PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ramazan Abdulkerimov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and William Wallace (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). William Wallace will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Abdulkerimov
vs
Wallace

188 cm
25
250 lbs
6 - 9 - 0

195 cm
26
255 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Vandal Fight Boutique & Laundry

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 6 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ramazan Abdulkerimov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, William Wallace!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Paulo Santos and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Abdulkerimov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Wallace circles away quickly and effectively.
Wallace shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Abdulkerimov fails to land the takedown.
Wallace shoots for a takedown but Abdulkerimov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Abdulkerimov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Wallace!
Wallace is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Wallace can't do much from the bottom here.
Abdulkerimov throws a strike aimed at the side of Wallace's head but Wallace avoids it well.

Abdulkerimov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Abdulkerimov trying to control the position but Wallace is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abdulkerimov lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Wallace down.
Abdulkerimov tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Wallace tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Abdulkerimov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
You can see the frustration on Wallace's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
A lull in the action here as Abdulkerimov stalls from top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wallace is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wallace is working to avoid the ground and pound but Abdulkerimov connects with a decent elbow.
Abdulkerimov grinds an elbow into Wallace's temple.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
You can see the frustration on Wallace's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Wallace trying his best to control but Abdulkerimov has mounted him.
Wallace is in all sorts of trouble here.
Abdulkerimov lands a couple of good shots and Wallace has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Abdulkerimov really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Wallace.
Abdulkerimov gets his hands free as Wallace looks to control.
Wallace has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abdulkerimov is looking to control Wallace but Wallace is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Wallace trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Wallace grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Wallace is trying to break free.
Abdulkerimov scores with strikes from the back.
Wallace is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Abdulkerimov has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A lull in the action here.
Abdulkerimov doesn't have the hooks in and Wallace manages to turn into his guard.
Abdulkerimov 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.
Wallace stops Abdulkerimov from standing up.
Abdulkerimov is trying to control the position but Wallace postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Wallace's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Wallace gets to his feet - Abdulkerimov follows without any prompting.
Abdulkerimov stuffs the takedown attempt from Wallace. Wallace gets slowly back to his feet.
Ramazan Abdulkerimov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of William Wallace.

Abdulkerimov closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Wallace quickly recovers to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ramazan Abdulkerimov dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Wallace throws a series of punches but Abdulkerimov moves out of range.
Abdulkerimov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Wallace sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Abdulkerimov somewhat.
Wallace tries for a takedown but Abdulkerimov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Abdulkerimov leaves Wallace with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Abdulkerimov throws a body punch but Wallace moves out of range.
Wallace's corner calls for a 1-2. Wallace obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Abdulkerimov.

Abdulkerimov closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Wallace's guard.
Abdulkerimov looking to sit in guard and control but Wallace gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Abdulkerimov wants to get back to his feet but Wallace is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Wallace got a little sloppy there for a moment and Abdulkerimov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Wallace has managed to get both his arms back between Abdulkerimov's legs - danger averted.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abdulkerimov keeping moving, preventing Wallace from controlling successfully.
Abdulkerimov keeping full guard, as Wallace tries to pass.

The ref stands the fighters back up. William Wallace was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Abdulkerimov misses with a takedown attempt - Wallace sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Wallace has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Abdulkerimov is landing a low percentage of strikes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ramazan Abdulkerimov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wallace looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Abdulkerimov pushes Wallace up against the cage in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wallace is pressed up against the cage. Abdulkerimov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Wallace down to the mat. Wallace avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Abdulkerimov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Abdulkerimov takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Wallace shoots in for a takedown but Abdulkerimov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Wallace throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Abdulkerimov's waist but Abdulkerimov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Wallace off to one side.
Ramazan Abdulkerimov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Abdulkerimov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Wallace rushes Abdulkerimov and presses him up against the cage.
Wallace is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Abdulkerimov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Wallace is pressed up against the cage. Abdulkerimov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Wallace down to the mat. Wallace avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
No luck for Wallace with that takedown attempt.
Wallace shoots in for a double leg but Abdulkerimov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Wallace throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Abdulkerimov's waist but Abdulkerimov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Wallace off to one side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abdulkerimov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Abdulkerimov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Wallace defends well and Abdulkerimov ends up having to push Wallace into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Abdulkerimov gets underhooks to prevent Wallace's takedown attempt.
Wallace wants a takedown but no success here.
Wallace prevents a takedown attempt there.
Wallace has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Abdulkerimov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Wallace manages to break the clinch.

Abdulkerimov is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Wallace's half guard.
Wallace is staying active underneath Abdulkerimov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Wallace won't allow Abdulkerimov to pass to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wallace keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Wallace is staying active underneath Abdulkerimov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Wallace is looking to control Abdulkerimov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Wallace avoid being mounted?
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Wallace dives in for a single leg takedown but Abdulkerimov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Wallace is trying to break the clinch but Abdulkerimov is controlling him.
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 Ramazan Abdulkerimov will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Abdulkerimov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Wallace is trying to defend but Abdulkerimov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Wallace wants to improve his position but Abdulkerimov is controlling well.
Abdulkerimov is thwarting Wallace's attempts to control the position.
Abdulkerimov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Wallace with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Wallace is pressing down on Abdulkerimov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Abdulkerimov wants to pass the guard but Wallace is keeping the position.
Abdulkerimov is in close to Wallace's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Ramazan Abdulkerimov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Abdulkerimov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wallace controls Abdulkerimov momentarily but Abdulkerimov frees himself.
Wallace takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Abdulkerimov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Abdulkerimov sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Abdulkerimov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Abdulkerimov connects with a couple of short punches.
Abdulkerimov stands up over Wallace, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Abdulkerimov prevents Wallace from getting back to his feet.
Abdulkerimov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wallace keeping moving, preventing Abdulkerimov from controlling successfully.
Abdulkerimov lands a couple of digs.
Abdulkerimov passes into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Abdulkerimov 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.
Abdulkerimov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Wallace keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wallace is looking to control Abdulkerimov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Wallace avoid being mounted?

Abdulkerimov is trying to work for a kimura but Wallace is defending well.

Wallace is defending against the submission attempts here by Abdulkerimov.
Wallace is looking for a sweep. Abdulkerimov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abdulkerimov stops Wallace from getting back to his feet.
Wallace is refusing to be controlled, as Abdulkerimov sits in half guard.
Abdulkerimov is taking a breather. Wallace says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Wallace is refusing to be controlled, as Abdulkerimov sits in half guard.
Ramazan Abdulkerimov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Abdulkerimov in particular looking to stall.
William Wallace has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ramazan Abdulkerimov wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Abdulkerimov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Abdulkerimov showed some decent athleticism there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ramazan Abdulkerimov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Abdulkerimov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 30:27
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ramazan Abdulkerimov!