PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Yuri Maulovski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taras Shevchenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Maulovski
vs
Shevchenko

204 cm
24
273 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

190 cm
24
265 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Yuri Maulovski!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Taras Shevchenko!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, James Atkins and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maulovski connects with a right hand. Shevchenko shakes it off.
Maulovski scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

It looks like Taras Shevchenko has been cut.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Maulovski.
Maulovski throws a leg kick which misses Shevchenko's front leg but catches the back leg as Shevchenko tries to avoid it.
Shevchenko doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Maulovski misses with a head kick.
Shevchenko drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Maulovski defends it well.
Maulovski looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Shevchenko moves out of range of the strikes.
Shevchenko doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Maulovski lands with a nice combination. Shevchenko backs away looking to recover.
Maulovski misses with the body kick

and Shevchenko counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shevchenko is trying to control the action in half guard but Maulovski is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Shevchenko throwing shots but Maulovski is blocking nicely.
Shevchenko prevents Maulovski from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maulovski wants to control but Shevchenko is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Shevchenko drops an elbow to the side of Maulovski's head.
Maulovski works his way to full guard. Good work.
Shevchenko has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Maulovski wants to hit a switch here but Shevchenko passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Maulovski there!
Maulovski is looking to improve his position but Shevchenko isn't that keen on the idea.
Maulovski sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shevchenko sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Maulovski defending well though.
Shevchenko takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Shevchenko slips a nice elbow through Maulovski's hands, connecting with Maulovski's forehead.
Maulovski taking some punishment here, with Shevchenko in his half guard.
Maulovski is not content to let Shevchenko control the position.
Maulovski tries to get to full guard but Shevchenko has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shevchenko is keen to just control but Maulovski is a slippery customer.
Shevchenko scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Shevchenko throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Maulovski is controlling Shevchenko's trapped leg to prevent Shevchenko from advancing to side control.

Maulovski is defending against the submission attempts here by Shevchenko.
Shevchenko trying to control the action but Maulovski is working from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Maulovski keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Maulovski is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maulovski gets back to full guard.
Shevchenko trying to control but Maulovski is working from the bottom.
Shevchenko preventing the sweep.
Maulovski is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Maulovski is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Maulovski looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Shevchenko throws a big elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Maulovski keeping moving, preventing Shevchenko from controlling successfully.
Shevchenko scoring with punches to the head and body.
Maulovski preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Shevchenko postures up and lands a big shot to Maulovski's brow.
Maulovski is adopting a defensive guard.
Maulovski is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Maulovski has Shevchenko pulled in close to control his posture.
Shevchenko postures up in Maulovski's guard and throws a big left but Maulovski blocks it.
Shevchenko wants to control from the top but Maulovski keeps moving.
Shevchenko scoring with punches to the head and body.
Maulovski looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Maulovski utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Taras Shevchenko will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Taras Shevchenko's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Maulovski throws a shot from downtown. Shevchenko moves away and avoids it.
Maulovski pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Maulovski is looking to land body kicks.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Shevchenko! But no joy.
A jab from Maulovski misses.
It seemed like Shevchenko was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Maulovski lands with a thumping leg kick.

Shevchenko shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Maulovski taking some punishment here, with Shevchenko in his half guard.
Maulovski wants to control but Shevchenko is keeping busy and won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shevchenko thows a huge punch but Maulovski dodges it nicely.
Shevchenko working over Maulovski with some ground and pound. Maulovski looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Maulovski is trying to control but can't.
Shevchenko lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Maulovski is trying to get back to full guard.
Shevchenko lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shevchenko looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Maulovski with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Shevchenko seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Maulovski does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Shevchenko is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Nice strikes from Shevchenko there.
Shevchenko not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Maulovski tries to get to full guard but Shevchenko has control of the leg.
Shevchenko thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Maulovski's head.
Shevchenko is thwarting Maulovski's attempts to control the position.
Ground and pound from Shevchenko.
Maulovski regains full guard. Nicely done.
Maulovski tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Shevchenko landing with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maulovski looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Shevchenko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Maulovski wants to sweep here but Shevchenko controlling him for the moment.
Maulovski lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

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

Shevchenko has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Maulovski can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Shevchenko keeping moving, preventing Maulovski from controlling successfully.
Shevchenko pulls Maulovski in to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Maulovski avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Maulovski postures up in Shevchenko's guard and throws a big left but Shevchenko blocks it.
Maulovski advances position into side control!
Shevchenko avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Maulovski.
Shevchenko is looking to reverse the position.
Maulovski is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.

Maulovski is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Shevchenko has escaped the position, nice work there.
Shevchenko is not content to let Maulovski control the position.
Shevchenko is looking to reverse the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shevchenko is not content to let Maulovski control the position.
Maulovski sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Shevchenko is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Maulovski postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Shevchenko is trying to improve his position.
Shevchenko gets back to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shevchenko trying to control from the bottom.
Shevchenko gets back to full guard.
Maulovski trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taras Shevchenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Taras Shevchenko's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Shevchenko walks forward, straight into a front kick from Maulovski.
Maulovski cracks Shevchenko with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Maulovski loads up on a big right hand but Shevchenko slips the punch.
Shevchenko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Yuri Maulovski is winning the standup battle so far.
Maulovski throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Maulovski closes the distance and clinches.
Maulovski swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Maulovski misses with a hook to the ribs.
Maulovski gets through Shevchenko's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maulovski has a couple of punches blocked by Shevchenko.
I was talking to Maulovski's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.

Shevchenko has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Maulovski uses from the top position.

Shevchenko looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Maulovski passes into side control.
Shevchenko sneaks back into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maulovski seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Shevchenko does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Maulovski missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Shevchenko tries to get to full guard but Maulovski has control of the leg.
Maulovski seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Shevchenko does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Maulovski is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Shevchenko looking for submissions off his back.

Maulovski wants to work for an arm triangle but Shevchenko is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

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.
Maulovski thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Shevchenko's head.
Shevchenko is pressing down on Maulovski's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Maulovski drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Maulovski jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Shevchenko keeping full guard, as Maulovski tries to pass.
Our spies down at at Russian Top Team Elite Gym inform us that Shevchenko has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Shevchenko not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Maulovski trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Maulovski throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Taras Shevchenko has got the better of the ground game so far.

Shevchenko escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Maulovski gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Maulovski wants to pass the guard but Shevchenko is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shevchenko controls Maulovski momentarily but Maulovski frees himself.
Maulovski missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Shevchenko keeping full guard, as Maulovski tries to pass.
Maulovski trying to control but Shevchenko is working from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Shevchenko working for a triangle but Maulovski defends it easily.

Shevchenko escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Maulovski gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Shevchenko working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Maulovski has passed into half guard!
Shevchenko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's four 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.
Maulovski throwing shots but Shevchenko is blocking nicely.
Shevchenko is refusing to be controlled, as Maulovski sits in half guard.

Shevchenko looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are battling for position here. Shevchenko manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Maulovski trying to control the position from guard on top but Shevchenko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Maulovski engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Shevchenko throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Maulovski trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuri Maulovski clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Taras Shevchenko's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Maulovski lands a nice leg kick that just misses Shevchenko's sensitive parts.

Maulovski drives through and clinches with Shevchenko against the cage.
Shevchenko blocks an uppercut.
Maulovski misses with a short punch on the inside.
Maulovski lands a nice uppercut.
Shevchenko blocks an uppercut.
Maulovski working aggressively here.

Shevchenko jumps guard and drags Maulovski to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shevchenko had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Maulovski defends it easily.

Shevchenko throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Maulovski looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maulovski scoring with some ground and pound.

Shevchenko working for a triangle but Maulovski defends it easily.
Maulovski throws a big right hand that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Maulovski accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Maulovski trying to control but Shevchenko is working from the bottom.
Maulovski controlling from the top position.
Shevchenko working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Maulovski.
Maulovski slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Maulovski wants to control from the top but Shevchenko keeps moving.

Shevchenko is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Maulovski trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Shevchenko is on top in guard.

Maulovski wants to sweep but no luck.
Shevchenko postures up.
Maulovski manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Shevchenko manages to get himself to full guard.

Maulovski wants to control from the top but Shevchenko keeps moving.
Maulovski slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shevchenko tries to strike but it doesn't land.
Shevchenko striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
Maulovski wants to control but Shevchenko is keeping him busy.
Shevchenko tries to bench press Maulovski off him but Maulovski keeps the position.
Shevchenko dodges the ground and pound from Maulovski.
Shevchenko tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Shevchenko is not content to let Maulovski control the position.
Maulovski is really struggling to control Shevchenko but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Shevchenko struggling a bit here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Maulovski trying to control the position but Shevchenko is working away.
Shevchenko is looking to regain half guard here but Maulovski keeps moving and retains side control.

Maulovski is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Shevchenko knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Maulovski tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Maulovski has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Maulovski tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Maulovski is looking to take a break and control but Shevchenko is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuri Maulovski had his way with Taras Shevchenko in that round.
The cut man is working on Taras Shevchenko's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Maulovski scores with a leg kick.
Maulovski stuns Shevchenko with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Maulovski misses with the combination.
Shevchenko looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Maulovski wants to clinch but Shevchenko slips to the side

so Shevchenko counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Shevchenko throws a big elbow that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shevchenko content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Maulovski is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Maulovski avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Shevchenko preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shevchenko lands a couple of elbows.
Maulovski looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shevchenko is one step ahead there.
Shevchenko lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Shevchenko scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Shevchenko postures up in Maulovski's guard and throws a big left but Maulovski blocks it.
Maulovski looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shevchenko is one step ahead there.

Maulovski looking for a guillotine here but Shevchenko defends easily.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Shevchenko is working Maulovski over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maulovski looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Shevchenko distracts Maulovski with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Shevchenko tries to free his leg and advance position but Maulovski is retaining full guard.
Shevchenko lands a couple of elbows.
Maulovski has Shevchenko pulled in close to control his posture.
Maulovski preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Maulovski will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Shevchenko won't allow Maulovski to sweep him here.
Shevchenko is in close to Maulovski's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Maulovski looking for a sweep. Not yet Maulovski, not yet.
Shevchenko wants to control from the top but Maulovski keeps moving.
Maulovski looking to hit a scissor sweep but Shevchenko is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maulovski is pulling down on Shevchenko's head. It's preventing any offense from Shevchenko, at least for the moment.
Maulovski is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Maulovski is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Shevchenko doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Maulovski.
Maulovski trying to pass the guard but Shevchenko defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maulovski is working hard here to advance position.

Shevchenko looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Shevchenko is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Maulovski pulls his head out easily.
Maulovski is keen to just control but Shevchenko is a slippery customer.
Maulovski throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Maulovski throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Shevchenko looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Maulovski is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Shevchenko sees it coming and defends easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Taras Shevchenko.
I think Shevchenko has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 49:47
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 47:48
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Taras Shevchenko!
Taras Shevchenko is the new super heavyweight champion!