PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Alexei Lopatin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kazaki Eskot (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Lopatin
vs
Eskot

180 cm
24
155 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

179 cm
25
150 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Alexei Lopatin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kazaki Eskot!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Bart Greer and Winston Alpacca.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Eskot shoots in looking for a takedown but Lopatin manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Eskot's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Lopatin closes the distance and clinches.
Lopatin will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Eskot up against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Lopatin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Eskot is looking to clinch but Lopatin is avoiding it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Eskot tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lopatin manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Eskot throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Lopatin was covering up waiting for the punch and Eskot finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Lopatin pushes Eskot off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lopatin misses with a two punch combination.
Lopatin lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Eskot circles away quickly and effectively.
Alexei Lopatin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Lopatin has Eskot up against the cage in a clinch.
Eskot wants to break free but Lopatin has control.
Lopatin prevents the takedown attempt.
Eskot tries to stall but Lopatin uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Eskot tries to land a knee to the head but Lopatin blocks with his arms.

Lopatin pulls guard successfully.
Lopatin wants to stand up but Eskot is controlling him.
Eskot trying to control the position from guard on top but Lopatin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lopatin seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eskot trying to control but Lopatin is working from the bottom.
Lopatin looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Eskot lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Eskot is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Lopatin holds on and takes a little breather.

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.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Eskot is defended easily by Lopatin.
Alexei Lopatin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazaki Eskot.
Lopatin lands with a kick to the temple. Eskot shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Lopatin throws a head kick but Eskot moves out of range.
Lopatin is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Eskot tries to score a power double leg takedown but Lopatin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Eskot somewhat.

Lopatin has managed to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eskot working hard to break the clinch.
Eskot tries for a takedown but Lopatin manages to get underhooks.
Eskot looking for a takedown.
Eskot wants to break the clinch but can't.
Eskot looking to stall.

Lopatin breaks from the clinch.
Eskot throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Lopatin's waist but Lopatin gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Eskot off to one side.
Eskot looks winded!
Eskot shoots in for a takedown but Lopatin shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Lopatin closes the distance and clinches.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Lopatin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A slapping body kick lands there for Lopatin.

Lopatin moves into the clinch.

Lopatin manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexei Lopatin 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.

Lopatin closes the distance and clinches.

Lopatin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Eskot fails with the takedown.
Lopatin attempts a counter takedown but Eskot avoids it well and moves away.
Lopatin misses with the combination.
Eskot is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Lopatin with a body shot.
Lopatin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Lopatin has Eskot up against the cage in a clinch.
Lopatin drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Eskot jumps guard but Lopatin turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Lopatin is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lopatin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Eskot avoids the head kick by Lopatin.
Eskot tries to counter by closing the distance.
Eskot fails with an attempt to clinch.
A combination from Lopatin does no damage.
Lopatin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Eskot wants to clinch up but Lopatin keeps it at a distance.
Lopatin tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Eskot manages to circle out of the way.
Lopatin tries a head kick but it misses.
Alexei Lopatin is winning the standup battle so far.

Eskot closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Eskot wants a takedown but no success here.
Alexei Lopatin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazaki Eskot.

Lopatin's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Lopatin gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Eskot to score an easy takedown into full guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Lopatin manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Lopatin breaks from the clinch.
Lopatin throws a right and a left that Eskot avoids nicely.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Lopatin manages to pull guard.

Lopatin uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Lopatin has closed the distance and engaged Eskot in a clinch.
Lopatin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Eskot can do to turn this around?

Lopatin breaks the clinch.

Lopatin fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Eskot, pushing him back against the cage.
Eskot jumps guard but Lopatin stands there with Eskot around his waist. Eskot gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Eskot wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Lopatin has him pressed against the cage.

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

Eskot gets caught napping as Lopatin dives in and scores a takedown. Eskot manages to retain guard.

Eskot manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

Lopatin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lopatin lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Lopatin gets tackled into the cage by Eskot. Eskot maintains the clinch.
Lopatin has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Eskot is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Eskot has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Lopatin is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Eskot is breathing heavily.

Lopatin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Lopatin has taken the fight to the clinch.
Lopatin is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Eskot gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Eskot decides to pull guard.
Lopatin showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Lopatin seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Eskot for as long as he can get away with.
Eskot working a defensive guard here.
Eskot is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Lopatin engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexei Lopatin dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Eskot shoots in for a takedown but Lopatin shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Lopatin throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Eskot's head.
Lopatin lands a nice looking body kick.
Lopatin slaps away a takedown attempt from Eskot, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Eskot tries to clinch but Lopatin moves out of range.
Eskot stuffs the takedown attempt from Lopatin. Lopatin gets slowly back to his feet.
Lopatin chopping away at his opponent's legs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A punch combination from Eskot misses.
Lopatin changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Lopatin shoots in and drives through. Eskot sprawls well.
Lopatin lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Eskot takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lopatin lands a nice looking body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lopatin tries to clinch but Eskot moves out of range.
Eskot tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Lopatin swivels and escapes.
Alexei Lopatin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kazaki Eskot.

Lopatin clinches up against the cage.

Lopatin's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Lopatin closes the distance and clinches.
Lopatin is looking to take this one to the mat.
Eskot tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lopatin just stands there and leans against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Eskot's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Lopatin manages to break the clinch.
Eskot stuffs the takedown attempt from Lopatin. Lopatin gets slowly back to his feet.
Eskot takes a kick to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lopatin throws a head kick that misses.
Lopatin fails with a takedown attempt.
Eskot dives in and grabs Lopatin's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lopatin pushes down on Eskot's head and hops out.

Lopatin has closed the distance and engaged Eskot in a clinch.
Lopatin avoiding damage.
Eskot tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lopatin just stands there and leans against the cage.

Lopatin breaks from the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Lopatin as Eskot shoots in.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lopatin lands an overhand right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eskot blocks a head kick by Lopatin.
Lopatin throws a head kick that misses.
Both fighters circling a little - Lopatin finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Lopatin shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Eskot but Eskot pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Eskot lands with a shot to the body.
Lopatin swats away the attempt to clinch by Eskot.
Lopatin scores with a punch to the head.

Lopatin has Eskot up against the cage in a clinch.
Eskot is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Lopatin pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eskot is trying to stall.
Lopatin stalling in the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Lopatin.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Lopatin for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Eskot has Lopatin pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Lopatin manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Alexei Lopatin has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Eskot drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lopatin jumps guard but Eskot stands there with Lopatin around his waist. Lopatin gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kazaki Eskot has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alexei Lopatin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Eskot wants to take the fight to the mat but Lopatin manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexei Lopatin showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Lopatin has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 30:27
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexei Lopatin!