PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Hollis Ferguson (ranked 25907 p4p, 0 weight class) and Victor Stroev (ranked 6103 p4p, 0 weight class). Hollis Ferguson has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Ferguson
vs
Stroev

217 cm
18
161 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

175 cm
24
156 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good wrestler
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Hollis Ferguson!
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, Victor Stroev!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Vladimir Khabensky and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Stroev.
Ferguson tries to buck Stroev off but Stroev is having none of it.
Stroev working the ground and pound from side control.
Ferguson manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Ferguson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Stroev defends it well.
Still in half guard, Ferguson seems content to control.

Stroev looking for submissions off his back.
Ferguson tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Stroev.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stroev wants to get back to full guard but Ferguson has mounted him!
Stroev is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Stroev reaches up to try and control the position but Ferguson seems to have an arm triangle now! Uh oh! Stroev rolls and tries to escape and now Ferguson has his back!
Stroev manages to reverse the position and now he's in Ferguson's guard. Nice work there by Stroev.
Ferguson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Ferguson looking to control.
Stroev postures up in Ferguson's guard and throws a big left but Ferguson blocks it.
Stroev must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stroev drops back, looking for a kneebar! Ferguson looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Ferguson looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Ferguson!

Stroev tries to buck Ferguson off but Ferguson is having none of it.
Stroev tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Ferguson easily slips into full mount!
Stroev is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Stroev is desperately trying to improve his position but Ferguson has a good base and remains in mount.
Stroev is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Stroev looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stroev wants to control his opponent's hands but Ferguson gets his hands free.
Stroev tries to escape the position.

Stroev defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Ferguson's arms.
Stroev is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ferguson is not going to allow Stroev to sit and survive in this position.

Ferguson looking to break Stroev's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Stroev remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Ferguson will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Ferguson gets his hands free as Stroev looks to control.
Stroev manages to reverse the position and now he's in Ferguson's guard. Nice work there by Stroev.
Stroev wants to get up but he can't break Ferguson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ferguson tries to strike from the bottom.
Stroev wants to pass the guard but Ferguson is keeping the position.
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 Hollis Ferguson 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.

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

Ferguson has his foot on Stroev's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stroev works his way back into a safe position though.

Ferguson has his foot on Stroev's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stroev works his way back into a safe position though.
Stroev trying to move into half guard but instead Ferguson has managed to sweep!

Stroev is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stroev is looking to stand up but Ferguson isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stroev wants to sweep here but Ferguson controlling him for the moment.
Stroev pulls Ferguson in close to his closed guard and prevents Ferguson from doing any damage or advancing position.
Stroev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ferguson is one step ahead there.
Stroev pulls Ferguson in close to prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Stroev is continuing to stall.
Ferguson has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Stroev is proving hard to escape from.

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

Stroev shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Ferguson is trying to defend but Stroev finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Still in half guard, Stroev seems content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stroev blocks the strikes from Ferguson.
Ferguson trying to control here.
Stroev sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Stroev wants to stand but his hand is trapped. Ferguson uses the opportunity to regain full guard.

Stroev postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Ferguson is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Stroev, into his guard.

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.
Stroev has his hands on Ferguson's head, controlling the position.

Stroev looking for a guillotine here but Ferguson defends easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ferguson throwing strikes from guard but Stroev blocks nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Victor Stroev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Stroev moves into range and clinches up with Ferguson.

Stroev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ferguson with a lazy takedown attempt
and Stroev connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Ferguson is rocked!

It looks like Hollis Ferguson has been cut.
Stroev with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Oh Ferguson is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Stroev shoots in and bounces Ferguson off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Stroev is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Stroev postures up from his opponent's guard, before exploding into some vicious ground and pound! Ferguson covers up, he's hurt! Stroev keeps throwing the strikes, glancing at the referee... Will he stop it?? One more big shot from Stroev and the ref steps in to end the fight! Stroev can't hide his delight as he celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Victor Stroev!