PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ronikolai Reznitov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom Learner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Reznitov's entrance music is Scarface - My Block. A fine choice. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Reznitov
vs
Learner

191 cm
20
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Meet the Future
Bad Man Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ronikolai Reznitov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tom Learner!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Frank Dennis and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Learner throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Learner uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

It looks like Ronikolai Reznitov has been cut.
Reznitov throws a head kick but Learner moves out of range.
Reznitov dives in for a single leg takedown but Learner sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Learner drags the fight down to the ground.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Learner is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Learner is looking to stand up but Reznitov isn't so interested in that idea.
Reznitov trying to control but Learner is working from the bottom.
Reznitov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
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!
Reznitov lands a couple of digs.
Reznitov looking to sit in guard and control but Learner gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Reznitov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Reznitov tries to get out of the position.
Learner content to stall in guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reznitov working a defensive guard here.
Learner slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Learner trying to control but Reznitov is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Tom Learner wasn't active enough on the ground.
Learner throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Reznitov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Learner tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Reznitov is in Learner's guard.
Reznitov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Learner on the ground.
Learner seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Learner preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Reznitov throws an elbow that misses. Learner uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Reznitov's guard. Nice move by Learner!
Learner missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Reznitov is trying to keep Learner in close.
Learner throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reznitov lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Learner!
Reznitov in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Reznitov avoids the attempt from Learner to control.
Reznitov lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Learner hang on?
Learner avoids a series of strikes thrown by Reznitov.
Reznitov working some short elbows here. He postures up to throw some more ground and pound but Learner slips a leg through to get back to half guard. Nice work.
Learner regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Reznitov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Learner keeping moving, preventing Reznitov from controlling successfully.
Learner wants to get back to his feet but Reznitov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Reznitov trying to control the position from guard on top but Learner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Reznitov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Learner's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Learner is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Reznitov landing with the ground and pound.
Learner pulls Reznitov in to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ronikolai Reznitov will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ronikolai Reznitov's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Reznitov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Learner sprawls well. Learner wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Reznitov gets slowly back to his feet.
Learner blocks a head kick by Reznitov.
Learner looks for a takedown but Reznitov sprawls well.
Nice takedown defense from Reznitov. No joy for Learner on that attempt.
Learner shoots in for a double leg but Reznitov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ronikolai Reznitov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Learner.
Learner looks for a takedown but Reznitov sprawls well.

Learner tries to sprawl but Reznitov drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Reznitov prevents Learner from standing back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Reznitov is looking to take a break and control but Learner is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reznitov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Nice strikes from Reznitov there.
Reznitov throws a strike but Learner avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Reznitov wants to control from the top but Learner keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Reznitov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Reznitov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Reznitov throwing strikes but missing.
Reznitov wants to control from the top but Learner keeps moving.
Reznitov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ronikolai Reznitov has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Learner throws a series of punches but Reznitov moves out of range.

Reznitov gets a double leg takedown into Learner's guard.
Learner is trying to control the position but Reznitov postures up.
Reznitov trying to control the position from guard on top but Learner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Reznitov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Learner works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Learner has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Nice sprawl there from Learner as Reznitov shoots in.
Reznitov shoots in but Learner avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Learner doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Reznitov counters with a big head kick but Learner shrugs it off.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Reznitov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Learner wants to control but Reznitov is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Learner is concentrating on defense, preventing Reznitov from advancing position.
Reznitov trying to control from Learner's half guard. Learner has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Learner is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Learner has his foot on Reznitov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Reznitov works his way back into a safe position though.
Learner keeping moving, preventing Reznitov from controlling successfully.
Reznitov postures up in Learner's guard and throws a big left but Learner blocks it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Learner controls Reznitov momentarily but Reznitov frees himself.
Reznitov throws a strike but Learner rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ronikolai Reznitov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ronikolai Reznitov's cut.
That's time! Reznitov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Reznitov shoots in looking for a takedown. Learner tries to sprawl out of it but Reznitov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Learner manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Reznitov keeps the fight on the outside.

Reznitov shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Learner napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Learner is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Reznitov is controlling him well.
Reznitov working the strikes but Learner uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Reznitov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Reznitov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Learner is looking to control Reznitov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Learner avoid being mounted?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reznitov is just content to waste time from the top position. Learner takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Learner throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Ronikolai Reznitov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Reznitov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Reznitov looking to sit in guard and control but Learner gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Reznitov is looking to sweep but instead, Learner has passed into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Learner throwing shots but Reznitov is blocking nicely.
Reznitov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Learner throwing shots but Reznitov is blocking nicely.
Reznitov is staying active underneath Learner, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Learner stands up out of the half guard.

Reznitov drives through with a takedown into Learner's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Reznitov postures up.
Reznitov throwing strikes from guard but Learner blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reznitov throws a big right hand that misses.
Reznitov 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.
Reznitov trying to control but Learner is working from the bottom.

We're going to have a standup here because Ronikolai Reznitov wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Reznitov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Learner circles away.
Learner fails with a takedown attempt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Reznitov is defended easily by Learner.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ronikolai Reznitov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reznitov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Reznitov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Learner.

Learner forces Reznitov back against the cage and clinches.
Ronikolai Reznitov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Learner tries to circle away but Reznitov has him pinned against the cage.
Tom Learner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Reznitov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ronikolai Reznitov.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Reznitov, 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ronikolai Reznitov!
A relieved looking Ronikolai Reznitov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.