PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Damian Rentz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Valera Kamenskiy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Kamenskiy's choice of entrance music: The only. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Valera Kamenskiy enters the cage!

Rentz
vs
Kamenskiy

210 cm
26
269 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

187 cm
28
250 lbs
5 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Damian Rentz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Valera Kamenskiy!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Dmitry Maklakov and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kamenskiy tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Rentz manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kamenskiy shoots in and drives through. Rentz sprawls well.
Rentz wants to clinch.
Sloppy strikes from Rentz. Those never looked like landing.

Rentz closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Rentz will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Rentz lands an elbow.
Rentz tries to advance to mount but can't.
Kamenskiy is looking for a sweep.
Kamenskiy wants to control but Rentz postures up.
Rentz just content to control the position.

Rentz stands up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kamenskiy fails with the takedown.
Rentz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rentz throws a sloppy head kick and Kamenskiy moves out of range easily.
Rentz tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Kamenskiy manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Rentz tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kamenskiy sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rentz somewhat.

Kamenskiy closes the distance and pushes Rentz back into the cage.

Kamenskiy tightens his grip and picks Rentz up, before dumping him to the ground. Rentz manages to land in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rentz throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rentz avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kamenskiy trying to control the position from guard on top but Rentz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rentz managing to control the position.
Kamenskiy really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rentz. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rentz keeping moving, preventing Kamenskiy from controlling successfully.

Valera Kamenskiy has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Kamenskiy shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rentz as he avoids it easily.
Damian Rentz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Valera Kamenskiy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rentz shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Kamenskiy's guard.
Rentz wants to control from the top but Kamenskiy keeps moving.
Kamenskiy preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rentz trying to control but Kamenskiy is working from the bottom.
Kamenskiy manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rentz manages to get himself to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kamenskiy trying to control the position from guard on top but Rentz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kamenskiy works over Rentz with some ground and pound from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rentz is working an open guard so Kamenskiy takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Kamenskiy gets a clinch.

Rentz drags the fight down to the ground.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rentz managing to control the position.
Rentz wants to stand but Kamenskiy is controlling the position.
Kamenskiy controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Kamenskiy stops Rentz from standing up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rentz is pulling down on Kamenskiy's head. It's preventing any offense from Kamenskiy, at least for the moment.
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 Damian Rentz will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Rentz tries to clinch but Kamenskiy moves out of range.
Rentz tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Kamenskiy manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Rentz dives in and scores a takedown into Kamenskiy's guard.
Kamenskiy working a defensive guard here.
Rentz wants to pass the guard but Kamenskiy is keeping the position.

Rentz is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rentz throwing strikes from guard but Kamenskiy blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rentz would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Kamenskiy is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rentz stays in close to Kamenskiy's body and controls the position.
Rentz has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Kamenskiy is proving hard to escape from.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rentz throws a big right hand that misses.
Kamenskiy looking to control.

Rentz stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Rentz closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kamenskiy circles away.

Kamenskiy changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Rentz looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Rentz manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Kamenskiy wants to get back to full guard.
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!
Kamenskiy is not content to let Rentz control the position.

Rentz is trying to work for a kimura but Kamenskiy is defending well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rentz is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Rentz wants to control but Kamenskiy is keeping him busy.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Damian Rentz just wasn't active enough.
Kamenskiy tries to clinch but Rentz is having none of it.

Kamenskiy drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kamenskiy decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Rentz, up you get!

Kamenskiy shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Rentz is trying to defend but Kamenskiy finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Rentz wants to get back to his feet.
Damian Rentz overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Kamenskiy decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Rentz gets tackled into the cage by Kamenskiy. Kamenskiy maintains the clinch.
Rentz wants to break free but Kamenskiy has control.

Rentz pulls guard effortlessly.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rentz is on top in guard.

Kamenskiy has his foot on Rentz's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rentz works his way back into a safe position though.
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 Damian Rentz will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kamenskiy drives through and clinches with Rentz against the cage.
Kamenskiy changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rentz fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kamenskiy throws a series of punches but Rentz avoids them all with ease.
Kamenskiy shoots in but Rentz avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rentz fails with an attempt to clinch.

Kamenskiy tries to keep at a distance but Rentz has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kamenskiy wants a takedown.
Damian Rentz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Valera Kamenskiy.
Kamenskiy takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rentz tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kamenskiy smiles and moves away.
Kamenskiy tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rentz swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rentz tries to clinch but Kamenskiy is having none of it.
Kamenskiy fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rentz avoids it really well and circles away.
Rentz tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kamenskiy sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rentz somewhat.
Kamenskiy tries to clinch up but Rentz circles away and keeps his distance.
Kamenskiy misses with a takedown attempt - Rentz sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kamenskiy blocks a head kick by Rentz.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Rentz. No joy for Kamenskiy on that attempt.
No luck for Kamenskiy with that takedown attempt.

Rentz gets a takedown into half guard.
Rentz looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Kamenskiy is in trouble now - Rentz has advanced to mount!
Kamenskiy is trying to reverse the position but instead Rentz has taken his back - oops!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rentz loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Kamenskiy hold on?
Rentz has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Kamenskiy's body.
Kamenskiy covers up after that shot from Rentz.

Rentz is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Kamenskiy knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Kamenskiy for a finish.
Rentz not allowing Kamenskiy to control his hands.

Rentz is looking for the choke from the back position but Kamenskiy is controlling his hands well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kamenskiy can't escape the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Rentz patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Kamenskiy is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Rentz.

Rentz looking for the choke from the back.
Kamenskiy trying to control the position but Rentz manages to sink in the hooks.
Kamenskiy is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Valera Kamenskiy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Damian Rentz is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kamenskiy is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Damian Rentz showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rentz, 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Damian Rentz!