PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Arseny Pokrovski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Wayne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pokrovski comes into the arena with Raw Talk- Stevie Stone blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Pokrovski
vs
Wayne

199 cm
25
275 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

184 cm
25
240 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Arseny Pokrovski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Chris Wayne!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Jonathan Paton and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Wayne darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Pokrovski controlling the position well.
Wayne wants to stand up but Pokrovski is controlling the position.
Wayne throwing shots but Pokrovski is blocking nicely.
Wayne is looking to take a break and control but Pokrovski is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Wayne is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Wayne is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Pokrovski defends it well.
Pokrovski is pressing down on Wayne's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Pokrovski trying to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wayne is looking to work some ground and pound but Pokrovski has wrist control.
Pokrovski pulls Wayne in close to his closed guard and prevents Wayne from doing any damage or advancing position.
Pokrovski not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wayne looking to sit in guard and control but Pokrovski gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Pokrovski is in close to Wayne's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Pokrovski wants to stand but Wayne has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Pokrovski trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Pokrovski's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Pokrovski trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Wayne not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Pokrovski throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wayne is trying to keep Pokrovski in close.
Pokrovski throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Wayne works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Pokrovski content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Pokrovski throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Wayne doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Pokrovski keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Wayne's head.

Pokrovski got a little sloppy there for a moment and Wayne has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Pokrovski has managed to get both his arms back between Wayne's legs - danger averted.
Wayne is trying to control the position but Pokrovski postures up.
Pokrovski is looking to stand up but Wayne won't let him.
Pokrovski keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Wayne's head.
Pokrovski landing some decent shots from guard.
Pokrovski is breathing heavily.

Pokrovski drops back looking for a leg! Wayne is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Wayne manages to kick Pokrovski off! Pokrovski jumps back into Wayne's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wayne keeping moving, preventing Pokrovski from controlling successfully.
Pokrovski throws a big elbow that misses.

Wayne looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Pokrovski will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Wayne has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Pokrovski can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Pokrovski throwing strikes but missing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pokrovski lands a couple of elbows.
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 Arseny Pokrovski will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Pokrovski slips under a jab.
Wayne shoots in for a double leg but Pokrovski sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Wayne fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Pokrovski avoids it really well and circles away.

Wayne gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Pokrovski has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Wayne clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Wayne wants to escape the position.
Arseny Pokrovski overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Wayne fending off the submission attempt from Pokrovski.
Pokrovski scores with punches from the back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pokrovski connects with a big shot to the side of Wayne's head.
Pokrovski is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Pokrovski gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Pokrovski gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Pokrovski apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Pokrovski slaps away a takedown attempt from Wayne, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Arseny Pokrovski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Wayne.

Wayne shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wayne seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Pokrovski does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Wayne is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Wayne is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Pokrovski is just riding it out for now. Wayne eventually gives up the hold.
Pokrovski trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pokrovski is not content to let Wayne control the position.
Pokrovski has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Wayne wants to stand but Pokrovski has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

Wayne is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Pokrovski doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Wayne.

Wayne is trying to work for a kimura but Pokrovski is defending well.
Pokrovski on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Pokrovski tries to get out of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pokrovski is trying to maintain the position but Wayne is very close to passing his half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Wayne is just content to waste time from the top position. Pokrovski takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
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 Arseny Pokrovski will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Pokrovski is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Wayne's half guard.
Wayne is refusing to be controlled, as Pokrovski sits in half guard.
Pokrovski seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Wayne trying to control but Pokrovski postures up.
Pokrovski thows a huge punch but Wayne dodges it nicely.

Pokrovski is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Pokrovski thows a huge punch but Wayne dodges it nicely.
Pokrovski scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pokrovski throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Pokrovski looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Wayne is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Pokrovski's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Pokrovski's back!
Pokrovski is taking damage to the body and head.
Pokrovski can't escape the position.
Wayne gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Pokrovski grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
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!

Wayne working for the choke.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wayne trying to control momentarily.
Chris Wayne has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Pokrovski fending off the submission attempt from Wayne.

Wayne looking for the RNC.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Wayne looking to break Pokrovski's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Pokrovski remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Wayne will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Wayne working for a choke but Pokrovski is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pokrovski breaks Wayne's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Pokrovski won't allow Wayne to get back to his feet.
Wayne can't keep his opponent in guard - Pokrovski advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pokrovski landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pokrovski lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Wayne avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Pokrovski.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chris Wayne comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Pokrovski 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 29:28
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 29:28

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