PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Artyom Romanoff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Charleston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). James Charleston is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Romanoff
vs
Charleston

185 cm
20
185 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

187 cm
30
195 lbs
14 - 24 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Artyom Romanoff!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 24 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, James Charleston!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Viktor Lagutenko and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Romanoff throws an off balance right hand
and Charleston counters with a flying knee. Nice.

Charleston clinches up against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Charleston looking to throw knees to the head but Romanoff is blocking nicely.
Charleston tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Charleston manages to break the clinch.

Charleston looking to score a takedown here. Romanoff is defending well but Charleston drives through and ends up in Romanoff's guard.
Charleston postures up in Romanoff's guard and throws a big left but Romanoff blocks it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Charleston trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Charleston sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Romanoff utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Charleston missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Charleston in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Charleston sitting in guard, not really doing much.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Charleston with a flurry of punches that miss.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Romanoff throws a big shot that misses.
Romanoff fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Romanoff fails to land with a series of punches.
Charleston lands with a slapping head kick.

It looks like Artyom Romanoff has been cut.
Romanoff throws a lazy uppercut
and Charleston counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Charleston gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Romanoff manages to break the clinch.

Charleston rushes Romanoff and presses him up against the cage.

Romanoff breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Charleston gets a clinch.

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

Charleston has managed to clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Charleston breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Charleston has closed the distance and engaged Romanoff in a clinch.

Romanoff breaks the clinch.

Charleston has closed the distance and engaged Romanoff in a clinch.
Charleston landing knees to the head.
Charleston avoiding damage.

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

Charleston moves into the clinch.
Charleston throws an elbow but it misses.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Romanoff tries to keep at a distance but Charleston has taken the fight into the clinch.
Charleston connects with a knee to the head.

Romanoff breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Romanoff gets caught flat footed, as Charleston shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Charleston looking to pass the guard.
Charleston forces his way into half guard.
Charleston missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Charleston decides to stand up.
Romanoff swings for the body but Charleston moves out of range.
Romanoff misses with a double jab
and Charleston counters with a series of strikes. Romanoff will be more careful next time no doubt.
Romanoff is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Charleston has closed the distance and engaged Romanoff in a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Charleston missing with knees to the body.
With the fighters up against the cage, Charleston throws an elbow but misses.
Charleston pushes off an throws an elbow but Romanoff leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Romanoff blocks an elbow strike.
Come on Charleston - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Charleston tries to land a knee to the head but Romanoff blocks with his arms.

Charleston pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Romanoff misses with a body kick.

Charleston moves into range and clinches up with Romanoff.
Romanoff takes a knee right on the jaw!
With the fighters up against the cage, Charleston throws an elbow but misses.
Charleston tries to land a knee to the head but Romanoff blocks with his arms.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Charleston dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Artyom Romanoff's cut.
That's time! Romanoff's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Charleston throws a nice head kick!
Charleston uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Romanoff.

Charleston has taken the fight to the clinch.
Charleston misses with a knee to the head.
Charleston putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Romanoff in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Charleston is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Romanoff pulls him back up using the underhooks.

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

Charleston clinches up with Romanoff and pushes him back against the cage.
Charleston with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Charleston breaks from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Charleston moves into the clinch.

Charleston manages to break the clinch.
Romanoff misses the jab.
Charleston takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Charleston shoots in for a takedown but Romanoff shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Charleston throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Romanoff's waist but Romanoff gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Charleston off to one side.
Artyom Romanoff has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Charleston.
Romanoff misses the jab.
A swing and a miss from Romanoff.
Romanoff throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Charleston.
Despite the aggression on Charleston's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

Charleston has taken the fight to the clinch.

Charleston breaks the clinch.
Romanoff throws a right and a left that Charleston avoids nicely.

Charleston clinches up with Romanoff and pushes him back against the cage.
Charleston with a knee to the head.
Charleston tries to pull guard but Romanoff forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
James Charleston seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Romanoff manages to break the clinch.
Charleston slips a jab from Romanoff.
Romanoff tests Charleston's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Charleston has Romanoff up against the cage in a clinch.

Charleston manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Charleston takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Romanoff misses with a looping right.
Romanoff misses with an uppercut
and Charleston counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Romanoff gets tackled into the cage by Charleston. Charleston maintains the clinch.
Charleston avoiding damage.

Romanoff breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Charleston closes the distance and clinches.
Romanoff takes a knee right on the jaw!
Charleston stalling.

Charleston pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Charleston throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Charleston rushes Romanoff and presses him up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Charleston connects with a nasty looking knee right to Romanoff's face.

Charleston breaks the clinch.
Romanoff lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Charleston circles away quickly and effectively.
Romanoff throws a jab but it's blocked by Charleston.

Charleston closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Charleston has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Charleston is stalling here.
Stalling in the clinch from Charleston.
Charleston with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Charleston tries to pull guard but Romanoff won't allow it.
Charleston with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Charleston misses with a knee strike.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Charleston throws a series of punches but Romanoff moves out of range.
Charleston moves out of range as Romanoff strikes.
A punch combination from Romanoff misses.
Romanoff is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Charleston rushes Romanoff and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Charleston misses with a knee strike.
Charleston pushes off an throws an elbow but Romanoff leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Charleston's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Romanoff throws a right hand that misses
and Charleston counters with a one-two to the body.
Romanoff throws a nice looking combination but Charleston bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Charleston lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Charleston steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Romanoff.

Charleston rushes Romanoff and presses him up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Charleston showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Artyom Romanoff's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Romanoff throws a hook but Charleston blocks it.
Romanoff throws a series of punches but Charleston avoids them all with ease.
Romanoff looks to score with a jab to the body but Charleston is just out of range.
Romanoff pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Romanoff sets himself, and Charleston steps forward looking for the clinch! Romanoff avoids it this time.
Romanoff tries to bum rush Charleston with a series of wild strikes but Charleston uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Charleston gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

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

Charleston lands a big head kick that sends Romanoff tumbling to the mat! Charleston takes a step backwards and waves Romanoff back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Romanoff gets tackled into the cage by Charleston. Charleston maintains the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Charleston drags the fight down to the ground.
Romanoff wants to get up but he can't break Charleston's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Charleston keeping full guard, as Romanoff tries to pass.
Romanoff trying to control but Charleston is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romanoff stands and throws Charleston's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Romanoff in side control lands a decent elbow.
Charleston is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Romanoff is controlling him well.
Romanoff fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Charleston is pushing Romanoff's head away, looking to escape. Romanoff manages to hold on to the position though.
Romanoff misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Romanoff 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.
Charleston wants to get back to his feet.
Charleston is not content to let Romanoff control the position.
Charleston dodges the ground and pound from Romanoff.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Charleston wants to get back to his feet but Romanoff drags him back down.
Romanoff wants to control but Charleston is keeping him busy.
Charleston wants to get back to his feet but Romanoff drags him back down.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Charleston lands a head kick!
Romanoff throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Charleston closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

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

Charleston takes the fight into the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Charleston.
Charleston effectively controlling the action here.
Charleston receives a warning from the referee for stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Charleston manages to break the clinch.
Artyom Romanoff seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Romanoff is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Charleston.
Romanoff misses with a two punch combination.
Artyom Romanoff is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Charleston moves out of range as Romanoff strikes.
Charleston showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Romanoff.
Charleston keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Romanoff.
Romanoff throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Charleston is trying to counter with his kicks.
A telegraphed right hand from Romanoff misses the target.

Charleston has closed the distance and engaged Romanoff in a clinch.
Charleston tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Charleston jumps guard and drags Romanoff to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Romanoff wants to control from the top but Charleston keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Romanoff 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.

Charleston has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Romanoff is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
A knee to the head by Charleston.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Charleston stalling the fight.

Romanoff escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Romanoff throws a nice looking combination but Charleston bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A head kick misses from Charleston.

Charleston has taken the fight to the clinch.
Artyom Romanoff has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Charleston with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
James Charleston is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Charleston lands a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Charleston comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Charleston has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Charleston!