PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Josh Mooney (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dmitri Kherzakov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Mooney
vs
Kherzakov

163 cm
18
278 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

213 cm
19
267 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Can Moonwalk

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Josh Mooney!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dmitri Kherzakov!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Viktor Lagutenko and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kherzakov shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Mooney is trying to defend but Kherzakov finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Mooney could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Kherzakov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Mooney has managed to free his arm - good work.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Kherzakov passes to full mount!
Kherzakov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Mooney is looking to escape.
Mooney wants to try and get back to his feet.
Mooney might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mooney is trying to reverse the position but instead Kherzakov has taken his back - oops!
Kherzakov thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.

Kherzakov is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Mooney wants to get back to his feet.

Kherzakov is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Mooney is defending well though. Kherzakov let's go of the attempt for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mooney wants to get back to his feet.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mooney trying to get back to his feet but Kherzakov is in full control for now.
What can Mooney do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kherzakov looking for the RNC.
Kherzakov really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Mooney.

Kherzakov patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kherzakov looking to break Mooney's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Mooney remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Kherzakov will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Mooney holding both Kherzakov 's hands and preventing any damage.
I would not like to be Mooney right now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kherzakov thows a strike but Mooney uses the opportunity to reverse the position! Great move by Mooney as he ends up in Kherzakov 's guard!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dmitri Kherzakov dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mooney gets caught napping as Kherzakov dives in and scores a takedown. Mooney manages to retain guard.
Kherzakov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Mooney wants to get back to his feet but Kherzakov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

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

Mooney gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mooney is looking to stand up but Kherzakov isn't so interested in that idea.
Kherzakov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Mooney looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Kherzakov puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Kherzakov is taking a breather. Mooney says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mooney is looking for a sweep. Kherzakov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Mooney actively working from the bottom here.
Kherzakov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

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

Kherzakov gets the takedown into side control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Kherzakov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Kherzakov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Dmitri Kherzakov has got the better of the ground game so far.

Kherzakov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mooney tries to improve position but can't.

Kherzakov stands up and we're back to a striking position.

Kherzakov closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Mooney's guard.
Kherzakov looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mooney wants to control but Kherzakov passes easily into half guard.
Mooney wants to get back to full guard.
Kherzakov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Mooney defending well though.
Kherzakov tries to pass to full mount but Mooney defends it.
Mooney has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kherzakov is working away from the top position though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kherzakov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Mooney knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dmitri Kherzakov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kherzakov shoots in and gets a takedown into Mooney's guard.
Mooney looking for a sweep. Not yet Mooney, not yet.
Kherzakov trying to control but Mooney is working from the bottom.
Kherzakov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Dmitri Kherzakov has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Kherzakov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mooney is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kherzakov throws a body shot but no joy.
Dmitri Kherzakov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kherzakov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Kherzakov is trying to control. Mooney wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Mooney is trying to stand back up but Kherzakov is controlling him
Mooney is looking for a sweep. Kherzakov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Mooney wants to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mooney is trying to control but Kherzakov manages to pass to mount!
Kherzakov trying to control but Mooney is having none of it.
Kherzakov controlling from mount.
Mooney is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kherzakov controlling the pace for now.
Kherzakov misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Kherzakov unloading with bombs!
Kherzakov controlling the pace for now.
Mooney blocking the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mooney looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Kherzakov keeps control of the position easily here as Mooney tries to buck him off.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Josh Mooney has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dmitri Kherzakov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kherzakov looking for the choke from the back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dmitri Kherzakov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kherzakov 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dmitri Kherzakov!