PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Keenan Lester (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mario Horvat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Lester
vs
Horvat

211 cm
22
279 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

189 cm
25
268 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Determined

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Keenan Lester!
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, Mario Horvat!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Fedor Mirinova and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Horvat scores with a takedown into Lester's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Horvat stays in close to Lester's body and controls the position.
Horvat trying to control the position from guard on top but Lester is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Horvat looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Horvat wants to get up but he can't break Lester's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horvat sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horvat advances to half guard.
Horvat missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Horvat controlling the action here.
Lester makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Lester.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Lester is trying to keep Horvat in close.
Horvat seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Mario Horvat seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lester throws a half hearted mid kick.
Horvat throws a wild body kick that Lester sees coming a mile off.
Lester connects with a body shot.
Horvat lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lester circles away quickly and effectively.

Horvat looking to score a takedown here. Lester is defending well but Horvat drives through and ends up in Lester's guard.
Horvat chips away with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horvat is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
It looks like Horvat might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lester trying to control the position here.
Horvat sitting in guard, not really doing much.

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.
Horvat trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

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

and Lester counters with a single leg into guard. Horvat didn't expect that.

Horvat looking for subs off his back but Lester has passed one foot through into half guard.
Horvat wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Horvat 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.

Horvat tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lester tries to counter with a takedown but Horvat is quick to defend against it.
Horvat looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Horvat circles away from the clinch attempt.
Lester blocks a head kick by Horvat.
Horvat throws a head kick that misses.
Horrible takedown attempt by Horvat or perhaps it was just good defense by Lester, which made it look bad.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Horvat drives through with a takedown into Lester's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Lester wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Horvat manages to pass to side control.
Horvat has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lester tries to roll over but Horvat keeps him under control.
Lester is looking to control Horvat's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Lester avoid being mounted?
Lester wants to improve his position but Horvat is controlling well.
Mario Horvat has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lester trying to control from the bottom.
Horvat looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Lester with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horvat looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Horvat is working for a kimura but Lester is defending it quite comfortably.
Horvat content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lester trying to control but Horvat postures up.
Horvat is looking to pass Lester's guard but actually Lester recovers to full guard.
Horvat seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Horvat is looking to advance position but Lester has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horvat tries to hold on but Lester postures up.
Horvat is looking to get to half guard.
Horvat is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mario Horvat will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Lester throws a head kick but Horvat moves out of range.
Horvat moves into range and connects with a jab.

It looks like Keenan Lester has been cut.
Lester slaps away a takedown attempt from Horvat, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Lester stuffs the takedown attempt from Horvat. Horvat gets slowly back to his feet.
Horvat tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lester fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Horvat sprawls well initially but Lester persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Lester seems to be looking for submissions.
Horvat throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lester thows a huge punch but Horvat dodges it nicely.
Horvat tries to roll over but Lester keeps him under control.
Lester landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Horvat moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Lester will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Lester throws an elbow that misses. Horvat uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Lester's guard. Nice move by Horvat!

Horvat trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lester looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Horvat content to stall in guard here.
Lester trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horvat is fighting to break Lester's control of his arms but Lester is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Lester working a defensive guard here.
Horvat trying to control the position from guard on top but Lester is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horvat stopping the sweep attempt from Lester.
Horvat loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

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

Excellent takedown into side control there by Horvat.
Horvat working the head with strikes.

Horvat is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Lester has escaped the position, nice work there.
Horvat working the ground and pound from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lester can't do much from the bottom here.
Lester is looking to regain half guard here but Horvat keeps moving and retains side control.
Lester is trying to control Horvat's posture but Horvat avoids it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Horvat tries to stand but Lester is controlling his head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mario Horvat comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Horvat winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 28:30
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mario Horvat!