PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Danilo Pichardo (ranked 22093 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yury Konstantin (ranked 25069 p4p, 0 weight class). Pichardo comes to the cage accompanied by "Dueño De La Conec" by Jhon Gotty. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Pichardo
vs
Konstantin

173 cm
25
190 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

190 cm
22
184 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Danilo Pichardo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Yury Konstantin!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Sergei Dronov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pichardo throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Sloppy strikes from Konstantin. Those never looked like landing.
Pichardo pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Pichardo closes the distance and clinches.
Konstantin is pressed up against the cage. Pichardo has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Konstantin down to the mat. Konstantin avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Pichardo takes the fight into the clinch.

Konstantin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Konstantin looks to land a combination but Pichardo avoids it well.
Horrible takedown attempt by Konstantin or perhaps it was just good defense by Pichardo, which made it look bad.
As Konstantin tries to get set, Pichardo tries to push him back and clinch up but Konstantin manages to avoid the attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Pichardo has managed to clinch.
Pichardo wants to get back to striking at distance but Konstantin won't allow it.
Pichardo working hard to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pichardo is trying to break free.
Konstantin drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Pichardo gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Konstantin ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Konstantin no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Konstantin is working an open guard so Pichardo takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Yury Konstantin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Konstantin has closed the distance and engaged Pichardo in a clinch.
Pichardo drops down looking for an ankle pick but Konstantin pulls his leg out and moves away.
Konstantin displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Pichardo.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Danilo Pichardo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Konstantin closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pichardo is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Pichardo's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Pichardo is trying to pull guard but Konstantin turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Konstantin is looking to take this one to the mat.
Konstantin drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Pichardo gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Pichardo tries to break free but Konstantin pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pichardo jumps into guard, dragging Konstantin to the mat.

Pichardo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Pichardo is adopting a defensive guard.
Konstantin preventing the sweep.
Konstantin not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Konstantin trying to control but Pichardo is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Pichardo controlling Konstantin's posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Konstantin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Konstantin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Konstantin trying to stand up but can't free himself from Pichardo's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Konstantin looking to pass the guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Konstantin trying to control but Pichardo is working from the bottom.
Pichardo manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Konstantin manages to get himself to full guard.

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

That was a close round but I would say that Danilo Pichardo will probably get the nod.
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.

Konstantin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Konstantin tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Pichardo manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Pichardo drops down looking for a counter takedown but Konstantin sprawls and moves away.

Konstantin moves into range and clinches up with Pichardo.
Konstantin creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Konstantin wants a takedown.
Pichardo changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Konstantin fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Pichardo looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Pichardo throws a head kick that misses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Konstantin is defended easily by Pichardo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Konstantin tries to clinch but Pichardo moves out of range.
As Konstantin tries to get set, Pichardo tries to push him back and clinch up but Konstantin manages to avoid the attempt.

Konstantin gets a clinch.
Pichardo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Pichardo throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Konstantins head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Konstantin is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Pichardo is defending well.
Danilo Pichardo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yury Konstantin.

Pichardo gets control of Konstantin's arms and successfully pulls guard. Pichardo will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Pichardo wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Pichardo is trying to keep Konstantin in close.
Pichardo keeping moving, preventing Konstantin from controlling successfully.

Pichardo had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Konstantin defends it easily.
Pichardo is trying to control the position but Konstantin postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Pichardo 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.
Konstantin throws a strike but Pichardo rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Konstantin is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Pichardo defends well.
Pichardo trying to control but Konstantin is working from the bottom.

Konstantin looking for a guillotine here but Pichardo defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Konstantin working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Pichardo doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Pichardo manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Konstantin has his foot on Pichardo's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Pichardo works his way back into a safe position though.
Pichardo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Pichardo is looking to work some ground and pound but Konstantin has wrist control.

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.
Pichardo stops Konstantin from standing up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Pichardo shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Konstantin defends it nicely.
Konstantin shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Pichardo sprawls well. Pichardo wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Konstantin gets slowly back to his feet.
Konstantin is breathing heavily.
Pichardo misses with a body kick.
Pichardo has a takedown stuffed.
Pichardo shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Konstantin gets tackled into the cage by Pichardo. Pichardo maintains the clinch.
Pichardo wants a takedown.
Pichardo can't get the takedown.
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 Danilo Pichardo will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Konstantin throws a nice looking combination but Pichardo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Pichardo is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Konstantin.
Konstantin is looking to land body kicks.
Konstantin shoots in for a takedown but Pichardo shows good takedown defense.
Pichardo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nice takedown defense from Konstantin. No joy for Pichardo on that attempt.
Pichardo shoots in looking for a takedown. Konstantin tries to sprawl out of it but Pichardo keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Konstantin manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Konstantin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Konstantin fails with the takedown

and Pichardo moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pichardo slowing the pace effectively.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pichardo tries for a takedown but Konstantin manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Danilo Pichardo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Konstantin stalling against the cage.
Pichardo is trying to drag Konstantin to the mat but Konstantin just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Pichardo has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Konstantin is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Pichardo has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Konstantin uses from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Konstantin trying to control the position from guard on top but Pichardo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Konstantin must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Konstantin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Pichardo swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Pichardo controlling the position.
Pichardo wants to control the position but Konstantin says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

Konstantin seems to be looking for submissions.
Konstantin prevents Pichardo from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pichardo trying to control but Konstantin postures up.
Pichardo is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Pichardo trying to control from the bottom.
Pichardo is staying active underneath Konstantin, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Konstantin connects with a nice short shot to Pichardo's temple.
Pichardo is trying is best to control the position here.

Konstantin is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Pichardo sees it coming and defends easily.
Pichardo is looking to escape.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Danilo Pichardo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's four 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.

Konstantin has taken the fight to the clinch.

Konstantin is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Pichardo can't fight it off and eventually Konstantin manages to take the fight to the floor. Pichardo looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Pichardo looking to hit a scissor sweep but Konstantin is one step ahead there.

Konstantin avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Yury Konstantin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Pichardo thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Yury Konstantin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Pichardo 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Danilo Pichardo!
Danilo Pichardo was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.