PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dimitri Morozov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Martin Ekdahl (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Morozov
vs
Ekdahl

194 cm
20
195 lbs
4 - 3 - 1

185 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dimitri Morozov!
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, Martin Ekdahl!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Ivan Kurochkin and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ekdahl lands with a kick to the ribs.
Morozov wants to clinch up but Ekdahl keeps it at a distance.
Morozov keeps the fight on the outside.
Morozov tries to clinch

and Ekdahl counters by moving into the clinch.
Morozov tries a knee to the head but Ekdahl blocks it.
Ekdahl is trying to break the clinch but Morozov has him pressed against the cage.
Morozov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ekdahl has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ekdahl tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Morozov tries to land a knee to the head but Ekdahl blocks with his arms.
Ekdahl fails to pull guard.
Ekdahl jumps guard but Morozov stands there with Ekdahl around his waist. Ekdahl gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ekdahl is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Morozov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Dimitri Morozov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Martin Ekdahl.
Morozov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Ekdahl looking to slow down the pace here.
Ekdahl wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Morozov has him pressed against the cage.
Morozov tries to land a knee to the head but Ekdahl blocks with his arms.
Morozov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ekdahl wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Morozov has him pressed against the cage.
Morozov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Ekdahl wants to get back to striking at distance but Morozov won't allow it.
Morozov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Morozov is breathing heavily.
Morozov tries to land a knee to the head but Ekdahl blocks with his arms.
Morozov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ekdahl blocks it with crossed arms.
Ekdahl tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ekdahl tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Morozov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Ekdahl is trying to break the clinch but Morozov has him pressed against the cage.
Ekdahl stalling in the clinch but Morozov improves position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morozov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Morozov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ekdahl drops down looking for an ankle pick but Morozov pulls his leg out and moves away.

Ekdahl drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Ekdahl stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Morozov swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Morozov scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Morozov tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Ekdahl counters with a nice double leg into side control. Morozov won't be happy with that.
Morozov wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Ekdahl looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Morozov is trying to buck Ekdahl off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Morozov sneaks out the side door and pushes Ekdahl away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ekdahl looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Morozov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Dimitri Morozov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Ekdahl bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ekdahl wants to control but Morozov is keeping him busy.
Morozov wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Morozov throws Ekdahl to one side and escapes!
Ekdahl keeps the fight on the outside.
Morozov wants to clinch up but Ekdahl keeps it at a distance.
Ekdahl keeps the fight on the outside.
Ekdahl avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morozov moves in looking to clinch but Ekdahl pushes him off.
Morozov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Dimitri Morozov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ekdahl throws a head kick but Morozov moves out of range.

Ekdahl bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Morozov is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Ekdahl is controlling him well.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ekdahl wants to control but Morozov is keeping him busy.
Morozov wants to get back to his feet but Ekdahl drags him back down.
Ekdahl is putting a hurting on Morozov here, landing some big shots from side control.
Morozov is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Ekdahl has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Check out the look on Ekdahl's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Ekdahl moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Morozov wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morozov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Morozov tries to clinch but Ekdahl moves out of range.
Ekdahl circles away from the clinch attempt.

Ekdahl changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Morozov looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Morozov is not content to let Ekdahl control the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Morozov is trying to get back to his feet.

Morozov bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Martin Ekdahl dominated that round.
That's time! Morozov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Morozov wants to clinch up but Ekdahl keeps it at a distance.
Ekdahl throws a head kick that misses.
Morozov tries to grapple but his opponent circles

so Ekdahl counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Ekdahl must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ekdahl trying to control the position from guard on top but Morozov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Morozov wants to stand and escape but Ekdahl is having none of it.

Ekdahl stands up and waves to Morozov to follow him.

Ekdahl drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Morozov wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ekdahl decides to stand up, so the ref orders Morozov to his feet.

Ekdahl scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Morozov is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Ekdahl asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Morozov sneaks out the side door and pushes Ekdahl away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Morozov clinches but Ekdahl breaks the clinch
and Ekdahl counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Morozov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ekdahl swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ekdahl keeps the fight on the outside.
Morozov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ekdahl paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Morozov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekdahl doesn't manage to clinch there - Morozov circles away.

Morozov clinches.
Ekdahl goes for a takedown in the clinch but Morozov prevents it.
Morozov looking to throw knees to the head but Ekdahl is blocking nicely.
Morozov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ekdahl has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Morozov with a knee to the head.
Morozov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ekdahl blocks it with crossed arms.
Ekdahl tries to break the clinch but Morozov is controlling the position.
Morozov misses with a knee to the head.
Morozov scores with a knee to the head.
Morozov misses with a knee to the head.
Morozov gets underhooks to prevent Ekdahl's takedown attempt.
Morozov looking to throw knees to the head but Ekdahl is blocking nicely.
Morozov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Ekdahl looking to slow down the pace here.
Ekdahl has had enough of the clinch but Morozov keeps him there for the moment.
Ekdahl is trying to break free.

Ekdahl successfully pulls guard.
Ekdahl has Morozov pulled in close to control his posture.
Ekdahl is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morozov stopping the sweep attempt from Ekdahl.
Ekdahl is trying to keep Morozov in close.
Morozov wanted to stand there but Ekdahl had control of the position.
Morozov stopping the sweep attempt from Ekdahl.

Ekdahl uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Ekdahl moves in looking to clinch but Morozov pushes him off.
Ekdahl connects with a high kick.
Ekdahl circles away from the clinch attempt

so Ekdahl counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekdahl lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Ekdahl tries to free his leg and advance position but Morozov is retaining full guard.

Ekdahl gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Ekdahl shoots in looking for a takedown. Morozov tries to sprawl out of it but Ekdahl keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Morozov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Dimitri Morozov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Martin Ekdahl.
Morozov looks to clinch

and Ekdahl counters with a takedown into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Morozov is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Morozov is not content to let Ekdahl control the position.
Morozov is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ekdahl wants to control but Morozov is keeping him busy.

Ekdahl tries for a kimura but Morozov is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Martin Ekdahl showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Ekdahl wants to clinch up but Morozov keeps it at a distance.
Ekdahl fails with the takedown.
Morozov tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Ekdahl counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Morozov pushes Ekdahl off and scrambles back to his feet.
Morozov tries to clinch but Ekdahl moves out of range.

Morozov moves into range and clinches up with Ekdahl.

Ekdahl breaks from the clinch.
Morozov keeps the fight on the outside.
Ekdahl circles away from the clinch attempt

and Ekdahl counters with a nice double leg into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Morozov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ekdahl is controlling him.
Morozov trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ekdahl decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Martin Ekdahl is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Ekdahl shoots in and bounces Morozov off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Morozov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ekdahl is controlling him.
Ekdahl wants to control from the top but Morozov keeps moving.
Morozov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ekdahl is controlling him.
Ekdahl not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Ekdahl tries to free his leg and advance position but Morozov is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Morozov kicks Ekdahl off and gets to his feet.
Morozov is looking to clinch.

Ekdahl shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Ekdahl was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Morozov wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Morozov is squirming around, avoiding Ekdahl's attempts to control the action.
Ekdahl has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Morozov is trying to stand up.

Morozov bucks Ekdahl off and manages to get back to his feet!
Morozov closes the distance but Ekdahl moves to the side

and Ekdahl counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Morozov pushes Ekdahl off looking to stand but Ekdahl dives back in and keeps control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekdahl wants to control but Morozov is keeping him busy.
Morozov is in trouble now - Ekdahl has advanced to mount!
Morozov trying desperately to get to his feet.
Ekdahl takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Ekdahl with shots to the head and body - Morozov looks very uncomfortable down there.
Morozov is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Morozov in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Morozov is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ekdahl breaks from Morozov's wrist control and lands an elbow.

Morozov defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Ekdahl.
Ekdahl won't let Morozov get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Morozov bucks up and throws Ekdahl to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!
Morozov is looking to clinch but Ekdahl is avoiding it.
Morozov stuffs the takedown attempt from Ekdahl. Ekdahl gets slowly back to his feet.
Dimitri Morozov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ekdahl blocks a head kick by Morozov.

And that's the end of the fight!
Martin Ekdahl comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ekdahl winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Martin Ekdahl!