PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Vladimir Yevgenyevich Beschastnykh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Applebottom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Yevgenyevich Beschastnykh
vs
Applebottom

174 cm
22
155 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

165 cm
22
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vladimir Yevgenyevich Beschastnykh!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Johnny Applebottom!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Valeri Chadov and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Applebottom sizes up Beschastnykh with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Applebottom feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Beschastnykh's calf.
Beschastnykh takes one to the side of the head.
Vladimir Yevgenyevich Beschastnykh seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Applebottom waves his right hand out infront of him, looking to distract Beschastnykh. Oh, he's unloaded a beast of a left hand - it worked! He's dropped Beschastnykh to the canvas! Can he finish him!?

Beschastnykh is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Applebottom is pushing down on Beschastnykh's leg trying to pass to half guard. Beschastnykh is fighting to maintain full guard but Applebottom has managed to sneak the leg through.
Oh Beschastnykh is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Beschastnykh punching from the bottom.
Beschastnykh seems to have got his legs back now.
Beschastnykh throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Applebottom is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Applebottom blocks the strikes from Beschastnykh.

Applebottom decides to stand up.
Applebottom connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Beschastnykh momentarily.
Applebottom lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Beschastnykh drives through with a takedown into guard.
Beschastnykh missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Beschastnykh won't allow Applebottom to get back to his feet.
Beschastnykh landing some decent shots from guard.
Beschastnykh thows a big elbow that misses.
Applebottom wants to stand and escape but Beschastnykh is having none of it.
Applebottom looks gassed!
Beschastnykh missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Applebottom trying to keep a closed guard but Beschastnykh is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Beschastnykh cracks Applebottom with a solid left hand.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Applebottom keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Beschastnykh shoots in and drives through. Applebottom sprawls well.
Applebottom with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Applebottom lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Beschastnykh at a distance.
Applebottom bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
The fighters circling - Applebottom throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Applebottom has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Beschastnykh shoots for a double leg takedown but Applebottom sprawls well. He's pushed Beschastnykh's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vladimir Yevgenyevich Beschastnykh. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Beschastnykh closes the distance and clinches up with Applebottom, looking for a takedown. Beschastnykh pushes Applebottom against the cage but Applebottom circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A decent looking cross lands there for Applebottom.

Beschastnykh looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Applebottom is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Beschastnykh working some strikes from top position.
Beschastnykh is working Applebottom over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Beschastnykh is working Applebottom over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Beschastnykh landing some decent shots from guard.
Beschastnykh connects with a couple of short punches.
Applebottom wants to sweep here but Beschastnykh controlling him for the moment.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Applebottom uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Nice takedown defense from Applebottom. No joy for Beschastnykh on that attempt.
Beschastnykh shoots in and drives through. Applebottom sprawls well.
Beschastnykh closes this distance looking for a takedown but Applebottom circles away.
An inside leg kick lands from Applebottom.
Applebottom works the jab nicely.
Applebottom throws a big shot that misses.
Beschastnykh moves out of range as Applebottom strikes.

Beschastnykh decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Applebottom has hold of Beschastnykh's hands but Beschastnykh slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Beschastnykh stops Applebottom from getting back to his feet.
Nice strikes from Beschastnykh there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Beschastnykh looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Applebottom with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Nice strikes from Beschastnykh there.
Applebottom is trying to stand back up but Beschastnykh is controlling him
Beschastnykh works his way into full mount!
Beschastnykh cracks Applebottom with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Applebottom is in all sorts of trouble here.
Beschastnykh landing strikes from the mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Beschastnykh scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Applebottom?
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Applebottom can do anything to dispel that myth.
Beschastnykh dominating with strikes here.
Applebottom in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Applebottom's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
A nice elbow there by Beschastnykh.
Applebottom is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Beschastnykh lands a heavy elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Beschastnykh lands with some strikes.
Beschastnykh lands with some strikes.
Applebottom swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Beschastnykh pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
You get the feeling that Applebottom really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Beschastnykh landing strikes, looking to finish!
Beschastnykh is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Applebottom can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Applebottom is in a horrible position here. Beschastnykh smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Applebottom is looking to improve his position but Beschastnykh isn't that keen on the idea.
Applebottom trying desperately to get to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Beschastnykh connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Applebottom is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Applebottom tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Beschastnykh is landing with some decent strikes but Applebottom is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Applebottom tries to hold on but Beschastnykh pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Applebottom dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nice sprawl there from Applebottom as Beschastnykh shoots in.
Applebottom scores with a jab to the body.
Applebottom lands with an uppercut that bounces Beschastnykh off the cage and back into rage.
Applebottom lands a jab to the nose.
Beschastnykh looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Applebottom jabs at Beschastnykh's body.
Applebottom misses with a few strikes there.
Beschastnykh will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vladimir Yevgenyevich Beschastnykh. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Beschastnykh.
Nice takedown defense from Applebottom. No joy for Beschastnykh on that attempt.
Nice uppercut lands for Applebottom. That snapped Beschastnykh's head back.
Beschastnykh has a takedown stuffed.
Beschastnykh takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Horrible takedown by Beschastnykh or perhaps it was just good defense by Applebottom which made him look bad.
Beschastnykh shoots in for a takedown but Applebottom shows good takedown defense.
Applebottom cracks Beschastnykh with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Beschastnykh will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Beschastnykh tries for a takedown but Applebottom sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Applebottom throws a shot to the body.
Left hook, right uppercut from Applebottom.
Beschastnykh misses with a takedown attempt - Applebottom sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A good leg kick by Applebottom.

Beschastnykh shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Beschastnykh showed some decent athleticism there.
Beschastnykh thows a huge punch but Applebottom dodges it nicely.
Beschastnykh missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Beschastnykh is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Beschastnykh 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.
Beschastnykh scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Applebottom taking some punishment here, with Beschastnykh in his half guard.
Applebottom is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Beschastnykh scores with a couple of nice shots.
Applebottom slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Applebottom looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Beschastnykh misses with a takedown attempt - Applebottom sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Beschastnykh changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Applebottom looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Applebottom is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Beschastnykh is controlling him well.
Applebottom taking punishment in the form of punches.
Applebottom taking a bit of punishment here - Beschastnykh scoring with strikes.
Beschastnykh lands an elbow.
Applebottom wants to control but Beschastnykh postures up.
Applebottom wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Applebottom taking a bit of punishment here - Beschastnykh scoring with strikes.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Applebottom keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Applebottom lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Beschastnykh shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Applebottom as he avoids it easily.
Vladimir Yevgenyevich Beschastnykh is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Beschastnykh tries for a takedown but Applebottom sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Applebottom goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Applebottom keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Beschastnykh shoots in for a takedown but Applebottom shows good takedown defense.
Applebottom uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Beschastnykh bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Applebottom's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Beschastnykh scores with a couple of short elbows.
Beschastnykh landing strikes.
Applebottom is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Beschastnykh has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Applebottom takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Applebottom wants to control but Beschastnykh postures up.
Beschastnykh working the ground and pound from side control.
Beschastnykh in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Applebottom misses with the combination.
Beschastnykh shoots in looking for a takedown. Applebottom tries to sprawl out of it but Beschastnykh keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Applebottom manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Applebottom fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Applebottom.

Beschastnykh fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Applebottom sprawls well initially but Beschastnykh persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Beschastnykh prevents Applebottom from standing back up.
Applebottom trying to hold on to Beschastnykh's head to control him but Beschastnykh postures up.
Beschastnykh is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Vladimir Yevgenyevich Beschastnykh overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Applebottom wants to get back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Beschastnykh is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Beschastnykh working Applebottom over with strikes.
Beschastnykh is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Johnny Applebottom will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Beschastnykh closes this distance looking for a takedown but Applebottom circles away.
Applebottom rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Beschastnykh moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Horrible takedown by Beschastnykh or perhaps it was just good defense by Applebottom which made him look bad.
Beschastnykh fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vladimir Yevgenyevich Beschastnykh. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Beschastnykh shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Applebottom pinned against the cage. Applebottom gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Johnny Applebottom seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Applebottom stuns Beschastnykh with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Applebottom.
Applebottom throws a nice inside leg kick.

Beschastnykh looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Beschastnykh connects with a nice short shot to Applebottom's temple.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Beschastnykh connects with a nice short shot to Applebottom's temple.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Beschastnykh lands with a punch from half guard.
Beschastnykh seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Beschastnykh stops Applebottom from getting back to his feet.
Applebottom is looking to control Beschastnykh's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Applebottom avoid being mounted?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Beschastnykh is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Applebottom is looking to improve his position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Beschastnykh shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Beschastnykh shoots for a takedown but Applebottom saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Beschastnykh misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Applebottom darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Beschastnykh misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Beschastnykh.
Applebottom scores with a decent looking hook.

Beschastnykh shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Beschastnykh showed some decent athleticism there.
Nice strikes from Beschastnykh there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Beschastnykh is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Beschastnykh looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Applebottom with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Beschastnykh scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Applebottom trying to control but Beschastnykh postures up.
Beschastnykh seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Applebottom manages to get to full guard.
Applebottom is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Applebottom throws a leg kick but Beschastnykh sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Beschastnykh changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Applebottom tries to avoid it but Beschastnykh manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Applebottom to the ground. Applebottom escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nice takedown defense from Applebottom. No joy for Beschastnykh on that attempt.
Beschastnykh shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Applebottom but Applebottom pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Applebottom scores with a one two! Beschastnykh had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Beschastnykh misses with a takedown attempt - Applebottom sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Beschastnykh fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Applebottom scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Beschastnykh 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.
Beschastnykh throws a big right hand that misses.
Beschastnykh lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Beschastnykh lands a couple of digs.

Applebottom pushes Beschastnykh off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Beschastnykh shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Beschastnykh looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Applebottom is fending him off so far but Beschastnykh persists. Nope, Applebottom circles away and we're back to standing.
Beschastnykh fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Beschastnykh changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Applebottom tries to avoid it but Beschastnykh manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Applebottom to the ground. Applebottom escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Beschastnykh looks for a takedown but Applebottom sprawls well.
Applebottom connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Beschastnykh's hands.
Beschastnykh looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Beschastnykh shoots for a takedown but Applebottom saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Beschastnykh will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Applebottom works Beschastnykh's body with a nice hook.
Applebottom connects with a crisp jab.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Beschastnykh.
Beschastnykh shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Applebottom pinned against the cage. Applebottom gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Beschastnykh shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nice body punch from Applebottom.
Beschastnykh fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Beschastnykh closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Beschastnykh lands in his opponent's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!

Applebottom scrambles and gets back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Applebottom lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Beschastnykh at a distance.
Vladimir Yevgenyevich Beschastnykh has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnny Applebottom is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Beschastnykh has a takedown stuffed.
Johnny Applebottom is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Applebottom dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johnny Applebottom comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Applebottom winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johnny Applebottom!