PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Wladmir Provodnikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Simon MCdonald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wladmir Provodnikov has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Provodnikov
vs
MCdonald

175 cm
18
147 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

174 cm
18
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Wladmir Provodnikov!
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, Simon MCdonald!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Valeri Chadov and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Provodnikov throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
MCdonald's coach down at Bobby B's was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on MCdonald's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
MCdonald lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Provodnikov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Provodnikov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Provodnikov is trying to work for a kimura but MCdonald is defending well.
MCdonald wants to improve his position but Provodnikov is controlling well.

Provodnikov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Provodnikov prevents MCdonald from standing back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Provodnikov wants to pass the guard but MCdonald is defending well.
Provodnikov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
MCdonald throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
MCdonald is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Provodnikov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Provodnikov's back!
Provodnikov wants to get back to his feet.
Provodnikov tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Provodnikov is squirming around, avoiding MCdonald's attempts to control the action.
Provodnikov wants to hold on but MCdonald pushes him away.
MCdonald looking to ground and pound but Provodnikov is blocking nicely.

MCdonald goes for an armbar but Provodnikov turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Provodnikov.
Provodnikov sitting in guard, not really doing much.
MCdonald keeping full guard, as Provodnikov tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Provodnikov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Provodnikov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
MCdonald wants to sweep here but Provodnikov controlling him for the moment.
MCdonald is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
MCdonald trying to keep a closed guard but Provodnikov is proving a slippery customer.
MCdonald can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Provodnikov controls the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
MCdonald is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
MCdonald managing to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

MCdonald takes the fight into the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Provodnikov managing to block the knees to the body from MCdonald.
Provodnikov jumps guard but MCdonald stands there with Provodnikov around his waist. Provodnikov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
MCdonald tries to land knees in the clinch but Provodnikov avoids the damage to the body.
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 Wladmir Provodnikov will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

MCdonald scores with a jab to the body.
Provodnikov is looking to clinch but MCdonald is avoiding it.
Provodnikov misses with a takedown attempt - MCdonald sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Provodnikov moves in looking to clinch but MCdonald pushes him off.
MCdonald avoids a punch combination nicely.
MCdonald doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Provodnikov avoids the head kick by MCdonald.
Decent striking displayed by MCdonald there.
MCdonald tries to clinch but Provodnikov moves out of range.
MCdonald doesn't manage to clinch there - Provodnikov circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MCdonald scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Provodnikov doesn't seem bothered though.

MCdonald darts in and clinches Provodnikov up against the cage.
Provodnikov tries to stall but MCdonald uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Provodnikov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Provodnikov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Provodnikov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but MCdonald gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Provodnikov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A frustrated look appears on Provodnikov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Provodnikov managing to block the knees to the body from MCdonald.
Provodnikov goes for a takedown in the clinch but MCdonald prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wladmir Provodnikov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Provodnikov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
MCdonald tries to clinch but Provodnikov moves out of range.
MCdonald fails with an attempt to clinch.
Provodnikov tries to clinch but MCdonald is having none of it.
MCdonald has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

MCdonald clinches with his opponent.

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

Provodnikov manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
MCdonald unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Provodnikov is working for takedown but MCdonald is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MCdonald throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Provodnikov dodges an elbow strike from MCdonald.
MCdonald is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Provodnikov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. MCdonald fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Provodnikov throws a quick head kick that skims the top of MCdonald's head.
Wladmir Provodnikov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Provodnikov shoots in but no luck this time.

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

Provodnikov jumps into guard, dragging MCdonald to the mat.
MCdonald trying to control but Provodnikov is working from the bottom.
Provodnikov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Provodnikov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. MCdonald gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as MCdonald accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as MCdonald accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells MCdonald's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
MCdonald must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
MCdonald trying to stand up but can't free himself from Provodnikov's guard.
MCdonald with a flurry of punches that miss.
Provodnikov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Provodnikov wants to stand up but MCdonald is controlling him.

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.
MCdonald throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Provodnikov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

MCdonald fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Provodnikov, pushing him back against the cage.
Provodnikov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

MCdonald pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Provodnikov fails to land the takedown.

MCdonald closes the distance and pushes Provodnikov back into the cage.
Provodnikov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

MCdonald breaks from the clinch.

MCdonald has Provodnikov up against the cage in a clinch.
Provodnikov blocks the elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Simon MCdonald showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

MCdonald misses with a head kick.

MCdonald gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Provodnikov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Provodnikov stopping the sweep attempt from MCdonald.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Provodnikov won't allow MCdonald to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Provodnikov is looking to pass into half guard but MCdonald pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now MCdonald is in guard.

Provodnikov scrambles and gets back to his feet.

MCdonald clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Provodnikov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Simon MCdonald seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Provodnikov avoiding damage as MCdonald throws knees to the body.
Provodnikov wants a takedown but no success here.
MCdonald missing with knees to the body.
MCdonald prevents the takedown attempt.
Provodnikov wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wladmir Provodnikov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
MCdonald misses with a knee strike.
MCdonald tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
MCdonald looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
MCdonald using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Provodnikov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
MCdonald throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Provodnikov blocks it with crossed arms.
MCdonald is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Provodnikov is defending well for now.
Provodnikov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables MCdonald to keep the fight standing.
Provodnikov tries to pull guard but MCdonald forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MCdonald has Provodnikov pushed against the cage.
Provodnikov avoiding damage as MCdonald throws knees to the body.
MCdonald is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Provodnikov is defending well for now.
MCdonald creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Provodnikov's defenses.
MCdonald misses with a knee to the head.
Provodnikov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables MCdonald to keep the fight standing.

MCdonald breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Provodnikov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
MCdonald digs a good body shot into Provodnikov's ribs.
Simon MCdonald seems to be getting the better of the standup.

MCdonald moves into range and clinches up with Provodnikov.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Provodnikov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
MCdonald misses with a knee to the head.
MCdonald is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Provodnikov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Provodnikov taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Provodnikov jumps guard and drags MCdonald to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Provodnikov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. MCdonald manages to get himself to full guard.

Provodnikov won't allow MCdonald to sweep him here.
MCdonald can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Provodnikov controls the pace.
MCdonald really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Provodnikov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Provodnikov stopping the sweep attempt from MCdonald.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MCdonald is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Provodnikov is controlling him.
MCdonald looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Provodnikov puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
MCdonald is trying to maintain the position but Provodnikov is very close to passing his half guard.
Provodnikov wants to take a breather but MCdonald is having none of it.
Provodnikov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
MCdonald throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Simon MCdonald comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think MCdonald 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Simon MCdonald!