PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joey Perello (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksej Ruslan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Perello comes to the cage accompanied by One for the Money. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Perello
vs
Ruslan

190 cm
27
220 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

188 cm
23
210 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joey Perello!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aleksej Ruslan!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Matti Vanhoillinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ruslan lands a leg kick that knocks Perello off balance momentarily.
Perello swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ruslan was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Perello has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Helsinki Fight Club in the buildup to the fight.
Ruslan pushes Perello away with a front kick.
Ruslan fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Ruslan clinches up with Perello and pushes him back against the cage.
Perello wants a takedown.

Perello breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Perello shoots in for a takedown but Ruslan shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ruslan steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Perello.

Ruslan clinches up with Perello and pushes him back against the cage.
Ruslan landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Perello wants to take the fight to the mat but Ruslan manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joey Perello. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ruslan stops a takedown attempt from Perello.
Perello is breathing heavily.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ruslan.
Perello is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ruslan gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Ruslan pushes Perello back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ruslan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Perello's elbow.
Ruslan throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Ruslan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ruslan is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Perello is defending well for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruslan tries a body shot but Perello blocks it.
Ruslan tries a body shot but Perello blocks it.
Ruslan can't find room to land a body shot as Perello controls the action.
Ruslan lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ruslan stops a takedown attempt from Perello.
Ruslan is pushing Perello up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Perello wants the takedown. Ruslan is fighting it off but Perello persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Ruslan's guard against the cage.
Perello is standing up over Ruslan. Ruslan looks to escape but Perello dives into side control.

Ruslan tries to buck Perello off but Perello is having none of it.
Ruslan avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Perello.
Ruslan is trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruslan can't do much from the bottom here.
Perello trying to control the position but Ruslan is working away.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ruslan can do anything to dispel that myth.
Perello takes a little break here. Ruslan wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Perello sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Ruslan is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Ruslan is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruslan is still trying to improve position.
Perello misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Ruslan being controlled for a moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
An elbow from Perello crashes against the mat.

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.
Ruslan struggling a bit here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Perello is looking to clinch but Ruslan is avoiding it.
Ruslan is looking for the big counter here.
Perello has a takedown stuffed.
Ruslan throws a counter combo.
Perello dives in and grabs Ruslan's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ruslan pushes down on Perello's head and hops out.
Perello changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ruslan tries to avoid it but Perello manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ruslan to the ground. Ruslan escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Perello takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Perello needs to keep his hands up - Ruslan had a free shot at his head there.
Ruslan is looking to clinch.
Ruslan keeps Perello at a distance using the push kick.
Ruslan throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
A slapping leg kick lands for Ruslan.
Ruslan throws a nice inside leg kick.
Perello takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksej Ruslan dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ruslan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Perello paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Perello. Ruslan does a little dance to reset his feet.
A nice side step and Ruslan releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Ruslan throws a leg kick which misses Perello's front leg but catches the back leg as Perello tries to avoid it.
Perello misses with a double jab.
Ruslan throws a head kick but Perello moves out of range.
Perello fails to land with a series of punches.
Perello throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Ruslan has managed to clinch.
Ruslan has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Perello blocks an elbow strike from Ruslan.
Ruslan has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Perello seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Ruslan can turn it around.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Perello tries to pull guard but Ruslan forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Perello tries to score a body lock takedown but Ruslan shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Ruslan tries a body shot but Perello blocks it.
Perello is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ruslan gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joey Perello. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ruslan working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Ruslan gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Perello.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruslan leaning his opponent against the cage.
Ruslan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Perello is looking to take this one to the mat.
Perello drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ruslan pulls his leg out and moves away.
Ruslan scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

Ruslan has closed the distance and engaged Perello in a clinch.
Ruslan tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Perello has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ruslan avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Perello looking for a takedown.
Perello can't find room to land a body shot as Ruslan controls the action.
Perello avoids a wild elbow strike from Ruslan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruslan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ruslan is stalling here.
Ruslan is struggling to control the position.
Perello drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The referee is keeping an eye on Ruslan - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Perello blocks a body shot from Ruslan.
Ruslan working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Ruslan cracks Perello with a nice body shot.
Ruslan taking a breather.
Ruslan misses with a body punch.
Perello jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Ruslan walks away with a smile on his face. Perello gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Ruslan throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruslan lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Ruslan circles away from the clinch attempt.
Perello throws a series of punches but Ruslan moves out of range.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Ruslan.
Ruslan misses with the combination.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ruslan is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Ruslan cracks Perello with a nice body shot.
Ruslan struggles to land a body shot inside as Perello controls his hands.
Perello wants a takedown but no success here.
Ruslan tries to throw a body punch but Perello avoids it by throwing Ruslan back against the cage.
Perello is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ruslan is defending well for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruslan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Perello goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Perello is trying to break the clinch but Ruslan is controlling him.
Ruslan misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Perello.
Ruslan tries to land knees in the clinch but Perello avoids the damage to the body.
Ruslan trying to land knees to the body.
Ruslan looking to stall.
Ruslan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Perello goes for a takedown attempt but Ruslan pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Ruslan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Perello with a poor takedown
and Ruslan counters with a nice leg kick.
Aleksej Ruslan seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Perello throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A nice combination there by Ruslan.
Aleksej Ruslan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Perello takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Perello has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Ruslan.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksej Ruslan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Ruslan moves into the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Ruslan.
Nice body punch from Ruslan.
Perello is trying to pull guard but Ruslan turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Ruslan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Perello's elbow.
Ruslan lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Perello prevents a body shot from Ruslan.
Perello is trying to pull guard but Ruslan has him pressed against the cage.
Perello is trying to drag Ruslan to the mat but Ruslan just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joey Perello. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ruslan is struggling to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ruslan lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Perello.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A knee to the head by Ruslan.
Ruslan misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Perello.
Ruslan lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruslan scores with a hook to the body.
Perello avoiding damage as Ruslan throws knees to the body.
A shot in the inside from Ruslan.
Ruslan lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Perello.
Ruslan digs a right hand underneath Perello's ribcage. Perello let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Ruslan is working Perello over against the cage.
Perello misses with a punch to the body.
Ruslan's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Ruslan lands a shot to the body.
Ruslan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Perello's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ruslan lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Ruslan fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Perello.
Perello looks for the body kick but Ruslan saw that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruslan throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Ruslan is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Perello rather than just go for the knockout.
Ruslan doesn't manage to clinch there - Perello circles away.
Ruslan pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Ruslan gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ruslan lands a body punch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A left hand lands to the body for Ruslan.
Ruslan cracks Perello with a nice body shot.
A short body shot lands from Ruslan as the two fighters clinch.
Ruslan misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ruslan working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Ruslan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A hook to the body from Ruslan.
Ruslan lands a hook that snaps the head of Perello backwards.
Ruslan slowing the pace effectively.
Ruslan lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Perello backwards.
Ruslan misses with some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruslan pressing his opponent against the cage.
Perello tries for a takedown. No joy.
Ruslan tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Perello jumps guard but Ruslan stands there with Perello around his waist. Perello gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ruslan scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Perello is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Ruslan is defending well.
Perello tries to score a body lock takedown but Ruslan shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Perello blocks a body shot from Ruslan.
Ruslan lands a hook that snaps the head of Perello backwards.
Ruslan lands a nice knee to the body.
Ruslan pushes Perello back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruslan stalling in the clinch.
Ruslan lands an elbow that stopped Perello in his tracks for a moment.
Ruslan softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ruslan content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Perello is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Ruslan lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Ruslan controlling the action here for a moment.
Joey Perello has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A right hand to the body from Ruslan.
Ruslan pushes Perello back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Ruslan tries a body shot but Perello blocks it.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ruslan creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ruslan lands a left hand.
Perello can't get the takedown.
Ruslan working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aleksej Ruslan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ruslan 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 26:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 26:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aleksej Ruslan!
A relieved looking Aleksej Ruslan thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.