PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Miroslav Dzhokov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Deshawn Roberts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Dzhokov
vs
Roberts

188 cm
18
206 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

225 cm
20
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Miroslav Dzhokov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Deshawn Roberts!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Viktor Lagutenko and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dzhokov gets caught napping as Roberts dives in and scores a takedown. Dzhokov manages to retain guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dzhokov keeping moving, preventing Roberts from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Roberts throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Dzhokov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Dzhokov being controlled here, momentarily.
Roberts won't allow Dzhokov to get back to his feet.
Roberts tries to free his leg and advance position but Dzhokov is retaining full guard.
Roberts throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Dzhokov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Roberts is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Dzhokov is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Dzhokov has escaped and now he's on top!
Roberts working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Dzhokov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dzhokov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Dzhokov throws a big elbow that misses.
Dzhokov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Dzhokov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Dzhokov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Dzhokov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Roberts keeping moving, preventing Dzhokov from controlling successfully.
Dzhokov lands a couple of digs.
Roberts is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Roberts keeping moving, preventing Dzhokov from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dzhokov won't allow Roberts to get back to his feet.
Dzhokov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Roberts is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Dzhokov defends well.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Dzhokov trying to control but Roberts is working from the bottom.
Roberts lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Dzhokov!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Roberts content just to control the position here.
Dzhokov 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.
Dzhokov is trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dzhokov is trying to stand but he's not in a good position to be doing that! Roberts has taken his back!
Dzhokov controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.

Dzhokov fending off the submission attempt from Roberts.
Will Roberts go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dzhokov rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Dzhokov is trying to stand up here but Roberts is controlling him well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Roberts is working for a kimura but Dzhokov is defending it quite comfortably.
Roberts is trying to control. Dzhokov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
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 Miroslav Dzhokov will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Dzhokov has a takedown stuffed.

Roberts shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Dzhokov has his hands clasped together around Roberts's back. He's all about the action.
Dzhokov pushes Roberts off looking to stand but Roberts dives back in and keeps control.
Dzhokov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Dzhokov tries to get out of the position.
Roberts wants to control but Dzhokov is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roberts passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Dzhokov!
Roberts throwing strikes here but Dzhokov is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Dzhokov really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Roberts looking to control but Dzhokov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Dzhokov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Roberts swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Dzhokov is now in Roberts's guard. A big mistake from Roberts there, giving up the dominant position!
Roberts wants to stand and escape but Dzhokov is having none of it.
Dzhokov landing with the ground and pound.
Deshawn Roberts has got the better of the ground game so far.

Roberts throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Dzhokov works over Roberts with some ground and pound from guard.
Dzhokov trying to control but Roberts is working from the bottom.
Roberts wants to sweep here but Dzhokov controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dzhokov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Roberts tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Dzhokov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Roberts looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Dzhokov puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Roberts is breathing heavily.
Dzhokov prevents Roberts from standing back up.
Ground and pound from Dzhokov.
Dzhokov is looking to stall here but Roberts recovers full guard.
Dzhokov wants to pass the guard but Roberts is keeping the position.
Dzhokov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Roberts's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dzhokov wants to control from the top but Roberts keeps moving.
Dzhokov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Dzhokov advances to half guard.
Dzhokov throwing shots but Roberts is blocking nicely.
Dzhokov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Roberts does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
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!
Dzhokov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Roberts defending well though.
Dzhokov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Roberts looking for submissions off his back.
Dzhokov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Miroslav Dzhokov dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Dzhokov fails with a takedown attempt.
Roberts wants to clinch up but Dzhokov keeps it at a distance.
Dzhokov fails with a takedown attempt.
Roberts throws a wild body kick that Dzhokov sees coming a mile off.

Roberts looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Dzhokov!
Dzhokov defending against the ground and pound.
Roberts wants to control but Dzhokov is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roberts wants to stand but Dzhokov is controlling his arm.

Roberts has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Roberts throws the kick towards the body but Dzhokov avoids it.
An inside leg kick from Roberts misses.

Roberts shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Roberts was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Roberts takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Roberts tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Roberts has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dzhokov pushes Roberts away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Roberts gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Roberts gets to mount! Dzhokov was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Dzhokov is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roberts throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Dzhokov is desperately trying to improve his position but Roberts has a good base and remains in mount.
Dzhokov avoids a series of strikes thrown by Roberts.
Roberts controlling from the full mount.
Roberts thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dzhokov is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Roberts controlling from the full mount.

Roberts looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Roberts trying to control but Dzhokov is having none of it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Deshawn Roberts comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Dzhokov 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:28
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:28
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Miroslav Dzhokov!