PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cleveland Wiggins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladislav Vasilevsky (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Wiggins
vs
Vasilevsky

205 cm
22
278 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

190 cm
25
241 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Hates pizza

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Cleveland Wiggins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vladislav Vasilevsky!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Valeri Chadov and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vasilevsky shoots and misses
and Wiggins counters with a three punch combo that has Vasilevsky backing up. Vasilevsky nods at Wiggins to acknowledge the strikes.
Vasilevsky stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Vasilevsky wants it to stay on the feet.

Vasilevsky rushes Wiggins and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Vasilevsky is looking to take this one to the mat.
Wiggins swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A frustrated look appears on Vasilevsky's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Vasilevsky misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Wiggins.
Vasilevsky tries to break the clinch but Wiggins is controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vasilevsky lands a hook to the side of the head.
Vasilevsky has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Wiggins after a bit of a struggle.
Cleveland Wiggins has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladislav Vasilevsky.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wiggins lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Vasilevsky is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Wiggins presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

Vasilevsky is trying to trip Wiggins. He has hold of a leg but Wiggins is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Vasilevsky persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Vasilevsky won't allow Wiggins to sweep him here.
Vasilevsky looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vasilevsky avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Vasilevsky got a little sloppy there for a moment and Wiggins has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Vasilevsky has managed to get both his arms back between Wiggins's legs - danger averted.
Vasilevsky controls from within his opponent's guard.

Wiggins is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Vasilevsky is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Vasilevsky throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Wiggins went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Some wild striking there from Vasilevsky.
Wiggins tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Vasilevsky swivels and escapes.
Vasilevsky misses with a takedown attempt - Wiggins sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Vasilevsky fails with the takedown
and Wiggins counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Vasilevsky thinking.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vasilevsky misses with the body kick
and Wiggins counters with a right hand to the body.

Vasilevsky closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Wiggins's guard.

Wiggins is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Vasilevsky 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.

Wiggins working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Vasilevsky doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Vasilevsky manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Vasilevsky decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladislav Vasilevsky dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Vasilevsky throws a body kick that misses.
It looked like Wiggins was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Vasilevsky ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Vasilevsky swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Wiggins counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Vasilevsky thinking.
Vasilevsky misses with a few strikes there.
As Vasilevsky looks to move away, Wiggins throws a big counter combo but Vasilevsky just gets out of the way.
Vasilevsky paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Vasilevsky throws the kick towards the body but Wiggins avoids it.
Vasilevsky misses with a low kick.
Wiggins is looking to counter the offense by Vasilevsky and move into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wiggins avoids the head kick by Vasilevsky.
Vasilevsky displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Wiggins.
A countering left hand to the body from Vasilevsky misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wiggins fails to land the takedown.

Wiggins closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Vasilevsky quickly recovers to half guard.
Wiggins is thwarting Vasilevsky's attempts to control the position.
Vasilevsky makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Vasilevsky.

Vasilevsky has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Wiggins has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wiggins has Vasilevsky pressed against the cage.
Vasilevsky pressing his opponent against the cage.
Vasilevsky has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Vasilevsky stalling in the clinch but Wiggins improves position.
Wiggins tries to score a body lock takedown but Vasilevsky shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cleveland Wiggins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vasilevsky will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Wiggins up against the cage.
Wiggins drops down looking for an ankle pick but Vasilevsky pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vasilevsky looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Wiggins!
Wiggins gets back to half guard.
Vasilevsky is taking a breather. Wiggins says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Vasilevsky wants to work for an arm triangle but Wiggins is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Wiggins is looking for a sweep. Vasilevsky is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vasilevsky stands up from half guard.
Vladislav Vasilevsky seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Vasilevsky fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Wiggins, pushing him back against the cage.
Vasilevsky fails to pull guard.
Vasilevsky is looking to take this one to the mat.
Wiggins is pushing Vasilevsky up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vasilevsky stalls.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladislav Vasilevsky showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Vasilevsky darts in and clinches Wiggins up against the cage.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Vasilevsky. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Vasilevsky prevents a takedown attempt there.
Vasilevsky blocking some punches.
Vasilevsky looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Vasilevsky drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Wiggins gets the underhooks and prevents it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vasilevsky lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Wiggins or not.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wiggins slowing the pace effectively.
Wiggins gets underhooks to prevent Vasilevsky's takedown attempt.
Vasilevsky prevents the takedown attempt.
Wiggins wants to stall.

Vasilevsky escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wiggins tries for a takedown but Vasilevsky sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cleveland Wiggins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck for Vasilevsky with that takedown attempt.
Vasilevsky shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Wiggins pinned against the cage. Wiggins gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wiggins changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Vasilevsky tries to avoid it but Wiggins manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Vasilevsky to the ground. Vasilevsky escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Vasilevsky shoots in for a double leg but Wiggins sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Vasilevsky fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Vasilevsky takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Wiggins will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Vasilevsky darts in and clinches Wiggins up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wiggins managing to block the knees to the body from Vasilevsky.
Vasilevsky misses with a punch to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Vasilevsky's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Vasilevsky escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wiggins shoots in for a double leg but Vasilevsky sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Wiggins shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Vasilevsky as he jumps to the side.

Vasilevsky fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Wiggins, pushing him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vasilevsky pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Vasilevsky gets underhooks to prevent Wiggins's takedown attempt.

Vasilevsky jumps guard.

Vasilevsky has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Wiggins is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Wiggins is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Vasilevsky pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Wiggins utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Vasilevsky tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Wiggins's elbow.
Cleveland Wiggins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vladislav Vasilevsky is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Vasilevsky is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Wiggins gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vladislav Vasilevsky comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Vasilevsky 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vladislav Vasilevsky!