PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Damian Scherbakov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksey Petrov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aleksey Petrov looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!

Scherbakov
vs
Petrov

180 cm
18
150 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

153 cm
21
143 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Hates pizza

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Damian Scherbakov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aleksey Petrov!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Valeri Chadov and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Scherbakov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Petrov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Petrov has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Petrov looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Scherbakov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Petrov tries to avoid it but Scherbakov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Petrov to the ground. Petrov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Scherbakov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Petrov manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Petrov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Scherbakov.
Scherbakov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Scherbakov slips nicely into half guard.
Scherbakov works his way into side control.
Scherbakov is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Petrov dodges the ground and pound from Scherbakov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Scherbakov controls the position.
Scherbakov's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Damian Scherbakov.
Scherbakov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Damian Scherbakov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Scherbakov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Petrov.
Scherbakov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Petrov swivels and escapes.
Petrov shoots in but no luck this time.
Scherbakov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Petrov as he avoids it easily.
Scherbakov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Petrov tries to sprawl but Scherbakov drives through with a takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Scherbakov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Scherbakov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Scherbakov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Damian Scherbakov has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Petrov.

Scherbakov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Petrov did well to prevent Scherbakov getting side control.

Scherbakov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Petrov has managed to free his arm - good work.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Scherbakov in particular looking to stall.
Scherbakov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Scherbakov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Scherbakov postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Petrov to stand up.

Scherbakov manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Petrov on his heels. He'll look to pass Petrov's guard now, I'm sure.
Scherbakov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Scherbakov has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Scherbakov stops Petrov from standing up.
Scherbakov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Petrov controls Scherbakov momentarily but Scherbakov frees himself.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Damian Scherbakov wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Petrov gets caught napping as Scherbakov dives in and scores a takedown. Petrov manages to retain guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Scherbakov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Scherbakov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Damian Scherbakov dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Scherbakov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Petrov to the ground. Scherbakov is now in Petrov's guard.
Scherbakov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Scherbakov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Scherbakov advances position into side control!
Petrov gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Scherbakov fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Scherbakov content just to control the position here.
Petrov is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Scherbakov lands with some strikes.
Scherbakov throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Scherbakov controlling the position easily from mount.
Scherbakov seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Petrov for as long as he can get away with.
Petrov is working to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Scherbakov controlling from the full mount.

Damian Scherbakov has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Scherbakov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Scherbakov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Scherbakov 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.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Petrov looks like he's trying to stand up.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Scherbakov works his way into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petrov trying to remain calm as Scherbakov controls from the top position.
Damian Scherbakov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
An elbow from Scherbakov crashes against the mat.
Scherbakov taking a breather here.

Scherbakov thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Scherbakov looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Petrov is avoiding damage well.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Petrov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Scherbakov misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Scherbakov working away.
Scherbakov taking a breather here.
Scherbakov throwing shots but missing, from side control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Scherbakov misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Scherbakov in side control, just content to control the action for now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Scherbakov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Petrov swivels and escapes.
Scherbakov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Petrov can do to turn this around?
Scherbakov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Scherbakov wants it to stay on the feet.

Scherbakov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Scherbakov lands in his opponent's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Scherbakov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Scherbakov slips nicely into half guard.
Scherbakov passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Petrov!
Scherbakov sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Scherbakov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Petrov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Scherbakov content just to control the position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petrov is trying to stand up.
Scherbakov thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

Scherbakov working for a submission but Petrov is keeping him at bay.
Scherbakov content just to control the position here.
Petrov is trying desperately to improve position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Scherbakov content just to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Damian Scherbakov wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Scherbakov shoots and misses

and Petrov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Scherbakov can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Damian Scherbakov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Scherbakov has clasped his hands together around Petrov's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Petrov is not content to let Scherbakov control the position.
Scherbakov sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Petrov is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Scherbakov sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Petrov is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Scherbakov in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Scherbakov throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Scherbakov is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Petrov's shoulder. That is not cool.

Scherbakov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Petrov has escaped the position, nice work there.
Scherbakov staying calm.
Petrov is trying to get back to his feet.
Damian Scherbakov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Petrov being controlled for a moment.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Damian Scherbakov has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Petrov enables Scherbakov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Petrov manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Damian Scherbakov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Scherbakov, 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:26
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:26
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Damian Scherbakov!