PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Stanko Velilkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryu Hoshi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Velilkov
vs
Hoshi

200 cm
30
257 lbs
19 - 12 - 0

188 cm
29
234 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 19 - 12 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Stanko Velilkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ryu Hoshi!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Viktor Lagutenko and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hoshi throws a left and a right that both miss
and Velilkov counters with a big head kick but Hoshi shrugs it off.
Hoshi just misses with a punch to the body.
Velilkov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hoshi pinned against the cage. Hoshi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hoshi misses with a body kick.
Hoshi throws a body kick that misses

and Velilkov counters with a nice double leg into side control. Hoshi won't be happy with that.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Hoshi is trying to get back to half guard.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hoshi is trying to control Velilkov's posture but Velilkov avoids it.
Velilkov controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoshi is looking for a sweep.
Velilkov controls the position from side control.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Stanko Velilkov wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Hoshi swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Velilkov.
Velilkov moves in looking to clinch but Hoshi pushes him off.
Velilkov wants to clinch but Hoshi slips to the side
and Hoshi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Velilkov blocks a head kick by Hoshi.
Hoshi punishes Velilkov's body with a nice straight punch.
Velilkov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoshi takes a jab right on the kisser.
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!
A looping hook to the body misses from Hoshi. Velilkov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Velilkov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hoshi.
Velilkov fails with a takedown attempt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Velilkov.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stanko Velilkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Velilkov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Hoshi throws a push kick but Velilkov slaps the foot to one side.
Hoshi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Hoshi throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Velilkov moves into the clinch.
Nice body punch from Hoshi.
Velilkov is breathing heavily.
Velilkov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Hoshi managing to block the knees to the body from Velilkov.
Velilkov working aggressively here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velilkov prevents a takedown attempt there.

Hoshi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Velilkov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hoshi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A head kick misses from Hoshi.
Hoshi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hoshi throws a sloppy head kick and Velilkov moves out of range easily.
Velilkov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hoshi.
Hoshi tried to score with a low kick but Velilkov checks it.
Hoshi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A punch combination from Hoshi misses.
Ryu Hoshi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Velilkov has closed the distance and engaged Hoshi in a clinch.
Velilkov misses with a body punch.
A head punch on the inside from Hoshi fails to land.

Velilkov manages to break the clinch.
Velilkov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Velilkov avoids the head kick by Hoshi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velilkov blocks the body kick.
Hoshi throws a sloppy head kick and Velilkov moves out of range easily.
Hoshi throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Hoshi enables Velilkov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Hoshi manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hoshi wants to sweep but no luck.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Velilkov controls from within his opponent's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Hoshi can do anything to dispel that myth.
Velilkov looking to pass the guard.
Hoshi is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Velilkov is stalling in the full guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Stanko Velilkov will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Velilkov ducks under a wild hook from Hoshi.
Velilkov blocks a low kick nicely.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hoshi wants to break free but Velilkov has control.
Velilkov missing with knees to the body.
Hoshi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hoshi taking a breather.
Hoshi looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Velilkov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hoshi scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Hoshi fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Velilkov is out of range.
Stanko Velilkov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Velilkov moves out of range as Hoshi strikes.
Hoshi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hoshi throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Velilkov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoshi is in trouble now - Velilkov has advanced to mount!
Velilkov controlling from mount.
Velilkov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hoshi can't escape the position.
Hoshi is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Hoshi blocking the ground and pound.
Velilkov looking to control and managing it successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hoshi is desperately trying to improve his position but Velilkov has a good base and remains in mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velilkov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Hoshi working to try and regain half guard.
Stanko Velilkov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Velilkov controlling from the full mount.
Velilkov prevents Hoshi from getting the reversal.
Velilkov controlling the position easily from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoshi is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Velilkov takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Hoshi tries to hold on but Velilkov postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Velilkov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Hoshi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hoshi stuffs the takedown attempt from Velilkov. Velilkov gets slowly back to his feet.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Velilkov.

Velilkov shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Hoshi napping and manages to drive through into side control!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Velilkov prevents Hoshi from escaping the position.
Velilkov controlling the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stanko Velilkov dominated that second round.
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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hoshi misses with a head kick.
Hoshi tries to move into range but Velilkov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Velilkov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hoshi.
Hoshi misses with a low kick.
Hoshi loads up on a big right hand but Velilkov slips the punch.
Velilkov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hoshi.
Hoshi will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hoshi misses with a body shot.
Ryu Hoshi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Velilkov tries to bum rush Hoshi with a series of wild strikes but Hoshi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Velilkov moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Ryu Hoshi has been cut.
Velilkov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Velilkov slips a straight right by Hoshi.
Hoshi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoshi throws a sloppy head kick and Velilkov moves out of range easily.
Hoshi fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Velilkov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Hoshi throws a wild body kick that Velilkov sees coming a mile off.
Velilkov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hoshi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Velilkov forces Hoshi back against the cage and clinches.

Hoshi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Velilkov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Hoshi throws a sloppy head kick and Velilkov moves out of range easily.
Velilkov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hoshi misses with a series of wild punches.

Velilkov clinches up against the cage.
Velilkov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Hoshi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Hoshi is trying to push Velilkov away but Velilkov has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Hoshi is looking to break free of the clinch but Velilkov has double underhooks.

Velilkov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Velilkov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Hoshi looks like he's trying to stand up.
Velilkov is thwarting Hoshi's attempts to control the position.
Hoshi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hoshi is looking to improve his position.
Velilkov trying to control the pace.
Hoshi wants to improve his position but Velilkov is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hoshi.
Velilkov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hoshi's waist but Hoshi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Velilkov off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stanko Velilkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Velilkov dives in and grabs Hoshi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hoshi pushes down on Velilkov's head and hops out.
Velilkov tries to clinch but Hoshi is having none of it.

Velilkov closes the distance and clinches.
A frustrated look appears on Velilkov's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Velilkov breaks the clinch.

Velilkov drives through with a takedown into Hoshi's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Velilkov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Velilkov tries to free his leg and advance position but Hoshi is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velilkov's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Hoshi is looking to stand up but Velilkov isn't so interested in that idea.
Velilkov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hoshi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

The ref stands the fighters back up because Stanko Velilkov just wasn't active enough.
Velilkov dives in and grabs Hoshi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hoshi pushes down on Velilkov's head and hops out.
Velilkov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Hoshi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hoshi throws a nice looking combination but Velilkov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hoshi lands with a kick to the temple. Velilkov shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Hoshi throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ryu Hoshi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Velilkov avoids the body shot from Hoshi.
A swing and a miss from Hoshi.
Ryu Hoshi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Stanko Velilkov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Velilkov has closed the distance and engaged Hoshi in a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stanko Velilkov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Velilkov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:28
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stanko Velilkov!
A relieved looking Stanko Velilkov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.