PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Vasiliy Khrapov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Isa Musa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Khrapov might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Rocky road to Dublin (RUS). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Khrapov
vs
Musa

178 cm
33
170 lbs
16 - 9 - 0

178 cm
26
181 lbs
11 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Sparta Fightware

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 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vasiliy Khrapov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Isa Musa!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Valeri Chadov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Musa moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Khrapov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Khrapov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Khrapov wants to clinch up but Musa keeps it at a distance.
Khrapov scores with a jab to the body.
Khrapov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Khrapov scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Musa scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Khrapov misses with a wild body shot.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Musa! But no joy.
Khrapov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Musa.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Musa blocks the body kick.

Khrapov gets a clinch.
A short right from Musa.
A short left from Khrapov.
Khrapov throws a punch but it's blocked by Musa.
A right handed body shot lands from Khrapov.
Khrapov misses with a body punch.
Khrapov tries a body shot but Musa blocks it.
Khrapov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Musa's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Khrapov.
Musa tries to score a body lock takedown but Khrapov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Khrapov can't find room to land a body shot as Musa controls the action.
Nice body punch from Khrapov.
Musa is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Khrapov is defending well.
Musa blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Khrapov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Musa 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.
Khrapov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Musa backwards.
Khrapov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Musa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Khrapov misses with a wild body shot.
Khrapov looks to throw the jab but Musa is out of range.
Musa scores with a hook to the body. Khrapov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Musa works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Khrapov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Khrapov with a hook.
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!
Musa avoids the body shot from Khrapov.
Musa let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Musa misses with a telegraphed body shot
letting Khrapov counter with a right hand.
Musa throws a lazy right hand but Khrapov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khrapov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Musa counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Khrapov moves away from the strike by Musa.
Khrapov tries to clinch up.
Musa takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Khrapov is defended easily by Musa.
Khrapov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Khrapov does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Musa fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Musa lands a body shot.
Khrapov tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Musa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Musa shoots in for a takedown but Khrapov shows good takedown defense.
Vasiliy Khrapov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Isa Musa.
Khrapov misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Khrapov rushes Musa and presses him up against the cage.
Khrapov misses with a punch on the inside.
Musa is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A head punch on the inside from Khrapov fails to land.
A short right from Khrapov on the inside.
Musa blocking some punches.

Khrapov gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Musa regains guard.
Khrapov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Musa works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Khrapov throwing strikes but missing.
Khrapov throws a strike but Musa rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Khrapov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Musa scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Khrapov is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Musa looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Khrapov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Musa tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Musa lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Musa missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Vasiliy Khrapov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Khrapov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Musa looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Musa throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Khrapov ducks right into an uppercut from Musa.
A big right from Khrapov misses.
Khrapov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Khrapov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Khrapov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Musa was well out of range. Poor timing from Khrapov.
Khrapov tries to clinch but Musa is having none of it.
A shot to the body from Musa misses
and Khrapov counters with a solid body kick.
Khrapov lands a nice looking body shot.
Khrapov misses with a head kick.
Khrapov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Musa.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Musa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Khrapov darts in looking for a takedown but Musa gets double underhooks and turns Khrapov into the cage.
Khrapov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Musa moves away.
Khrapov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
It seemed like Musa was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Khrapov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Musa.
Khrapov was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khrapov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
We've been told by Khrapov's head coaches at Russian Fighting Community Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Nice straight punches there by Musa. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Musa.
Musa connects with a body shot that sends Khrapov's belly button to the back.
Musa lands a nice looking body shot.
Khrapov moves in looking to clinch but Musa pushes him off.
A little jabbing left from Musa on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Khrapov throws a sloppy body shot
enabling Musa to counter with a crisp jab.
Musa misses with a straight left.
An attempted straight right counter from Khrapov misses the target.
A right-left combo lands from Musa.

It looks like Vasiliy Khrapov has been cut.
Musa fails to land with a series of punches.
Musa misses the jab.

Musa gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Musa controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Musa has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Khrapov is looking to work some ground and pound but Musa has wrist control.
Khrapov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Khrapov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Khrapov trying to control but Musa is working from the bottom.
Khrapov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Khrapov with a flurry of punches that miss.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Isa Musa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Khrapov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Musa connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Khrapov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
An inside leg kick lands from Khrapov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khrapov tries to clinch there but Musa circles away.
Khrapov digs a good body shot into Musa's ribs.
Khrapov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Khrapov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Khrapov moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Khrapov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Musa throws a right and a left that both miss.
Khrapov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Musa moves away.
Nice defenses there by Khrapov.
Musa shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Khrapov throws out a powerful jab.
Khrapov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Musa.
Musa throws a right and a left that Khrapov avoids nicely.
Khrapov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Khrapov lands with an overhand left.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Khrapov.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vasiliy Khrapov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khrapov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Musa fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Khrapov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Musa avoids the head kick by Khrapov.
Musa lands a slapping body shot.
Khrapov throws a body punch but Musa moves out of range.
Musa throws a hook but Khrapov blocks it.
Khrapov shoots in for a double leg but Musa sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Musa bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Musa trying to control the position but Khrapov is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Musa fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Musa with the ground and pound but Khrapov regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Isa Musa will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Vasiliy Khrapov's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

A jab lands there for Musa.
Khrapov shoots for a double leg takedown but Musa sprawls well. He's pushed Khrapov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Khrapov tries to close the distance and clinch but Musa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Musa misses with a few strikes there.
Khrapov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Khrapov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Khrapov misses with a left hand
and Musa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Musa misses with a hook. Khrapov ducked under it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khrapov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Musa swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Musa clobbers Khrapov with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Musa throws a shot to the body.
Musa fails to land with a series of punches.
A quick step to the side and Khrapov tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Musa fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Khrapov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Musa misses with a body shot.
Khrapov throws a leg kick
and Musa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Khrapov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Musa doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Musa ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Musa slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Musa slaps away a takedown attempt from Khrapov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vasiliy Khrapov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Khrapov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Musa lands with a straight right. Khrapov didn't see that one coming.
Musa just misses with a punch to the body.
Musa defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Khrapov.
Khrapov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A big right from Khrapov misses.
Musa looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Khrapov takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Musa changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Khrapov swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Musa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Musa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Khrapov.
Musa connects with a body shot.
Musa shoots in but Khrapov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Khrapov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Khrapov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Khrapov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Khrapov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Musa tries to avoid it but Khrapov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Musa to the ground. Musa escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Khrapov tries to clinch up.
Musa throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Khrapov ducks right into an uppercut from Musa.
Khrapov throws a hook to the side of Musa's head but Musa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Khrapov wants to clinch up but Musa keeps it at a distance.
Musa scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Musa misses with an uppercut. Khrapov saw that one coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Musa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Khrapov.
Musa looks to land a combination. Khrapov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Khrapov needs to keep his hands up - Musa had a free shot at his head there.
Musa lands a slapping body shot.
Sloppy strikes from Khrapov. Those never looked like landing.
Khrapov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Khrapov moves in looking to clinch but Musa pushes him off.
Musa lands a body shot.
Musa swings for the body but Khrapov moves out of range.
Khrapov takes one to the chin there.
Nice defenses there by Khrapov.
Khrapov appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
A punch lands to the side of Khrapov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Musa misses the shot to the body.
Khrapov is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Musa.
Khrapov scores with a punch to the head.
Sloppy strikes from Musa. Those never looked like landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khrapov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Musa moves away.
Musa looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Khrapov misses the shot to the body.
Musa keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Musa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A looping hook to the body misses from Musa. Khrapov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Khrapov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Musa is fending him off so far but Khrapov persists. Nope, Musa circles away and we're back to standing.
Khrapov looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Khrapov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Khrapov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Musa. Musa circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Musa lands a nice shot to the body.
Musa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Khrapov.
An attempted straight right counter from Khrapov misses the target.
Musa ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Musa lands with a straight right. Khrapov didn't see that one coming.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice uppercut there from Musa.
Musa avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Musa moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Isa Musa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Musa has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:29
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Isa Musa!