PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Herman Velez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and David Samsonov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Velez
vs
Samsonov

190 cm
20
278 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
20
220 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Enjoys gardening

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Herman Velez!
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, David Samsonov!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Valeri Chadov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

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

Samsonov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Velez defends it well.
Velez wants to improve his position but Samsonov is controlling well.
Velez is working hard here to advance position.
Velez looks like he's trying to stand up.

Samsonov is working for a kimura but Velez is defending it quite comfortably.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Velez is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samsonov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Velez does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Samsonov is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Velez is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Velez pushes Samsonov off looking to stand but Samsonov dives back in and keeps control.
Velez gets back to full guard.
Samsonov slips nicely into half guard.
Velez is looking for a sweep. Samsonov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Velez is staying active underneath Samsonov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Samsonov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Velez really is a fat lump.

Samsonov escapes and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velez tries to clinch but Samsonov moves away

and Samsonov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Samsonov.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Velez keeping full guard, as Samsonov tries to pass.
Samsonov looks winded!
Velez manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Samsonov manages to get himself to full guard.
Velez throws a big elbow that misses.
Samsonov wants to sweep here but Velez controlling him for the moment.
Samsonov is controlling Velez's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

David Samsonov has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Velez closes the distance but Samsonov moves to the side

and Samsonov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Velez is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Samsonov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Samsonov prevents the takedown attempt.
Velez wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Herman Velez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Velez is looking for a takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velez wants to break free but Samsonov has control.

Samsonov has Velez pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Samsonov pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Velez tumbling to the mat - Samsonov dives into Velez's guard.
Velez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Samsonov forces his way into half guard.

Samsonov is looking for a kimura here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Samsonov moves into full mount! Velez won't be happy about that!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Samsonov dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Velez wants to clinch

and Samsonov counters by moving into the clinch.
Samsonov stops a takedown attempt from Velez.

Samsonov is trying to trip Velez. He has hold of a leg but Velez is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Samsonov persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Samsonov is pushing down on Velez's leg trying to pass to half guard. Velez is fighting to maintain full guard but Samsonov has managed to sneak the leg through.
Samsonov is keen to just control but Velez is a slippery customer.
Samsonov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Samsonov stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Samsonov is breathing heavily.
Samsonov circles away from the clinch attempt

and Samsonov counters by moving into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Samsonov manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Samsonov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Samsonov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Samsonov has his hands on Velez's head, controlling the position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Velez is looking to work some ground and pound but Samsonov has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. David Samsonov hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Samsonov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Samsonov showed some decent athleticism there.
Velez is trying to stand.
Samsonov wants to stand up but Velez has a hold of him and won't allow it.

Samsonov is working for a submission of some sort.
Velez tries to roll over but Samsonov keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velez manages to get to full guard.
David Samsonov has got the better of the ground game so far.

Velez looking for a guillotine here but Samsonov defends easily.
Samsonov passes into half guard.
Velez is looking for a sweep. Samsonov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Samsonov controlling the action here.
Samsonov is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Samsonov working for a guillotine from mount but Velez is in no mood to give up.
Velez regains half guard.
Velez moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Velez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Samsonov's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Velez content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Samsonov. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Velez throwing strikes but missing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Samsonov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Velez closes the distance but Samsonov moves to the side
and Samsonov counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Velez looks to clinch

and Samsonov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Samsonov.
Velez changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Samsonov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Velez darts in trying to clinch

and Samsonov moves into the clinch.

Samsonov turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Samsonov manages to end up in side control.

Samsonov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Samsonov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Velez is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Samsonov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Samsonov tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Velez pushes Samsonov away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Samsonov gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Velez gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Velez tries to roll over but Samsonov keeps him under control.

Velez looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Velez is looking for a sweep. Samsonov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Samsonov stops Velez from getting back to his feet.

Samsonov seems to be looking for submissions.
Samsonov prevents Velez from improving his position.

Samsonov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Velez defends it well.
Velez is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Samsonov jumps into side control!

Samsonov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Velez, who protects the arm well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Samsonov tries for a kimura but Velez is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velez pushes Samsonov away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Samsonov gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Velez trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Samsonov lands a decent elbow from side control.
Samsonov working the ground and pound from side control.

Samsonov is trying to get an arm triangle but Velez is defending well.

Samsonov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Samsonov postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

Samsonov is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Velez knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Velez is looking for a sweep.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Velez is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Samsonov's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Velez pushes Samsonov off looking to stand but Samsonov dives back in and keeps control.

And that's the end of the fight!
David Samsonov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Samsonov 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30

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