PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gin Ichimaru (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vlad Maskiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ichimaru kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genuis that is Sekai wa Sude ni Azamuki no Ue ni (The World Already Exists Upon Deceit). Maskiev is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Berzerker. Gin Ichimaru has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ichimaru
vs
Maskiev

195 cm
22
185 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

188 cm
21
190 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Gin Ichimaru!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vlad Maskiev!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Dmitry Maklakov and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ichimaru tries to clinch up.
Maskiev takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Maskiev feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Ichimaru is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Maskiev trying to control but Ichimaru is working from the bottom.
Ichimaru wants to sweep here but Maskiev controlling him for the moment.

Maskiev decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Ichimaru, up you get!
Ichimaru throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Ichimaru tries to clinch up but Maskiev circles away and keeps his distance.

Ichimaru fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Maskiev sprawls well initially but Ichimaru persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maskiev wants to control but Ichimaru is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Maskiev avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ichimaru.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maskiev wants to get back to full guard.
Maskiev looks gassed!
Ichimaru seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Maskiev does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ichimaru knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Maskiev on the ground.
Maskiev is pressing down on Ichimaru's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Maskiev being controlled here, momentarily.
Ichimaru pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maskiev is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maskiev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ichimaru trying to control the position from guard on top but Maskiev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ichimaru looking to pass the guard.
Maskiev wants to sweep but no luck.
Ichimaru postures up and lands a big shot to Maskiev's brow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Maskiev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ichimaru is one step ahead there.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A punch lands to the side of Maskiev 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Ichimaru misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ichimaru tries to clinch but Maskiev moves out of range.
Maskiev connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ichimaru scores with a nice strike.
Nice takedown defense from Ichimaru. No joy for Maskiev on that attempt.
Maskiev keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ichimaru wants to clinch up but Maskiev keeps it at a distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ichimaru really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Maskiev makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maskiev stops a takedown attempt from Ichimaru.
Ichimaru working aggressively here.
Ichimaru is looking to break free of the clinch but Maskiev has double underhooks.
Ichimaru wants to break free but Maskiev has control.

Maskiev breaks the clinch.
Ichimaru throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ichimaru misses with a takedown attempt

and Maskiev counters with a nice double leg into guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gin Ichimaru. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maskiev looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Ichimaru keeping moving, preventing Maskiev from controlling successfully.

Ichimaru is working an open guard so Maskiev takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Maskiev lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Maskiev moves into the clinch.
Maskiev tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ichimaru smiles and moves away.
Ichimaru lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Maskiev throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Ichimaru.
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!
Ichimaru doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Maskiev counters with a single leg into guard. Ichimaru didn't expect that.
Maskiev works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Maskiev trying to mount his opponent but Ichimaru defends it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ichimaru keeping hold of Maskiev's head, controlling as best he can.
Maskiev uses his free foot to push down on Ichimaru's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Ichimaru.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ichimaru clinches with his opponent.
Maskiev's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Maskiev keeps control of Ichimaru as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Ichimaru tries to break the clinch but Maskiev is controlling the position.
Maskiev is leaning against Ichimaru and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Ichimaru wants to break the clinch but can't.
Maskiev goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ichimaru prevents it.
Ichimaru drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ichimaru is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ichimaru is fighting off a takedown attempt but Maskiev is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Ichimaru to the mat. Ichimaru regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Ichimaru not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Maskiev wants to control from the top but Ichimaru keeps moving.
Ichimaru controls Maskiev momentarily but Maskiev frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maskiev stands up and waves to Ichimaru to follow him.
Ichimaru wants to clinch

and Maskiev holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Ichimaru tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Maskiev just stands there and leans against the cage.
Maskiev controlling the action here for a moment.

Ichimaru breaks from the clinch.
Ichimaru misses with a takedown

and Maskiev counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gin Ichimaru. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ichimaru looking to control.
Ichimaru looking for a sweep. Not yet Ichimaru, not yet.
Ichimaru keeping moving, preventing Maskiev from controlling successfully.

Maskiev stands up and waves to Ichimaru to follow him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maskiev looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Maskiev is looking to land body kicks.
Maskiev throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ichimaru's waist but Ichimaru gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Maskiev off to one side.

Ichimaru drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Maskiev is trying to escape the position but Ichimaru is controlling the position.
Maskiev is looking to reverse the position.
Maskiev is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Ichimaru off and has taken his back!
Maskiev has good solid back control here.
Ichimaru is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maskiev loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Ichimaru hold on?
Ichimaru trying to control the position but Maskiev manages to sink in the hooks.
Ichimaru is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Maskiev keeps control of the position as Ichimaru tries to break free.
Maskiev is looking to control Ichimaru but Ichimaru is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Maskiev lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Ichimaru holding on to Maskiev's left wrist, preventing the choke.
Maskiev has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Ichimaru's body.

Maskiev is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Ichimaru knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Ichimaru for a finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ichimaru trying to control the hands but Maskiev breaks the grip.
Ichimaru tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Ichimaru tries to hold on but Maskiev pushes him away.
Maskiev working Ichimaru over with strikes here.

Maskiev has control of Ichimaru's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Ichimaru regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Ichimaru is trying to escape the mount.
Ichimaru tries to hold on but Maskiev pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vlad Maskiev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Ichimaru lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Maskiev backs up against the cage.
Ichimaru stalks Maskiev and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Maskiev's face. Maskiev staggers backwards, shaken.
Maskiev has his takedown stuffed

and Ichimaru counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Maskiev wants to stand up but Ichimaru is controlling him.
Ichimaru looking to sit in guard and control but Maskiev gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Maskiev gets to his feet - Ichimaru follows without any prompting.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ichimaru doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Maskiev holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ichimaru wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ichimaru wants to break the clinch but can't.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Maskiev.

Maskiev jumps guard.
Maskiev controls Ichimaru momentarily but Ichimaru frees himself.

Maskiev working for a triangle but Ichimaru defends it easily.
Maskiev has Ichimaru pulled in close to control his posture.

Maskiev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ichimaru doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ichimaru manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Maskiev trying to control the position.
Maskiev might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Ichimaru kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ichimaru looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Maskiev is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ichimaru trying to move into half guard but instead Maskiev has managed to sweep!
Ichimaru wants to hit a switch here but Maskiev passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Ichimaru there!
Ichimaru is bucking up trying to escape but Maskiev cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Ichimaru tries to hold on but Maskiev postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maskiev lands a heavy elbow.
Maskiev lands a big elbow.
Ichimaru is bucking up trying to escape but Maskiev cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Ichimaru keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Maskiev takes Ichimaru's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Ichimaru is in trouble.
Ichimaru prevents Maskiev from getting a body triangle.
Maskiev lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maskiev biding his time, controlling Ichimaru.
Ichimaru covers up after that shot from Maskiev.
Ichimaru is in bad spot here.
Maskiev somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
Gin Ichimaru has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ichimaru trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Maskiev's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Ichimaru is really stuck here.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Vlad Maskiev.
I've got Maskiev 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vlad Maskiev!