PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Czesio Niemen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stanko Velilkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Czesio Niemen could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Stanko Velilkov's chin.

Niemen
vs
Velilkov

196 cm
23
270 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

200 cm
25
249 lbs
16 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Czesio Niemen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Stanko Velilkov!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Vladimir Khabensky and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Niemen just misses with a punch to the body.
Nice takedown defense from Niemen. No joy for Velilkov on that attempt.

Velilkov throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Niemen was covering up waiting for the punch and Velilkov finishes the takedown easily into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Velilkov controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Niemen is looking to stand up but Velilkov isn't so interested in that idea.
Velilkov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Niemen wants to stand and escape but Velilkov is having none of it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Niemen keeps the fight on the outside.
Czesio Niemen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Niemen throws a left and a right that both miss

and Velilkov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velilkov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Niemen after a bit of a struggle.
Niemen wants to break the clinch but can't.

Velilkov wants the takedown. Niemen is fighting it off but Velilkov persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Niemen's guard against the cage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Niemen keeping full guard, as Velilkov tries to pass.
Velilkov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Velilkov prevents Niemen from getting back to his feet.
Velilkov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Stanko Velilkov has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Velilkov forces Niemen back against the cage and clinches.
Niemen is trying to break the clinch but Velilkov has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velilkov wants to stall.

Niemen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Velilkov shoots for a double leg takedown but Niemen sprawls well. He's pushed Velilkov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Czesio Niemen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stanko Velilkov.
Velilkov closes the distance and clinches up with Niemen, looking for a takedown. Velilkov pushes Niemen against the cage but Niemen circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Velilkov's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Niemen connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Velilkov scrambles back to his feet.
Niemen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Velilkov circles away quickly and effectively.
Niemen swings widly with a right hand

and Velilkov counters with a shoot takedown. Niemen fights it but they end up in guard.
Velilkov content to stall in guard here.
Niemen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Niemen can't keep his opponent in guard - Velilkov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Velilkov moves nicely into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velilkov is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Velilkov advances to full mount.
Niemen is trying to stand up.
Velilkov controlling the position easily from mount.
Velilkov throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Niemen because Velilkov loaded up on that one.
Velilkov takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Stanko Velilkov was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Velilkov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Niemen's waist but Niemen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Velilkov off to one side.
Velilkov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Niemen is fending him off so far but Velilkov persists. Nope, Niemen circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice sprawl there from Niemen as Velilkov shoots in.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Velilkov ducks under a wild hook from Niemen.
Niemen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Niemen misses with a hook.
Niemen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Velilkov was well out of range. Poor timing from Niemen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stanko Velilkov dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Niemen takes a swing at Velilkov's ribcage but misses.

Velilkov takes the fight into the clinch.
Niemen gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Velilkov.
A frustrated look appears on Niemen's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Velilkov is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Niemen can't fight it off and eventually Velilkov manages to take the fight to the floor. Niemen looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Velilkov decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Niemen feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Velilkovs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Niemen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Niemen loads up on a big right hand but Velilkov slips the punch.
Niemen throws a jab when Velilkov was well out of range.
Niemen goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

It looks like Stanko Velilkov has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niemen throws a jab when Velilkov was well out of range.
Velilkov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Velilkov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Velilkov staying out of range there.

Velilkov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Niemen looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Niemen tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Velilkov biding his time, looking for the opening.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Velilkov. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Niemen is trying to get back to his feet but Velilkov has full control of the position and if anything, Niemen has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Velilkov is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Niemen is trying to get back to his feet but Velilkov has full control of the position and if anything, Niemen has just worked his way into a worse spot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velilkov controls the action.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Niemen controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Niemen covering up well under a barage of strikes.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Velilkov controlling the positon.
Niemen looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Velilkov's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Stanko Velilkov was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Niemen misses with a jab to the body

and Velilkov counters by moving into the clinch.
Velilkov tries to score a body lock takedown but Niemen shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Velilkov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Niemen is keeping busy.
Niemen is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Niemen tries to break the clinch but Velilkov is controlling the position.
Niemen letting Velilkov take a breather here.
Velilkov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Niemen prevents it.
Czesio Niemen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stanko Velilkov.

Niemen breaks from the clinch.
Velilkov walks into a straight right hand from Niemen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velilkov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Niemen.
Niemen throws a hook but Velilkov avoids it easily.
Czesio Niemen is winning the standup battle so far.
Velilkov avoids the body shot from Niemen.
Niemen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Velilkov counters with a takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Niemen wants to get back to his feet.
Niemen tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Velilkov won't let Niemen get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Velilkov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Stanko Velilkov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Stanko Velilkov's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Niemen throws a jab when Velilkov was well out of range.
Niemen swings widly with a right hand

and Velilkov counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Niemen's guard now.
Velilkov wants to pass the guard but Niemen is keeping the position.
Velilkov postures up in Niemen's guard and throws a big left but Niemen blocks it.
Niemen wants to stand but Velilkov is controlling the position.
Velilkov looking to pass the guard.
Velilkov forces his way into half guard.
Velilkov content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Velilkov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niemen is trying to stand back up but Velilkov is controlling him
Velilkov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Velilkov stops Niemen from getting back to his feet.
Velilkov trying to control the pace.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Stanko Velilkov has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Velilkov closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Niemen to the mat! Niemen manages to get full guard.
Stanko Velilkov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Velilkov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Velilkov pushing down on Niemen's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Niemen tries to kick Velilkov off but Velilkov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Velilkov is controlling the pace.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Stanko Velilkov hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Nice uppercut there from Niemen.
Velilkov shoots in for a takedown but Niemen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Niemen throws a right and a left that Velilkov avoids nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Niemen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Velilkov.
Niemen throws out a loose jab but Velilkov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Niemen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Velilkov shoots in but Niemen avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Niemen misses with a looping left.
Velilkov tries to clinch up but Niemen circles away and keeps his distance.
Velilkov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Niemen but Niemen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Czesio Niemen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Stanko Velilkov.
Niemen throws out a powerful jab.
Niemen scores with a nice right hand.
Niemen is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Velilkov tries for a takedown but Niemen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Velilkov drives through and clinches with Niemen against the cage.
Niemen working hard to break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Niemen working hard to break the clinch.

Velilkov tightens his grip and picks Niemen up, before dumping him to the ground. Niemen manages to land in guard.
Niemen is looking to stand back up but Velilkov counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Niemen.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Niemen looks like he's trying to stand up.
Velilkov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Niemen is trying to stand back up but Velilkov is controlling him
Niemen on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Niemen tries to get out of the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Velilkov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Stanko Velilkov has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Velilkov wants to clinch.
Czesio Niemen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stanko Velilkov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The fighters circling - Niemen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stanko Velilkov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Velilkov 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 Igor Prikhodko 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... Stanko Velilkov!