PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eric Ankudinov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raivis Vidzis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ankudinov comes to the cage accompanied by I must break you.. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ankudinov
vs
Vidzis

193 cm
26
265 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

180 cm
26
250 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid 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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Eric Ankudinov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Raivis Vidzis!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Valeri Chadov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vidzis shoots in and drives through. Ankudinov sprawls well.
Ankudinov doesn't manage to clinch there - Vidzis circles away.
Vidzis fails to land the takedown.
Eric Ankudinov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vidzis showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ankudinov.
Vidzis goes for a double leg but Ankudinov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ankudinov continues to drive forward.
Eric Ankudinov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Raivis Vidzis.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Vidzis is trying to drag Ankudinov to the mat but Ankudinov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Vidzis is looking for a takedown.

Vidzis drags the fight down to the ground.
Ankudinov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ankudinov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Ankudinov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ankudinov is looking to pass into half guard but Vidzis pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Vidzis is in guard.
Ankudinov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Ankudinov tries to get out of the position.
Vidzis won't allow Ankudinov to sweep him here.
Vidzis is fighting to break Ankudinov's control of his arms but Ankudinov is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Ankudinov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Vidzis is one step ahead there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vidzis trying to control the position from guard on top but Ankudinov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ankudinov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Vidzis manages to get himself to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ankudinov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ankudinov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Vidzis works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ankudinov landing some decent shots from guard.
Ankudinov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Ankudinov trying to control the position from guard on top but Vidzis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ankudinov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Vidzis wants to stand up but Ankudinov is controlling him.
Ankudinov tries to free his leg and advance position but Vidzis is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ankudinov sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Eric Ankudinov just wasn't active enough.
Ankudinov throws a head kick that misses
and Vidzis counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ankudinov thinking.
Ankudinov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Vidzis doesn't seem bothered though.
Vidzis throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ankudinov throws a series of punches but Vidzis avoids them all with ease.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ankudinov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ankudinov takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

Vidzis shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Ankudinov napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Vidzis lands some shots froms side control.

Vidzis swings around for an armbar but Ankudinov sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Vidzis's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ankudinov throws a big elbow that misses.
Ankudinov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Vidzis controls Ankudinov momentarily but Ankudinov frees himself.
Vidzis looks winded!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ankudinov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Vidzis is keeping the position for now.
Vidzis keeping moving, preventing Ankudinov from controlling successfully.
Ankudinov with a nice head shot there.
Ankudinov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Ankudinov stops Vidzis from getting back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ankudinov wants to control but Vidzis is keeping him busy.
Ankudinov tries to pass to full mount but Vidzis defends it.
Vidzis is trying to stand back up but Ankudinov is controlling him
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Ankudinov 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.

Vidzis shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ankudinov as he jumps to the side.
Ankudinov tries to close the distance and clinch but Vidzis swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Vidzis showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ankudinov.
Vidzis fails with the takedown.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ankudinov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Vidzis fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Eric Ankudinov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Raivis Vidzis.

Vidzis shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Ankudinov is trying to defend but Vidzis finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Ankudinov is trying to stand back up but Vidzis is controlling him
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ankudinov regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vidzis won't allow Ankudinov to sweep him here.
Vidzis trying to stand up but can't free himself from Ankudinov's guard.
Vidzis is breathing heavily.
Eric Ankudinov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ankudinov wants to stand but Vidzis is controlling the position.
Ankudinov scores with a couple of body punches from the bottom.
Ankudinov wants to stand but Vidzis is controlling the position.
Ankudinov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Vidzis's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ankudinov works over Vidzis with some ground and pound from guard.
Ankudinov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Ankudinov trying to control the position from guard on top but Vidzis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ankudinov controlling from the top position.
Vidzis utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ankudinov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vidzis wants to sweep but no luck.

Vidzis working for a triangle but Ankudinov defends it easily.
Vidzis keeping moving, preventing Ankudinov from controlling successfully.
Ankudinov stands up over Vidzis, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Vidzis keeping full guard, as Ankudinov tries to pass.
Ankudinov trying to control but Vidzis is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ankudinov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Ankudinov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Vidzis is keeping the position for now.

Ankudinov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Vidzis thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ankudinov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Ankudinov wants to pass the guard but Vidzis is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Ankudinov dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Vidzis slaps away a takedown attempt from Ankudinov, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Vidzis scores with a takedown into Ankudinov's guard.
Vidzis lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Ankudinov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Vidzis trying to stand up but can't free himself from Ankudinov's guard.
Ankudinov wants to stand and escape but Vidzis is having none of it.
Vidzis wants to control from the top but Ankudinov keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ankudinov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ankudinov looking for a sweep. Not yet Ankudinov, not yet.

Vidzis drops back looking for a leg! Ankudinov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ankudinov manages to kick Vidzis off! Vidzis jumps back into Ankudinov's guard.
Vidzis postures up.
Ankudinov 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.
Vidzis wants to stand but Ankudinov is controlling his posture from full guard.
Vidzis is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vidzis trying to control the position from guard on top but Ankudinov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Vidzis fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Vidzis takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Vidzis takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Vidzis wants to clinch up but Ankudinov keeps it at a distance.

Vidzis gets tackled into the cage by Ankudinov. Ankudinov maintains the clinch.
Ankudinov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Vidzis pulls his leg out and moves away.
Eric Ankudinov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Vidzis throws a right and a left that Ankudinov avoids nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ankudinov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A looping hook to the body misses from Vidzis. Ankudinov does a little dance to reset his feet.

Ankudinov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Vidzis striking off his back but it's not causing Ankudinov any problems.
Vidzis trying to control the position.
Raivis Vidzis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ankudinov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ankudinov postures up and lands a big shot to Vidzis's brow.
Ankudinov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Vidzis is keeping the position for now.

Vidzis working for a triangle but Ankudinov defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vidzis is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ankudinov is aware though and is defending well.
Ankudinov wants to control from the top but Vidzis keeps moving.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Vidzis has his foot on Ankudinov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ankudinov works his way back into a safe position though.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Raivis Vidzis.
I think Ankudinov 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eric Ankudinov!