PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vladislav Maslow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Petrov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Maslow
vs
Petrov

213 cm
27
257 lbs
14 - 9 - 0

190 cm
28
260 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Perkele!

Darkness
Modern Wear Apparel

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 14 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Vladislav Maslow!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vladimir Petrov!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, David Schapiro and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Petrov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Petrov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Petrov throws a head punch that misses.
Maslow stalling the fight.
Maslow lands with a right to the head.
Maslow lands a left hand that snaps the head of Petrov backwards.
Petrov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Petrov misses with some punches.
Petrov tries to work over Maslow's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Maslow pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Maslow.
Petrov scores with a nice hook to the head.

Maslow breaks from the clinch.

Petrov tries to keep at a distance but Maslow has taken the fight into the clinch.
Petrov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Petrov has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Maslow lands with a short head shot on the inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Maslow blocks an uppercut.

Maslow's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maslow throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Vladislav Maslow seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maslow scores with a push kick.

Petrov moves into range and clinches up with Maslow.
Petrov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Maslow to keep the fight standing.
Petrov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Maslow's elbow.
A short right from Maslow.
Petrov lands with a right to the head.
Petrov takes an elbow to the temple.
Petrov tries to work over Maslow's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
I was talking to Maslow's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Petrov tries to work over Maslow's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Petrov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Petrov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Maslow walks away with a smile on his face. Petrov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Petrov blocks a leg kick.
Maslow throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Petrov takes one to the side of the head.
Maslow getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Maslow misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A big right from Maslow misses.
Maslow bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Petrov's head.
Petrov missing with a left hand there. Maslow was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Petrov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Maslow missing with a left hand there. Petrov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Petrov throws a head kick that misses.

Maslow takes the fight into the clinch.
Petrov misses with a body punch.
Petrov tries a body shot but Maslow blocks it.
Petrov swings wildly with an uppercut but Maslow uses good head movement to avoid it.
Petrov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Maslow's efforts to push away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petrov throws a punch but it's blocked by Maslow.
Petrov swings wildly with an uppercut but Maslow uses good head movement to avoid it.
Maslow pushes Petrov back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Petrov.
Maslow blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Maslow blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Maslow has Petrov pushed against the cage.
Petrov throws a punch but it's blocked by Maslow.
Petrov throws a punch but it's blocked by Maslow.
Maslow lands with a right to the head.
Petrov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Maslow is defending well.
Vladislav Maslow has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladimir Petrov.
Maslow working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Maslow working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Maslow working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Petrov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Petrov misses with a punch to the body.
Petrov lands a body punch.
Maslow is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Maslow blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Maslow effectively controlling the action here.
Petrov throws a head punch that misses.
Petrov lands an uppercut.
Petrov prevents Maslow from breaking the clinch.
Petrov lands with a light punch inside.
Petrov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Maslow lands with a right to the head.
Maslow lands with a right to the head.
Petrov tries a body shot but Maslow blocks it.
Maslow misses with a short punch on the inside.
Petrov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Maslow pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Maslow pushes Petrov back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladislav Maslow dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Petrov blocks the body kick.
Petrov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Maslow to score with a decent uppercut.
Petrov dodges the punch combination from Maslow.
Petrov slips a jab from Maslow.
Maslow lands a nice shot that snaps Petrov's head back.
Maslow throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Petrov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Petrov clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maslow lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Maslow wants to break free but Petrov has control.
Petrov misses with some punches.

Petrov has picked Maslow up - he's going for a ride! Petrov dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maslow keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Petrov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Maslow defending well though.
Maslow wants to improve his position but Petrov is controlling well.

Petrov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Maslow is just riding it out for now. Petrov eventually gives up the hold.
Petrov is trying to control the action in half guard but Maslow is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Petrov throws a strike but Maslow avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Maslow working a defensive guard here.
Petrov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two 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.
Petrov is in close to Maslow's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Petrov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Maslow looking to hit a scissor sweep but Petrov is one step ahead there.
Petrov lands a couple of elbows.
Petrov is pushing down on Maslow's leg trying to pass to half guard. Maslow is fighting to maintain full guard but Petrov has managed to sneak the leg through.
Maslow avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Petrov.
Petrov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Petrov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Petrov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Maslow is trying to get back to full guard.
Petrov scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petrov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Petrov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Petrov misses with a head shot. Maslow uses the momentum to regain guard.
Maslow controls Petrov momentarily but Petrov frees himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Petrov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Petrov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Maslow has momentary wrist control but Petrov slips an elbow through the middle.
Petrov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Maslow pulls Petrov in close to prevent any damage.

Maslow is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Petrov wants to control from the top but Maslow keeps moving.
Petrov stands up over Maslow, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Petrov distracts Maslow with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Maslow is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Petrov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Petrov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Petrov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Petrov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Maslow lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Maslow missing with a left hand there. Petrov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Petrov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Petrov needs to keep his hands up - Maslow had a free shot at his head there.
Maslow throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A slow jab from Maslow misses its intended target.

Maslow moves into the clinch.
Petrov misses with a body punch.
Maslow prevents a body shot from Petrov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maslow lands an elbow inside.
Petrov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Petrov wants a takedown.
Petrov scores with a shot to the side of Maslow's head.
Nice body punch from Petrov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petrov lands with a light punch inside.
Maslow fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Petrov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Maslow struggles to land a body shot inside as Petrov controls his hands.
Petrov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Petrov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Maslow backwards.
Maslow trying to stall but Petrov improves his position.
Petrov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Maslow gets underhooks to prevent Petrov's takedown attempt.
Petrov can't find room to land a body shot as Maslow controls the action.
Petrov fails to pull guard.
Vladislav Maslow has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladimir Petrov.
A bit of stalling here from Maslow.
Maslow misses with a hook from the clinch.
Maslow throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Petrovs head.
Petrov throws a punch but it's blocked by Maslow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maslow tries a body shot but Petrov blocks it.
Petrov digs a right hand underneath Maslow's ribcage. Maslow let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Maslow blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Petrov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Maslow blocks a body shot from Petrov.

Petrov has hold of one of Maslow's legs. Maslow is fighting the takedown attempt but Petrov gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maslow working a defensive guard here.
Petrov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Petrov throws an elbow that misses. Maslow uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Petrov's guard. Nice move by Maslow!

Petrov working a defensive guard here.
Petrov wants to sweep but no luck.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maslow postures up.
Maslow advances position into side control!
Petrov tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Maslow is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Petrov is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Maslow tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Maslow has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Maslow has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Petrov!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Petrov is looking to improve his position but Maslow isn't that keen on the idea.
Maslow looking to control and managing it successfully.
Maslow tries to control but Petrov wriggling away.
Petrov tries to lock up and control but Maslow gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Vladimir Petrov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Petrov is squirming around, avoiding Maslow's attempts to control the action.
Petrov is working to get back to half guard.

Maslow is controlling this nicely and is looking to make no mistakes. Petrov is trying to wiggle out of this horrible position. Petrov flips to his side and attempts to get a leg in for half guard. Maslow anticipates the leg and manages to get behind Petrov and secures both hooks! This could be bad! Maslow slips an arm under Petrov chin and tries to position for a rear naked choke. Maslow has worked the choke in now and it looks tight. Maslow is squeezing on Petrov like an anaconda would it's prey. Petrov fails to tap and has fallen unconscious! We've got ourselves a winner by way of a rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Vladislav Maslow!
A relieved looking Vladislav Maslow thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.