PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Van Wallace (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Butorin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ivan Butorin acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Wallace
vs
Butorin

185 cm
25
140 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

179 cm
25
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Van Wallace!
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, Ivan Butorin!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Ivan Kurochkin and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Wallace gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Butorin to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Wallace is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Butorin tries to free his leg and advance position but Wallace is retaining full guard.
Wallace really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Butorin postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Wallace pulls Butorin in close to prevent any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wallace is looking to stand up but Butorin isn't so interested in that idea.
Wallace pulls Butorin in to control the position.
Wallace is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Butorin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butorin prevents Wallace from getting back to his feet.
Wallace trying to control the position here.
Butorin makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Wallace is adopting a defensive guard.
Butorin wants to control from the top but Wallace keeps moving.
Wallace is pulling down on Butorin's head. It's preventing any offense from Butorin, at least for the moment.
Butorin is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Butorin throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Wallace clinches up against the cage.

Wallace pulls guard successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Butorin won't allow Wallace to sweep him here.
Wallace is looking to sweep but instead, Butorin has passed into half guard.
Butorin not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Wallace is looking for a sweep. Butorin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Butorin trying to control from half guard but Wallace is working away.
Wallace is looking for a sweep. Butorin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Wallace blocking the ground and pound attempt from Butorin.
Butorin prevents Wallace from improving his position.
Wallace trying to hold on to Butorin's head to control him but Butorin postures up.
Butorin working the head and body with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Butorin wants to take a breather but Wallace is having none of it.
Wallace keeping hold of Butorin's head, controlling as best he can.
Wallace tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Butorin manages to move to mount!
Wallace is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

Butorin is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Wallace is surviving well by controlling Butorin's body position as best he can.
Wallace tries to lock up and control but Butorin gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Wallace is squirming around, avoiding Butorin's attempts to control the action.
Wallace is trying to escape the mount.
Butorin with shots to the head and body - Wallace looks very uncomfortable down there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wallace has given up his back here.
Wallace tries to escape but Butorin has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Wallace wants to control his opponent's hands but Butorin gets his hands free.
Wallace trying to get back to his feet but Butorin is in full control for now.
Butorin wants to control but Wallace is keeping busy.
Wallace tries to escape but Butorin has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Wallace is working hard here to advance position.
Butorin tries to get the hooks in deep but Wallace pushed the leg off.
Wallace is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Wallace is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Butorin dominated that round.
That's time! Wallace's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Butorin throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Butorin gets the takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Wallace's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Wallace is looking for a sweep.
Wallace wants to control but Butorin postures up.
Wallace pushes Butorin away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Butorin gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Butorin tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Wallace tries to bench press Butorin off him but Butorin keeps the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Butorin throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

Butorin is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Wallace knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Butorin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Wallace keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Butorin has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

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

Wallace gets control of Butorin's arms and successfully pulls guard. Wallace will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Wallace pulls Butorin in close to prevent any damage.
Butorin connects with a couple of short punches.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wallace pulls Butorin in to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Butorin trying to control the position from guard on top but Wallace is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Wallace is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Butorin stopping the sweep attempt from Wallace.
Wallace bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Butorin's guard.

Wallace lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Butorin has his foot on Wallace's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Wallace works his way back into a safe position though.
Butorin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Wallace decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Butorin, up you get!
Wallace throws a lazy head kick
and Wallace takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Butorin closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Wallace did well to prevent Butorin getting side control.

Wallace manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Butorin keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Butorin is breathing heavily.
Butorin wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
The referee calls for Wallace to work.
Butorin lands a nice knee to the body.

Wallace manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Wallace seems keen to control Butorin's posture.
Wallace is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Butorin is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Butorin prevents Wallace from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Butorin decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

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

Butorin gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Wallace regains guard.

Wallace has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Butorin off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Wallace shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Wallace sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Butorin defending well though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Van Wallace will probably get the nod.
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!

Butorin has taken the fight to the clinch.
Wallace trying to land knees to the body.
Butorin makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Wallace ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Wallace no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Butorin wants to control from the top but Wallace keeps moving.
Butorin won't allow Wallace to sweep him here.
Butorin must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Butorin lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Butorin stopping the sweep attempt from Wallace.
Butorin stops Wallace from standing up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Butorin gets to his feet. Wallace looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Wallace is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Ivan Butorin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Butorin looking to score a takedown here. Wallace is defending well but Butorin drives through and ends up in Wallace's guard.

Wallace manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Wallace is rocked!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oh Wallace is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Butorin shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Butorin prevents Wallace from improving his position.
Butorin moves nicely into side control.
Wallace tries to improve position but can't.
Butorin happy to just control the position for now.

Butorin thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Wallace is not content to let Butorin control the position.
Wallace tries to bench press Butorin off him but Butorin keeps the position.
Wallace is trying to control Butorin's posture but Butorin avoids it.
Butorin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Wallace keeps working.
Wallace taking punishment in the form of punches.
Wallace is looking to reverse the position.

Butorin stands up.
Butorin lands with a nice combination. Wallace backs away looking to recover.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Butorin throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Wallace throws a leg kick but Butorin sees it coming and moves out of range.
Butorin throws a counter combo.

Butorin drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Butorin stands up.

Butorin darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Butorin content to control rather than advance.

Wallace manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Butorin keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

Butorin works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Butorin circles away from the clinch attempt
and Butorin counters with a three punch combo that has Wallace backing up. Wallace nods at Butorin to acknowledge the strikes.

Butorin moves into the clinch successfully.

Butorin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Butorin connects with a solid leg kick.
Butorin lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Butorin.

Butorin gets a double leg takedown into Wallace's guard.
Wallace pulls Butorin in close to his closed guard and prevents Butorin from doing any damage or advancing position.
Butorin is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Butorin is in close to Wallace's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Butorin trying to control but Wallace is working from the bottom.
Butorin throws a big right hand that misses.
Butorin lands a couple of digs.
Ivan Butorin has got the better of the ground game so far.
Butorin trying to control but Wallace is working from the bottom.
Wallace working a defensive guard here.

Butorin gets to his feet. Wallace looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Butorin closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Wallace bucks up and tries to throw Butorin off but instead Butorin has got his back!
Butorin keeps control of the position easily here as Wallace tries to buck him off.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Butorin's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Wallace trying to control the hands but Butorin won't let him.
I really don't envy Wallace right now.
Butorin is riding his opponent, not letting Wallace buck him off.
Wallace trying to control the hands but Butorin won't let him.
Butorin has good solid back control here.

Butorin patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Butorin trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

Butorin patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Butorin controlling well, preventing Wallace from escaping the position.
Wallace seems to have got his legs back now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wallace is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Wallace is keeping busy.

Wallace is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Wallace manages to reverse the position and now he's in Butorin's guard. Nice work there by Wallace.
Butorin wants to sweep here but Wallace controlling him for the moment.

Butorin escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Wallace gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Butorin is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Butorin wants to stand but Wallace is controlling the position.
Wallace has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Butorin is proving hard to escape from.
Wallace's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Wallace stands and steps away. Butorin gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Butorin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Butorin 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Butorin!