PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Victor Frolov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Messner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Frolov comes to the cage accompanied by Manowar - Holy War. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Frolov
vs
Messner

175 cm
26
136 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

180 cm
19
142 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Victor Frolov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nick Messner!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Johanna Lukiainen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Frolov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Frolov really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Messner closes the distance but Frolov moves to the side
and Frolov counters with a straight right hand.

Frolov drives through with a takedown into Messner's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Frolov trying to control but Messner is working from the bottom.
Messner is trying to control the position but Frolov postures up.
Frolov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Frolov stops Messner from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Messner keeping full guard, as Frolov tries to pass.
Messner really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Frolov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Messner is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Frolov trying to control but Messner is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Frolov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Messner.
Frolov does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Frolov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Frolov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Messner sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Frolov throws a looping overhand right but Messner ducks down to avoid it.
Frolov missing with a left hand there. Messner was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Frolov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Messner circles away quickly and effectively.
Frolov lands a lovely overhand right.
Messner slips under a jab from Frolov.
Messner throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

Messner gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Messner with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Frolov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Messner lands a good knee to the midsection. Frolov won't want to take too many of those.
Messner throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Frolov avoiding damage as Messner throws knees to the body.
Messner tries to land knees in the clinch but Frolov avoids the damage to the body.
Messner landing some nice looking knees to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Messner connects with a knee to the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Messner obliges.
Messner is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Frolov is defending well for now.
Messner misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Frolov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Messner with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Messner blocks an uppercut.
Frolov is trying to drag Messner to the mat but Messner just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Frolov wants to take the fight to the mat but Messner manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Messner with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Frolov on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Messner unloads a knee to the mid-section. Frolov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Messner gets underhooks to prevent Frolov's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Victor Frolov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Messner unloads a knee to the mid-section. Frolov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Messner misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Frolov.
Messner using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Messner looks winded!
Messner tries to land knees in the clinch but Frolov avoids the damage to the body.

Frolov jumps guard.
Messner must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Messner passes Frolov's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Frolov trying to control but Messner postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Frolov moves into full guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Frolov holds on and takes a little breather.
Frolov 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.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Frolov is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Messner utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Messner is trying to keep Frolov in close.
Frolov wants to control from the top but Messner keeps moving.
Messner tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Frolov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Frolov trying to control the position from guard on top but Messner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Frolov won't allow Messner to sweep him here.
Messner keeping moving, preventing Frolov from controlling successfully.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Frolov won't allow Messner to sweep him here.
Messner is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Frolov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
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 Victor Frolov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Frolov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Messner doesn't manage to clinch there - Frolov circles away.
Frolov scores with a punch to the head.
Frolov looks to score with a jab to the body but Messner is just out of range.
Messner tries to clinch but Frolov moves out of range.
Messner keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Frolov.
Frolov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Messner defending well as Frolov loads up on a big left hand.

Messner gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Frolov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Messner is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Frolov drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Messner manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Frolov has Messner in his guard.
Messner tries to free his leg and advance position but Frolov is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Frolov controlling the position.
Messner with a flurry of punches that miss.
Messner throws a big elbow that misses.
Frolov keeping moving, preventing Messner from controlling successfully.
Frolov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Messner's guard.
Frolov preventing the sweep.
Messner trying to control the position.
Frolov trying to control the position from guard on top but Messner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Frolov throwing strikes from guard but Messner blocks nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Messner working a defensive guard here.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Frolov sitting in guard here, content to control.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Nick Messner hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Frolov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Messner closes the distance looking to clinch
and Frolov counters with a nice body shot.
Frolov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Messner was well out of range. Poor timing from Frolov.
Messner wants to clinch.
Frolov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Frolov takes a swing at Messner's ribcage but misses.
Frolov throws a good cross that connects.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Frolov scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Messner tried to score with a low kick but Frolov checks it.
Messner throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Messner looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Nick Messner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Frolov avoids a kick to the body.
Messner misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Messner uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Frolov.
Messner tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Frolov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Frolov sizes up Messner with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Messner takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Messner tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Messner is looking to clinch but Frolov is avoiding it.
Messner wants to clinch
and Frolov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Messner tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Frolov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Messner wants to clinch but Frolov slips to the side
and Frolov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Messner thinking.
Messner tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Frolov circles away from the clinch attempt
and Frolov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Messner fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Frolov, pushing him back against the cage.
Messner throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Messner tries to land knees in the clinch but Frolov avoids the damage to the body.
Frolov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Messner pulls his leg out and moves away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Frolov throws a body punch but Messner moves out of range.
Messner wants to clinch.
Nick Messner is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Messner rushes Frolov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Frolov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Messner is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Messner tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Frolov avoids it.
Frolov wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Victor Frolov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Messner gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Frolov.
Frolov managing to block the knees to the body from Messner.
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 Victor Frolov will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Messner rushes Frolov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Messner working Frolov over with knees to the body.
Messner is pressed up against the cage. Frolov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Messner down to the mat. Messner avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Messner tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Frolov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Messner throws a leg kick which misses Frolov's front leg but catches the back leg as Frolov tries to avoid it.
Messner swings for the body but Frolov moves out of range.
Messner cracks the inside of Frolov's front leg.
Messner tries to clinch but Frolov is having none of it.
Messner doesn't manage to clinch there - Frolov circles away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Frolov takes a kick to the side of the head.
Messner tries to close the distance and clinch but Frolov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Frolov throws a shot from downtown. Messner moves away and avoids it.
Messner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Frolov swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Messner closes the distance and clinches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Messner lands a knee to the head.
Frolov avoiding damage as Messner throws knees to the body.
Messner gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Messner throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Messner misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Frolov.

Frolov has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Messner regains guard immediately.
Messner trying to keep a closed guard but Frolov is proving a slippery customer.
Messner keeping moving, preventing Frolov from controlling successfully.
Messner is trying to control the position but Frolov postures up.
Messner keeping moving, preventing Frolov from controlling successfully.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Victor Frolov wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Messner fails with an attempt to clinch.
Frolov circles away from the clinch attempt
and Frolov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Nick Messner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Frolov misses its intended target.
Messner tries to clinch up but Frolov circles away and keeps his distance.
Frolov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Messner at a distance.
Messner pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Messner tries to clinch up
and Frolov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Messner throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Messner is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Messner is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Frolov throws a good cross that connects.
Frolov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Frolov scores with a jab to the body.
Messner tries to clinch but Frolov is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Messner moves to clinch but Frolov breaks away
and Frolov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Messner pivots, looking for a leg kick but Frolov is out of range and Messner settles back down.
Messner lands a nice looking kick to the body. Frolov takes a step back to recover.
Messner moves to clinch but Frolov breaks away
and Messner takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Messner drives through and clinches with Frolov against the cage.
Messner misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Frolov.
Messner using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Frolov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Messner tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Frolov avoids it.
Messner unloads a knee to the mid-section. Frolov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Frolov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Messner pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Messner gets underhooks to prevent Frolov's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Victor Frolov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Frolov jumps into guard, dragging Messner to the mat.
Messner pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Frolov is keeping the position for now.
Messner throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Messner wants to stand but Frolov has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Frolov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Messner is aware though and is defending well.
Victor Frolov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Messner stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Frolov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Messner is looking to work some ground and pound but Frolov has wrist control.
Messner passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Frolov is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nick Messner comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Frolov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Victor Frolov!