PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rusty Cook (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexsandr Litovchenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alexsandr Litovchenko will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Cook
vs
Litovchenko

156 cm
18
177 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

185 cm
23
169 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 1 - 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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexsandr Litovchenko!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Aleksandr Martynov and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Litovchenko tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Litovchenko slips a jab and a cross from Cook.
Litovchenko goes for a double leg but Cook avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Cook continues to drive forward.
Cook really is a fat lump.
Litovchenko throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Cook is looking to counter the offense by Litovchenko and move into the clinch.
Alexsandr Litovchenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cook throws a right hand that Litovchenko ducks under and follows up with a left that Litovchenko also avoids with ease.
Litovchenko shoots in looking for a takedown. Cook tries to sprawl out of it but Litovchenko keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cook manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Litovchenko misses with a takedown attempt

and Cook moves into the clinch.
Rusty Cook has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexsandr Litovchenko.
Cook fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Litovchenko has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Cook uses from the top position.

Litovchenko throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Litovchenko is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Litovchenko has a closed guard, preventing Cook from standing up.
Litovchenko pulls Cook in to control the position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Cook got a little sloppy there for a moment and Litovchenko has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Cook has managed to get both his arms back between Litovchenko's legs - danger averted.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Nice takedown defense from Cook. No joy for Litovchenko on that attempt.
Litovchenko is looking to land body kicks.
Litovchenko looks to land a combination but Cook avoids it well.
A big left from Cook misses.
Litovchenko is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Cook throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cook slaps away a takedown attempt from Litovchenko, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Cook attempts a counter takedown but Litovchenko avoids it well and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Litovchenko shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cook as he avoids it easily.
Litovchenko throws a head kick but Cook moves out of range.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Litovchenko.
Litovchenko looks winded!
Litovchenko fails with a takedown attempt.
Cook appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Cook shoots in but no luck this time.
Litovchenko shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Cook counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Cook can't get the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cook tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Litovchenko prevents a takedown attempt there.
Cook tries to pull guard but Litovchenko forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Litovchenko pulls guard.
Litovchenko trying to keep a closed guard but Cook is proving a slippery customer.
Litovchenko pulls Cook in to control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Litovchenko not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Cook being controlled here momentarily.
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 Rusty Cook will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Cook throws a body shot but no joy.
Litovchenko is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cook sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Litovchenko looks to land a body kick but Cook moved away.
Cook leaves Litovchenko with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Litovchenko. No joy for Cook on that attempt.
Cook tries for a takedown but Litovchenko sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Litovchenko clinches up with Cook and pushes him back against the cage.
Litovchenko gets underhooks to prevent Cook's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rusty Cook. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Litovchenko is defending well against a takedown attempt.
A frustrated look appears on Litovchenko's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Litovchenko is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Cook wants a takedown but no success here.
Cook is trying to break free.
Litovchenko wants to take the fight to the mat but Cook manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Litovchenko drags the fight down to the ground.
Cook is fighting to break Litovchenko's control of his arms but Litovchenko is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Litovchenko's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

Litovchenko pushes Cook off and scrambles back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Litovchenko tries for a takedown but Cook sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Litovchenko moves into the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Litovchenko.
Litovchenko has had enough of the clinch but Cook keeps him there for the moment.
Litovchenko blocks a body shot from Cook.
Cook tries to break the clinch but Litovchenko is controlling the position.
Litovchenko is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Cook to keep the fight standing.
Litovchenko drops down looking for an ankle pick but Cook pulls his leg out and moves away.
Cook just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Litovchenko fails with a takedown attempt.
Rusty Cook is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Litovchenko is breathing heavily.
Litovchenko shoots in looking for a takedown. Cook tries to sprawl out of it but Litovchenko keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cook manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Cook half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Litovchenko closes the distance and pushes Cook back into the cage.

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.
Cook gets underhooks to prevent Litovchenko's takedown attempt.
Litovchenko slowing the pace effectively.
Cook has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Litovchenko avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Litovchenko tries for a takedown but Cook manages to get underhooks.
Cook is trying to pull guard but Litovchenko turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Litovchenko tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Cook smiles and moves away.

Litovchenko gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cook is trying to pull guard but Litovchenko has him pressed against the cage.
Cook is looking for a takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexsandr Litovchenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Cook's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. 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.

Cook wants to clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Cook. No joy for Litovchenko on that attempt.
Litovchenko throws a head kick but Cook moves out of range.
Cook fails in his attempt to clinch.
Litovchenko throws out a leg kick but Cook moves out of range and Litovchenko only half commits.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Litovchenko throws a sloppy head kick and Cook moves out of range easily.
Cook feinted with a counter takedown.
Cook looks to score with a jab to the body but Litovchenko is just out of range.

Litovchenko rushes Cook and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Litovchenko jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Cook walks away with a smile on his face. Litovchenko gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Cook tries for a takedown but Litovchenko sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Litovchenko is looking for the big counter here.

Cook darts in and clinches Litovchenko up against the cage.

Litovchenko has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Cook uses from the top position.
Cook would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Litovchenko is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Cook is aware though and is defending well.
Litovchenko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Litovchenko scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Litovchenko dives in and grabs Cook's left leg, looking for a takedown. Cook pushes down on Litovchenko's head and hops out.
Rusty Cook has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexsandr Litovchenko.
Litovchenko leaves Cook with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cook.
Litovchenko misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Cook takes a swing at Litovchenko's ribcage but misses.
Cook tries to clinch up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cook tries to clinch but Litovchenko moves out of range.
Cook on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Cook slaps away a takedown attempt from Litovchenko, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Litovchenko fails with the takedown.
Litovchenko defending well as Cook loads up on a big left hand.
No luck for Litovchenko with that takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Litovchenko misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A counter left hand to the body from Cook misses its target.
Cook tries to clinch but Litovchenko moves out of range.
Litovchenko is looking for the big counter here.

Litovchenko gets a clinch.
Alexsandr Litovchenko seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Cook has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Litovchenko after a bit of a struggle.
Cook prevents Litovchenko from breaking the clinch.
Cook keeps control of Litovchenko as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Litovchenko is trying to pull guard but Cook has him pressed against the cage.
Cook prevents Litovchenko from breaking the clinch.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexsandr Litovchenko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Litovchenko 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexsandr Litovchenko!