PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Boris Kharitonov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ghoul Ghotha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kharitonov
vs
Ghotha

207 cm
34
272 lbs
25 - 14 - 0

207 cm
36
272 lbs
29 - 29 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
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 25 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Boris Kharitonov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 29 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ghoul Ghotha!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Emerson Jorge and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ghotha shoots in looking for a takedown. Kharitonov tries to sprawl out of it but Ghotha keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kharitonov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ghotha thows a body shot but no joy.
Ghotha closes the distance and clinches up with Kharitonov, looking for a takedown. Ghotha pushes Kharitonov against the cage but Kharitonov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ghotha shoots for a takedown but Kharitonov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Boris Kharitonov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ghoul Ghotha.
Kharitonov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Ghotha shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kharitonov but Kharitonov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kharitonov tries to close the distance and clinch but Ghotha swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Ghotha bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Kharitonov tries to improve position but can't.
Kharitonov stops Ghotha from passing to mount.
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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghotha works to advance to full mount. Kharitonov defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Ghotha thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Ghotha thowing shots but they're missing.
Ghotha throwing strikes here but Kharitonov is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Ghotha throws a wild left hand from mount and Kharitonov manages to wriggle his way back to half guard.
Ghotha is keen to just control but Kharitonov is a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ghotha is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Ghotha throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ghotha tries to pass to full mount but Kharitonov defends it.
Ghotha is trying to control the action in half guard but Kharitonov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kharitonov wants to improve his position but Ghotha is controlling well.
Ghotha with the ground and pound but Kharitonov uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Ghotha working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Ghotha postures up in Kharitonov's guard and throws a big left but Kharitonov blocks it.
Ghotha throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kharitonov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ghotha on the ground.
Ghotha stays in close to Kharitonov's body and controls the position.
Ghotha scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kharitonov seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ghotha trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ghotha wants to control from the top but Kharitonov keeps moving.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ghotha throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ghotha working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ghotha trying to control but Kharitonov is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ghotha missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ghoul Ghotha dominated that 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.

Kharitonov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kharitonov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kharitonov wants it to stay on the feet.
Ghoul Ghotha seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ghotha steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kharitonov.
Ghotha shoots in for a takedown but Kharitonov shows good takedown defense.
Kharitonov tries to clinch there but Ghotha circles away.
Ghotha changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kharitonov tries to avoid it but Ghotha manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kharitonov to the ground. Kharitonov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Boris Kharitonov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ghoul Ghotha.
A swing and a miss from Kharitonov.
Kharitonov stuffs the takedown.
Ghotha fails with a takedown attempt.
A head kick misses from Kharitonov.

Kharitonov gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ghotha accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghotha trying to control but Kharitonov is working from the bottom.
Ghotha with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ghotha is working Kharitonov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Ghotha trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ghotha with a nice head shot there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ghotha is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Kharitonov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ghotha trying to control the position from guard on top but Kharitonov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kharitonov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Ghotha is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Ghotha's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Ghotha wants to control from the top but Kharitonov keeps moving.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kharitonov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Ghoul Ghotha wasn't active enough on the ground.
Ghotha shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kharitonov as he avoids it easily.
Nice uppercut there from Ghotha.
Ghotha shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kharitonov but Kharitonov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ghotha fails with a takedown attempt.
Ghotha looks for a takedown but Kharitonov sprawls well.
A big left from Ghotha misses.
Ghotha looks for a takedown but Kharitonov sprawls well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kharitonov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ghotha.
Kharitonov moves in looking to clinch but Ghotha pushes him off.
Kharitonov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ghotha closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kharitonov circles away.
Ghotha uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Ghotha fails with a takedown attempt.
Ghotha dodges the punch combination from Kharitonov.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kharitonov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ghotha.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ghoul Ghotha 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!

Ghotha connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kharitonov slips under a jab.
Ghotha fails with a takedown attempt.
Ghotha shoots in and drives through. Kharitonov sprawls well.
Ghoul Ghotha seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kharitonov slaps away a takedown attempt from Ghotha, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Boris Kharitonov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ghoul Ghotha.
Kharitonov scores with a decent looking hook.
Ghotha fails with the takedown.
Kharitonov throws a head kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kharitonov slaps away a takedown attempt from Ghotha, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kharitonov tries to clinch there but Ghotha circles away.
A head kick misses from Ghotha.
Kharitonov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ghotha.
Kharitonov stuffs the takedown attempt from Ghotha. Ghotha gets slowly back to his feet.
Ghotha is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kharitonov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kharitonov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ghotha.
Ghotha shoots in but no luck this time.
Kharitonov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ghotha.
A punch combination from Kharitonov misses.
Boris Kharitonov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ghoul Ghotha is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ghotha on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kharitonov throws a right and a left that both miss.

Ghotha throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Kharitonov was covering up waiting for the punch and Ghotha finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kharitonov looking to control.
Ghotha trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ghotha has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ghotha engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Kharitonov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghotha controls from within his opponent's guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Ghoul Ghotha has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Ghotha shoots and misses
and Ghotha takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kharitonov throws a right hand that Ghotha ducks under and follows up with a left that Ghotha also avoids with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kharitonov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ghotha.
Ghotha throws a hook to the side of Kharitonov's head but Kharitonov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ghotha tries to move into range but Kharitonov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
A head kick by Kharitonov misses
and Ghotha counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ghotha throws out a loose jab but Kharitonov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kharitonov lands the left hand.
Nice sprawl there from Kharitonov as Ghotha shoots in.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ghotha.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Kharitonov tries to sprawl but Ghotha drives through with a takedown into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kharitonov is refusing to be controlled, as Ghotha sits in half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Boris Kharitonov.
I think Ghotha 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight 28:30
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:29

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