PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksandr Yermolai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Villa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yermolai comes into the arena with Hollywood Undead: UNDEAD blaring out of the sound system. Rafael Villa has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Yermolai
vs
Villa

195 cm
26
269 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

194 cm
32
246 lbs
16 - 9 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Good low kicks
Powerful

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aleksandr Yermolai !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rafael Villa!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yermolai displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Villa.
Villa misses with a head kick.
Villa misses with a takedown attempt - Yermolai sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Yermolai decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Yermolai is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Villa to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
Villa avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Villa wants to get back to his feet but Yermolai is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Villa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Yermolai is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Yermolai throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yermolai scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Yermolai in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Villa is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Yermolai drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Yermolai jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Yermolai trying to control but Villa is working from the bottom.
Yermolai stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Villa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Yermolai is working hard here to advance position.
Villa keeping moving, preventing Yermolai from controlling successfully.
Yermolai throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yermolai working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Villa's head.

Yermolai postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Villa is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Yermolai , into his guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Villa got a little sloppy there for a moment and Yermolai has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Villa has managed to get both his arms back between Yermolai 's legs - danger averted.
Yermolai has Villa pulled in close to control his posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Yermolai looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Villa trying to control the position from guard on top but Yermolai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Yermolai escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Villa gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Villa throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Villa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Yermolai swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Yermolai is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Villa defends well.

Yermolai had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Villa defends it easily.

Yermolai working for a triangle but Villa defends it easily.

Yermolai looking for a guillotine here but Villa defends easily.
Yermolai 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.
Villa slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Villa must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Yermolai controls Villa momentarily but Villa frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yermolai keeping moving, preventing Villa from controlling successfully.

Yermolai is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Villa defends well.
Yermolai is trying to keep Villa in close.
Villa trying to control but Yermolai is working from the bottom.
Yermolai trying to keep a closed guard but Villa is proving a slippery customer.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Yermolai tests Villa's chin there with a solid looking shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Villa throws a series of punches but Yermolai moves out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Yermolai . No joy for Villa on that attempt.
Aleksandr Yermolai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Villa.
A chopping leg kick lands by Villa.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandr Yermolai dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Villa tries for a takedown but Yermolai sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Villa throws a sloppy head kick and Yermolai moves out of range easily.
Villa shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Yermolai defends it nicely.
Rafael Villa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Villa shoots in for a takedown but Yermolai shows good takedown defense.
Aleksandr Yermolai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Villa.
Yermolai leaves Villa with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Villa throws a head kick but Yermolai moves out of range.
Yermolai blocks a head kick by Villa.
Yermolai bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Villa's head backwards.
Villa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Villa is breathing heavily.

Yermolai feints and as Villa raises his hands in defense, Yermolai changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Yermolai cracks Villa with a solid left hand.
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!
Yermolai in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yermolai in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Yermolai throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Villa works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Yermolai tries to free his leg and advance position but Villa is retaining full guard.
Yermolai throws a big right hand that misses.
Yermolai sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Villa's guard.
Yermolai thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Yermolai is looking to take a break and control but Villa is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Aleksandr Yermolai overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Yermolai prevents Villa from improving his position.
Yermolai trying to mount his opponent but Villa defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Yermolai is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Villa doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Yermolai .
Yermolai tries to pass to full mount but Villa defends it.

Yermolai is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Yermolai lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yermolai looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Yermolai is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Yermolai is looking for a kimura here.

Yermolai is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Villa doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Yermolai .
Yermolai throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Yermolai is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Yermolai wants to control but Villa is keeping him busy.
Villa avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Yermolai .

Yermolai is trying to work for a kimura but Villa is defending well.
Yermolai frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Yermolai throws some wild stikes that Villa manages to avoid easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandr Yermolai dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Villa scoring well with a low kick there.
Villa lands a head shot.

Villa closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Yermolai 's guard.
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!
Yermolai keeping moving, preventing Villa from controlling successfully.

Yermolai has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Villa can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Yermolai keeping moving, preventing Villa from controlling successfully.
Villa forces his way into half guard.

Yermolai is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Villa pulls his head out easily.

Yermolai is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Villa pulls his head out easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Villa wants to lay and pray for a moment but Yermolai keeps working.
Villa content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Yermolai looking for submissions off his back.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Yermolai tries to get to full guard but Villa has control of the leg.
Villa wants to control but Yermolai is keeping him busy.
Yermolai is looking for a sweep. Villa is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Villa not doing much here.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Rafael Villa wasn't active enough on the ground.
A head kick misses from Villa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yermolai jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Yermolai cracks Villa with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Villa misses with a head kick.
Yermolai scores with a jab. Villa acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Villa looks for a takedown but Yermolai sprawls well.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Villa enables Yermolai to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Villa manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yermolai postures up in Villa's guard and throws a big left but Villa blocks it.
Yermolai wants to pass the guard but Villa is keeping the position.
Villa keeping moving, preventing Yermolai from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yermolai looking to pass the guard.
Yermolai advances to half guard.
Villa is trying to control but can't.
Villa is refusing to be controlled, as Yermolai sits in half guard.

Yermolai is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Yermolai looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Villa is not content to let Yermolai control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Villa avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Yermolai .
Yermolai looks to land a strike but Villa avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Yermolai postures up.
Yermolai trying to control the position from guard on top but Villa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yermolai passes into half guard.
Rafael Villa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Yermolai is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Villa as he works his way to full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Villa looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Rafael Villa.
I think Yermolai 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aleksandr Yermolai !
After winning the bout, Aleksandr Yermolai thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.