PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Aluicious James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bolodenka Kharitonov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

James
vs
Kharitonov

170 cm
32
177 lbs
13 - 13 - 0

185 cm
29
179 lbs
19 - 19 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 13 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aluicious James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bolodenka Kharitonov!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Wesley Smith and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James fails to land the takedown.
Kharitonov lands a glancing blow to the side of James's head.
James tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kharitonov swivels and escapes.
Kharitonov doesn't succeed with the takedown

and James decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Kharitonov's guard.

James drops back looking for a leg! Kharitonov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kharitonov manages to kick James off! James jumps back into Kharitonov's guard.
James throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kharitonov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
James throws a big right hand that misses.
Kharitonov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kharitonov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Kharitonov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kharitonov looks gassed!
Kharitonov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
James pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kharitonov is keeping the position for now.
Kharitonov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with James. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kharitonov wants to stand up but James is controlling him.
James trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
James tries to free his leg and advance position but Kharitonov is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James throwing strikes from guard but Kharitonov blocks nicely.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as James accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
James postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kharitonov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
James missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
James wants to control from the top but Kharitonov keeps moving.
James throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kharitonov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
James pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kharitonov is keeping the position for now.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as James accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James wants to control from the top but Kharitonov keeps moving.
James wants to pass the guard but Kharitonov is keeping the position.
James might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
James with a flurry of punches that miss.
James postures up in Kharitonov's guard and throws a big left but Kharitonov blocks it.
James trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
James works a leg free and moves into half guard.
James with the ground and pound but Kharitonov uses the opportunity to regain guard.
James throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kharitonov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James advances position into side control!

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

James is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kharitonov has escaped the position, nice work there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

James tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no James has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aluicious James dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

James shoots in and drives through. Kharitonov sprawls well.
James tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kharitonov swivels and escapes.
Kharitonov looks for the body kick but James saw that one coming.
James takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
James tries to clinch but Kharitonov moves out of range.
James takes a body punch but keeps moving.
James fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aluicious James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kharitonov is breathing heavily.
James shoots for a takedown but Kharitonov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
James will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kharitonov shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. James eats them both and turns towards Kharitonov to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
James tries for a takedown but Kharitonov circles away easily
enabling Kharitonov to counter with a crisp jab.
Bolodenka Kharitonov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
James misses with a takedown attempt - Kharitonov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
James tries to close the distance and clinch but Kharitonov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bolodenka Kharitonov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
James shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kharitonov as he avoids it easily.
James closes the distance and clinches up with Kharitonov, looking for a takedown. James pushes Kharitonov against the cage but Kharitonov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kharitonov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Kharitonov turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
James manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

James is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kharitonov has managed to free his arm - good work.
Kharitonov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from James.
James is pressing down on Kharitonov's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kharitonov is holding on for now.
James throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James trying to control the action but Kharitonov is working from the bottom.

James is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
James sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kharitonov defending well though.
James missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
James 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.
James wants to free his trapped foot but Kharitonov is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Kharitonov to regain full guard.
James postures up in Kharitonov's guard and throws a big left but Kharitonov blocks it.

James drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and James jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
James throws a big elbow that misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kharitonov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
James throws a big right hand that misses.
James with a flurry of punches that miss.
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 Aluicious James will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

James closes the distance and clinches up with Kharitonov, looking for a takedown. James pushes Kharitonov against the cage but Kharitonov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kharitonov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
James shoots in but Kharitonov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kharitonov misses with a body kick.
Kharitonov tries to land a front kick but James steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from James is defended easily by Kharitonov.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aluicious James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kharitonov bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Kharitonov misses the target.
Kharitonov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James has his takedown stuffed
and Kharitonov counters with a nice leg kick.
Kharitonov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but James moves away.
James shoots in for a takedown but Kharitonov shows good takedown defense.
James tries for a takedown but Kharitonov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kharitonov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by James.
James dodges the punch combination from Kharitonov.
James shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kharitonov leaves James with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from James.
James fails with the takedown
and Kharitonov finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
James fails with the takedown.
James closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kharitonov circles away.

James closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

James swings around for an armbar but Kharitonov sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into James's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

James has an active guard here but Kharitonov has managed to pass into half guard.

James actively working from the bottom here.
James tries to get to full guard but Kharitonov has control of the leg.
James makes his way to full guard. A much better position for James.
James preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

James working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Kharitonov has passed into half guard!
James wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. James manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kharitonov controlling from the top position.
James 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.

James is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kharitonov defends well.
Aluicious James overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Kharitonov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kharitonov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Bolodenka Kharitonov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
James 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.

James has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Kharitonov doesn't defend quickly enough and James has managed to lock this one up! Can Kharitonov escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to James on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Aluicious James!