PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Zurab Sergeev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Riccardo Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Sergeev
vs
Rodriguez

180 cm
21
175 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

175 cm
27
170 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Zurab Sergeev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Riccardo Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Ren Mimura and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some wild striking there from Sergeev.

Rodriguez moves into the clinch successfully.
Rodriguez taking a breather.
Rodriguez stalls.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodriguez tries to throw a body punch but Sergeev avoids it by throwing Rodriguez back against the cage.
Sergeev trying to stall but Rodriguez improves his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is keeping an eye on Rodriguez - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Sergeev tries to throw a body punch but Rodriguez avoids it by throwing Sergeev back against the cage.
Sergeev prevents a body shot from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez is pressed up against the cage. Sergeev has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rodriguez down to the mat. Rodriguez avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Zurab Sergeev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Rodriguez darts in and clinches Sergeev up against the cage.
Rodriguez struggles to land a body shot inside as Sergeev controls his hands.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Sergeev as Rodriguez tries to tie him up.
Rodriguez stalling against the cage.
Rodriguez manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Riccardo Rodriguez.
Rodriguez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sergeev.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sergeev.
Sergeev shoots in for a takedown but Rodriguez shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zurab Sergeev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sergeev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rodriguez throws out the jab.

Sergeev shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Rodriguez napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Sergeev goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Rodriguez has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Sergeev but great work by Rodriguez.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sergeev tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rodriguez wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
You can see the frustration on Sergeev's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Rodriguez wants to stand but Sergeev is controlling his arm.
Rodriguez controls the position from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

Rodriguez is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Sergeev has escaped the position, nice work there.
Sergeev gets back to half guard.

Sergeev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sergeev tries to get to full guard but Rodriguez has control of the leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Sergeev won't allow Rodriguez to pass to mount.
Rodriguez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sergeev keeps working.
Rodriguez tries to stand and escape but Sergeev is controlling the position.
Rodriguez trying to mount his opponent but Sergeev defends it.

Sergeev looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rodriguez wants to pass the guard but Sergeev is defending well.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Riccardo Rodriguez dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rodriguez lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sergeev circles away quickly and effectively.
Rodriguez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rodriguez is looking to clinch.
Rodriguez swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rodriguez with a hook.
Rodriguez misses with a few strikes there.
A punch combination from Sergeev misses.
Sergeev throws a solid leg kick but Rodriguez takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Sergeev.
Sergeev slips a jab and a cross from Rodriguez.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Sergeev!
Sergeev misses with a looping left.
Rodriguez looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Sergeev with a poor takedown
and Rodriguez counters with a stiff right hand.

Sergeev closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Rodriguez did well to prevent Sergeev getting side control.
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!

Sergeev seems to be working for a kimura but Rodriguez defends the submission attempt.

Sergeev is looking for a kimura here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sergeev trying to control the action but Rodriguez is working from the bottom.
Rodriguez wants to get back to his feet.

Sergeev is trying to work for a kimura but Rodriguez is defending well.
Rodriguez trying to control but Sergeev postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Sergeev is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rodriguez is just riding it out for now. Sergeev eventually gives up the hold.
Zurab Sergeev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Rodriguez is defending against the submission attempts here by Sergeev.
Rodriguez trying to hold on to Sergeev's head to control him but Sergeev postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sergeev is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rodriguez has managed to free his arm - good work.

Sergeev is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rodriguez doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Sergeev.
Sergeev is thwarting Rodriguez's attempts to control the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

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.
Rodriguez tries to clinch up but Sergeev circles away and keeps his distance.
Sergeev throws a lazy right hand but Rodriguez sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sergeev shoots in for a double leg but Rodriguez sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sergeev throws the left hand but Rodriguez avoids the punch easily.
Rodriguez tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sergeev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Sergeev appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Sergeev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rodriguez wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rodriguez looks to land a combination but Sergeev avoids it well.
Sergeev tries to counter with a takedown but Rodriguez is quick to defend against it.
Riccardo Rodriguez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sergeev closes the distance and clinches up with Rodriguez, looking for a takedown. Sergeev pushes Rodriguez against the cage but Rodriguez circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zurab Sergeev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rodriguez misses with a jab, cross combination.
Sergeev takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Zurab Sergeev will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Sergeev stuns Rodriguez with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Sergeev. Those never looked like landing.
Sergeev looks for a takedown but Rodriguez sprawls well.
Sergeev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rodriguez defends it nicely.
Rodriguez lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
A swing and a miss from Sergeev.
As Sergeev backs off Rodriguez throws a huge counter combo but Sergeev manages to avoid it all.
Zurab Sergeev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rodriguez lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sergeev at a distance.
A swing and a miss from Sergeev.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rodriguez lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sergeev circles away quickly and effectively.
Sergeev throws a head kick that misses.

Rodriguez gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Rodriguez leaning against his opponent.
Sergeev misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is keeping an eye on Rodriguez - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
A body shot lands from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez has Sergeev pushed against the cage.
Sergeev trying to control the position but instead, Rodriguez has worked for underhooks and has pushed Sergeev into the cage.
Sergeev drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rodriguez gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zurab Sergeev. That's going to take a lot out of him.

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.
Sergeev wants a takedown but no success here.

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

Sergeev shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Sergeev was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Sergeev tries to move to mount but Rodriguez blocks the move with his legs.

Sergeev goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Rodriguez has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Sergeev but great work by Rodriguez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez trying to control the position but Sergeev is working away.
Sergeev is trying to improve his position.
We've been hearing good reports from Sergeev's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Sergeev is working hard here to advance position.
Sergeev struggling a bit here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Sergeev is looking to regain half guard here but Rodriguez keeps moving and retains side control.
Rodriguez trying to control the action but Sergeev is working from the bottom.
Rodriguez wants to stand but Sergeev is controlling his arm.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Sergeev sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

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 Zurab Sergeev.
I think Sergeev 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 29:28
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Zurab Sergeev!
After winning the bout, Zurab Sergeev thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.