PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Schelokov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Martin Harder (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Schelokov kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Sirens . Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Schelokov
vs
Harder

175 cm
26
185 lbs
13 - 10 - 0

170 cm
26
170 lbs
12 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

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 13 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Schelokov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Martin Harder!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Illya Tyunina and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Harder gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Schelokov counters with a straight right hand.
Schelokov has been working on his boxing with his coaches at St Petersburg MMA Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Schelokov throws a lazy uppercut
and Harder finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Harder darts in looking for a takedown but Schelokov gets double underhooks and turns Harder into the cage.
Schelokov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Harder.
Alexander Schelokov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Martin Harder.
Schelokov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Harder circles away quickly and effectively.
Schelokov fails to land with a series of punches.
Schelokov just misses with a punch to the body.
A punch combination from Schelokov misses.
Harder throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Schelokov's waist but Schelokov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Harder off to one side.
Harder misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Schelokov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Schelokov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Schelokov throws a right and a left that Harder avoids nicely.
Harder wants to clinch up but Schelokov keeps it at a distance.
Danga de danga de dang - Schelokov scores with a four punch combination!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schelokov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Harder.
Schelokov misses the shot to the body.
Schelokov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Harder.
Schelokov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Harder.

Harder shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Harder was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Schelokov is not content to let Harder control the position.
Schelokov can't do much from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schelokov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Harder wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Harder wants to lay and pray for a moment but Schelokov keeps working.
Harder might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Schelokov haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Schelokov is trying to get back to half guard.
Harder throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Schelokov is trying to get back to half guard.

Harder thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Harder wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Schelokov, who protects the arm well.
Schelokov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Harder prevents Schelokov from escaping the position.
Schelokov is trying to improve his position.
Harder trying to control the position but Schelokov is working away.
Schelokov is trying to control Harder's posture but Harder avoids it.

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.
An elbow from Harder crashes against the mat.

Harder is trying to get an arm triangle but Schelokov is defending well.
Schelokov is trying to control Harder's posture but Harder avoids it.
Harder in the domination position with Schelokov hanging on.
Sloppy strikes there by Harder.
Schelokov sneaks back into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Schelokov is trying to maintain the position but Harder is very close to passing his half guard.
Harder has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Amsterdam MMA gym - $ 45. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Harder trying to mount his opponent but Schelokov defends it.
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 Alexander Schelokov will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Harder fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Schelokov fails to land with a series of punches.
Schelokov scores with a hook.
Harder avoids a punch combination nicely.
Harder changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Schelokov misses with a two punch combination.
Schelokov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Harder can do to turn this around?
Schelokov cracks Harder with a good jab.
Harder shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Schelokov counters with a one-two to the body.

Harder drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Schelokov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Harder wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Harder is trying to get an arm triangle but Schelokov is defending well.
Schelokov is trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schelokov gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Schelokov trying to control from the bottom.
Harder is keen to just control but Schelokov is a slippery customer.
Schelokov won't allow Harder to pass to mount.
Schelokov holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Schelokov tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Schelokov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Schelokov keeping moving, preventing Harder from controlling successfully.
Harder trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Harder throwing strikes from guard but Schelokov blocks nicely.
Harder is looking to advance position but Schelokov has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Martin Harder has got the better of the ground game so far.
Harder is bucking up trying to escape but Schelokov cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Schelokov lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Harder wants to hold on but Schelokov pushes him away.
Schelokov landing strikes from the mount.
Harder tries to hold on but Schelokov postures up.
Schelokov with shots to the head and body - Harder looks very uncomfortable down there.

Harder is rocked!
Harder tries to hold on but Schelokov pushes him away.
Schelokov lands a big elbow.
Harder is still in real trouble! Can Schelokov finish him?
Schelokov lands a couple of good shots and Harder has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schelokov lands a good shot there. Harder covers up! Schelokov smells blood and goes for the finish - the referee warns Harder to improve his position but he's not intelligently defending himself and the referee has no choice but to step in and end the fight! Schelokov jumps to his feet and celebrates the important win with his cornermen!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:21 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Alexander Schelokov!
Alexander Schelokov bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.