PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Arthur Pirozhkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Harald Andersson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Andersson is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Shaggy - Feel The Rush. Harald Andersson will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Pirozhkov
vs
Andersson

175 cm
23
135 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

150 cm
22
130 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter striker
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ultimate Fighting Gear
[WOT] DTK Designs (Laundry)

HGH Nutrients Q160-Q158

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Arthur Pirozhkov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Harald Andersson!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Konstantin Menshow and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Andersson misses with a wild body shot.
Pirozhkov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Andersson is fending him off so far but Pirozhkov persists. Nope, Andersson circles away and we're back to standing.
Pirozhkov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Pirozhkov has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Pirozhkov there as he acknowledges the shot.
Andersson throws a one two combo.
Pirozhkov misses with a takedown
and Andersson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arthur Pirozhkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Andersson throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Pirozhkov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Andersson but Andersson pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andersson looks to land a body kick but Pirozhkov moved away.
Andersson misses with a body kick.
Andersson leaves Pirozhkov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Andersson fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Pirozhkov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Harald Andersson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Andersson stuns Pirozhkov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Andersson thows a body shot but no joy.
Andersson is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Pirozhkov rather than just go for the knockout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Andersson finds it's way through Pirozhkov's defenses.
Andersson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Pirozhkov blocks a head kick by Andersson.
Andersson tries a head kick but it misses.
Pirozhkov misses with a takedown
and Andersson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pirozhkov shoots in but no luck this time.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Pirozhkov. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Pirozhkov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Andersson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pirozhkov moves out of range as Andersson throws a body kick.
Good shot there by Andersson.

Pirozhkov drives through with a takedown into Andersson's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pirozhkov throws a big right hand that misses.
Pirozhkov tries to free his leg and advance position but Andersson is retaining full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Andersson is on top in guard.

Pirozhkov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Pirozhkov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Andersson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Andersson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Pirozhkov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pirozhkov has a closed guard, preventing Andersson from standing up.
Pirozhkov is pulling down on Andersson's head. It's preventing any offense from Andersson, at least for the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Pirozhkov looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Andersson has picked Pirozhkov up and slammed him! Pirozhkov can't keep hold of the triangle and Andersson manages to pass to side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harald Andersson dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Andersson throws a hook to the side of Pirozhkov's head but Pirozhkov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sloppy strikes from Pirozhkov. Those never looked like landing.
Andersson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pirozhkov manages to avoid it.
Pirozhkov slips a jab from Andersson.
Pirozhkov really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Andersson lands a nice looking body shot.
Pirozhkov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Andersson.
Andersson misses with a straight right.
Pirozhkov has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Andersson finds it's way round the side to connect with Pirozhkov's head.
Andersson pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andersson feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Pirozhkov's calf.
Pirozhkov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Andersson sprawls well. Andersson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Pirozhkov gets slowly back to his feet.
Pirozhkov thows a left - swing and a miss!
A head kick misses from Andersson.
Pirozhkov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Harald Andersson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Andersson scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Pirozhkov doesn't seem bothered though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Andersson with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Andersson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Andersson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Pirozhkov slips a straight right by Andersson.
Andersson misses with a few strikes there.
Pirozhkov avoids the head kick by Andersson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Andersson misses with a head kick.
Andersson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Andersson scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Andersson throws a hook to the side of Pirozhkov's head but Pirozhkov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sloppy strikes from Andersson. Those never looked like landing.
Harald Andersson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A nice inside leg kick there by Andersson. That's going to slow Pirozhkov down.
Andersson tries a head kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Andersson throws a body punch but Pirozhkov moves out of range.
Andersson is looking to slow Pirozhkov down with leg kicks.
Pirozhkov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Andersson as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arthur Pirozhkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pirozhkov avoids the head kick by Andersson.
Pirozhkov moves out of range as Andersson throws a body kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pirozhkov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Pirozhkov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Andersson avoids it really well and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harald Andersson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Pirozhkov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Andersson lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Andersson throws the left hand but Pirozhkov avoids the punch easily.
Andersson misses the shot to the body.
A thudding body kick lands there by Andersson!
Pirozhkov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Andersson but Andersson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Andersson falls off balance throwing a combination

and Pirozhkov counters with a takedown into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pirozhkov swings around for an armbar but Andersson sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Pirozhkov's guard.

Pirozhkov working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Andersson has passed into half guard!
Pirozhkov is trying to maintain the position but Andersson is very close to passing his half guard.
Andersson prevents Pirozhkov from improving his position.

Pirozhkov looking for submissions off his back.

Pirozhkov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Pirozhkov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Andersson seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

Pirozhkov actively working from the bottom here.
Pirozhkov wants to improve his position but Andersson is controlling well.
Andersson wants to get back to his feet.
Pirozhkov misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Andersson wants to stand up but Pirozhkov is controlling the position.

Pirozhkov actively working from the bottom here.
Andersson tries to stand but can't do so whilst Pirozhkov controls his leg.
Pirozhkov is looking to control Andersson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Pirozhkov avoid being mounted?
Pirozhkov is trying to get back to full guard.
Andersson wants to stand up but Pirozhkov has a hold of him and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pirozhkov makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Pirozhkov.

Pirozhkov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Andersson defends well.
Pirozhkov striking off his back but it's not causing Andersson any problems.
Andersson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Pirozhkov's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Pirozhkov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Andersson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Arthur Pirozhkov did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
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.

Nice body kick from Andersson.
Pirozhkov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Pirozhkov.
Pirozhkov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Andersson sprawls well. Andersson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Pirozhkov gets slowly back to his feet.
Pirozhkov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andersson's jab looks to have found its range, popping Pirozhkov under the eye.
Andersson throws a head kick that misses.
Pirozhkov has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arthur Pirozhkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pirozhkov tries for a takedown but Andersson circles away easily
and Andersson counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Sloppy strikes from Andersson. Those never looked like landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Andersson misses its intended target.
Pirozhkov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Pirozhkov shoots in but Andersson avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Pirozhkov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Andersson lands with a good body shot.
Andersson looks to throw the jab but Pirozhkov is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Andersson connects with a body shot that sends Pirozhkov's belly button to the back.
Andersson throws a head kick that misses.
Andersson goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Pirozhkov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Some bone on bone action there as Pirozhkov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Andersson scores with a push kick.
Andersson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Andersson missing with a left hand there. Pirozhkov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pirozhkov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Andersson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Andersson throws a head kick that misses.
Andersson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A punch combination from Andersson misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Andersson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Pirozhkov slips under a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harald Andersson dominated that fourth 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. This is the final round!

Andersson scores with a punch to the head.
Pirozhkov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Pirozhkov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Andersson tries to bench press Pirozhkov off him but Pirozhkov keeps the position.

Pirozhkov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Pirozhkov is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Andersson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Pirozhkov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pirozhkov is looking to take a break and control but Andersson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Andersson is looking for a sweep.
Arthur Pirozhkov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Pirozhkov thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pirozhkov has an Americana. Andersson didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Pirozhkov is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Pirozhkov hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:22 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Arthur Pirozhkov!
Arthur Pirozhkov retains his bantamweight title!