PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ramazan Abdulkerimov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robin Verhoeven (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ramazan Abdulkerimov could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Robin Verhoeven's chin.

Abdulkerimov
vs
Verhoeven

188 cm
26
250 lbs
8 - 14 - 0

195 cm
25
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
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 8 - 14 - 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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Robin Verhoeven!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Aleksandr Martynov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Abdulkerimov enables Verhoeven to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Abdulkerimov manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Verhoeven trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Verhoeven trying to control the position from guard on top but Abdulkerimov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Robin Verhoeven has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Verhoeven darts in and clinches Abdulkerimov up against the cage.

Verhoeven pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verhoeven slips a straight right by Abdulkerimov.
Verhoeven throws a half hearted mid kick.
Abdulkerimov moves in looking to clinch but Verhoeven pushes him off.
Abdulkerimov throws a right and a left that Verhoeven avoids nicely.
Abdulkerimov tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Verhoeven makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Abdulkerimov really felt that one!

Verhoeven looking to score a takedown here. Abdulkerimov is defending well but Verhoeven drives through and ends up in Abdulkerimov's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Verhoeven trying to control the position from guard on top but Abdulkerimov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Abdulkerimov is pulling down on Verhoeven's head. It's preventing any offense from Verhoeven, at least for the moment.
Abdulkerimov keeping moving, preventing Verhoeven from controlling successfully.
Abdulkerimov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Abdulkerimov tries to get out of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Robin Verhoeven was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Verhoeven manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Abdulkerimov on his heels. He'll look to pass Abdulkerimov's guard now, I'm sure.
Verhoeven pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Abdulkerimov is keeping the position for now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Verhoeven looking to sit in guard and control but Abdulkerimov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Verhoeven trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abdulkerimov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Verhoeven is proving hard to escape from.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Robin Verhoeven was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Verhoeven looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Verhoeven wants to work for an arm triangle but Abdulkerimov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Verhoeven is just content to waste time from the top position. Abdulkerimov takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Abdulkerimov has control of Verhoeven's left arm, preventing Verhoeven from doing any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Abdulkerimov lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Verhoeven!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robin Verhoeven dominated that round.
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 fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Abdulkerimov's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Abdulkerimov duly obliges.

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

Verhoeven is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Abdulkerimov still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Abdulkerimov has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
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!
Verhoeven is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Abdulkerimov is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Abdulkerimov controlling the pace for now.
Verhoeven is trying desperately to improve position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Abdulkerimov is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Abdulkerimov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Abdulkerimov wants to clinch.
Abdulkerimov tries to clinch up but Verhoeven circles away and keeps his distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Abdulkerimov tries to break free but Verhoeven pushes him back against the cage.

Verhoeven gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Verhoeven is looking to advance position but Abdulkerimov has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Abdulkerimov avoids the attempt from Verhoeven to control.
Abdulkerimov controlling from the full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abdulkerimov tries to stand up but he's trapped just for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Verhoeven is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

We're going to have a standup here because Ramazan Abdulkerimov wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Verhoeven avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Abdulkerimov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Verhoeven is looking to land body kicks.
Abdulkerimov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Abdulkerimov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ramazan Abdulkerimov dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

A slapping body kick lands there for Verhoeven.
A telegraphed right hand from Abdulkerimov misses the target.

Verhoeven shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Verhoeven stalling.

Verhoeven is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verhoeven misses with a head shot. Abdulkerimov uses the momentum to regain guard.

Verhoeven has gone for a leg lock! Abdulkerimov slips out almost immediately though and dives into Verhoeven's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abdulkerimov wants to stand but Verhoeven is controlling his posture from full guard.
Verhoeven is striking but Abdulkerimov is not phased and passes to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Verhoeven tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Abdulkerimov has advanced to mount. Uh oh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verhoeven throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.

Abdulkerimov is standing up, even though he is in mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abdulkerimov swinging wildly here.
Abdulkerimov doesn't manage to clinch there - Verhoeven circles away.
Abdulkerimov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Verhoeven manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Verhoeven is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Abdulkerimov's half guard.
Abdulkerimov is controlling Verhoeven's position as best he can from this difficult position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Robin Verhoeven comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Verhoeven has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robin Verhoeven!