PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Razval Saraev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rodian Raskolnikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Saraev
vs
Raskolnikov

171 cm
25
171 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

182 cm
25
178 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Big heart

Decent wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Razval Saraev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rodian Raskolnikov!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Santiago Holmes and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Saraev with that takedown attempt.
Raskolnikov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Raskolnikov has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Saraev avoids the body shot from Raskolnikov.

Raskolnikov has managed to clinch.
Raskolnikov throws a head punch that misses.
Raskolnikov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Raskolnikov can't find room to land a body shot as Saraev controls the action.
Raskolnikov being controlled against the cage.
Raskolnikov tries to throw a body punch but Saraev avoids it by throwing Raskolnikov back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saraev blocks a body shot from Raskolnikov.
Raskolnikov can't find room to land a body shot as Saraev controls the action.
Raskolnikov working aggressively here.
Raskolnikov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Saraev is keeping busy.
Raskolnikov throws a punch but it's blocked by Saraev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saraev is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Raskolnikov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Raskolnikov lands a shoulder strike.
Stalling in the clinch from Saraev.
Raskolnikov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Raskolnikov lands with a short shot to the head.
Raskolnikov throws a head punch that misses.
Raskolnikov pushes Saraev back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Raskolnikov lands a body shot.
Raskolnikov stalls.
A head punch on the inside from Raskolnikov fails to land.
Raskolnikov leaning against his opponent.
Saraev tries for a takedown but Raskolnikov manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Razval Saraev. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Raskolnikov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raskolnikov cracks Saraev with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Raskolnikov explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
A looping hook to the body misses from Raskolnikov. Saraev does a little dance to reset his feet.
A slapping body kick lands there for Raskolnikov.
Saraev has been working on his balance at Highland Brawl Academy, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Raskolnikov.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Saraev takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Saraev takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Raskolnikov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Saraev in his tracks.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Saraev is defended easily by Raskolnikov.
That kick from Raskolnikov tenderised Saraev's leg. Saraev is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raskolnikov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Saraev moves out of range of the strikes.
Saraev throws out a leg kick but Raskolnikov moves out of range and Saraev only half commits.
Raskolnikov unleashes a big counter combination but Saraev bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Saraev misses the shot to the body.
Raskolnikov throws a sloppy head kick and Saraev moves out of range easily.
Raskolnikov is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
A nice inside leg kick there by Raskolnikov. That's going to slow Saraev down.
Raskolnikov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Saraev swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Raskolnikov tries to land a body kick

and Saraev counters with a shoot takedown. Raskolnikov fights it but they end up in guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Saraev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Saraev's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Saraev works over Raskolnikov with some ground and pound from guard.
Saraev sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saraev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Raskolnikov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Raskolnikov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Raskolnikov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Saraev's sensitive parts.
Raskolnikov tries a low kick but Saraev avoids it.
Raskolnikov throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Raskolnikov.
Saraev moves out of range as Raskolnikov throws a body kick.
Raskolnikov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Raskolnikov throws a leg kick but Saraev sees it coming and checks it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rodian Raskolnikov dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Saraev checks a low kick from Raskolnikov.
Raskolnikov delivers a nice body kick.
Saraev throws the left hand but Raskolnikov avoids the punch easily.
Saraev sets himself, and Raskolnikov steps forward looking for the clinch! Saraev avoids it this time.
Raskolnikov wants to clinch up but Saraev keeps it at a distance.

Saraev gets tackled into the cage by Raskolnikov. Raskolnikov maintains the clinch.
Saraev taking a breather.
Saraev is looking to control Raskolnikov's arms but Raskolnikov gets an underhook and turns him. Now Saraev has his back to the cage.
Raskolnikov misses with the head strike.
Raskolnikov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Saraev avoiding damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Raskolnikov.
Saraev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Raskolnikov has a couple of punches blocked by Saraev.
Raskolnikov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Raskolnikov fails to land.
Saraev is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Raskolnikov is keeping busy.
Raskolnikov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Saraev.
Raskolnikov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Raskolnikov blocks a body shot from Saraev.
Raskolnikov tries a body shot but Saraev blocks it.
Raskolnikov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Raskolnikov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Saraev.
Raskolnikov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Saraev tries to work over Raskolnikov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Raskolnikov stalling in the clinch.
Saraev keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Raskolnikov's efforts to push away.
Raskolnikov tries to stall but Saraev uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raskolnikov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Raskolnikov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Raskolnikov tries a body shot but Saraev blocks it.
Raskolnikov blocks an uppercut.
Raskolnikov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Raskolnikov leaning against his opponent.
Saraev is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Raskolnikov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Raskolnikov gets through Saraev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Saraev misses with a hook from the clinch.
Saraev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Raskolnikov stops a takedown attempt from Saraev.
The referee is keeping an eye on Saraev - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Saraev gets a trip takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raskolnikov wants to improve his position but Saraev is controlling well.
Saraev sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Raskolnikov defending well though.
Saraev passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Raskolnikov!
Raskolnikov taking shots to the head.
Saraev landing strikes from the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saraev lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Raskolnikov really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Saraev raining down hammerfists from mount.
Saraev controlling his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Razval Saraev 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. This is the final round!

Saraev has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Raskolnikov.
Raskolnikov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Saraev shoots in but no luck this time.
Raskolnikov is looking to land body kicks.
A head kick misses from Raskolnikov.
Saraev attempts a counter takedown but Raskolnikov avoids it well and moves away.
Nice body kick from Raskolnikov.
Raskolnikov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Saraev in his tracks.
Raskolnikov misses with a leg kick

and Saraev counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Saraev.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saraev trying to control the position from guard on top but Raskolnikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Raskolnikov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Saraev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saraev distracts Raskolnikov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Raskolnikov working a defensive guard but Saraev passes into half guard.
Saraev works his way into full mount!
Saraev with the ground and pound from mount.
Saraev cracks Raskolnikov with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Saraev landing strikes from the mount.

It looks like Rodian Raskolnikov has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saraev landing shots from mount.
Saraev raining down hammerfists from mount.
Saraev has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Raskolnikov's face.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Raskolnikov takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Raskolnikov wants to control but Saraev is having none of it.
Saraev with shots to the head and body - Raskolnikov looks very uncomfortable down there.
Raskolnikov tries to hold on but Saraev postures up.
Saraev landing strikes from the mount and Raskolnikov is in trouble!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saraev landing strikes, looking to finish!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saraev pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

That has opened up Rodian Raskolnikov's cut even more.
Raskolnikov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Saraev is landing with some decent strikes but Raskolnikov is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Saraev punishing his opponent with strikes.
Saraev unloading with bombs!

Rodian Raskolnikov's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Rodian Raskolnikov's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Razval Saraev!