PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Takanori Gomi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Solovyev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gomi comes into the arena with Scary blaring out of the sound system. Vladimir Solovyev has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Takanori Gomi's chin.

Gomi
vs
Solovyev

173 cm
30
165 lbs
25 - 5 - 1

171 cm
29
157 lbs
24 - 6 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Diamond Nutrition 160q

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 25 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Takanori Gomi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 6 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Vladimir Solovyev!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Gomi does no damage.
Solovyev stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Gomi's corner calls for a 1-2. Gomi obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Gomi looks to score with a jab to the body but Solovyev is just out of range.
Gomi pushes Solovyev away with a front kick.
Solovyev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gomi.
Gomi misses with a looping left.
Solovyev misses the shot to the body.
Solovyev takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Solovyev walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Gomi throws a series of punches but Solovyev moves out of range.
Solovyev throws a body punch but Gomi moves out of range.
Solovyev goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Solovyev cracks Gomi with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gomi throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Solovyev.
Solovyev throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Gomi counter with a right hand.
Solovyev throws a head kick but Gomi moves out of range.
Solovyev with a nice cross.
Solovyev wants to clinch.
Solovyev misses with a head kick.
Gomi swings for the body but Solovyev moves out of range.
Solovyev tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Gomi throws a shot from downtown. Solovyev moves away and avoids it.
Solovyev lands an overhand right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gomi throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Solovyev's waist but Solovyev gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Gomi off to one side.
Gomi staying out of range there.
Takanori Gomi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gomi throws a solid leg kick but Solovyev takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Gomi.
Solovyev throws a body kick that misses.
Solovyev throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Vladimir Solovyev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Solovyev uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gomi.
Solovyev scores with the left hand. Gomi knows he should have avoided that one.
Gomi connects with a crisp jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gomi connects with a nice looking jab.
Gomi scores with a jab.
Gomi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Solovyev misses with a kick to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Solovyev digs a good hook to Gomi's body.
Gomi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Solovyev defends it nicely.
Solovyev scores with a leg kick.
Solovyev closes the distance but Gomi moves to the side

and Gomi counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Gomi.
Solovyev is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Solovyev seems keen to control Gomi's posture.
Gomi prevents Solovyev from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gomi controlling from the top position.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Vladimir Solovyev wasn't active enough on the ground.
A nice leg kick lands there from Solovyev.
Gomi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Solovyev with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Gomi takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Gomi looks for a takedown but Solovyev sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Takanori Gomi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Solovyev misses with a leg kick
enabling Gomi to counter with a crisp jab.
Gomi throws a wild body kick that Solovyev sees coming a mile off.
Solovyev shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Vladimir Solovyev will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Gomi looks to land a body kick but Solovyev moved away.
Solovyev scores with a body shot.
Gomi stuns Solovyev with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Solovyev misses the body punch
and Gomi counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Gomi keeps the fight on the outside.
A head kick misses from Solovyev.
Gomi throws a nice looking combination but Solovyev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Solovyev scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Gomi doesn't seem bothered though.
Solovyev displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Gomi.
Solovyev tried to score with a low kick but Gomi checks it.
Gomi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Solovyev defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gomi ducks under a wild hook from Solovyev.
Gomi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Solovyev sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gomi somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Takanori Gomi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gomi connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Solovyev just misses with a punch to the body.
Gomi lunges at Solovyev with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Solovyev's hand.
Solovyev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gomi tries to bum rush Solovyev with a series of wild strikes but Solovyev uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Solovyev uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gomi.
Gomi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gomi listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Solovyev throws a leg kick that misses.
Solovyev throws a looping overhand right but Gomi ducks down to avoid it.
Solovyev throws an overhand right that lands on Gomi's shoulder, as Gomi tries to avoid the shot.

Gomi tries to keep at a distance but Solovyev has taken the fight into the clinch.
Gomi lands a body shot in the clinch.
Gomi can't find room to land a body shot as Solovyev controls the action.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Solovyev wants to stall.
Gomi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Gomi breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gomi throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Gomi defending well as Solovyev loads up on a big left hand.
Solovyev is looking to clinch.
Solovyev throws a low kick but Gomi avoids it.
Gomi slips under a jab.
Gomi cracks Solovyev with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Gomi fails to land with a series of punches.
Gomi connects with a body shot.
Gomi throws a low kick but Solovyev moves out of range easily.
Gomi shoots in for a double leg but Solovyev sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Gomi throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Solovyev stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gomi takes one to the chin there.

Solovyev gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Solovyev digs a right hand into Gomi's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Gomi's gas tank.

Gomi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Solovyev closes the distance and clinches.
Solovyev lands a nice shot to the body.
Solovyev blocks an uppercut.
Gomi is looking for a takedown.
Solovyev prevents Gomi from breaking the clinch.
Gomi working hard to break the clinch.

Solovyev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Vladimir Solovyev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Solovyev connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Gomi looks to land a body kick but Solovyev moved away.
Solovyev stuns Gomi with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Gomi looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
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 Takanori Gomi will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Solovyev scores with a nice head shot.
Gomi cracks a nice hook into Solovyev's ribs.
Gomi throws a big shot that misses.
Gomi stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Solovyev.
Gomi looks to land a right hand but Solovyev moved out of range.

Solovyev moves into the clinch successfully.
Gomi can't find room to land a body shot as Solovyev controls the action.
Gomi makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A frustrated look appears on Gomi's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Gomi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Solovyev holding his opponent close, against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Solovyev.
Solovyev is trying to maintain a safe position but Gomi gets an underhook and turns Solovyev into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gomi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Gomi has a couple of punches blocked by Solovyev.
Gomi changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Solovyev fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Gomi blocks the body kick.
Gomi ducks under a wild hook from Solovyev.
Solovyev throws a good cross that connects.
Solovyev cracks the inside of Gomi's front leg.
Gomi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Solovyev is fending him off so far but Gomi persists. Nope, Solovyev circles away and we're back to standing.
Gomi throws out a loose jab but Solovyev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Solovyev thuds his shin into the meat of Gomi's side.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Solovyev.
Solovyev digs a good body shot into Gomi's ribs.
Solovyev throws an overhand right that lands on Gomi's shoulder, as Gomi tries to avoid the shot.
Gomi ducks under a wild hook from Solovyev.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice uppercut lands for Solovyev. That snapped Gomi's head back.
Solovyev cracks Gomi with an open hand slap.
Solovyev cracks Gomi with a right hand to the side of the head.
Solovyev lands with a cross.

Gomi looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Solovyev tries to kick Gomi off but Gomi keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Gomi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gomi missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Gomi misses with a head shot. Solovyev uses the momentum to regain guard.
Gomi scoring with punches to the head and body.

Solovyev has his feet on Gomi's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Good work by Solovyev as he checks the leg kick.
Solovyev fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Gomi checks it well.
Gomi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Gomi misses with a combination
and Solovyev makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Solovyev lands a lovely overhand right.
Gomi misses with a hook. Solovyev ducked under it nicely.
Solovyev looks to score with a jab to the body but Gomi is just out of range.
Solovyev scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Gomi doesn't seem bothered though.
Solovyev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Solovyev throws a head kick that misses

and Gomi counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gomi not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gomi with the ground and pound but Solovyev uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Solovyev keeping full guard, as Gomi tries to pass.
Gomi is working hard here to advance position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vladimir Solovyev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Solovyev 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Vladimir Solovyev!
Vladimir Solovyev seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.