PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mikhail Sarbinov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joerg Roessler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joerg Roessler will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Sarbinov
vs
Roessler

193 cm
22
271 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

220 cm
23
270 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mikhail Sarbinov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Joerg Roessler!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Bruno Hogan and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sarbinov shoots in but Roessler avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Roessler misses with a takedown attempt

and Sarbinov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Roessler won't allow Sarbinov to pass to mount.
Sarbinov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Sarbinov prevents Roessler from improving his position.
Sarbinov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Roessler gets full guard.
Sarbinov wants to control from the top but Roessler keeps moving.
Roessler wants to sweep here but Sarbinov controlling him for the moment.
Sarbinov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Roessler working for submissions but it's allowed Sarbinov to get to half guard.
Roessler tries to roll over but Sarbinov keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Roessler looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sarbinov is looking to advance position but Roessler won't allow it.
Sarbinov winds up and cracks Roessler with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Sarbinov works his way into side control.
Sarbinov scores with a couple of short elbows.
Sarbinov cracks Roessler with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Roessler is looking to regain half guard here but Sarbinov keeps moving and retains side control.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Sarbinov wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Roessler, who protects the arm well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sarbinov throwing strikes but Roessler manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Sarbinov is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Sarbinov is breathing heavily.
Sarbinov gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Sarbinov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sarbinov sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Roessler trying to pass the guard but Sarbinov defending well.
Sarbinov wants to control but Roessler is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Sarbinov is defending against the submission attempts here by Roessler.

Roessler is looking for a kimura here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sarbinov wants to get back to his feet.
Roessler passes the guard and advances to mount!
Sarbinov is trying desperately to improve position.
Sarbinov swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Roessler working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Sarbinov working to try and regain half guard.

Roessler has hold of Sarbinov's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Sarbinov manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Roessler blocks Sarbinov's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Roessler wants to take Sarbinov's back here but Sarbinov is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.

Roessler working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Sarbinov is desperately trying to improve his position but Roessler has a good base and remains in mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Sarbinov dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Roessler shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Roessler showed some decent athleticism there.
Sarbinov misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Sarbinov is in trouble now - Roessler has advanced to mount!
Sarbinov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sarbinov tries to reverse the position but Roessler maintains control.

Roessler looking to secure an arm triangle but Sarbinov defends it well.
Roessler manages to capitalize on a mistake by Sarbinov to take his back!
Sarbinov is really stuck here.

Roessler is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sarbinov tries to roll but Roessler sticks to his back.

Roessler looking for the choke but no joy.

Roessler is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Roessler is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Sarbinov defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Sarbinov tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Sarbinov tries to reverse the position but Roessler maintains control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Roessler with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Sarbinov regains half guard.

Roessler is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Sarbinov defends it well.

Roessler is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Sarbinov wants to control but Roessler is keeping busy.
Sarbinov misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Roessler is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Sarbinov has managed to free his arm - good work.

Sarbinov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sarbinov is trying to control but can't.

Roessler wants to work for an arm triangle but Sarbinov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Sarbinov gets full guard.
Sarbinov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sarbinov trying to strike off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Roessler slips nicely into half guard.
Sarbinov wants to get back to full guard but Roessler has mounted him!

Roessler working for a submission but Sarbinov is keeping him at bay.

Roessler is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Sarbinov is surviving well by controlling Roessler's body position as best he can.
Sarbinov throwing punches from his back. He's mounted here but still fighting back.

Roessler working for a guillotine from mount but Sarbinov is in no mood to give up.

Roessler wants to finish this one by submission but Sarbinov is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Roessler.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joerg Roessler showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Roessler shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Sarbinov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Roessler keeping moving, preventing Sarbinov from controlling successfully.

Roessler escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sarbinov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sarbinov trying to control the position from guard on top but Roessler is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Roessler looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Sarbinov passes into side control.
Sarbinov landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Mikhail Sarbinov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Roessler tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Sarbinov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sarbinov just content to control the position.
Roessler manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Sarbinov actively working from the bottom here.

Roessler looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Sarbinov is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Roessler is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Sarbinov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Roessler.
Sarbinov is pressing down on Roessler's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Roessler looking to pass the guard.
Sarbinov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Roessler pushing down on Sarbinov's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Roessler is trying to work for a kimura but Sarbinov is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sarbinov wants to control but Roessler is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Sarbinov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Roessler is working for a submission of some sort.
Sarbinov wants to improve his position but Roessler is controlling well.
Sarbinov trying to control from the bottom.
Sarbinov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Roessler passes to full mount!

Roessler working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Sarbinov working to try and regain half guard.

Roessler looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Joerg Roessler.
Well Roessler has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Joerg Roessler!