PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tomasz Rzasa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Emil Saifutdinov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rzasa
vs
Saifutdinov

225 cm
27
265 lbs
7 - 6 - 1

202 cm
27
266 lbs
0 - 2 - 2

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tomasz Rzasa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Emil Saifutdinov!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Roosa Järviläinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Saifutdinov moves into the clinch.

Saifutdinov has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Rzasa uses from the top position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rzasa accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Saifutdinov is pulling down on Rzasa's head to control his posture.
Rzasa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Saifutdinov is keeping the position for now.
Saifutdinov keeping moving, preventing Rzasa from controlling successfully.
Saifutdinov has Rzasa pulled in close to control his posture.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saifutdinov wants to improve his position but instead Rzasa has moved into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rzasa wants to pass the guard but Saifutdinov is defending well.
Rzasa content to control rather than advance.
Saifutdinov is trying to control but can't.
Rzasa prevents Saifutdinov from improving his position.
Saifutdinov wants to get back to full guard but Rzasa has passed into side control.

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.
Saifutdinov regains half guard.
Saifutdinov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Saifutdinov gets full guard.
Saifutdinov wants to stand up but Rzasa is controlling him.
Saifutdinov keeping full guard, as Rzasa tries to pass.
Saifutdinov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rzasa.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Rzasa gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Saifutdinov prevents the takedown attempt.

Rzasa drags the fight down to the ground.
Saifutdinov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Saifutdinov is trying to control. Rzasa wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Saifutdinov tries to pass to full mount but Rzasa defends it.

Saifutdinov is looking for a kimura here.
Rzasa desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rzasa tries to roll over but Saifutdinov keeps him under control.
Rzasa is working hard here to advance position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Saifutdinov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Rzasa is staying active underneath Saifutdinov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
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 Tomasz Rzasa 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.

Rzasa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A looping hook to the body misses from Saifutdinov. Rzasa does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rzasa throws a series of punches but Saifutdinov avoids them all with ease.
Saifutdinov goes for a double leg but Rzasa avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Rzasa continues to drive forward.
Rzasa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Rzasa closes the distance and pushes Saifutdinov back into the cage.

Rzasa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rzasa is looking to land body kicks.
Saifutdinov tries to counter with a clinch but Rzasa shakes him off and moves away.
Rzasa wants to clinch up but Saifutdinov keeps it at a distance.
Tomasz Rzasa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Saifutdinov tries to keep at a distance but Rzasa has taken the fight into the clinch.
Saifutdinov lands a body punch in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Saifutdinov decides to pull guard.
Saifutdinov keeping moving, preventing Rzasa from controlling successfully.
Saifutdinov looking to control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saifutdinov is looking to stand up but Rzasa isn't so interested in that idea.
Rzasa trying to control but Saifutdinov is working from the bottom.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Saifutdinov is looking to stand up but Rzasa isn't so interested in that idea.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Rzasa pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tomasz Rzasa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rzasa keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Saifutdinov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rzasa as he jumps to the side.
Tomasz Rzasa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Emil Saifutdinov.
Rzasa loads up on a big right hand but Saifutdinov slips the punch.
Rzasa misses with a straight left.

Saifutdinov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Nice strikes from Saifutdinov there.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Saifutdinov in particular looking to stall.
Saifutdinov slips a nice elbow through Rzasa's hands, connecting with Rzasa's forehead.

Rzasa looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Saifutdinov seems content to control.
Rzasa trying to control but Saifutdinov postures up.
Rzasa moves into full guard.
Rzasa has a closed guard, preventing Saifutdinov from standing up.

Rzasa is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Saifutdinov defends well.

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.
Rzasa keeping full guard, as Saifutdinov tries to pass.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saifutdinov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Rzasa wants to clinch but Saifutdinov slips to the side

and Saifutdinov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Saifutdinov drops an elbow to the side of Rzasa's head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Saifutdinov performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Let's hope that Saifutdinov has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
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 Tomasz Rzasa will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! 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.

Rzasa throws a sloppy head kick and Saifutdinov moves out of range easily.

Rzasa takes the fight into the clinch.

Rzasa breaks the clinch.
Rzasa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Saifutdinov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rzasa misses with a wild body shot.
Rzasa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rzasa really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Saifutdinov fails to land the takedown.

Saifutdinov shoots in and bounces Rzasa off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saifutdinov trying to control but Rzasa is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rzasa looking for a sweep. Not yet Rzasa, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saifutdinov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Rzasa looking to control.
Saifutdinov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Rzasa looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

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.
Saifutdinov trying to control but Rzasa is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Saifutdinov.
Rzasa thows a leg kick but Saifutdinov checks it

and Saifutdinov counters with a nice double leg into side control. Rzasa won't be happy with that.
Saifutdinov trying to control the position but Rzasa is working away.
Saifutdinov scores with punches from side control.
Rzasa gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Rzasa wants to stand back up but Saifutdinov manages to pass into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saifutdinov is putting a hurting on Rzasa here, landing some big shots from side control.
Rzasa is trying to work for a sweep but Saifutdinov has mounted him!
Saifutdinov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Saifutdinov connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Rzasa tries to reverse the position but Saifutdinov maintains control.
Saifutdinov wants to control the pace but Rzasa is squirming around nicely.

Saifutdinov with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Saifutdinov moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Rzasa has worked his arm free - good work by Rzasa!
Rzasa can't do much from the bottom here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rzasa is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Saifutdinov off and has taken his back!
Emil Saifutdinov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tomasz Rzasa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Saifutdinov tries to roll but Rzasa sticks to his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Emil Saifutdinov.
I think Rzasa 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Tomasz Rzasa!
Our winner, Tomasz Rzasa, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.