PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Timo Verhoost (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kostya Zhuravlev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Verhoost comes to the cage accompanied by A minute of your time - Tom Jones. Zhuravlev has chosen Aria - Volja i Razum as his entrance music. Timo Verhoost had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Verhoost
vs
Zhuravlev

168 cm
23
185 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

162 cm
29
170 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Insanely flexible

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Down Under - Supplements.160Q Video Proof

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 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Timo Verhoost!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kostya Zhuravlev!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Sergei Dronov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zhuravlev looks for a takedown but Verhoost sprawls well.
Kostya Zhuravlev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Zhuravlev closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Verhoost is looking to regain half guard here but Zhuravlev keeps moving and retains side control.
Verhoost knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Zhuravlev on the ground.
Zhuravlev misses with the ground and pound.
Zhuravlev has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Zhuravlev goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Verhoost has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Zhuravlev but great work by Verhoost.
Verhoost taking a breather here.
Zhuravlev is looking for a sweep.
Zhuravlev sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Zhuravlev is trying to control but can't.
Zhuravlev moves into full guard.
Verhoost preventing the sweep.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verhoost is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Zhuravlev is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Zhuravlev throwing shots but Verhoost is blocking nicely.
Zhuravlev is thwarting Verhoost's attempts to control the position.
Zhuravlev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Verhoost keeps working.
Zhuravlev tries to pass to full mount but Verhoost defends it.
Zhuravlev scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhuravlev prevents Verhoost from improving his position.
Zhuravlev stalling away here and it's allowed Verhoost to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Zhuravlev wants to pass the guard but Verhoost is keeping the position.

Zhuravlev drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Zhuravlev jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Zhuravlev wants to control from the top but Verhoost keeps moving.
Zhuravlev passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Zhuravlev thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verhoost is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Zhuravlev has just dragged him back down to the mat.
You can see the frustration on Verhoost's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Zhuravlev tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Verhoost holding on.
Zhuravlev wants to control but Verhoost is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Verhoost being controlled for a moment.
Verhoost is looking for a sweep.
Zhuravlev trying to control the position but Verhoost is working away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kostya Zhuravlev dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Verhoost tries to clinch up.
Verhoost just misses with a punch to the body.
Zhuravlev fails with a takedown attempt.
Zhuravlev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Verhoost as he jumps to the side.
Verhoost tries to close the distance and clinch up but Zhuravlev swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Verhoost leaves Zhuravlev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Timo Verhoost has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kostya Zhuravlev.
Verhoost tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Zhuravlev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Verhoost misses the shot to the body.
Verhoost wants to clinch.

Zhuravlev manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Verhoost on his heels. He'll look to pass Verhoost's guard now, I'm sure.
Verhoost looking for a sweep. Not yet Verhoost, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhuravlev is looking to stand up but Verhoost won't let him.
Verhoost controlling Zhuravlev's posture.
Zhuravlev trying to control the position from guard on top but Verhoost is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zhuravlev forces his way into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Verhoost keeping hold of Zhuravlev's head, controlling as best he can.
Verhoost wants to improve his position but Zhuravlev is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Verhoost is trying is best to control the position here.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Zhuravlev wants to pass the guard but Verhoost is defending well.
Verhoost keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Timo Verhoost just wasn't active enough.
Zhuravlev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Zhuravlev shoots in and bounces Verhoost off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Zhuravlev trying to control but Verhoost is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhuravlev's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Verhoost trying to control the position.
Verhoost wants to sweep here but Zhuravlev controlling him for the moment.
Zhuravlev pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Verhoost is keeping the position for now.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Zhuravlev preventing the sweep.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Zhuravlev avoids the body shot from Verhoost.
Verhoost throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Zhuravlev has a takedown stuffed.
Verhoost is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhuravlev fails with a takedown attempt.
Zhuravlev shoots in looking for a takedown but Verhoost manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Zhuravlev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Zhuravlev shoots for a double leg takedown but Verhoost sprawls well. He's pushed Zhuravlev's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Timo Verhoost is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Verhoost lands a slapping body shot.
Verhoost looks to score with a jab to the body but Zhuravlev is just out of range.
Zhuravlev takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Zhuravlev is breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zhuravlev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Verhoost avoids it really well and circles away.
Verhoost misses with a wild body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Verhoost stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Verhoost wants it to stay on the feet.
Verhoost throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Zhuravlev shoots for a takedown but Verhoost saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Verhoost misses the shot to the body.
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 Timo Verhoost will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Verhoost closes the distance and pushes Zhuravlev back into the cage.
Zhuravlev is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Verhoost to keep the fight standing.
Verhoost looking to throw knees to the head but Zhuravlev is blocking nicely.
Verhoost throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Zhuravlev blocks it with crossed arms.
Verhoost connects with a nasty looking knee right to Zhuravlev's face.
Verhoost stalling in the clinch.
Verhoost with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Kostya Zhuravlev has been cut.
Verhoost connects with a nasty looking knee right to Zhuravlev's face.
Verhoost landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Verhoost working Zhuravlev over with knees to the body.
Zhuravlev tries to pull guard but Verhoost holds him up against the cage and eventually Zhuravlev drops back down to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Verhoost with a knee to the head.
Zhuravlev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Zhuravlev is trying to pull guard but Verhoost has him pressed against the cage.
Timo Verhoost has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kostya Zhuravlev.
Verhoost putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Zhuravlev in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Verhoost lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Zhuravlev takes a knee right on the jaw!
Verhoost is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verhoost connects with a knee to the head.
Verhoost landing knees to the head.
Verhoost with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Verhoost scores a nice knee to the body.
Verhoost unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Verhoost stalls.
Verhoost scores with a knee to the head.
Verhoost landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Verhoost with a knee to the head.
Zhuravlev tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Verhoost just stands there and leans against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Verhoost takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Verhoost lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Verhoost connects with a knee to the head.
Verhoost is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Verhoost throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Zhuravlev blocks it with crossed arms.
Verhoost content to slow the pace in the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zhuravlev is trying to pull guard but Verhoost turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Zhuravlev tries to pull guard but Verhoost holds him up against the cage and eventually Zhuravlev drops back down to his feet.
Zhuravlev fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Zhuravlev is trying to pull guard but Verhoost turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Verhoost scores with a knee to the head.
Zhuravlev tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Verhoost smiles and moves away.
Zhuravlev shoots for a takedown but Verhoost saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Verhoost instigates a clinch.
Verhoost with a knee to the head.
Zhuravlev is trying to pull guard but Verhoost has him pressed against the cage.
Verhoost landing knees to the head.
Verhoost lands a good knee to the midsection. Zhuravlev won't want to take too many of those.
Verhoost unloads a knee to the mid-section. Zhuravlev lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Verhoost leaning against his opponent.
Verhoost lands a knee to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Verhoost with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Verhoost effectively controlling the action here.
Verhoost with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Zhuravlev jumps guard but Verhoost stands there with Zhuravlev around his waist. Zhuravlev gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Verhoost with a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Verhoost landing knees to the body.
Verhoost lands a knee to the head.
Zhuravlev tries to pull guard but Verhoost forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Verhoost lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Verhoost lands a nice knee to the body.
Verhoost scores with a knee to the head.
Zhuravlev takes a knee right on the jaw!

Zhuravlev is rocked!
Verhoost with a knee to the head.
Zhuravlev is still on wobbly legs! Can Verhoost finish him?
Verhoost scores a nice knee to the body.
Verhoost connects with a nasty looking knee right to Zhuravlev's face.
Verhoost lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zhuravlev jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Verhoost walks away with a smile on his face. Zhuravlev gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Verhoost drives through and clinches with Zhuravlev against the cage.
Verhoost effectively controlling the action here.
Zhuravlev seems to have recovered his senses.
Verhoost utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Timo Verhoost showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Verhoost 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Timo Verhoost!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Timo Verhoost made sure he mentioned Down Under - Supplements.160Q Video Proof, along with how happy he was to win his fight.