PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Oleg Minakov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lenny Lobov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Minakov
vs
Lobov

177 cm
26
163 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

176 cm
26
163 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Oleg Minakov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Lenny Lobov!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Trevor Gratis and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lobov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Minakov as he jumps to the side.
Minakov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lobov pinned against the cage. Lobov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Minakov darts in looking for a takedown but Lobov gets double underhooks and turns Minakov into the cage.

Lobov clinches up against the cage.
Lobov manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Minakov leaning his opponent against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Minakov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Lobov looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lobov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lobov shoots in for a takedown but Minakov shows good takedown defense.
Minakov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Lobov is looking to clinch but Minakov is avoiding it.
Lobov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Oleg Minakov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lenny Lobov.

Lobov tries to keep at a distance but Minakov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Lobov tries for a takedown but Minakov manages to get underhooks.

Minakov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lobov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Minakov tries to counter by clinching up but Lobov breaks away and moves out of range.
Minakov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lobov was well out of range. Poor timing from Minakov.
Lobov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Minakov shoots in for a takedown but Lobov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Lobov tries to close the distance and clinch but Minakov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Minakov shoots in looking for a takedown. Lobov tries to sprawl out of it but Minakov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Lobov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Lobov clinches up against the cage.

Minakov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lobov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Minakov but Minakov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Lobov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minakov with a nice cross.
Lobov falls off balance throwing a combination

and Minakov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Minakov breaks the clinch.
Minakov misses with a kick to the body.
Lobov is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Minakov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lobov as he jumps to the side.

Lobov takes the fight into the clinch.
Lobov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Minakov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
The referee is keeping an eye on Lobov - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Minakov breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lobov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Minakov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Lobov somewhat.
Minakov throws a head kick but Lobov moves out of range.
Lobov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Lobov darts in looking for a takedown but Minakov gets double underhooks and turns Lobov into the cage.
Minakov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lobov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Lobov wants to counter with a clinch but Minakov pushes him away.
Minakov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lobov moves away.
Lobov shoots in but Minakov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Horrible takedown attempt by Minakov or perhaps it was just good defense by Lobov, which made it look bad.
Lobov tries to clinch but Minakov moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oleg Minakov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Minakov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Minakov shoots in but no luck this time.
Minakov goes for a double leg but Lobov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Lobov continues to drive forward.
Lobov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Minakov.

Lobov instigates a clinch.
Minakov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oleg Minakov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lobov leaning against his opponent.
Lobov content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Lobov wants a takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Minakov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lobov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minakov slaps away a takedown attempt from Lobov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Oleg Minakov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lobov shoots in for a double leg but Minakov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Minakov walks into a left hand.
Lobov fails with a takedown attempt.
Lobov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Minakov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Some wild striking there from Lobov.
Minakov wants to clinch
letting Lobov counter with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Minakov misses with a series of wild punches.
Lobov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Lobov throws a body kick that misses.
Minakov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Lobov tries to avoid it but Minakov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Lobov to the ground. Lobov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Lobov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Minakov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Lobov jumps guard but Minakov stands there with Lobov around his waist. Lobov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Lobov pulls guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Lobov holds on and takes a little breather.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Lobov can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lobov working a defensive guard here.

Lobov is looking for a triangle here but Minakov uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Lobov is not content to let Minakov control the position.
Lobov tries to buck Minakov off but Minakov is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Minakov working away.
Lobov is trying to buck Minakov off.
Lobov is trying to control Minakov's posture but Minakov avoids it.

Lobov bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Minakov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lobov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Lobov tries to clinch there but Minakov circles away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Lobov gets tackled into the cage by Minakov. Minakov maintains the clinch.

Minakov manages to break the clinch.
Minakov fails with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lenny Lobov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Minakov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Minakov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Lobov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Lobov dives in for a single leg takedown but Minakov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Minakov throws a body shot but no joy.
Minakov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oleg Minakov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Minakov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lobov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
And Lobov tries to counter it with a takedown but Minakov pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Minakov throws a sloppy head kick and Lobov moves out of range easily.
Lobov raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Nice sprawl there from Minakov as Lobov shoots in.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lobov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
It looked like Minakov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Lobov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lobov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Minakov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
As Lobov looks to move away, Minakov throws a big counter combo but Lobov just gets out of the way.
Lobov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Minakov tries to avoid it but Lobov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Minakov to the ground. Minakov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Lobov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lobov leaves Minakov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Minakov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Lobov throws a leg kick that misses.
Lobov checks a leg kick.
Lobov circles away from the clinch attempt
and Lobov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Minakov checks a low kick from Lobov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lobov has a takedown stuffed.
Lobov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Minakov lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Minakov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Lobov defends it nicely.
Minakov wants to clinch up but Lobov keeps it at a distance.
Lobov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Lobov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Minakov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Minakov attempts a counter takedown but Lobov avoids it well and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minakov has a takedown stuffed.
Minakov shoots in for a takedown but Lobov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Minakov leaves Lobov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Lobov misses with a head kick.
Lobov darts in looking for a takedown but Minakov gets double underhooks and turns Lobov into the cage.
As Lobov looks to move away, Minakov throws a big counter combo but Lobov just gets out of the way.
Minakov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lobov as he jumps to the side.
Lobov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Minakov avoids it really well and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Minakov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Lobov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Lobov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Minakov looks to land a combination. Lobov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Minakov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lobov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Lobov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Lobov rushes Minakov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Minakov wants to take the fight to the mat but Lobov manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Lobov tries for a takedown. No joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Oleg Minakov.
I think Minakov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Oleg Minakov!