PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mike Sweat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dimitri Yusev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sweat
vs
Yusev

170 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

176 cm
25
150 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mike Sweat!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dimitri Yusev!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Konstantin Menshow and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Yusev gets tackled into the cage by Sweat. Sweat maintains the clinch.
Sweat throws a punch but it's blocked by Yusev.
Sweat is looking to break free of the clinch but Yusev has double underhooks.
Sweat is trying to drag Yusev to the mat but Yusev just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Yusev jumps into guard, dragging Sweat to the mat.
Yusev scores with a couple of body punches from the bottom.
Yusev is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sweat wants to pass the guard but Yusev is keeping the position.

Yusev looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sweat looking to pass the guard.
Sweat wants to control from the top but Yusev keeps moving.
Yusev looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Sweat moves into range and connects with a jab.
Yusev moves out of range of the body kick from Sweat.

Yusev fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Sweat, pushing him back against the cage.
Yusev dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Come on Yusev - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Yusev.
Sweat looking to throw knees to the head but Yusev is blocking nicely.
Yusev's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Yusev with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Yusev is trying to drag Sweat to the mat but Sweat just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Sweat changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Yusev fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Yusev shoots in looking for a takedown but Sweat manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Yusev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Yusev tries to keep at a distance but Sweat has taken the fight into the clinch.
Yusev misses with a hook to the ribs.
Yusev wants a takedown.
Mike Sweat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dimitri Yusev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yusev fails to pull guard.
Yusev gets underhooks to prevent Sweat's takedown attempt.
Sweat struggles to land a body shot inside as Yusev controls his hands.
Sweat trying to control the position but instead, Yusev has worked for underhooks and has pushed Sweat into the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Yusev.
Sweat has been working on his balance at Bobby B's, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Yusev.
Yusev stalling against the cage.

Sweat pulls guard.

Yusev drops back looking for a leg! Sweat is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sweat manages to kick Yusev off! Yusev jumps back into Sweat's guard.

Yusev gets to his feet. Sweat looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sweat leaves Yusev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Yusev tries to close the distance and clinch but Sweat swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Yusev slows down the pace here.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Yusev goes for a takedown attempt but Sweat pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Sweat stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Sweat wants it to stay on the feet.
An attempted straight right counter from Sweat misses the target.
Sweat throws a leg kick but Yusev sees it coming and checks it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Sweat dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Yusev gets tackled into the cage by Sweat. Sweat maintains the clinch.
Yusev changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sweat fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Sweat lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Sweat clinches up against the cage.
Yusev scores a nice knee to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Yusev as Sweat tries to tie him up.
Yusev is looking for a takedown.

Yusev has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Sweat regains guard immediately.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Yusev stands up and waves to Sweat to follow him.
Yusev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mike Sweat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dimitri Yusev.

Sweat closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yusev landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Yusev trying to stall but Sweat improves his position.
Sweat is pressed up against the cage. Yusev has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sweat down to the mat. Sweat avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Yusev gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Yusev tries to land knees in the clinch but Sweat avoids the damage to the body.
Yusev is breathing heavily.

Yusev jumps guard.
Sweat throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Yusev doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Yusev keeping moving, preventing Sweat from controlling successfully.
Yusev managing to control the position.
Sweat trying to control the position from guard on top but Yusev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yusev keeping full guard, as Sweat tries to pass.
Sweat stopping the sweep attempt from Yusev.
Yusev has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Sweat looking to sit in guard and control but Yusev gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yusev controls from within his opponent's guard.

Sweat looking for a guillotine here but Yusev defends easily.
Yusev is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Sweat trying to keep a closed guard but Yusev is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
No luck for Yusev with that takedown attempt.
Yusev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sweat sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Yusev somewhat.

Sweat 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!
Sweat goes for a takedown attempt but Yusev pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Yusev closes the distance and clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dimitri Yusev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Yusev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sweat as he avoids it easily.
Yusev shoots in for a double leg but Sweat sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Sweat is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

Sweat closes the distance and clinches.
Yusev is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Sweat is defending well.
Mike Sweat has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dimitri Yusev.
Sweat wants to take the fight to the mat but Yusev manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Yusev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sweat fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Yusev manages to avoid it.

Sweat clinches with his opponent.
Sweat prevents the takedown attempt.
Yusev has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sweat avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Sweat is trying to force a seperation but Yusev has the dominant position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yusev wants to take the fight to the mat but Sweat manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Yusev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Yusev is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Yusev has Sweat pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sweat manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Yusev is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sweat tries to circle away but Yusev has him pinned against the cage.
Yusev is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Sweat is keeping busy.
Sweat drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sweat tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Yusev's elbow.

Sweat drags the fight down to the ground.
Yusev's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Sweat trying to keep a closed guard but Yusev is proving a slippery customer.
Yusev won't allow Sweat to sweep him here.

That's two 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.

Yusev is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Sweat has his foot on Yusev's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Yusev works his way back into a safe position though.
Yusev is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Yusev drops back, looking for a kneebar! Sweat looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Sweat looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Sweat!

Sweat tries to stand but Yusev controls the position and pulls Sweat into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sweat wants to get up but he can't break Yusev's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Yusev is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Yusev has his feet on Sweat's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Sweat moves into range and clinches up with Yusev.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yusev fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Yusev lands a damaging elbow.
Sweat throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Yusev wants a takedown but no success here.
Sweat jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Yusev walks away with a smile on his face. Sweat gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Sweat throws a right and a left that Yusev avoids nicely.
Some bone on bone action there as Yusev checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

Sweat has Yusev up against the cage in a clinch.
Yusev tries to land knees in the clinch but Sweat avoids the damage to the body.
Yusev is looking to take this one to the mat.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Yusev works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Sweat looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Dimitri Yusev has got the better of the ground game so far.
Yusev advances to half guard.

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 Mike Sweat.
I think Sweat 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 29:28
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Mike Sweat!