PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shaun Schwartz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vlad Moldovenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Schwartz
vs
Moldovenko

183 cm
24
279 lbs
2 - 4 - 1

191 cm
25
245 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

Decent wrestler
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 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Shaun Schwartz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vlad Moldovenko!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Igor Prikhodko and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Moldovenko tries a head kick but it misses.
Moldovenko misses with a leg kick

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

Moldovenko works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Moldovenko postures up in Schwartz's guard and throws a big left but Schwartz blocks it.

Moldovenko decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Schwartz, up you get!

Moldovenko gets a double leg takedown into Schwartz's guard.
Moldovenko throwing strikes from guard but Schwartz blocks nicely.
Schwartz punching from the bottom.
Moldovenko wants to stand but Schwartz has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Moldovenko pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Schwartz is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schwartz striking off his back but it's not causing Moldovenko any problems.
Moldovenko is stalling in the full guard.
Schwartz has momentary wrist control but Moldovenko slips an elbow through the middle.
Moldovenko wants to pass the guard but Schwartz is keeping the position.
Moldovenko trying to control but Schwartz is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Moldovenko moves into range and clinches up with Schwartz.
Moldovenko gets underhooks to prevent Schwartz's takedown attempt.
Moldovenko is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Schwartz is defending well for now.
Schwartz can't break the clinch.
Schwartz is working for takedown but Moldovenko is calmly controlling the position for now.
Moldovenko lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Moldovenko's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Moldovenko will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Schwartz is defended easily by Moldovenko.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shaun Schwartz. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Moldovenko closes the distance and pushes Schwartz back into the cage.
Schwartz really is a fat lump.

Moldovenko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Moldovenko throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

It looks like Shaun Schwartz has been cut.
Schwartz goes for a double leg but Moldovenko avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Moldovenko continues to drive forward.

Moldovenko throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Schwartz tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Moldovenko is in Schwartz's guard.

Schwartz manages to escape and get back to his feet.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Moldovenko shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Moldovenko looks winded!
Moldovenko stalling away here and it's allowed Schwartz to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Moldovenko preventing the sweep.
Moldovenko postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Moldovenko trying to control but Schwartz is working from the bottom.
Schwartz tries to land a sweep but no joy.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Schwartz is on top in guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vlad Moldovenko dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Shaun Schwartz's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Schwartz misses with a takedown attempt - Moldovenko sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Moldovenko looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Moldovenko. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Schwartz tries for a takedown but Moldovenko sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
As Schwartz backs off Moldovenko throws a huge counter combo but Schwartz manages to avoid it all.
Schwartz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Moldovenko pinned against the cage. Moldovenko gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shaun Schwartz. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Moldovenko drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Moldovenko happy to just control the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Moldovenko decides to stand back up.
Moldovenko throws a head kick that misses.
Schwartz is looking to counter the offense by Moldovenko and move into the clinch.

Schwartz gets tackled into the cage by Moldovenko. Moldovenko maintains the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Moldovenko effectively controlling the action here.

Moldovenko lands a takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Moldovenko trying to control but Schwartz is working from the bottom.
Moldovenko is looking to work some ground and pound but Schwartz has wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Moldovenko trying to control but Schwartz is working from the bottom.
Moldovenko must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Schwartz kicks Moldovenko off and gets to his feet.

Moldovenko moves into the clinch.
Moldovenko working Schwartz over with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schwartz is looking to break free of the clinch but Moldovenko has double underhooks.
Schwartz is trying to push Moldovenko away but Moldovenko has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Moldovenko wants the takedown. Schwartz is fighting it off but Moldovenko persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Schwartz's guard against the cage.

Schwartz uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Moldovenko is breathing heavily.

Moldovenko shoots in and gets a takedown into Schwartz's guard.
Moldovenko trying to control but Schwartz is working from the bottom.
Moldovenko preventing the sweep.
Schwartz has a closed guard, preventing Moldovenko from standing up.
Schwartz wants to sweep here but Moldovenko controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Moldovenko slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Schwartz throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Schwartz looking to hit a scissor sweep but Moldovenko is one step ahead there.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Shaun Schwartz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Moldovenko looking to score a takedown here. Schwartz is defending well but Moldovenko drives through and ends up in Schwartz's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vlad Moldovenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Shaun Schwartz's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Moldovenko gets the takedown into side control.

Schwartz throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Schwartz shoots in for a takedown but Moldovenko shows good takedown defense.
Moldovenko tries a head kick but it misses.
Sloppy strikes from Moldovenko. Those never looked like landing.

Moldovenko gets a double leg takedown into Schwartz's guard.

Schwartz scrambles and gets back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Moldovenko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nice takedown defense from Moldovenko. No joy for Schwartz on that attempt.

Moldovenko shoots in and gets a takedown into Schwartz's guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Schwartz manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Schwartz wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Moldovenko has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Schwartz is trying to keep an underhook but Moldovenko manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Moldovenko throws a strike but Schwartz avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Moldovenko really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Schwartz. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Schwartz has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Moldovenko off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Schwartz fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shaun Schwartz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Schwartz shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Moldovenko sprawls well. Moldovenko wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Schwartz gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Schwartz gets caught napping as Moldovenko dives in and scores a takedown. Schwartz manages to retain guard.

Schwartz pushes Moldovenko off and gets back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Schwartz fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
As Schwartz backs off Moldovenko throws a huge counter combo but Schwartz manages to avoid it all.
Schwartz doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Moldovenko makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

Moldovenko closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Schwartz's guard.
Schwartz is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Moldovenko dives into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Schwartz tries to improve position but can't.
Moldovenko is putting a hurting on Schwartz here, landing some big shots from side control.
Moldovenko trying to control the action but Schwartz is working from the bottom.
Moldovenko connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Schwartz some visible discomfort.

Moldovenko decides to stand back up. Moldovenko steps back and let's Schwartz get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Schwartz with a lazy takedown attempt
and Moldovenko counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Moldovenko throws a sloppy head kick
and Schwartz counters with a three punch combo that has Moldovenko backing up. Moldovenko nods at Schwartz to acknowledge the strikes.
Moldovenko attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Schwartz closes this distance looking for a takedown but Moldovenko circles away.
Moldovenko throws a head kick that misses.
Moldovenko wants to clinch.

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 Shaun Schwartz.
I think Moldovenko has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:29
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vlad Moldovenko!