PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Victor Frolov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mareks Stepaneks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Frolov comes to the cage accompanied by Manowar - Holy War. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Frolov
vs
Stepaneks

175 cm
26
136 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

176 cm
28
134 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 7 - 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 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mareks Stepaneks!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Frolov catches Stepaneks with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Frolov loads up on a big right hand but Stepaneks slips the punch.
Frolov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stepaneks circles away quickly and effectively.

Frolov drives through with a takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stepaneks wants to hit a switch here but Frolov passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Stepaneks there!
Stepaneks is bucking up trying to escape but Frolov cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Stepaneks tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Stepaneks regains half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Stepaneks actively working from the bottom here.
Frolov is looking to take a break and control but Stepaneks is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Frolov wants to pass the guard but Stepaneks is defending well.
Stepaneks wants to improve his position but Frolov is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stepaneks is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Frolov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Stepaneks has managed to free his arm - good work.
Stepaneks is looking for a sweep. Frolov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Frolov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Frolov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Frolov prevents Stepaneks from improving his position.

Stepaneks looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Stepaneks looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Frolov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Stepaneks knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Frolov has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Frolov with shots to the head and body - Stepaneks looks very uncomfortable down there.
Frolov controlling the pace for now.
Stepaneks is in all sorts of trouble here.
Frolov takes Stepaneks's back. Could be looking for a rear naked choke here - either way, Stepaneks is in trouble.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Frolov is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Frolov tries to get the hooks in deep but Stepaneks pushed the leg off.
Stepaneks tries to escape but Frolov has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

Frolov patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stepaneks rolls, trying to escape but Frolov keeps control of the position.
Stepaneks is keeping busy.
Stepaneks is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Frolov's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Stepaneks wants to escape the position.
Stepaneks manages to reverse the position and now he's in Frolov's guard. Nice work there by Stepaneks.
Stepaneks pushes down on Frolov's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Stepaneks wants to pass the guard but Frolov is defending well.
Frolov controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Frolov gets full guard.
Stepaneks passes Frolov's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Frolov tries to roll over but Stepaneks keeps him under control.
Stepaneks is looking to pass Frolov's guard but actually Frolov recovers 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!
Stepaneks looking to pass the guard.
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.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stepaneks pushes down on Frolov's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Stepaneks wants to free his trapped foot but Frolov is holding on for dear life with his legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Victor Frolov dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Frolov throws a body punch but Stepaneks moves out of range.
Victor Frolov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Frolov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Stepaneks is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Frolov pulls his head out easily.
Stepaneks is trying to get back to full guard.
Stepaneks is refusing to be controlled, as Frolov sits in half guard.
Stepaneks tries to roll over but Frolov keeps him under control.
Stepaneks is staying active underneath Frolov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Stepaneks actively working from the bottom here.
Frolov working Stepaneks over with strikes.
Frolov is pressing down on Stepaneks's thigh, looking to free his foot. Stepaneks is holding on for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Frolov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Stepaneks defending well though.
Stepaneks tries to roll over but Frolov keeps him under control.

Stepaneks looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are battling for position here. Stepaneks manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Stepaneks working for a triangle but Frolov defends it easily.
Frolov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Stepaneks throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Frolov escapes and throws Stepaneks's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Stepaneks taking punishment in the form of punches.

Frolov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Stepaneks, who protects the arm well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stepaneks is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Frolov off and has taken his back!
Frolov wants to control his opponent's hands but Stepaneks gets his hands free.
Frolov holding both Stepaneks 's hands and preventing any damage.

Stepaneks is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Frolov is defending well though. Stepaneks let's go of the attempt for now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Stepaneks looking to finish the fight with a rear naked choke. Frolov is controlling Stepaneks 's left arm and he spins nicely into guard.
Frolov trying to control the position from guard on top but Stepaneks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stepaneks looking for a sweep. Not yet Stepaneks, not yet.

Frolov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Frolov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Stepaneks working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Frolov.
Stepaneks keeping moving, preventing Frolov from controlling successfully.
Frolov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Stepaneks is looking for a triangle but Frolov pushes his legs off easily.
Frolov working some strikes from top position.
Stepaneks working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Frolov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stepaneks throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Frolov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Stepaneks on the ground.

Stepaneks working for a triangle but Frolov defends it easily.
Victor Frolov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Stepaneks is breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Frolov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Stepaneks has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Frolov has managed to get both his arms back between Stepaneks's legs - danger averted.
Frolov trying to control but Stepaneks is working from the bottom.

Stepaneks looking for subs off his back but Frolov has passed one foot through into half guard.
Stepaneks won't allow Frolov to pass to mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Frolov is trying to control the action in half guard but Stepaneks is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mareks Stepaneks will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Frolov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Stepaneks doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Stepaneks.
Stepaneks on the wrong end of a nice jab.
A nice combination there by Frolov.

Stepaneks is rocked!
Frolov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Stepaneks is still on wobbly legs! Can Frolov finish him?
Stepaneks ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Stepaneks changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Frolov tries to avoid it but Stepaneks manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Frolov to the ground. Frolov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Stepaneks seems to have recovered his senses.
Frolov connects with a single shot there.
Stepaneks walks into a stiff left hand from Frolov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stepaneks on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Frolov misses with a right hand

and Stepaneks counters with a takedown into side control.
Stepaneks takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Frolov is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Stepaneks passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Frolov!
Frolov sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Stepaneks working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Frolov's thigh. Frolov counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Stepaneks trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stepaneks stands and throws Frolov's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Frolov prevents Stepaneks from improving position.
Frolov is looking to regain half guard here but Stepaneks keeps moving and retains side control.
Frolov prevents Stepaneks from improving position.
Frolov is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Stepaneks advances to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stepaneks looking for a guillotine from mount but Frolov is having none of it.

Stepaneks working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Stepaneks wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Stepaneks avoids the attempt from Frolov to control.

Stepaneks goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Frolov is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Frolov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Frolov 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.
Frolov controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Frolov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Stepaneks has his foot on Frolov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Frolov works his way back into a safe position though.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Frolov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Stepaneks escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Frolov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Frolov's corner is telling him to maintain position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mareks Stepaneks.
I think Stepaneks 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27

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