PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Vladimir Dzagoev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yo Eshimuro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Dzagoev
vs
Eshimuro

177 cm
22
155 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

185 cm
26
162 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

KAISER

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vladimir Dzagoev!
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, Yo Eshimuro!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Illya Tyunina and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Eshimuro looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A right-left combo lands from Dzagoev.
Eshimuro has a takedown stuffed.
Some wild striking there from Dzagoev.
Dzagoev misses with a combination

and Eshimuro counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Eshimuro is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Dzagoev is defending against the submission attempts here by Eshimuro.
Eshimuro is trying to control. Dzagoev wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Eshimuro is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Dzagoev wants to get back to his feet.
Eshimuro wants to take a breather but Dzagoev is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Eshimuro is looking for a kimura but Dzagoev is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Eshimuro to get the leverage.

Dzagoev is defending against the submission attempts here by Eshimuro.
Dzagoev is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dzagoev pushes Eshimuro off looking to stand but Eshimuro dives back in and keeps control.

Eshimuro is working for a kimura but Dzagoev is defending it quite comfortably.
Dzagoev tries to get to full guard but Eshimuro has control of the leg.
Eshimuro tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

Eshimuro is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Dzagoev sees it coming and defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dzagoev pushes Eshimuro off looking to stand but Eshimuro dives back in and keeps control.
Eshimuro trying to mount his opponent but Dzagoev defends it.
Dzagoev keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Eshimuro tries to pass the half guard into mount. Dzagoev knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Dzagoev knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Eshimuro on the ground.

Eshimuro stands up from half guard.
A cross from Dzagoev lands.
A punch combination from Dzagoev misses.
Dzagoev throws a combination that misses
and Eshimuro counters with a series of strikes. Dzagoev will be more careful next time no doubt.
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!
Eshimuro looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Dzagoev throws a right and a left that Eshimuro avoids nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by Dzagoev.
Dzagoev throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Eshimuro tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dzagoev swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Dzagoev stuffs the takedown attempt from Eshimuro. Eshimuro gets slowly back to his feet.
Vladimir Dzagoev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yo Eshimuro.
Dzagoev throws a combination. Eshimuro tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Dzagoev throws a nice looking combination but Eshimuro bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Eshimuro ducks under a wild hook from Dzagoev.
Eshimuro is looking to clinch but Dzagoev is avoiding it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Eshimuro wants to clinch.
Dzagoev swinging wildly here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yo Eshimuro 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.

Dzagoev misses with a wild combination.
Eshimuro throws a series of punches but Dzagoev moves out of range.
Dzagoev throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Dzagoev throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Eshimuro.
Eshimuro doesn't manage to clinch there - Dzagoev circles away.
Eshimuro is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Dzagoev.
Vladimir Dzagoev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Eshimuro misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A punch combination from Dzagoev misses.
Eshimuro darts in trying to clinch
and Dzagoev counters with a two punch combo.
Dzagoev looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dzagoev fails to land with a series of punches.
Eshimuro shoots in but Dzagoev avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Eshimuro tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dzagoev swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Dzagoev keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Vladimir Dzagoev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yo Eshimuro.
Jab, jab by Dzagoev - just one landing.
Eshimuro shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Dzagoev but Dzagoev pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Dzagoev scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Eshimuro tries to clinch but Dzagoev is having none of it.
Eshimuro moves in looking to clinch but Dzagoev pushes him off.
Eshimuro misses with the combination.
Dzagoev is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eshimuro dodges the punch combination from Dzagoev.
Eshimuro blocks a jab.
Eshimuro fails in his attempt to clinch.
Vladimir Dzagoev is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dzagoev lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Eshimuro is rocked!
Dzagoev circles away from the clinch attempt.
Eshimuro is still on wobbly legs! Can Dzagoev finish him?
Dzagoev looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Dzagoev misses with a double jab

and Eshimuro holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Dzagoev prevents a takedown attempt there.
Dzagoev can't break the clinch.

Dzagoev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dzagoev falls off balance throwing a combination

and Eshimuro holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Eshimuro working aggressively here.
Eshimuro seems to have recovered his senses.

Eshimuro breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Dzagoev throws a series of punches but Eshimuro avoids them all with ease.
Nice defenses there by Eshimuro.
Dzagoev swats away the attempt to clinch by Eshimuro.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eshimuro is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Dzagoev lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Dzagoev lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Eshimuro circles away quickly and effectively.
Eshimuro tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Dzagoev manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Eshimuro shoots in but no luck this time.
Eshimuro tries to move into range but Dzagoev moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Dzagoev misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Eshimuro tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Dzagoev swivels and escapes.
Eshimuro is breathing heavily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Eshimuro looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Dzagoev throws a nice looking combination but Eshimuro bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dzagoev throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Eshimuro.
Dzagoev scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Dzagoev!
Dzagoev looks to land a combination but Eshimuro avoids it well.
Eshimuro fails in his attempt to clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Eshimuro tries to score a power double leg takedown but Dzagoev sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Eshimuro somewhat.
Eshimuro fails with the takedown.
Dzagoev swats away the attempt to clinch by Eshimuro.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dzagoev slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Eshimuro slips a jab and a cross from Dzagoev.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Dzagoev dominated that second round.
That's time! Dzagoev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Eshimuro shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dzagoev as he jumps to the side.
Eshimuro wants to clinch.
Eshimuro closes this distance looking for a takedown but Dzagoev circles away.
Dzagoev misses with a double jab.
Dzagoev fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Dzagoev throws a right and a left that both miss.
Dzagoev fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Eshimuro is looking to clinch but Dzagoev is avoiding it.
Eshimuro showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Dzagoev.
Eshimuro uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Dzagoev.
Dzagoev scores with a three punch combo!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eshimuro shoots in and drives through. Dzagoev sprawls well.
Vladimir Dzagoev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yo Eshimuro.
Dzagoev throws a series of punches but Eshimuro avoids them all with ease.
Eshimuro fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Eshimuro takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A combination from Dzagoev does no damage.
Dzagoev throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Eshimuro fails with a takedown attempt.
Eshimuro tries to clinch but Dzagoev is having none of it.
Dzagoev scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Eshimuro tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Dzagoev manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Dzagoev throws a series of punches but Eshimuro moves out of range.
Eshimuro tries to clinch but Dzagoev is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dzagoev moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Eshimuro doesn't manage to clinch there - Dzagoev circles away.
Eshimuro moves away from the strike by Dzagoev.
Eshimuro fails with the takedown
and Dzagoev counters with a two punch combo.
Vladimir Dzagoev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
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!
Eshimuro tries to clinch there but Dzagoev circles away.
Eshimuro tries to clinch but Dzagoev is having none of it.
Eshimuro slips under a jab from Dzagoev.
Eshimuro tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Dzagoev manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Eshimuro has taken the fight to the clinch.

Eshimuro breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Eshimuro tries to clinch but Dzagoev is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dzagoev throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Dzagoev changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Eshimuro is looking to clinch.
Dzagoev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Eshimuro manages to avoid it.
Dzagoev tests Eshimuro's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Dzagoev looks to throw the jab but Eshimuro is out of range.
Dzagoev looks to throw the jab but Eshimuro is out of range.
Eshimuro with a lazy takedown attempt
and Dzagoev counters with a stiff right hand.
Dzagoev throws a right and a left that both miss.
Eshimuro ducks under a wild hook from Dzagoev.
Dzagoev swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Eshimuro counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Eshimuro.
Eshimuro tries for a takedown but Dzagoev manages to get underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eshimuro keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Dzagoev's efforts to push away.
Dzagoev tries to break free but Eshimuro pushes him back against the cage.
Eshimuro is trying to drag Dzagoev to the mat but Dzagoev just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Eshimuro breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Eshimuro tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Dzagoev manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Dzagoev misses the shot to the body.
Eshimuro showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Dzagoev.
Dzagoev is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dzagoev misses with the combination.
Eshimuro tries to close the distance and clinch but Dzagoev swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vladimir Dzagoev showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Dzagoev 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:28
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vladimir Dzagoev!