PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dmitry Kulik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joon BigMan (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.

Kulik
vs
BigMan

180 cm
23
300 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

219 cm
30
289 lbs
7 - 24 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dmitry Kulik!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 24 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Joon BigMan!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Aleksandr Martynov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kulik stuffs the takedown attempt from BigMan. BigMan gets slowly back to his feet.

BigMan has managed to clinch.
Kulik wants to take the fight to the mat but BigMan manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
BigMan misses with a punch on the inside.

Kulik has clasped his hands together around BigMan's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Kulik taking a breather here.
Kulik throws an elbow but BigMan slips to the side and avoids it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
BigMan tries to improve position but can't.
Kulik is chipping away with strikes.
BigMan is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Kulik connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused BigMan some visible discomfort.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kulik trying to control the position but BigMan is working away.
BigMan wants to control but Kulik postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kulik wants to control but BigMan is keeping him busy.
Kulik looking to punish the body of his opponent here but BigMan is avoiding damage well.
Kulik landing strikes.
Kulik taking a break here but BigMan is having none of it and regains half guard.

Kulik is working for an americana but BigMan has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Kulik was thinking about the submission.
Kulik loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kulik with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Kulik sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Kulik loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kulik postures up in BigMan's guard and throws a big left but BigMan blocks it.
Kulik working some strikes from top position.
BigMan working a defensive guard here.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kulik preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kulik advances to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kulik is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and BigMan defends it well.
BigMan is pressing down on Kulik's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kulik stopping the sweep attempt from BigMan.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kulik accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kulik lands a couple of decent looking shots.
BigMan preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
BigMan keeping full guard, as Kulik tries to pass.
Kulik postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kulik throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as BigMan works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
BigMan looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Kulik has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
BigMan has momentary wrist control but Kulik slips an elbow through the middle.
BigMan keeping full guard, as Kulik tries to pass.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if BigMan can do anything to dispel that myth.
BigMan is trying to control the position but Kulik postures up.

BigMan is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kulik cracks BigMan with a solid left hand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
BigMan wants to stand and escape but Kulik is having none of it.
Kulik is in close to BigMan's body, working some short punches and elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dmitry Kulik dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kulik fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

BigMan darts in and clinches Kulik up against the cage.

Kulik pulls BigMan into guard.
Kulik seems keen to control BigMan's posture.

Kulik looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
BigMan postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
BigMan is pushing down on Kulik's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kulik is fighting to maintain full guard but BigMan has managed to sneak the leg through.
Kulik is concentrating on defense, preventing BigMan from advancing position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
BigMan tries to stand and escape but Kulik actually recovers to full guard.
Dmitry Kulik overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kulik manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. BigMan manages to get himself to full guard.

Kulik scoring with punches to the head and body.
Kulik throwing strikes but missing.
BigMan can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kulik controls the pace.
Kulik is in close to BigMan's body, working some short punches and elbows.
BigMan working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kulik.
Kulik trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

BigMan working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kulik doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kulik manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kulik trying to control but BigMan is working from the bottom.
Kulik postures up in BigMan's guard and throws a big left but BigMan blocks it.
Kulik wanted to stand there but BigMan had control of the position.
Kulik stands up over BigMan, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Kulik is looking to work some ground and pound but BigMan has wrist control.
Kulik trying to control but BigMan is working from the bottom.
BigMan trying to keep a closed guard but Kulik is proving a slippery customer.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kulik seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kulik shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says BigMan as he avoids it easily.
Kulik shoots in for a double leg but BigMan sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
BigMan unleashes a big counter combination but Kulik bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dmitry Kulik. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

BigMan pushes Kulik up against the cage in a clinch.
BigMan tries to break free but Kulik pushes him back against the cage.

BigMan jumps into guard, dragging Kulik to the mat.
Kulik might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
BigMan keeping full guard, as Kulik tries to pass.
BigMan keeping moving, preventing Kulik from controlling successfully.
BigMan is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Kulik distracts BigMan with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kulik engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Kulik drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kulik jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
BigMan has a closed guard, preventing Kulik from standing up.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Kulik with a nice head shot there.
Kulik is looking to work some ground and pound but BigMan has wrist control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
BigMan wants to stand but Kulik is controlling the position.
Kulik throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dmitry Kulik dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Kulik shoots in looking for a takedown but BigMan manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kulik's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Dmitry Kulik seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kulik looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Kulik controlling the pace.
Kulik not landing any meaningful shots this time.
BigMan is looking for a sweep. Kulik is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kulik looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
BigMan trying to control but Kulik postures up.
Kulik thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed BigMan's head.
BigMan regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Kulik.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kulik engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Kulik distracts BigMan with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

BigMan has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kulik can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kulik cracks BigMan with a solid left hand.
Kulik trying to control the position from guard on top but BigMan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kulik scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kulik trying to control but BigMan is working from the bottom.
Kulik's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Kulik decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kulik working BigMan over with strikes.
Kulik throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Kulik wants to work for an arm triangle but BigMan is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Kulik prevents BigMan from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
BigMan keeps control of the position for the meantime.

Kulik is looking for a kimura here.
Kulik not landing any meaningful shots this time.
BigMan on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Kulik is just content to waste time from the top position. BigMan takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

That's four 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.
BigMan working a defensive guard here.
BigMan keeping moving, preventing Kulik from controlling successfully.
BigMan is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kulik with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Kulik trying to control the position from guard on top but BigMan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Joon BigMan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dmitry Kulik is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kulik's corner is telling him to maintain position.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Dmitry Kulik showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kulik, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dmitry Kulik!
Dmitry Kulik took to the mic after the fight and begged the organizational hierarchy for a shot at the title.