PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vance Von Vichstein (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Moldovanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Moldovanov is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Theme Song. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Von Vichstein
vs
Moldovanov

192 cm
20
234 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

193 cm
25
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Intelligent

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vance Von Vichstein!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alex Moldovanov!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Von Vichstein has a takedown stuffed.
Moldovanov jabs Von Vichstein to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Moldovanov shoots for a takedown but Von Vichstein saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Moldovanov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Von Vichstein fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vance Von Vichstein. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sloppy strikes from Moldovanov. Those never looked like landing.

Von Vichstein shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Moldovanov manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Moldovanov wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Von Vichstein trying to control the position from guard on top but Moldovanov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Von Vichstein stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Moldovanov swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moldovanov keeping moving, preventing Von Vichstein from controlling successfully.
Moldovanov wants to get back to his feet but Von Vichstein is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Vance Von Vichstein just wasn't active enough.
Moldovanov misses with a wild combination.
Von Vichstein looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Moldovanov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
No joy there for Moldovanov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Von Vichstein with that takedown attempt.
Moldovanov fails with a takedown attempt.
Von Vichstein throws a nice inside leg kick.
Moldovanov looks gassed!
Moldovanov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Moldovanov slaps away a takedown attempt from Von Vichstein, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Von Vichstein is looking to clinch but Moldovanov is avoiding it.
Moldovanov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Von Vichstein defends it nicely.
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!
Von Vichstein shoots in for a takedown but Moldovanov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Von Vichstein shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Moldovanov but Moldovanov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Moldovanov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Von Vichstein misses the body punch
and Moldovanov counters with a left and a right that stings Von Vichstein.
Alex Moldovanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Moldovanov gets a takedown into half guard.
Von Vichstein on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Moldovanov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Von Vichstein trying to hold on to Moldovanov's head to control him but Moldovanov postures up.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Moldovanov lands a nice short elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Moldovanov winds up and cracks Von Vichstein with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Moldovanov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Von Vichstein trying to control from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Moldovanov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Von Vichstein trying to hold on to Moldovanov's head to control him but Moldovanov postures up.

Moldovanov postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Von Vichstein to stand up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Moldovanov looks for a takedown but Von Vichstein sprawls well.
Von Vichstein ducks right into an uppercut from Moldovanov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Moldovanov dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Moldovanov drives through with a takedown into guard.

Moldovanov gets to his feet. Von Vichstein looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Von Vichstein rushes Moldovanov and presses him up against the cage.
Von Vichstein tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Moldovanov smiles and moves away.
Moldovanov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Von Vichstein leaves Moldovanov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Von Vichstein shoots in looking for a takedown but Moldovanov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Von Vichstein's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Von Vichstein shoots for a takedown but Moldovanov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vance Von Vichstein. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Moldovanov fails with a takedown attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Moldovanov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moldovanov sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Von Vichstein shoots in looking for a takedown but Moldovanov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Von Vichstein's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Moldovanov slaps away a takedown attempt from Von Vichstein, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Von Vichstein stuffs the takedown attempt from Moldovanov. Moldovanov gets slowly back to his feet.
Moldovanov takes a swing at Von Vichstein's ribcage but misses.
Von Vichstein throws a combination. Moldovanov tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Von Vichstein with a lazy takedown attempt
and Moldovanov counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Moldovanov shoots in and drives through. Von Vichstein sprawls well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Von Vichstein tries to clinch there but Moldovanov circles away.

Von Vichstein clinches up with Moldovanov and pushes him back against the cage.
Moldovanov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Von Vichstein.

Moldovanov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Moldovanov changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Von Vichstein looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Von Vichstein is looking for a sweep.
Von Vichstein is trying to control Moldovanov's posture but Moldovanov avoids it.

Moldovanov decides to stand back up. Moldovanov steps back and let's Von Vichstein get back to his feet.
Von Vichstein looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Moldovanov is fending him off so far but Von Vichstein persists. Nope, Moldovanov circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moldovanov misses with a two punch combination.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Moldovanov.

Von Vichstein moves into the clinch.
Moldovanov working hard to break the clinch.
Von Vichstein stops a takedown attempt from Moldovanov.
Von Vichstein putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Moldovanov in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Moldovanov gets underhooks to prevent Von Vichstein's takedown attempt.
Von Vichstein tries to throw a body punch but Moldovanov avoids it by throwing Von Vichstein back against the cage.
Moldovanov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Moldovanov is looking to break free of the clinch but Von Vichstein has double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Moldovanov is trying to break free.
Von Vichstein looking for a takedown.
Von Vichstein tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Moldovanov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Von Vichstein prevents Moldovanov from breaking the clinch.
Moldovanov misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Von Vichstein breaks from the clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Moldovanov is defended easily by Von Vichstein.
Von Vichstein drops his hands momentarily and Moldovanov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Vance Von Vichstein is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Moldovanov takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Alex Moldovanov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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!

Moldovanov cracks Von Vichstein with a right hand to the side of the head.
Moldovanov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Von Vichstein forces Moldovanov back against the cage and clinches.

Von Vichstein pulls guard.

Moldovanov gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Moldovanov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Von Vichstein sprawls well. Von Vichstein wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Moldovanov gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice takedown defense from Moldovanov. No joy for Von Vichstein on that attempt.
Moldovanov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Moldovanov.

Von Vichstein bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Von Vichstein wants to control for a moment but Moldovanov uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Moldovanov throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Von Vichstein stalling away here and it's allowed Moldovanov to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Von Vichstein looking to pass the guard.

Moldovanov has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Von Vichstein off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moldovanov lands a jab-cross combination.
Moldovanov wants to clinch up but Von Vichstein keeps it at a distance.
Moldovanov shoots in but Von Vichstein avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Vance Von Vichstein has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Moldovanov.
Von Vichstein fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Moldovanov avoids it really well and circles away.
Von Vichstein showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Moldovanov.

Von Vichstein scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Moldovanov struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Von Vichstein trying to control the position but Moldovanov is working away.

Moldovanov bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
A punch combination from Moldovanov misses.
Moldovanov takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

Von Vichstein clinches up with Moldovanov and pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Von Vichstein jumps guard but Moldovanov stands there with Von Vichstein around his waist. Von Vichstein gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Moldovanov wants to get back to striking at distance but Von Vichstein won't allow it.
Moldovanov is looking to control Von Vichstein's arms but Von Vichstein gets an underhook and turns him. Now Moldovanov has his back to the cage.
Moldovanov wants to get back to striking at distance but Von Vichstein won't allow it.
Von Vichstein is looking to take this one to the mat.
Alex Moldovanov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Von Vichstein tries to stall but Moldovanov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Moldovanov wants to get back to striking at distance but Von Vichstein won't allow it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Von Vichstein is trying to pull guard but Moldovanov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Moldovanov is looking to break free of the clinch but Von Vichstein has double underhooks.
Vance Von Vichstein has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Moldovanov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

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 Vance Von Vichstein.
I think Moldovanov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 28:30
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30

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