PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alphonse Foley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kirill Sidelnikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kirill Sidelnikov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Foley
vs
Sidelnikov

203 cm
24
279 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

179 cm
25
229 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alphonse Foley!
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, Kirill Sidelnikov!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Sergei Dronov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sidelnikov wants to clinch but Foley slips to the side
and Foley counters with a nice kick to the body.
Sidelnikov tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Foley counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Foley shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sidelnikov as he avoids it easily.
Sidelnikov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Sidelnikov misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Foley to counter with a crisp jab.

Foley moves into range and clinches up with Sidelnikov.
Sidelnikov wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Foley has him pressed against the cage.
Sidelnikov tries for a takedown but Foley manages to get underhooks.
Foley lands a knee to the body.
Foley has Sidelnikov pushed against the cage.

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

Sidelnikov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Foley manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Sidelnikov trying to control but Foley is working from the bottom.
Foley is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Sidelnikov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Foley swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Foley is looking to stand back up but Sidelnikov counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Foley.
Foley is trying to get back to full guard.
Foley looks like he's trying to stand up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Foley has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Sidelnikov is on him like a limpet, forcing Foley back against the cage.
Sidelnikov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Foley prevents it.
Alphonse Foley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kirill Sidelnikov.
Foley comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Kirill Sidelnikov has been cut.

Foley decides to pull guard.
Sidelnikov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sidelnikov trying to control the position from guard on top but Foley is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Foley wants to sweep here but Sidelnikov controlling him for the moment.
Sidelnikov postures up in Foley's guard and throws a big left but Foley blocks it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Foley is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Foley keeping moving, preventing Sidelnikov from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sidelnikov controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Foley wants to sweep here but Sidelnikov controlling him for the moment.

Sidelnikov gets to his feet - Foley follows without any prompting.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Sidelnikov has eaten all the pies!
Foley showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sidelnikov.
Sidelnikov closes the distance and clinches up with Foley, looking for a takedown. Sidelnikov pushes Foley against the cage but Foley circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Foley closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Sidelnikov tries to buck Foley off but Foley is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sidelnikov struggling a bit here.
Sidelnikov tries to control but Foley manages to take his back.

Foley working for a choke but Sidelnikov is defending well.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sidelnikov holding both Foley 's hands and preventing any damage.
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 Alphonse Foley will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kirill Sidelnikov's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Sidelnikov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Sidelnikov swinging wildly here.

Sidelnikov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Foley wants to get back to full guard.
Foley wants to sweep but Sidelnikov has passed to side control!
The ground and pound from Sidelnikov seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Sidelnikov has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Sidelnikov trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Foley taking shots to the head.
Foley is working to get back to half guard.
Sidelnikov throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Foley because Sidelnikov loaded up on that one.
Sidelnikov sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Sidelnikov controlling from the full mount.
Foley sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Foley works his way to full guard. Good work.
Sidelnikov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sidelnikov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Foley looking for a sweep. Not yet Foley, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sidelnikov stands up and waves to Foley to follow him.
Sidelnikov dives in and grabs Foley's left leg, looking for a takedown. Foley pushes down on Sidelnikov's head and hops out.
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!
Sidelnikov is looking to clinch but Foley is avoiding it.
Sidelnikov moves in looking to clinch but Foley pushes him off.
Sidelnikov darts in looking for a takedown but Foley gets double underhooks and turns Sidelnikov into the cage.

Foley escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Foley shoots in for a takedown but Sidelnikov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sidelnikov.
Alphonse Foley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kirill Sidelnikov.
A head kick by Sidelnikov misses
and Foley counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sidelnikov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Foley swivels and escapes.
Sidelnikov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sidelnikov is looking to clinch but Foley is avoiding it.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sidelnikov or perhaps it was just good defense by Foley, which made it look bad.
Sidelnikov is breathing heavily.
Foley fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sidelnikov tries to clinch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
A low kick from Sidelnikov misses
and Foley counters with a head kick. That will keep Sidelnikov thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Sidelnikov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Foley but Foley pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Foley slaps away a takedown attempt from Sidelnikov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kirill Sidelnikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sidelnikov misses with a takedown
and Foley counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Sidelnikov is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Sidelnikov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Foley sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sidelnikov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Sidelnikov tries to clinch
and Foley counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Sidelnikov thinking.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sidelnikov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Foley. Foley circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Sidelnikov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Foley paws at him with a jab and circles away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sidelnikov tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Foley counters with a nice body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kirill Sidelnikov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kirill Sidelnikov's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Sidelnikov tries to clinch but Foley moves out of range.
Sidelnikov throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Foley counters with an inside leg kick.

Foley closes the distance and clinches.
Sidelnikov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Foley smiles and moves away.
Sidelnikov wants to clinch up but Foley keeps it at a distance.
Sidelnikov goes for a double leg but Foley avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Foley continues to drive forward.
Foley landing knees to the head.

Foley breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice sprawl there from Sidelnikov as Foley shoots in.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sidelnikov is defended easily by Foley.
Alphonse Foley has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kirill Sidelnikov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sidelnikov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Foley paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sidelnikov has his takedown stuffed
and Foley counters with a nice leg kick.
Sidelnikov wants to land a leg kick but Foley is out of range.
Foley shoots for a takedown but Sidelnikov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Sidelnikov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Foley to the ground. Sidelnikov is now in Foley's guard.
Foley wants to get back to his feet but Sidelnikov passes into half guard.
Foley manages to get to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sidelnikov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Foley wants to sweep but no luck.

Foley manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sidelnikov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Foley closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sidelnikov circles away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sidelnikov shoots in looking for a takedown. Foley tries to sprawl out of it but Sidelnikov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Foley manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Sidelnikov misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Foley moves out of range as Sidelnikov throws a body kick.
Sidelnikov misses with a body shot.

Sidelnikov closes the distance and clinches.
Foley's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Sidelnikov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Foley escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Foley keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sidelnikov throws a head kick but Foley moves out of range.
Sidelnikov fails with the takedown.
Kirill Sidelnikov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sidelnikov keeps the fight on the outside.

Foley moves into the clinch.
Foley's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Foley manages to break the clinch.

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 Alphonse Foley.
I think Foley 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Alphonse Foley!