PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Dolbakov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leonid Spartak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Dolbakov
vs
Spartak

193 cm
34
289 lbs
11 - 20 - 1

225 cm
31
302 lbs
8 - 18 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 20 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Dolbakov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 18 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Leonid Spartak!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Igor Prikhodko and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dolbakov moves into range and clinches up with Spartak.
Spartak fails to pull guard.
Dolbakov wants to break free but Spartak has control.
Nice body punch from Dolbakov.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Dolbakov.
Dolbakov lands a shoulder strike.
Dolbakov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Spartak backwards.
Dolbakov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Spartak wants to break the clinch but can't.
Dolbakov could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Dolbakov.
Spartak looks winded!
A short left from Dolbakov.

It looks like Leonid Spartak has been cut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Dolbakov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Spartak jumps guard but Dolbakov stands there with Spartak around his waist. Spartak gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Spartak looking to stall.

Dolbakov jumps guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dolbakov wants to stand up but Spartak is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spartak wants to stand but Dolbakov is controlling his posture from full guard.
Dolbakov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Spartak trying to control the position from guard on top but Dolbakov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dolbakov wants to get back to his feet but Spartak is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Dolbakov is trying to control the position but Spartak postures up.
Dolbakov wants to stand up but Spartak is controlling him.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Spartak stands up from Dolbakov's guard - Spartak perhaps looking for a knockout.

Dolbakov has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's two 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.
Spartak takes a shot to the head.
Dolbakov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Dolbakov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Spartak tries to pull guard but Dolbakov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Ivan Dolbakov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leonid Spartak.
Spartak tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Spartak breaks the clinch.
Ivan Dolbakov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Dolbakov moves into the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Dolbakov pulls guard.
Dolbakov wants to stand up but Spartak is controlling him.
Dolbakov 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Spartak throwing strikes but missing.
Dolbakov wants to stand up but Spartak is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Dolbakov trying to keep a closed guard but Spartak is proving a slippery customer.
Dolbakov wants to stand and escape but Spartak is having none of it.
Spartak postures up in Dolbakov's guard and throws a big left but Dolbakov blocks it.
Dolbakov is looking to stand up but Spartak isn't so interested in that idea.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Dolbakov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Spartak breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Dolbakov clinches up against the cage.

Dolbakov has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Spartak regains guard immediately.
Dolbakov stops Spartak from standing up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spartak looking to hit a scissor sweep but Dolbakov is one step ahead there.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Dolbakov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Dolbakov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Spartak avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Dolbakov wanted to stand there but Spartak had control of the position.

Spartak looking for a guillotine here but Dolbakov defends easily.
Dolbakov wants to stand but Spartak has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Dolbakov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Leonid Spartak'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.

Dolbakov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Spartak, pushing him back against the cage.
Dolbakov gets underhooks to prevent Spartak's takedown attempt.

Dolbakov has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Spartak is trying to keep an underhook but Dolbakov manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Dolbakov looks to land a strike but Spartak avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Dolbakov working some strikes from top position.

Spartak working for a triangle but Dolbakov defends it easily.
Dolbakov throws a strike but Spartak rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dolbakov keeping moving, preventing Spartak from controlling successfully.

Dolbakov scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spartak throws a body punch but Dolbakov moves out of range.

Spartak fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Dolbakov sprawls well initially but Spartak persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Spartak stops Dolbakov from getting back to his feet.
Spartak is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Ivan Dolbakov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Spartak seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Dolbakov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Dolbakov tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Dolbakov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Dolbakov is trying to stand.
Spartak wants to take a breather but Dolbakov is having none of it.
Dolbakov tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Spartak shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dolbakov as he jumps to the side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dolbakov has taken the fight to the clinch.

Spartak breaks the clinch.

Spartak clinches up against the cage.
Spartak blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Dolbakov misses with a punch on the inside.
Ivan Dolbakov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Spartak has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Dolbakov after a bit of a struggle.
Ivan Dolbakov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leonid Spartak.
Dolbakov is working Spartak over against the cage.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Dolbakov here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Spartak is breathing heavily.
A short right from Dolbakov on the inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Dolbakov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Dolbakov forces Spartak back against the cage and clinches.
Dolbakov working hard to break the clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Dolbakov.
Dolbakov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Spartak backwards.
Dolbakov lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dolbakov lands with a right to the head.
Dolbakov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Dolbakov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Dolbakov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Dolbakov lands with a right to the head.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Dolbakov lands a shot to the body.

Dolbakov ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Dolbakov no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Dolbakov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Dolbakov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Spartak drops back looking for a leg! Dolbakov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Dolbakov manages to kick Spartak off! Spartak jumps back into Dolbakov's guard.
Dolbakov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Dolbakov wants to stand but Spartak is controlling his posture from full guard.

Dolbakov gets to his feet - Spartak follows without any prompting.

Dolbakov has Spartak up against the cage in a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dolbakov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Spartak backwards.
A short right from Dolbakov on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Dolbakov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Leonid Spartak's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Spartak gets a double leg takedown into Dolbakov's guard.
Spartak controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Dolbakov manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Spartak is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Dolbakov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Dolbakov manages to pull guard.
Dolbakov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Spartak is controlling him.
Dolbakov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Spartak can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dolbakov keeping moving, preventing Spartak from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dolbakov kicks Spartak off and gets to his feet.

Dolbakov shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Spartak's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Spartak can do anything to dispel that myth.
Spartak takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Dolbakov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Dolbakov stopping the sweep attempt from Spartak.
Dolbakov wants to get up but he can't break Spartak's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Spartak is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Spartak decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Spartak gets tackled into the cage by Dolbakov. Dolbakov maintains the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Dolbakov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dolbakov is trying to push Spartak away but Spartak has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Dolbakov tries a body shot but Spartak blocks it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dolbakov lands with a light punch inside.
Dolbakov lands with a light punch inside.
Spartak is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Dolbakov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Dolbakov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Spartak backwards.

Dolbakov manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Spartak stops Dolbakov from standing up.
Spartak trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Dolbakov wants to stand up but Spartak is controlling him.

Spartak gets to his feet. Dolbakov looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Dolbakov closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spartak is looking to break free of the clinch but Dolbakov has double underhooks.
Spartak is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Dolbakov to keep the fight standing.
Ivan Dolbakov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Leonid Spartak.

Dolbakov gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Dolbakov wanted to stand there but Spartak had control of the position.
Dolbakov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Dolbakov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Dolbakov decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Dolbakov closes the distance and clinches.
Spartak working hard to break the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Spartak missing with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dolbakov misses with an elbow over the top.

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

Dolbakov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Spartak is looking to control Dolbakov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Spartak avoid being mounted?
Spartak keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Dolbakov is pressing down on Spartak's thigh, looking to free his foot. Spartak is holding on for now.
It looks like Dolbakov is going to stand back up.

Spartak kicks off Dolbakov and gets to his feet.

Dolbakov rushes Spartak and presses him up against the cage.
Leonid Spartak has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ivan Dolbakov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Spartak looks to throw an elbow but misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Dolbakov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Dolbakov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Dolbakov!