PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rusty Cook (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Orhan Mammadov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Cook
vs
Mammadov

156 cm
18
177 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

179 cm
24
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rusty Cook!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Orhan Mammadov!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Viktor Lagutenko and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mammadov misses with a takedown attempt - Cook sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Cook looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
And Mammadov tries to counter it with a takedown but Cook pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Orhan Mammadov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mammadov takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Mammadov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cook's waist but Cook gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mammadov off to one side.
Mammadov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Cook really is a fat lump.
Mammadov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cook as he avoids it easily.
Cook appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Rusty Cook has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Orhan Mammadov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mammadov dives in for a single leg takedown but Cook sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Mammadov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Cook did well to prevent Mammadov getting side control.
Mammadov looks winded!
Mammadov is nestled in close to Cook, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Mammadov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Mammadov is trying to control. Cook wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Cook knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Mammadov on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cook wants to get back to full guard.
Mammadov wants to pass the guard but Cook is defending well.
Cook tries to get to full guard but Mammadov has control of the leg.
Cook is concentrating on defense, preventing Mammadov from advancing position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mammadov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Cook defending well though.
Cook makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Cook.
Mammadov postures up.
Cook working a defensive guard but Mammadov manages to pass into side control anyway.
Mammadov creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Cook sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mammadov cracks Cook with a big elbow.
Cook regains half guard.
Cook wants to control but Mammadov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Cook tries to roll over but Mammadov keeps him under control.
Cook blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mammadov.
Cook has hold of Mammadov's hands but Mammadov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Cook works his way to full guard. Good work.
Mammadov chips away with some ground and pound.
Cook keeping moving, preventing Mammadov from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cook is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Mammadov stopping the sweep attempt from Cook.
Mammadov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Mammadov works over Cook with some ground and pound from guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Mammadov drops back looking for a leg! Cook is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Cook manages to kick Mammadov off! Mammadov jumps back into Cook's guard.
Cook looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mammadov is one step ahead there.
Mammadov scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Cook had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Mammadov defends it easily.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mammadov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cook sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Mammadov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cook sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Cook wants to clinch.
Mammadov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cook pinned against the cage. Cook gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Cook attempts a counter takedown but Mammadov avoids it well and moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Orhan Mammadov dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Nice takedown defense from Cook. No joy for Mammadov on that attempt.
Cook throws a body shot but no joy.
Cook keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mammadov shoots in for a double leg but Cook sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Cook attempts a counter takedown but Mammadov avoids it well and moves away.
Rusty Cook has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Orhan Mammadov.
Cook shoots in and drives through. Mammadov sprawls well.
Mammadov fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mammadov closes the distance and clinches.

Cook breaks from the clinch.
Cook scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Mammadov doesn't seem bothered though.
Mammadov is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mammadov swats away the attempt to clinch by Cook.
Cook is looking to clinch.
Horrible takedown attempt by Mammadov or perhaps it was just good defense by Cook, which made it look bad.
Cook throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rusty Cook is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cook steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mammadov.
Cook tries to clinch but Mammadov is having none of it.
Cook closes the distance looking to clinch

and Mammadov counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mammadov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Cook working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mammadov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mammadov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Mammadov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Cook controls Mammadov momentarily but Mammadov frees himself.
Cook lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Cook decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Mammadov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cook misses with a takedown attempt - Mammadov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nice cross by Cook.
Cook cracks a nice hook into Mammadov's ribs.
Rusty Cook is winning the standup battle so far.
Mammadov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cook is fending him off so far but Mammadov persists. Nope, Cook circles away and we're back to standing.
Cook fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cook scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Cook cracks Mammadov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Mammadov shoots in but Cook avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cook tries a head kick but it misses.
Mammadov looks for a takedown but Cook sprawls well.
A combination from Cook does no damage.

Mammadov darts in and clinches Cook up against the cage.
Mammadov lands a right hand.
Cook goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mammadov prevents it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mammadov effectively controlling the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rusty Cook dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Mammadov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Cook tries to pull guard but Mammadov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Cook prevents a takedown attempt there.
Mammadov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Cook is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Mammadov is looking for a takedown.
Rusty Cook has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Orhan Mammadov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cook drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mammadov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Mammadov gets control of Cook's arms and successfully pulls guard. Mammadov will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cook wants to stand but Mammadov is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's two 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.

Cook gets to his feet. Mammadov looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Mammadov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cook is fending him off so far but Mammadov persists. Nope, Cook circles away and we're back to standing.
Cook moves in looking to clinch but Mammadov pushes him off.
Cook moves in looking to clinch but Mammadov pushes him off.
Cook doesn't manage to clinch there - Mammadov circles away.
A nice side step and Mammadov releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

Cook has Mammadov up against the cage in a clinch.
Mammadov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Cook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cook is looking for a takedown.
Mammadov lands with a light punch inside.
Cook goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mammadov prevents it.

Cook has Mammadov pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Cook pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Mammadov tumbling to the mat - Cook dives into Mammadov's guard.
Mammadov seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cook wants to stand but Mammadov has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

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 Rusty Cook.
I think Cook 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:28
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rusty Cook!