PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mishiev Ismailov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jimmy Sphinx (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mishiev Ismailov has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Ismailov
vs
Sphinx

178 cm
19
160 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

182 cm
18
162 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mishiev Ismailov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jimmy Sphinx!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Dmitry Maklakov and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ismailov clinches with his opponent.
Ismailov lands with a short shot to the head.

Ismailov manages to break the clinch.
Sphinx swings for the body but Ismailov moves out of range.

Ismailov closes the distance and clinches.
Sphinx on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Sphinx takes a shot to the head.
Sphinx tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ismailov smiles and moves away.

Ismailov moves into the clinch.

Ismailov manages to break the clinch.
Sphinx fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Sphinx tries to keep at a distance but Ismailov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Ismailov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Sphinx backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ismailov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Ismailov lands a hook that snaps the head of Sphinx backwards.
Ismailov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ismailov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Sphinx backwards.
A short uppercut from Ismailov.
Ismailov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Sphinx backwards.
Sphinx tries to stall but Ismailov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Ismailov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Ismailov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Ismailov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Ismailov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Sphinx tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ismailov has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Ismailov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sphinx.
Sphinx wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Ismailov works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ismailov won't allow Sphinx to sweep him here.
Ismailov looking to pass the guard.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ismailov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Ismailov lands in his opponent's guard.

Ismailov stands up from Sphinx's guard - Ismailov perhaps looking for a knockout.

Ismailov clinches.

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

Ismailov pushes Sphinx up against the cage in a clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ismailov.
Ismailov content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ismailov lands a shoulder strike.
Ismailov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Sphinxs head.
Ismailov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ismailov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Sphinx trying to control the position but instead, Ismailov has worked for underhooks and has pushed Sphinx into the cage.
Ismailov pushes Sphinx back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ismailov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ismailov leaning against his opponent.
Ismailov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ismailov lands a hook that snaps the head of Sphinx backwards.

Ismailov gets a trip takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sphinx wants to improve his position but Ismailov is controlling well.
Sphinx manages to get to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sphinx is striking off his back. Ismailov thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sphinx punching from the bottom.

Ismailov stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

Ismailov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Sphinx trying to get back to full guard but Ismailov takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ismailov clinches up with Sphinx and pushes him back against the cage.
A short right from Ismailov on the inside.
Sphinx drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ismailov pulls his leg out and moves away.
Sphinx showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ismailov.
Sphinx throws a head kick that misses.

Sphinx tries to keep at a distance but Ismailov has taken the fight into the clinch.

Ismailov breaks the clinch.

Ismailov darts in and clinches Sphinx up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ismailov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ismailov lands a nice uppercut.
Ismailov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ismailov lands an uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sphinx changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ismailov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Sphinx tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sphinx throws a front kick aimed at Ismailov's knee but Ismailov avoids it well.
Ismailov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Ismailov throws a series of punches but Sphinx moves out of range.

Ismailov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sphinx, pushing him back against the cage.
Ismailov lands a body punch in the clinch.
Sphinx is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Mishiev Ismailov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimmy Sphinx.
Sphinx tries to break the clinch but Ismailov is controlling the position.

Ismailov breaks from the clinch.

Ismailov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ismailov lands a hook that snaps the head of Sphinx backwards.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ismailov.
Ismailov lands a nice uppercut.
Ismailov prevents the takedown attempt.
Ismailov lands a left hand.
Sphinx fails to pull guard.
Ismailov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Ismailov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sphinx tries a low kick but Ismailov avoids it.
Sphinx attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

Ismailov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sphinx, pushing him back against the cage.

Ismailov manages to break the clinch.
Sphinx throws a sloppy head kick and Ismailov moves out of range easily.
Mishiev Ismailov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ismailov misses with a double jab.
Sphinx is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Ismailov with a body shot.
Sphinx shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ismailov as he avoids it easily.

Ismailov moves into the clinch.

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

Ismailov clinches up with Sphinx and pushes him back against the cage.
Ismailov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sphinx can do to turn this around?
Sphinx on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Sphinx has Ismailov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ismailov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Sphinx is trying to break free.

Ismailov manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Ismailov pulls Sphinx in to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sphinx prevents Ismailov from getting back to his feet.
Ismailov seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Sphinx throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sphinx wants to control from the top but Ismailov keeps moving.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Sphinx throws a big elbow that misses.
Sphinx looking to sit in guard and control but Ismailov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's four 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.
Sphinx is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sphinx has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Ismailov has passed into side control.

Ismailov stands up and beckons Sphinx to his feet.
Sphinx tries a head kick but it misses.

Ismailov has taken the fight to the clinch.

Ismailov drags the fight down to the ground.
Sphinx trying to control the position from guard on top but Ismailov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mishiev Ismailov dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, 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.

Sphinx gets tackled into the cage by Ismailov. Ismailov maintains the clinch.
Ismailov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ismailov lands with a right to the head.
Ismailov works on Sphinx's body with a couple of short punches.
Sphinx's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ismailov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Ismailov turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Mishiev Ismailov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sphinx tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Sphinx tries to control but Ismailov manages to take his back.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sphinx is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Ismailov.
Ismailov punches Sphinx on the ear.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sphinx is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Ismailov is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Sphinx up.
Sphinx trying to control the hands but Ismailov breaks the grip.
Ismailov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Sphinx on the ground.
Ismailov slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Sphinx tries to escape but Ismailov has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Ismailov controlling the position well here. Sphinx rolled but Ismailov kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Sphinx tries to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ismailov really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Sphinx.
Sphinx trying to control the position but Ismailov manages to sink in the hooks.
Ismailov is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sphinx is in bad spot here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sphinx is still trying to improve position.
Ismailov has good solid back control here.
Ismailov controlling well, preventing Sphinx from escaping the position.
Sphinx is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Ismailov.
Sphinx trying to control but not successfully.

That's four 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.
Sphinx tries to escape the position.
Sphinx is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Ismailov.
Sphinx can't escape the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ismailov scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Jimmy Sphinx has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mishiev Ismailov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sphinx is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mishiev Ismailov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ismailov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 30:24
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:25
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:24

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mishiev Ismailov!