PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Ellesworth (ranked 6241 p4p, 690 weight class) and Semen Dolgov (ranked 2969 p4p, 408 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Ellesworth
vs
Dolgov

185 cm
28
215 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

193 cm
29
203 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Dangerous GnP
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Ellesworth!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Semen Dolgov!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Russell Pearce and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dolgov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ellesworth stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Ellesworth looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Dolgov misses with a takedown attempt
and Ellesworth counters with a good, hard body kick but Dolgov shrugs it off.
Ellesworth looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
An inside leg kick lands from Ellesworth.
Dolgov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Ellesworth counters with a thumping low kick.
Dolgov throws a sloppy head kick
and Ellesworth counters with an inside leg kick.
Dolgov misses with a left hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Dolgov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Ellesworth counters with a good low kick that Dolgov was not able to check.
Ellesworth steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Dolgov.
Ellesworth throws a chopping leg kick but Dolgov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Dolgov with the counter takedown but Ellesworth avoids it easily.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Ellesworth, right into the meat.
Dolgov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A big left from Dolgov misses.
Ellesworth keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Dolgov.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A bone on bone clash there as Dolgov blocks the leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dolgov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ellesworth doesn't seem bothered though.
Semen Dolgov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ellesworth tries to clinch up.
Dolgov looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Ellesworth's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Dolgov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Ellesworth scrambles back to his feet.
Ellesworth keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Dolgov misses with a hook. Ellesworth ducked under it nicely.
Dolgov scores with a nice right hand.
Dolgov darts in trying to clinch
and Ellesworth counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
James Ellesworth is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Dolgov keeps the fight on the outside.
Dolgov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Dolgov scores with a punch to the head.
Dolgov throws a leg kick
and Ellesworth counters with a slapping leg kick.
Ellesworth uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Dolgov has time to react.
Ellesworth takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ellesworth misses with a wild body shot.
Ellesworth misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dolgov lands a jab to the nose.
Dolgov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ellesworth.
Dolgov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Ellesworth checks a leg kick.
Dolgov throws a right hand that Ellesworth ducks under and follows up with a left that Ellesworth also avoids with ease.
Ellesworth scores with a punch to the head.
Dolgov looks to land a left hand but Ellesworth moved out of range nicely.
A head kick from Ellesworth lands but Dolgov takes it in his stride.
Dolgov fails to land the takedown.
James Ellesworth has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Semen Dolgov.
Ellesworth cracks the inside of Dolgov's front leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ellesworth takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ellesworth half committed to a counter leg kick.
Dolgov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Ellesworth counters with an inside leg kick.
Dolgov throws a lazy right hand but Ellesworth sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Dolgov misses with a hook.
Dolgov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ellesworth throws a jab but it's blocked by Dolgov.
Dolgov misses with a double jab.
Dolgov misses with a two punch combination.
Ellesworth lands a high kick!
Ellesworth feints and then cracks Dolgov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Dolgov down.

Ellesworth has Dolgov up against the cage in a clinch.
Ellesworth gets underhooks to prevent Dolgov's takedown attempt.
Dolgov tries to pull guard but Ellesworth holds him up against the cage and eventually Dolgov drops back down to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ellesworth scores a nice knee to the body.
Dolgov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ellesworth fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ellesworth throws a leg kick which misses Dolgov's front leg but catches the back leg as Dolgov tries to avoid it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dolgov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
enabling Ellesworth to counter with a crisp jab.
Dolgov tries for a takedown but Ellesworth circles away easily
and Ellesworth counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Dolgov looks winded!
Nice cross by Ellesworth.
Dolgov throws an off balance right hand
and Ellesworth counters with an inside leg kick.
Ellesworth lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Dolgov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ellesworth pinned against the cage. Ellesworth gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ellesworth tried to counter with a leg kick but Dolgov avoided it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Ellesworth dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ellesworth throws a nice outside leg kick.
Dolgov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ellesworth sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Dolgov somewhat.
Ellesworth is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Dolgov can do to turn this around?
Ellesworth blocks a leg kick.
Dolgov throws a nice looking combination but Ellesworth bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
An attempted straight right counter from Ellesworth misses the target.
Dolgov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
That kick from Ellesworth tenderised Dolgov's leg. Dolgov is trying to keep his angry face on.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dolgov lands a head shot.
Dolgov misses with a low kick.
Ellesworth checks a low kick from Dolgov.
Dolgov throws a series of punches but Ellesworth moves out of range.
Ellesworth keeps the fight on the outside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ellesworth slips a jab from Dolgov.
Ellesworth is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Dolgov misses with an uppercut. Ellesworth saw that one coming.
Ellesworth chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Dolgov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Ellesworth is looking to slow Dolgov down with leg kicks.
Dolgov throws a left and a right that both miss
and Ellesworth counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Dolgov throws a right and a left that Ellesworth avoids nicely.

Ellesworth takes the fight into the clinch.
Dolgov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The referee calls for Ellesworth to work.
Ellesworth prevents the takedown attempt.
Dolgov is looking for a takedown.
James Ellesworth has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Semen Dolgov.
Ellesworth gets underhooks to prevent Dolgov's takedown attempt.
Dolgov tries to score a body lock takedown but Ellesworth shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Dolgov is breathing heavily.
Dolgov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ellesworth fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Semen Dolgov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ellesworth tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
James Ellesworth is winning the standup battle so far.
Ellesworth is looking to slow Dolgov down with leg kicks.
Dolgov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ellesworth can pounce on him.
Dolgov misses with a body kick.
Ellesworth dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Dolgov. That did some damage!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dolgov tries a head kick but it misses.
Dolgov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Dolgov swats away the attempt to clinch by Ellesworth.
Ellesworth showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Dolgov.
Dolgov has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ellesworth.
Dolgov shoots in for a double leg but Ellesworth sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dolgov misses with a hook
and Ellesworth counters with an outside leg kick.

Ellesworth has Dolgov up against the cage in a clinch.
Ellesworth landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Dolgov is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ellesworth gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Ellesworth prevents the takedown attempt.
Ellesworth lands a good knee to the midsection. Dolgov won't want to take too many of those.
Ellesworth landing some nice looking knees to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ellesworth creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Ellesworth landing knees to the body.
Ellesworth with a knee to the head.
Ellesworth scores with a hook to the body.
Ellesworth lands a left hand that snaps the head of Dolgov backwards.
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!
Ellesworth landing knees to the body.
Ellesworth displaying some good clinch control by pressing Dolgov up against the cage.
Ellesworth makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ellesworth landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Ellesworth obliges.
Knees to the body from Ellesworth.
Ellesworth pushes Dolgov back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Dolgov takes a shot to the head.
Ellesworth lands a left hand that snaps the head of Dolgov backwards.
Dolgov tries for a takedown but Ellesworth manages to get underhooks.
Still in the clinch, Ellesworth scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ellesworth working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Ellesworth unloads a knee to the mid-section. Dolgov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Ellesworth crunches a lovely knee into Dolgov's ribcage.
A short right from Ellesworth on the inside.
Ellesworth presses Dolgov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Ellesworth utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
A short uppercut from Ellesworth.
Ellesworth lands a left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Ellesworth dominated that second round.
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!

Nice body kick from Ellesworth.
Ellesworth lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Dolgov throws the kick towards the body but Ellesworth avoids it.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Dolgov.
Dolgov controls the position.
Dolgov creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Ellesworth tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Dolgov passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Ellesworth!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ellesworth tries to hold on but Dolgov pushes him away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Dolgov looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Dolgov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ellesworth keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dolgov sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Dolgov controlling from the full mount.
Dolgov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Ellesworth is looking to escape.
Dolgov postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Ellesworth looks a forlorn figure.
Dolgov putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

Dolgov working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
James Ellesworth is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dolgov with shots to the head and body - Ellesworth looks very uncomfortable down there.
Dolgov landing strikes from the mount.
Dolgov looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Dolgov landing strikes, looking to finish!
Dolgov trying to control but Ellesworth is having none of it.
Ellesworth is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Dolgov looking to ground and pound but Ellesworth is blocking nicely.
Semen Dolgov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dolgov scoring with strikes but Ellesworth is staying in there.
Dolgov landing strikes from the mount.
Dolgov scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Ellesworth?
Semen Dolgov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ellesworth is in all sorts of trouble here.
Dolgov working the ground and pound effectively.
Ellesworth tries to reverse the position but Dolgov maintains control.
Ellesworth is in a horrible position here. Dolgov smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

Dolgov jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Ellesworth is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Ellesworth and Dolgov has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Dolgov working the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ellesworth taking a bit of punishment here - Dolgov scoring with strikes.
Dolgov looks up at the clock and then as Ellesworth takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Dolgov smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Ellesworth tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Dolgov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ellesworth keeps working.
Dolgov working the head with strikes.
Dolgov sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Ellesworth is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Dolgov trying to control the action but Ellesworth is working from the bottom.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dolgov scores with a couple of short elbows.

And that's the end of the fight!
Semen Dolgov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ellesworth 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Ellesworth!