.
Chsiev shoots in looking for a takedown. Bednarek tries to sprawl out of it but Chsiev keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Bednarek manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Chsiev lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Bednarek is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Chsiev rather than just go for the knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bednarek lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Bednarek is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
No luck for Bednarek with that takedown attempt.
Chsiev fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Bednarek lands a nice shot that snaps Chsiev's head back.
Bednarek dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Chsiev lands a slapping body shot.
Bednarek throws a leg kick but Chsiev checks it.

Bednarek moves into the clinch.
Bednarek taking a breather.
Bednarek lands a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bednarek lands a hook that snaps the head of Chsiev backwards.
Bednarek missing with knees to the body.
Bednarek misses with a shot to the kidneys.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Chsiev taking a breather.
Good body shot from Bednarek.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bednarek pushes Chsiev back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Bednarek is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Chsiev breaks the clinch.
Chsiev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Bednarek avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rustam Chsiev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Chsiev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Chsiev throws the left hand but Bednarek avoids the punch easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chsiev takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Chsiev lands with a cross.
Chsiev takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Chsiev avoids the head kick by Bednarek.
Bednarek lands a jab to the head.
Adrian Bednarek has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bednarek scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Bednarek motions for Chsiev to come forward. Bednarek throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Bednarek tries to close the distance and clinch up but Chsiev swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Chsiev throws a shot from downtown. Bednarek moves away and avoids it.
Chsiev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bednarek.
Bednarek misses with a low kick.
Bednarek lands a leg kick that knocks Chsiev off balance momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bednarek takes a swing at Chsiev's ribcage but misses.
Bednarek cracks Chsiev with a right hand to the side of the head.
Bednarek will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
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!
Bednarek throws a head kick but Chsiev moves out of range.
Chsiev lands a nice hook to Bednarek's body. Bednarek takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Chsiev scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Bednarek doesn't seem bothered though.

Chsiev bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Chsiev swings around for an armbar but Bednarek sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Chsiev's guard.
Rustam Chsiev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Chsiev keeping moving, preventing Bednarek from controlling successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Chsiev bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bednarek's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Adrian Bednarek comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Chsiev has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rustam Chsiev!