PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Wasilij Raskolnikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rocco Robinson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Raskolnikov comes to the cage accompanied by Pharaoh - ИДОЛ. Rocco Robinson is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Raskolnikov
vs
Robinson

166 cm
20
142 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

161 cm
22
148 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

Venom Combat Sports
Sully's Bar & Grill

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Wasilij Raskolnikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rocco Robinson !
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Ren Mimura and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Raskolnikov closes the distance and clinches.
Robinson can't break the clinch.
Robinson has Raskolnikov pressed against the cage, preventing Raskolnikov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Knees in the clinch landing for Robinson .
Raskolnikov tries to pull guard but Robinson forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Robinson lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Raskolnikov wants to get back to his feet.

Robinson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Raskolnikov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Robinson .

Robinson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Robinson is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Robinson throwing shots but Raskolnikov is blocking nicely.
Raskolnikov is trying to stand up here but Robinson is controlling him well.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Raskolnikov has closed the distance and engaged Robinson in a clinch.
Raskolnikov is trying to stall.
Raskolnikov tries to circle away but Robinson has him pinned against the cage.
Raskolnikov working hard to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Robinson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Raskolnikov is defending well for now.
Robinson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Raskolnikov is defending well for now.
Robinson misses with a knee strike.
Raskolnikov lands a knee to the head.

Robinson has Raskolnikov pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Robinson pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Raskolnikov tumbling to the mat - Robinson dives into Raskolnikov's guard.
Robinson looks winded!
Raskolnikov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Robinson is controlling him.
Robinson slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Robinson should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Raskolnikov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Robinson is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Robinson slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Robinson drops back looking for a leg! Raskolnikov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Raskolnikov manages to kick Robinson off! Robinson jumps back into Raskolnikov's guard.
Raskolnikov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Robinson on the ground.
Robinson is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

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

That's four 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.
The fight stays on the outside here - Raskolnikov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Raskolnikov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Raskolnikov is looking to clinch but Robinson is avoiding it.

Raskolnikov has managed to clinch.

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

Robinson clinches.
Robinson is trying to break free.
Robinson wants a takedown.
Robinson lands a right hand.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Raskolnikov tries to pull guard but Robinson won't allow it.
Raskolnikov with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Robinson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Raskolnikov backwards.
Raskolnikov tries a knee to the head but Robinson blocks it.
Raskolnikov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rocco Robinson will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Robinson has closed the distance and engaged Raskolnikov in a clinch.
Robinson utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Raskolnikov misses with an elbow strike.
Raskolnikov tries a knee to the head but Robinson blocks it.
Robinson lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Raskolnikov backwards.
Raskolnikov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Raskolnikov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Robinson smiles and moves away.
Raskolnikov throws a sloppy head kick

and Robinson counters by clinching up.
Robinson scores a nice knee to the body.

Robinson gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Robinson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Robinson passes Raskolnikov's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Robinson is breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Robinson sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Robinson passes to side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Robinson misses with the ground and pound.
Raskolnikov managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Robinson .
You can see the frustration on Raskolnikov's face as Robinson controls the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Raskolnikov dodges the ground and pound from Robinson .
Raskolnikov pushes Robinson away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Robinson gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Raskolnikov is being controlled here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Raskolnikov tries to clinch but Robinson moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Raskolnikov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Robinson unleashes a big counter combination but Raskolnikov bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

Robinson closes the distance and clinches.
Robinson controlling the action here for a moment.
Raskolnikov scores with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raskolnikov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Raskolnikov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Raskolnikov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Raskolnikov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Robinson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Raskolnikov misses with a knee to the head.
Robinson wants a takedown but no success here.
Robinson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Raskolnikov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Knees to the body from Robinson .
Robinson misses with some punches.
Raskolnikov tries a knee to the head but Robinson blocks it.
Raskolnikov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Robinson walks away with a smile on his face. Raskolnikov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Robinson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Raskolnikov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Robinson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The fight stays on the outside here - Raskolnikov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raskolnikov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Robinson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Robinson tries to counter with a clinch but Raskolnikov shakes him off and moves away.
Robinson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Raskolnikov tries to clinch up.

Robinson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Still in the clinch, Robinson scores with a nice short uppercut.
Raskolnikov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Robinson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wasilij Raskolnikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Robinson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Raskolnikov, pushing him back against the cage.
Raskolnikov tries a knee to the head but Robinson blocks it.
Raskolnikov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Raskolnikov misses with a knee to the head.
Raskolnikov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Robinson gets control of Raskolnikov's arms and successfully pulls guard. Robinson will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Robinson trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rocco Robinson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

A head kick from Robinson lands but Raskolnikov takes it in his stride.

Robinson moves into the clinch.
Robinson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Raskolnikov tries a knee to the head but Robinson blocks it.
Robinson lands a left hand.
Robinson is trying to break the clinch but Raskolnikov is controlling him.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Raskolnikov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Robinson blocks it with crossed arms.

Robinson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Raskolnikov misses with a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Raskolnikov gets tackled into the cage by Robinson . Robinson maintains the clinch.
Raskolnikov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Raskolnikov throws an elbow but misses.
Nice elbow from Robinson .
Robinson tries to break the clinch but Raskolnikov is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raskolnikov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Robinson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Raskolnikov avoids it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Raskolnikov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Raskolnikov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Robinson gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Robinson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Raskolnikov is trying to stand up here but Robinson is controlling him well.
Robinson working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Robinson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Robinson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Robinson with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Raskolnikov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Raskolnikov wants to clinch up but Robinson keeps it at a distance.

Raskolnikov tries to sprawl but Robinson drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Raskolnikov wants to stand back up but Robinson manages to pass into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Raskolnikov is trying to get back to his feet.
Robinson sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Raskolnikov is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Robinson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Robinson in side control, just content to control the action for now.

Robinson tries for a kimura but Raskolnikov is defending well.

Robinson decides to stand up, so the ref orders Raskolnikov to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Raskolnikov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Robinson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Robinson keeps the fight on the outside.
Robinson wants to counter with a clinch but Raskolnikov pushes him away.
Raskolnikov throws a sloppy head kick

and Robinson moves into the clinch.
Robinson landing knees to the body.
Raskolnikov looking to throw knees to the head but Robinson is blocking nicely.
Robinson stalls.
Robinson is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Robinson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Robinson lands a knee to the body.
Wasilij Raskolnikov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Raskolnikov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Robinson makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Robinson content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Raskolnikov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rocco Robinson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Raskolnikov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rocco Robinson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Robinson 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rocco Robinson !
In his post fight interview, Rocco Robinson started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.