PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Valentin Gorlanov (ranked 8455 p4p, 0 weight class) and Big Ham (ranked 7334 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gorlanov
vs
Ham

195 cm
25
250 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

195 cm
24
248 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Valentin Gorlanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Big Ham!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, George Francis and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ham drives through and clinches with Gorlanov against the cage.
Gorlanov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ham gets underhooks to prevent Gorlanov's takedown attempt.
Ham tries to score a body lock takedown but Gorlanov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Ham is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Gorlanov is defending well.
Ham tries for a takedown. No joy.
Valentin Gorlanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Big Ham.
Gorlanov tries for a takedown but Ham manages to get underhooks.

Gorlanov tightens his grip and picks Ham up, before dumping him to the ground. Ham manages to land in guard.
Gorlanov is breathing heavily.
Ham wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Gorlanov sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Gorlanov trying to control the position from guard on top but Ham is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ham is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Gorlanov is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gorlanov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Ham tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Gorlanov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Gorlanov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Ham holds on and takes a little breather.
Gorlanov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Ham throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Gorlanov's waist but Gorlanov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ham off to one side.

Ham closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Gorlanov stops a takedown attempt from Ham.
Ham is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Gorlanov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ham wants a takedown.

Ham has clasped his hands together around Gorlanov's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gorlanov manages to get back to half guard.
Gorlanov moves into full guard.
Gorlanov seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

Gorlanov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ham defends it easily.

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

Gorlanov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ham can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Ham trying to control the position from guard on top but Gorlanov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Gorlanov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ham lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ham pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gorlanov is keeping the position for now.

Gorlanov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Gorlanov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ham is aware though and is defending well.
Ham makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Gorlanov is looking for a triangle but Ham pushes his legs off easily.

Ham got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gorlanov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ham has managed to get both his arms back between Gorlanov's legs - danger averted.
Ham working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Gorlanov's head.
Ham landing some decent shots from guard.

Gorlanov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ham is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ham lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Ham scoring with some ground and pound.
Gorlanov keeping moving, preventing Ham from controlling successfully.
Ham wants to pass the guard but Gorlanov is keeping the position.

Gorlanov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ham gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
We've been informed that Ham has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ham is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Ham got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gorlanov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ham has managed to get both his arms back between Gorlanov's legs - danger averted.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valentin Gorlanov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Gorlanov gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Ham to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Ham trying to control the position from guard on top but Gorlanov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Gorlanov looking for a guillotine here but Ham defends easily.

Gorlanov looking for subs off his back but Ham has passed one foot through into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gorlanov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Ham scores with a couple of nice shots.

Gorlanov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ham looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ham working Gorlanov over with strikes.
Ham wants to free his trapped foot but Gorlanov is holding on for dear life with his legs.
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. Ham connects with a nice short shot to Gorlanov's temple.
Gorlanov is refusing to be controlled, as Ham sits in half guard.

Gorlanov actively working from the bottom here.
Valentin Gorlanov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ham lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Gorlanov tries to get to full guard but Ham has control of the leg.

Gorlanov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ham wants to pass the guard but Gorlanov is defending well.
Ham looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Gorlanov with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Gorlanov actively working from the bottom here.
Well, if Ham is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Ham lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Ham is pressing down on Gorlanov's thigh, looking to free his foot. Gorlanov is holding on for now.
Ham is looking to take a break and control but Gorlanov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ham trying to pass the guard but Gorlanov defending well.
Ham working the head and body with strikes.

Gorlanov has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Ham escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Ham!
Ham lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Gorlanov down.
Gorlanov is looking to reverse the position.
Ham advances to full mount.
Ham unloading with bombs!
Ham cracks Gorlanov with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Gorlanov is looking to get to half guard.
Ham lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ham with shots to the head and body - Gorlanov looks very uncomfortable down there.
Gorlanov is trying to escape the mount.
Ham trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Ham landing strikes, looking to finish!
Ham can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Gorlanov is looking to escape.
Gorlanov really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Gorlanov is working hard here to advance position.

Ham is working for a guillotine from mount but Gorlanov frees his head quite easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Big Ham showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Gorlanov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. 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.

Ham moves into range and clinches up with Gorlanov.

Ham gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Gorlanov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Ham scores with a couple of nice shots.

Gorlanov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ham prevents Gorlanov from improving his position.
Ham has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ham landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ham is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Gorlanov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ham pulls his head out easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ham is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Ham is working for a submission of some sort.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gorlanov actively working from the bottom here.
Ground and pound from Ham.

Gorlanov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Gorlanov looking for submissions off his back.
Ham scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Ham wants to lay and pray for a moment but Gorlanov keeps working.

Gorlanov actively working from the bottom here.

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.
Ham seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Gorlanov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Ham scores with a couple of nice shots.
Ham trying to control the action but Gorlanov is working from the bottom.

Gorlanov looking for submissions off his back.
Ham is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Gorlanov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ham content to control rather than advance.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Gorlanov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ham pulls his head out easily.

Gorlanov actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Ham there.
Gorlanov works his way to full guard. Good work.

Gorlanov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ham defends it easily.

Ham drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ham jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Ham trying to control but Gorlanov is working from the bottom.
Ham postures up in Gorlanov's guard and throws a big left but Gorlanov blocks it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Gorlanov closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Ham's guard.
Gorlanov wants to control from the top but Ham keeps moving.
Gorlanov stopping the sweep attempt from Ham.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ham controls Gorlanov momentarily but Gorlanov frees himself.
Gorlanov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Gorlanov trying to control the position from guard on top but Ham is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Big Ham comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ham has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Big Ham!