PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kirill Petrov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jonah Roncesvalles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Petrov's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Iron Man. Roncesvalles is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Walk. Kirill Petrov has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Petrov
vs
Roncesvalles

176 cm
27
159 lbs
17 - 8 - 0

165 cm
26
152 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kirill Petrov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jonah Roncesvalles!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Igor Prikhodko and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Roncesvalles wants to clinch.
Roncesvalles throws a good cross that connects.
A jab lands there for Petrov.
Roncesvalles misses the jab.
Roncesvalles connects with a body shot.
Petrov looks to land a combination but Roncesvalles avoids it well.
Roncesvalles connects with the punch.

Roncesvalles rushes Petrov and presses him up against the cage.
Petrov taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Petrov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Roncesvalles blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A frustrated look appears on Roncesvalles's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Roncesvalles.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Roncesvalles is trying to slow the pace down but that's a couple of times in a row that he's tried to get underhooks and Petrov has denied him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roncesvalles tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Roncesvalles blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Roncesvalles taking a breather.
Roncesvalles misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Roncesvalles is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Petrov misses with a punch on the inside.
Petrov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Roncesvalles jumps guard but Petrov stands there with Roncesvalles around his waist. Roncesvalles gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Petrov works on Roncesvalles's body with a couple of short punches.
Petrov is stalling here.
Roncesvalles lands with a left to the head.
Petrov lands with a light punch inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Petrov.
Petrov is pressed up against the cage. Roncesvalles has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Petrov down to the mat. Petrov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petrov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Roncesvalles waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Petrov.
Petrov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Roncesvalles is fending him off so far but Petrov persists. Nope, Roncesvalles circles away and we're back to standing.
Petrov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Roncesvalles keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Petrov scores with a three punch combo!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Roncesvalles lands with a straight right. Petrov didn't see that one coming.
Roncesvalles moves out of range as Petrov strikes.
Petrov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Roncesvalles looks to land a left hand but Petrov moved out of range nicely.
Roncesvalles blocks a low kick nicely.
Petrov misses the shot to the body.
Petrov misses with a body punch
and Roncesvalles counters with a stiff right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petrov misses with a few strikes there.
Petrov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Roncesvalles darts in and clinches Petrov up against the cage.
Roncesvalles struggles to land a body shot inside as Petrov controls his hands.
Roncesvalles wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Petrov has him pressed against the cage.
Petrov looking to stall.
Petrov has a couple of punches blocked by Roncesvalles.
Roncesvalles wants to take the fight to the mat but Petrov manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Kirill Petrov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jonah Roncesvalles.
Roncesvalles blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Roncesvalles gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Petrov throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Petrov is on top in guard.
Roncesvalles wants to sweep but no luck.
Petrov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Petrov distracts Roncesvalles with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Petrov won't allow Roncesvalles to get back to his feet.

Roncesvalles manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Kirill Petrov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Roncesvalles forces Petrov back against the cage and clinches.
Petrov avoiding damage.
Petrov misses with a punch on the inside.
Petrov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Petrov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Petrov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Roncesvalles goes for a takedown in the clinch but Petrov prevents it.
Petrov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A head punch on the inside from Roncesvalles fails to land.
A head punch on the inside from Petrov fails to land.
Come on Petrov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kirill Petrov will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Petrov swings for the body but Roncesvalles moves out of range.
Petrov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Roncesvalles jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Petrov tries to score with a low kick but Roncesvalles moves his leg out of the way.
Petrov throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Roncesvalles throws a big shot that misses.
Petrov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Roncesvalles checks the leg kick nicely there.
Roncesvalles throws a body kick that misses.
Petrov connects with a nice looking jab.
Roncesvalles fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Petrov manages to avoid it.
Petrov pivots, looking for a leg kick but Roncesvalles is out of range and Petrov settles back down.
Roncesvalles takes a swing at Petrov's ribcage but misses.
Roncesvalles feints a jab promting Petrov to slip. Roncesvalles then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Petrov slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roncesvalles on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Petrov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Roncesvalles's head.
A nice inside leg kick there by Petrov. That's going to slow Roncesvalles down.
Petrov throws a right hand that Roncesvalles ducks under and follows up with a left that Roncesvalles also avoids with ease.
Petrov is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Roncesvalles shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Petrov as he jumps to the side.
A leg kick checked by Roncesvalles.
Roncesvalles tries to clinch there but Petrov circles away.
Petrov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Petrov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Roncesvalles.
Petrov misses with a low kick.
Roncesvalles fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Petrov manages to avoid it.
Petrov misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roncesvalles's jab looks to have found its range, popping Petrov under the eye.
Petrov throws a chopping leg kick but Roncesvalles manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Petrov misses with a low kick.
Petrov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Petrov wants to land a leg kick but Roncesvalles is out of range.
Roncesvalles checks a leg kick.

Roncesvalles closes the distance and clinches.
Petrov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Roncesvalles tries to work over Petrov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Roncesvalles doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Roncesvalles pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Petrov wants to slow Roncesvalles down by chopping away at his legs.
A leg kick checked by Roncesvalles.
Kirill Petrov is winning the standup battle so far.
A bone on bone clash there as Roncesvalles blocks the leg kick.
Petrov fails with the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petrov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Roncesvalles but Roncesvalles pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Petrov swats away the attempt to clinch by Roncesvalles.
Petrov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Roncesvalles.
The fighters circle momentarily. Roncesvalles darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Roncesvalles fails with an attempt to clinch.
Roncesvalles wants to clinch.
Petrov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Roncesvalles forces Petrov back against the cage and clinches.
Roncesvalles is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Petrov is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Roncesvalles pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Roncesvalles closes the distance but Petrov moves to the side
and Roncesvalles takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Petrov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Roncesvalles takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Roncesvalles tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Petrov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Petrov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Petrov keeps the fight on the outside.
Petrov thuds his right hand into Roncesvalles's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A shot to the body from Roncesvalles misses
and Petrov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Petrov thuds his right hand into Roncesvalles's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Petrov missing with a left hand there. Roncesvalles was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Petrov throws a leg kick which misses Roncesvalles's front leg but catches the back leg as Roncesvalles tries to avoid it.
Roncesvalles shoots for a takedown but Petrov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
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 Kirill Petrov will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Roncesvalles fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Petrov slips a jab and a cross from Roncesvalles.
Roncesvalles moves in looking to clinch but Petrov pushes him off.
Roncesvalles misses with a looping left.
Roncesvalles misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Petrov.
Roncesvalles takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Petrov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Petrov shoots in and gets a takedown into Roncesvalles's guard.
Petrov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Petrov throws a big right hand that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Petrov trying to control the position from guard on top but Roncesvalles is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Petrov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roncesvalles keeping moving, preventing Petrov from controlling successfully.
Roncesvalles not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Roncesvalles utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Petrov postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Jonah Roncesvalles.
Roncesvalles moves out of range of the leg kick from Petrov.
Petrov keeps the fight on the outside.
Petrov has a takedown stuffed.
A clash of legs there as Roncesvalles blocks the low kick.
Petrov avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roncesvalles lands a slapping body shot.
The fighters circling - Petrov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Petrov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Petrov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Petrov swinging wildly here.

Roncesvalles rushes Petrov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Roncesvalles lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Petrov backwards.
Petrov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Roncesvalless head.
Jonah Roncesvalles has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Roncesvalles works on Petrov's body with a couple of short punches.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Roncesvalles slowing the pace effectively.

Roncesvalles drags the fight down to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petrov trying to control but Roncesvalles is working from the bottom.

Roncesvalles has his foot on Petrov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Petrov works his way back into a safe position though.

Roncesvalles had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Petrov defends it easily.

Petrov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Roncesvalles has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Petrov has managed to get both his arms back between Roncesvalles's legs - danger averted.
Petrov trying to control but Roncesvalles is working from the bottom.
Kirill Petrov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Petrov passes easily into side control. Nice work.
You can see the frustration on Roncesvalles's face as Petrov controls the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Roncesvalles is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Petrov's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Roncesvalles is trying to control but can't.
Roncesvalles wants to improve his position but Petrov is controlling well.
Petrov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Kirill Petrov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Roncesvalles moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Petrov passes Roncesvalles's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Kirill Petrov.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Petrov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kirill Petrov!
During a confident post fight interview, Kirill Petrov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.