PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Piotr Rasputin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Nevsky (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Rasputin
vs
Nevsky

198 cm
34
250 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

178 cm
39
195 lbs
31 - 24 - 0

Great wrestler
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Piotr Rasputin !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 24 - 0, fighting out of London, Alexander Nevsky!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Wesley Smith and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Nevsky with that takedown attempt.
Rasputin tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nevsky sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rasputin somewhat.

Rasputin manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Nevsky on his heels. He'll look to pass Nevsky's guard now, I'm sure.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rasputin accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Rasputin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Rasputin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rasputin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rasputin throwing strikes but missing.
Rasputin is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rasputin won't allow Nevsky to get back to his feet.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Rasputin with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rasputin has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Rasputin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nevsky is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Nevsky displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rasputin .

Nevsky gets caught flat footed, as Rasputin shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Rasputin with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rasputin with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rasputin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rasputin postures up in Nevsky's guard and throws a big left but Nevsky blocks it.
Rasputin throws a strike but Nevsky rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Hammerfist, elbow! yells Nevsky's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Nevsky trying to control but Rasputin is working from the bottom.

Rasputin is looking for a triangle but Nevsky pushes his legs off easily.
Nevsky trying to control the position from guard on top but Rasputin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nevsky throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nevsky is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nevsky stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rasputin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rasputin will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Rasputin working for a triangle but Nevsky defends it easily.
Nevsky trying to control but Rasputin is working from the bottom.
Nevsky distracts Rasputin with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Nevsky trying to control but Rasputin is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rasputin takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Nevsky fails to land the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Rasputin . No joy for Nevsky on that attempt.
Piotr Rasputin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Nevsky.

Rasputin shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Nevsky keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rasputin misses with a head shot. Nevsky uses the momentum to regain guard.
Rasputin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nevsky is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rasputin trying to control the position from guard on top but Nevsky is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Piotr Rasputin dominated that round.
That's time! Rasputin 's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nevsky throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rasputin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rasputin changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Nevsky tries to avoid it but Rasputin manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Nevsky to the ground. Nevsky escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A head kick from Nevsky lands but Rasputin takes it in his stride.
Rasputin will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rasputin avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rasputin shoots in for a double leg but Nevsky sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Piotr Rasputin . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nevsky tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Rasputin defends well and Nevsky ends up having to push Rasputin into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Rasputin shoots in looking for a takedown but Nevsky manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rasputin 's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rasputin looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nevsky is fending him off so far but Rasputin persists. Nope, Nevsky circles away and we're back to standing.
Piotr Rasputin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nevsky scores with a nice strike.

Nevsky fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Rasputin sprawls well initially but Nevsky persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Nevsky is looking to take a break and control but Rasputin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Nevsky perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Nevsky is looking to stall here but Rasputin recovers full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nevsky looking to sit in guard and control but Rasputin gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nevsky preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nevsky wants to stand and escape but Rasputin is having none of it.
Rasputin cracks Nevsky with a solid left hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nevsky is looking to stand up but Rasputin isn't so interested in that idea.
Rasputin throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Rasputin postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rasputin passes Nevsky's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Rasputin not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Rasputin lands strikes from half guard.
Rasputin sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Nevsky defending well though.
Rasputin lands with a punch from half guard.
Rasputin is pressing down on Nevsky's thigh, looking to free his foot. Nevsky is holding on for now.
Piotr Rasputin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Nevsky is trying to stand up here but Rasputin is controlling him well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rasputin slips a nice elbow through Nevsky's hands, connecting with Nevsky's forehead.
Rasputin thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Nevsky's head.

Rasputin seems to be working for a kimura but Nevsky defends the submission attempt.
Rasputin throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Rasputin closes the distance and clinches up with Nevsky, looking for a takedown. Rasputin pushes Nevsky against the cage but Nevsky circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Nevsky. No joy for Rasputin on that attempt.

Nevsky closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nevsky lands in his opponent's guard.
Nevsky trying to control but Rasputin is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nevsky preventing the sweep.
Rasputin is looking to stand up but Nevsky isn't so interested in that idea.
Rasputin pulls Nevsky in to control the position.
Nevsky wants to control from the top but Rasputin keeps moving.
Nevsky stopping the sweep attempt from Rasputin .
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nevsky postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rasputin .
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Nevsky 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 hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Rasputin is trying hard to land a takedown here. Nevsky sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Nevsky looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rasputin is fending him off so far but Nevsky persists. Nope, Rasputin circles away and we're back to standing.
Rasputin blocks a head kick by Nevsky.
Rasputin shoots in looking for a takedown but Nevsky manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rasputin 's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rasputin blocks a head kick by Nevsky.
Nevsky displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rasputin .
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Piotr Rasputin . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rasputin takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Rasputin will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Nevsky cracks Rasputin with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Nevsky closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nevsky lands in his opponent's guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rasputin is on top in guard.

Rasputin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rasputin throws an elbow that misses. Nevsky uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rasputin 's guard. Nice move by Nevsky!

Nevsky trying to control but Rasputin is working from the bottom.
Rasputin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nevsky throws an elbow that misses. Rasputin uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Nevsky's guard. Nice move by Rasputin !

Nevsky wants to get back to his feet but Rasputin is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nevsky preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rasputin throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nevsky works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rasputin postures up in Nevsky's guard and throws a big left but Nevsky blocks it.
Rasputin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rasputin working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Nevsky keeping full guard, as Rasputin tries to pass.
Nevsky wants to stand but Rasputin is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rasputin postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Rasputin with a flurry of punches that miss.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rasputin shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nevsky sprawls well. Nevsky wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rasputin gets slowly back to his feet.
Nevsky fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nevsky defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rasputin .
Nevsky is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
A head kick from Nevsky lands but Rasputin takes it in his stride.

Nevsky bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Rasputin is looking to reverse the position.
Rasputin defending against the ground and pound.
Rasputin manages to work his way to half guard, despite Nevsky's best efforts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nevsky wants to take a breather but Rasputin is having none of it.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Nevsky in particular looking to stall.
Nice strikes from Nevsky there.
Rasputin avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Nevsky.
Nevsky is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Nevsky trying to control from half guard but Rasputin is working away.
Rasputin blocking the ground and pound attempt from Nevsky.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Nevsky is working for a submission of some sort.
Nevsky thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Nevsky comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nevsky 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Nevsky!
A relieved looking Alexander Nevsky thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.