PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Vladimir Naymov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Butko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Naymov comes to the cage accompanied by Grot-Bratya po umolchaniyu. Butko has chosen Каста-вокру as his entrance music. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Naymov
vs
Butko

175 cm
25
140 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

168 cm
25
134 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Naymov shoots in for a takedown but Butko shows good takedown defense.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Naymov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Butko swivels and escapes.
Butko throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Butko throws out a powerful jab.
Butko throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Naymov.
Naymov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Naymov shoots in looking for a takedown but Butko manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Naymov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vladimir Naymov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Butko enables Naymov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Butko manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Naymov trying to control the position from guard on top but Butko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Naymov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Naymov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Naymov wants to take a breather but Butko is having none of it.
Naymov works his way into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Naymov wants to control but Butko is keeping him busy.
You can see the frustration on Butko's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Naymov is working Butko over with some ground and pound from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butko wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
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.
Naymov'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.
Butko is not content to let Naymov control the position.
Butko is looking to reverse the position.
Naymov takes a little break here. Butko wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Vladimir Naymov just wasn't active enough.
Butko lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Naymov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Butko's waist but Butko gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Naymov off to one side.
Butko scores with a shot to the body.
Butko lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Naymov circles away quickly and effectively.
Butko scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Naymov takes a body punch but keeps moving.
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!
Butko will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Butko throws a one two combo.
Butko throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Butko looks winded!
Naymov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Naymov forces Butko back against the cage and clinches.
Butko takes an elbow to the temple.
Naymov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Naymov breaks the clinch.
Butko connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Naymov momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Naymov is defended easily by Butko.
Naymov moves forwards but Butko connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Naymov fails to land the takedown.
Naymov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Butko sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Naymov somewhat.
Butko scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Butko keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Butko scores with a jab.
Naymov moves forwards but Butko connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Butko scores with a body shot.
Butko rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Naymov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Naymov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Naymov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Naymov shoots for a takedown but Butko saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Naymov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Butko pinned against the cage. Butko gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Sloppy strikes from Butko. Those never looked like landing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Butko misses with a series of wild punches.
Butko uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Naymov has time to react.
Butko scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Butko scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Naymov slips a jab and a cross from Butko.
Butko misses with a wild combination.
Butko bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Naymov's head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Naymov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Butko tries to avoid it but Naymov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Butko to the ground. Butko escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Butko defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Naymov.

Naymov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ivan Butko will probably get the nod.
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.

Butko cracks Naymov with an open hand slap.
Naymov takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Naymov drives through with a takedown into Butko's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Naymov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Naymov trying to control but Butko is working from the bottom.
Naymov stops Butko from standing up.
Naymov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Vladimir Naymov just wasn't active enough.
Naymov shoots in for a takedown but Butko shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ivan Butko seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Naymov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Butko sprawls well. Butko wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Naymov gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butko jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Butko looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Naymov is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Butko.
Ivan Butko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Naymov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Butko's waist but Butko gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Naymov off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vladimir Naymov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Butko scores with a punch to the head.
Butko throws a nice looking combination but Naymov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Naymov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Butko lands with a hook. Naymov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Butko lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Butko.
Naymov darts in looking for a takedown but Butko gets double underhooks and turns Naymov into the cage.
Naymov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Butko avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Butko tries for a takedown. No joy.
Butko is trying to push Naymov away but Naymov has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Butko pulls guard effortlessly.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Butko wants to stand up but Naymov is controlling him.
Naymov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Naymov pushes down on Butko's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Naymov not doing much here.
Butko trying to control here.
Naymov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Vladimir Naymov wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Butko misses with a few strikes there.
Butko throws a hook but Naymov blocks it.

Naymov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Butko is trying to stand.
Still in half guard, Naymov seems content to control.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Naymov drops an elbow to the side of Butko's head.
Butko is trying to stand back up but Naymov is controlling him
Naymov is controlling the pace.

Naymov decides to return to a standing position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Naymov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Butko tries to improve position but can't.
Butko takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Butko pushes Naymov away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Naymov gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Vladimir Naymov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Naymov advances to mount.
Naymov lands with some strikes.
Naymov looking to finish Butko with some ground and pound. This is bad for Butko!
Naymov 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.
Naymov lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Butko keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Butko is in a horrible position here. Naymov smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Butko tries to reverse the position but Naymov maintains control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Naymov dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Naymov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Butko circles away.
Butko scores with a three punch combo!

Butko gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Naymov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Butko wants to stand and escape but Naymov is having none of it.
Naymov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Butko is looking to stand up but Naymov isn't so interested in that idea.
Naymov is standing up over Butko. Butko looks to escape but Naymov dives into side control.
Butko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Naymov trying to control the action but Butko is working from the bottom.
Butko tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butko is looking to get to half guard.
Naymov looking to control and managing it successfully.
Naymov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Butko is looking to escape.
A nice elbow there by Naymov.
Butko wants to get back to his feet.
Naymov looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Naymov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Butko'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.
Naymov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
A nice elbow there by Naymov.
Naymov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Butko is looking to escape.
Naymov controlling the pace for now.
Naymov landing strikes from the mount and Butko is in trouble!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Butko is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Naymov with the ground and pound from mount.
Naymov controlling the position easily from mount.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Naymov cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Butko keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Naymov controlling from the full mount.
Butko is trying to stand up.
Naymov unloading with bombs!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Naymov breaks from Butko's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Naymov lands a big shot there that rocks Butko but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Butko wants to control but Naymov is having none of it.
Naymov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Naymov landing strikes, looking to finish!

And that's the end of the fight!
Vladimir Naymov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Naymov 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:28
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:28

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