PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Damian Rentz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Pupkoff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rentz comes to the cage accompanied by Broken Dreams. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rentz
vs
Pupkoff

210 cm
28
269 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

185 cm
27
225 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Sparta Fightware

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 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Damian Rentz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Pupkoff!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Vladimir Khabensky and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rentz is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Pupkoff's half guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Pupkoff is trying to stand back up but Rentz is controlling him
Pupkoff is trying to escape back to his feet but Rentz uses the scramble to pass into side control.

Rentz wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Pupkoff, who protects the arm well.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Pupkoff can do anything to dispel that myth.
Rentz wants to control but Pupkoff is keeping him busy.
Pupkoff takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pupkoff wants to control but Rentz postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rentz working the ground and pound.
Pupkoff is trying to improve his position.
Rentz scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Pupkoff to see if he's OK.
Rentz is looking to take a break and control but Pupkoff is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rentz content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Pupkoff is trying to buck Rentz off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rentz controlling the position from side mount.

Rentz decides to stand back up.
Rentz doesn't manage to clinch there - Pupkoff circles away.
Rentz shoots in looking for a takedown but Pupkoff manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rentz's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rentz looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Pupkoff is fending him off so far but Rentz persists. Nope, Pupkoff circles away and we're back to standing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rentz tries to close the distance and clinch but Pupkoff swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rentz avoids the body shot from Pupkoff.
Pupkoff misses with a low kick.
Ivan Pupkoff is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rentz takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pupkoff tries to score with a low kick but Rentz moves his leg out of the way.
Pupkoff is looking to clinch.
Pupkoff blocks a head kick by Rentz.

Pupkoff gets caught flat footed, as Rentz shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Pupkoff has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Rentz off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Pupkoff clinches up with Rentz and pushes him back against the cage.
Pupkoff looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Pupkoff wants to break free but Rentz has control.
Rentz tries to circle away but Pupkoff has him pinned against the cage.
Pupkoff working hard to break the clinch.

Pupkoff breaks the clinch.
Pupkoff throws a right hand that Rentz ducks under and follows up with a left that Rentz also avoids with ease.
Rentz fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rentz throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rentz shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Pupkoff but Pupkoff pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Damian Rentz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rentz is looking to clinch.
Pupkoff throws a right and a left that Rentz avoids nicely.

Pupkoff has taken the fight to the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rentz is looking for a takedown.

Pupkoff breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A head kick misses from Pupkoff.
Rentz fails with a takedown attempt.
Rentz fails with an attempt to clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rentz misses with a two punch combination.

Pupkoff clinches up against the cage.

Pupkoff escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Pupkoff swinging wildly here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Damian Rentz dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Pupkoff displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rentz.
Rentz doesn't manage to clinch there - Pupkoff circles away.
A combination from Pupkoff does no damage.
Some wild striking there from Pupkoff.
Rentz dives in and grabs Pupkoff's left leg, looking for a takedown. Pupkoff pushes down on Rentz's head and hops out.
The fight stays on the outside here - Pupkoff looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rentz shoots for a takedown but Pupkoff saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Damian Rentz. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Pupkoff moves into the clinch.

Pupkoff breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Pupkoff displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Rentz dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Pupkoff. That did some damage!
Rentz looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Pupkoff is fending him off so far but Rentz persists. Nope, Pupkoff circles away and we're back to standing.

Rentz fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Pupkoff sprawls well initially but Rentz persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rentz not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rentz is nestled in close to Pupkoff, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Pupkoff regains full guard. Nicely done.

Rentz stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Rentz avoids a punch combination nicely.
Pupkoff thumps Rentz with a low kick.
Damian Rentz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pupkoff misses with the combination.
Rentz throws a right hand that Pupkoff ducks under and follows up with a left that Pupkoff also avoids with ease.
Ivan Pupkoff seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rentz shoots for a takedown but Pupkoff saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pupkoff circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ivan Pupkoff seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Pupkoff gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Rentz looking for a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rentz has Pupkoff pressed against the cage, preventing Pupkoff from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Pupkoff's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Pupkoff fails to land with a series of punches.
Pupkoff lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
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!
Rentz misses with a combination
and Pupkoff counters with a leg kick.
Pupkoff chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Pupkoff cracks Rentz with a right hand to the side of the head.
Pupkoff keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Pupkoff lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rentz's sensitive parts.
Pupkoff scores with a one two! Rentz had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Rentz on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

Pupkoff closes the distance and clinches.

Pupkoff pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pupkoff tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Pupkoff moves into the clinch.

Pupkoff manages to break the clinch.
Pupkoff tries to clinch up but Rentz circles away and keeps his distance.

Pupkoff darts in and clinches Rentz up against the cage.

Pupkoff manages to break the clinch.
Pupkoff throws a series of punches but Rentz avoids them all with ease.
Rentz fails with a takedown attempt.
Pupkoff lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Rentz on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Pupkoff. Pupkoff obviously looking to wear him down.
Rentz looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Pupkoff is fending him off so far but Rentz persists. Nope, Pupkoff circles away and we're back to standing.
A nice inside leg kick there by Pupkoff. That's going to slow Rentz down.

Pupkoff gets a clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Pupkoff pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pupkoff lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
That kick from Pupkoff tenderised Rentz's leg. Rentz is trying to keep his angry face on.

Pupkoff instigates a clinch.

Pupkoff's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rentz chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Pupkoff can pounce on him.
Pupkoff misses with a double jab.

Pupkoff fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rentz, pushing him back against the cage.

Pupkoff breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rentz has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Pupkoff.
Pupkoff dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Pupkoff fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Pupkoff displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Pupkoff throws a nice looking combination but Rentz bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Pupkoff looks to land a combination but Rentz avoids it well.
Rentz is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Pupkoff tries to clinch there but Rentz circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Pupkoff showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Pupkoff lands a right hook to the body.
Rentz has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Pupkoff cracks a nice hook into Rentz's ribs.
Pupkoff stuffs the takedown.
Pupkoff misses with the combination.
Pupkoff throws a right hand that Rentz ducks under and follows up with a left that Rentz also avoids with ease.
Pupkoff smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Rentz changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Pupkoff tries to avoid it but Rentz manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Pupkoff to the ground. Pupkoff escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rentz shoots in looking for a takedown but Pupkoff manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rentz's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Damian Rentz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
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!
Pupkoff misses with the combination.
Pupkoff fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Rentz has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Rentz on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Pupkoff throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rentz.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Pupkoff. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pupkoff misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rentz tries to clinch up.
Pupkoff fails to land with a series of punches.
Pupkoff lands a two punch combo.
Pupkoff turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Rentz dives in and grabs Pupkoff's left leg, looking for a takedown. Pupkoff pushes down on Rentz's head and hops out.
Rentz drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Pupkoff!
Pupkoff cracks Rentz with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Pupkoff has Rentz up against the cage in a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Pupkoff escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Pupkoff thuds a left hand into Rentz's body.
Pupkoff throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rentz shoots in but Pupkoff avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pupkoff drives through and clinches with Rentz against the cage.

Pupkoff breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Pupkoff displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rentz.
Pupkoff has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Pupkoff connects with a crisp jab.

Pupkoff closes the distance and clinches.

Pupkoff escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Oooooh!!! Pupkoff has knocked Rentz down with a huge combo! Pupkoff steps away and waves a wobbly Rentz back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Rentz is rocked!
Pupkoff throws a series of punches but Rentz avoids them all with ease.
Oh Rentz is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Pupkoff forces Rentz back against the cage and clinches.

Pupkoff breaks the clinch.
Rentz seems to have got his legs back now.
Pupkoff throws a right hand that Rentz ducks under and follows up with a left that Rentz also avoids with ease.
Pupkoff moves in looking to clinch but Rentz pushes him off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pupkoff looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Pupkoff dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rentz. That did some damage!
Pupkoff connects with a solid leg kick.
Rentz throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Pupkoff.
Good leg kick by Pupkoff there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

Pupkoff darts in and clinches Rentz up against the cage.

Pupkoff's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Pupkoff digs a good hook to Rentz's body.
Pupkoff moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Pupkoff, right into the meat.
Nice uppercut there from Pupkoff.

Pupkoff drives through and clinches with Rentz against the cage.

Pupkoff manages to break the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pupkoff lands with a nice body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pupkoff stuffs the takedown attempt from Rentz. Rentz gets slowly back to his feet.
Pupkoff fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Rentz tries to keep at a distance but Pupkoff has taken the fight into the clinch.

Pupkoff breaks from the clinch.
Pupkoff ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Pupkoff scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Pupkoff misses with a two punch combination.

Pupkoff closes the distance and clinches.

Pupkoff breaks from the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Pupkoff avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Pupkoff tries to clinch up but Rentz circles away and keeps his distance.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Pupkoff!
Pupkoff wants to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Pupkoff comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Pupkoff 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:29
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:29
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Pupkoff!
Ivan Pupkoff decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.