PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dmitri Povetkin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Petrov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vladimir Petrov will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Povetkin
vs
Petrov

201 cm
27
201 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

220 cm
22
210 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
KO power

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dmitri Povetkin!
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, Vladimir Petrov!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Valeri Chadov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Petrov has managed to clinch.

Povetkin is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Petrov can't fight it off and eventually Povetkin manages to take the fight to the floor. Petrov looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Petrov seems keen to control Povetkin's posture.
Petrov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Povetkin is one step ahead there.
Povetkin might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Povetkin postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Povetkin trying to control but Petrov is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petrov has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Povetkin has passed into side control.
Petrov manages to work his way to half guard, despite Povetkin's best efforts.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Povetkin is trying to control the action in half guard but Petrov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
It looks like Povetkin is going to stand back up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Povetkin tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Petrov swivels and escapes.
Povetkin tries for a takedown but Petrov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Petrov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Petrov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Povetkin's waist but Povetkin gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Petrov off to one side.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Petrov is defended easily by Povetkin.
As Petrov tries to get set, Povetkin tries to push him back and clinch up but Petrov manages to avoid the attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Povetkin tries to sprawl but Petrov drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Povetkin is looking for a sweep. Petrov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Petrov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Povetkin doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Petrov.
Povetkin looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Petrov is taking a breather. Povetkin says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Povetkin slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin looking to control.
Povetkin wants to sweep here but Petrov controlling him for the moment.
Petrov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Povetkin keeping moving, preventing Petrov from controlling successfully.
Povetkin controls Petrov momentarily but Petrov frees himself.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Petrov stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dmitri Povetkin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck for Povetkin with that takedown attempt.
Petrov tries to counter with a clinch but Povetkin shakes him off and moves away.

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.

Povetkin tries to keep at a distance but Petrov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Petrov wants a takedown.

Petrov manages to break the clinch.
Povetkin tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Povetkin misses with a wild body shot.
Povetkin tries to bum rush Petrov with a series of wild strikes but Petrov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Povetkin fails with an attempt to clinch.
Povetkin fails with a takedown attempt.
Petrov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Petrov dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Povetkin bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Petrov is looking to reverse the position.
Petrov is trying to control Povetkin's posture but Povetkin avoids it.
Povetkin tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Petrov is trying to get back to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Povetkin working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petrov is not content to let Povetkin control the position.
Povetkin wants to stand but Petrov has his arm trapped.

Povetkin is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Petrov is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Povetkin sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Petrov is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

That's two 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.

Povetkin is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Petrov has escaped the position, nice work there.
Petrov is not content to let Povetkin control the position.
You can see the frustration on Petrov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Petrov managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Povetkin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin wants to stand but Petrov is controlling his arm.
Petrov is looking to reverse the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Petrov gets caught napping as Povetkin dives in and scores a takedown. Petrov manages to retain guard.
Petrov keeping moving, preventing Povetkin from controlling successfully.
Petrov pulls Povetkin in to control the position.
Petrov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Povetkin. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Petrov keeping moving, preventing Povetkin from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Petrov has a closed guard, preventing Povetkin from standing up.
Povetkin throws a big right hand that misses.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Petrov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Povetkin wants to pass the guard but Petrov is keeping the position.
Petrov wants to get back to his feet but Povetkin is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Povetkin has his takedown stuffed
and Petrov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Povetkin thinking.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Povetkin throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Petrov shoots in and gets a takedown into Povetkin's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dmitri Povetkin dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Povetkin closes the distance and clinches up with Petrov, looking for a takedown. Povetkin pushes Petrov against the cage but Petrov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Petrov dives in and scores a takedown into Povetkin's guard.
Povetkin keeping moving, preventing Petrov from controlling successfully.
Povetkin trying to keep a closed guard but Petrov is proving a slippery customer.

Petrov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Povetkin has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Petrov has managed to get both his arms back between Povetkin's legs - danger averted.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Povetkin is trying to control the position but Petrov postures up.
Petrov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Povetkin controls Petrov momentarily but Petrov frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petrov wants to get up but he can't break Povetkin's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Petrov misses with a two punch combination.
Petrov stuffs the takedown.

Petrov pushes Povetkin up against the cage in a clinch.

Petrov ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Petrov no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Dmitri Povetkin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Povetkin has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Petrov is proving hard to escape from.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin looking to pass the guard.

Povetkin thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Petrov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Petrov is still trying to improve position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Povetkin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Petrov swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Povetkin misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dmitri Povetkin. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Povetkin enables Petrov to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Povetkin manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Petrov prevents Povetkin from getting back to his feet.
Povetkin working a defensive guard here.
Petrov wants to pass the guard but Povetkin is keeping the position.
Petrov trying to control the position from guard on top but Povetkin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin being controlled here, momentarily.
Povetkin tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Povetkin decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Povetkin looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Petrov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Povetkin's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Povetkin's back!

And that's the end of the fight!
Vladimir Petrov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Petrov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vladimir Petrov!
Vladimir Petrov bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.