PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Guran Tkeshelashvili (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arsen Danielyan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Arsen Danielyan told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Tkeshelashvili
vs
Danielyan

182 cm
25
205 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

184 cm
25
208 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Likes comics

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Guran Tkeshelashvili!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Arsen Danielyan!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Aleksandr Martynov and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Danielyan feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Tkeshelashvili throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Tkeshelashvili trying to control the position here.
Danielyan keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Tkeshelashvili's head.
Tkeshelashvili wants to stand and escape but Danielyan is having none of it.

Tkeshelashvili kicks Danielyan off and gets to his feet.
Danielyan shoots and misses
and Tkeshelashvili counters with a series of strikes. Danielyan will be more careful next time no doubt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tkeshelashvili lands a two punch combo.
Danielyan misses with a few strikes there.

Tkeshelashvili scores with a takedown into Danielyan's guard.
Tkeshelashvili scoring with punches to the head and body.
Danielyan can't keep his opponent in guard - Tkeshelashvili advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Tkeshelashvili is controlling the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tkeshelashvili is stalling here. Danielyan is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Tkeshelashvili seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Danielyan has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

Tkeshelashvili throws Danielyan to one side and escapes!

Tkeshelashvili shoots in and bounces Danielyan off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Danielyan looking for a sweep. Not yet Danielyan, not yet.
Danielyan wants to stand but Tkeshelashvili is controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Danielyan has momentary wrist control but Tkeshelashvili slips an elbow through the middle.
Danielyan preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Tkeshelashvili postures up in Danielyan's guard and throws a big left but Danielyan blocks it.
Tkeshelashvili trying to control the position from guard on top but Danielyan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Danielyan looks winded!
Tkeshelashvili in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Danielyan throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Danielyan wants to stand up but Tkeshelashvili is controlling him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Danielyan bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Tkeshelashvili's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tkeshelashvili wants to stand up but Danielyan is controlling him.

Tkeshelashvili has his foot on Danielyan's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Danielyan works his way back into a safe position though.
Danielyan lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Danielyan stopping the sweep attempt from Tkeshelashvili.
Tkeshelashvili is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Danielyan is controlling him.
Danielyan landing some decent shots from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Danielyan scoring with some ground and pound.

Danielyan avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Tkeshelashvili wants to stand up but Danielyan is controlling him.
Danielyan is working Tkeshelashvili over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tkeshelashvili avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Danielyan throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tkeshelashvili works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Danielyan distracts Tkeshelashvili with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Guran Tkeshelashvili dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Tkeshelashvili shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Danielyan but Danielyan pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Danielyan with a poor takedown
and Tkeshelashvili counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Danielyan misses with a lunging right hand

and Tkeshelashvili counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Danielyan!
Danielyan is looking to reverse the position.
Tkeshelashvili taking a break here but Danielyan is having none of it and regains half guard.
Tkeshelashvili is pressing down on Danielyan's thigh, looking to free his foot. Danielyan is holding on for now.

Danielyan kicks Tkeshelashvili off and gets back to his feet.
Danielyan is breathing heavily.
Tkeshelashvili works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tkeshelashvili closes the distance and clinches up with Danielyan, looking for a takedown. Tkeshelashvili pushes Danielyan against the cage but Danielyan circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Danielyan closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Tkeshelashvili's guard.
Danielyan wants to control from the top but Tkeshelashvili keeps moving.
Tkeshelashvili avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Tkeshelashvili keeping full guard, as Danielyan tries to pass.
Tkeshelashvili looking to control.
Tkeshelashvili keeping moving, preventing Danielyan from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Arsen Danielyan.

Tkeshelashvili drives through with a takedown into Danielyan's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Danielyan wants to stand and escape but Tkeshelashvili is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tkeshelashvili keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Danielyan's head.
Tkeshelashvili postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tkeshelashvili throwing strikes from guard but Danielyan blocks nicely.
Tkeshelashvili keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Danielyan's head.
Danielyan is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Tkeshelashvili is controlling him.
Danielyan throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Danielyan has momentary wrist control but Tkeshelashvili slips an elbow through the middle.
Danielyan is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tkeshelashvili is looking to work some ground and pound but Danielyan has wrist control.
Tkeshelashvili distracts Danielyan with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Danielyan utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

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

Tkeshelashvili shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Danielyan is trying to defend but Tkeshelashvili finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Tkeshelashvili trying to control from half guard but Danielyan is working away.

Tkeshelashvili escapes and gets back to his feet.
Arsen Danielyan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tkeshelashvili misses with a jab, cross combination.

Danielyan shoots in and bounces Tkeshelashvili off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Danielyan pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tkeshelashvili is keeping the position for now.
Danielyan lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Tkeshelashvili trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Danielyan won't allow Tkeshelashvili to sweep him here.
Guran Tkeshelashvili overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Danielyan lands a couple of digs.
Tkeshelashvili wants to get back to his feet but Danielyan is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Guran Tkeshelashvili dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Danielyan misses with a takedown
and Tkeshelashvili counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tkeshelashvili throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Danielyan's waist but Danielyan gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tkeshelashvili off to one side.
Tkeshelashvili shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Danielyan defends it nicely.
Tkeshelashvili stuffs the takedown attempt from Danielyan. Danielyan gets slowly back to his feet.
Tkeshelashvili misses with a double jab.
Danielyan fails with a takedown attempt.
Guran Tkeshelashvili has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arsen Danielyan.
Danielyan ducks right into an uppercut from Tkeshelashvili.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tkeshelashvili fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Danielyan, pushing him back against the cage.
Tkeshelashvili drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Danielyan gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Danielyan gets underhooks to prevent Tkeshelashvili's takedown attempt.
Tkeshelashvili fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Tkeshelashvili gets underhooks to prevent Danielyan's takedown attempt.
Tkeshelashvili struggles to land a body shot inside as Danielyan controls his hands.
Tkeshelashvili is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Danielyan is defending well.

Danielyan turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tkeshelashvili is not content to let Danielyan control the position.
Danielyan in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Danielyan working away.
Danielyan working the ground and pound.
Tkeshelashvili is looking to reverse the position.
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!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tkeshelashvili is being controlled here.
Danielyan working the strikes but Tkeshelashvili uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Danielyan not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Tkeshelashvili pushes Danielyan off looking to stand but Danielyan dives back in and keeps control.

Tkeshelashvili looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Tkeshelashvili is looking to control Danielyan's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Tkeshelashvili avoid being mounted?
Tkeshelashvili is staying active underneath Danielyan, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Danielyan drops an elbow to the side of Tkeshelashvili's head.
Tkeshelashvili wants to control but Danielyan is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tkeshelashvili punching from the bottom.
Danielyan is just content to waste time from the top position. Tkeshelashvili takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Tkeshelashvili trying to keep a closed guard but Danielyan is proving a slippery customer.

Danielyan stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Tkeshelashvili fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Danielyan sprawls well initially but Tkeshelashvili persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tkeshelashvili is nestled in close to Danielyan, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Arsen Danielyan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Danielyan actively working from the bottom here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Danielyan is staying active underneath Tkeshelashvili, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Guran Tkeshelashvili is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Danielyan looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

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 Guran Tkeshelashvili.
Well Tkeshelashvili has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Guran Tkeshelashvili!