PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Xavier Teslenko (ranked 8193 p4p, 633 weight class) and Brodus Crews (ranked 7799 p4p, 626 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Teslenko
vs
Crews

179 cm
25
179 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

186 cm
16
178 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Xavier Teslenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Brodus Crews!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Dmitry Maklakov and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Crews scores with a crisp jab that stopped Teslenko in his tracks.
Crews connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Teslenko shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Teslenko showed some decent athleticism there.
Teslenko is looking to advance position but Crews won't allow it.
Crews trying to control from the bottom.
Crews wants to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Teslenko wants to pass to mount but Crews is defending the position.
Teslenko thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Teslenko is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Crews is just riding it out for now. Teslenko eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crews is looking for a sweep. Teslenko is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Teslenko stands up out of the half guard.
Crews misses with the combination.
Crews feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Teslenkos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Teslenko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Crews.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crews has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

It looks like Brodus Crews has been cut.
Teslenko with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Crews to score with a decent uppercut.

Teslenko looking to score a takedown here. Crews is defending well but Teslenko drives through and ends up in Crews's guard.
Crews trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Crews 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.
Teslenko slips nicely into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Teslenko is controlling the pace.

Teslenko is looking for a kimura but Crews is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Teslenko to get the leverage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Teslenko missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Teslenko is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Teslenko is looking to take a break and control but Crews is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Crews trying to control from the bottom.

Teslenko is looking for a kimura here.

That's four 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.
Teslenko drops an elbow to the side of Crews's head.
Teslenko thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Crews is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Teslenko's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Teslenko's back!
Teslenko is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
It looks like Crews might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Teslenko turns into Crews and is now in his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Teslenko dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Brodus Crews's cut.
That's time! Teslenko's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Teslenko gets the takedown into side control.

Teslenko thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Teslenko is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Crews is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Teslenko taking a breather here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Teslenko wants to control but Crews is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Teslenko decides to stand back up. Teslenko steps back and let's Crews get back to his feet.
Crews with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Crews has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Brodus Crews seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Teslenko takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Crews jabs Teslenko to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Crews throws an off balance right hand
and Teslenko counters with a three punch combo that has Crews backing up. Crews nods at Teslenko to acknowledge the strikes.
Teslenko shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Crews lunges at Teslenko with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Teslenko's hand.
Teslenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Crews manages to avoid it.
Teslenko takes a jab right on the kisser.

Teslenko shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Teslenko is trying to work for a kimura but Crews is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crews wants to get back to his feet.
Teslenko landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Crews won't allow Teslenko to pass to mount.
Crews really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Teslenko. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Teslenko stands up out of the half guard.
Nice sprawl there from Teslenko as Crews shoots in.
Crews loads up on a big right hand but Teslenko slips the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Teslenko shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Crews is trying to defend but Teslenko finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Crews taking some punishment here, with Teslenko in his half guard.
Crews blocking the ground and pound attempt from Teslenko.

Teslenko stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Teslenko is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Crews.

Teslenko shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Crews is trying to defend but Teslenko finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Crews kicks Teslenko off and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Brodus Crews seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Good leg kick by Teslenko there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Teslenko goes for a double leg but Crews avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Crews continues to drive forward.
Teslenko avoids a punch combination nicely.
Crews feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Teslenkos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Crews lands a nice shot that snaps Teslenko's head back.

Teslenko shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Crews tries to kick Teslenko off in order to stand up. Teslenko Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Brodus Crews will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Brodus Crews's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Crews fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Teslenko manages to avoid it.
Crews connects with a body shot.
Teslenko looks to clinch
and Crews counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Teslenko scores with a head kick.
Crews scores with a hook to the body. Teslenko takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Crews has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

Teslenko moves into the clinch successfully.

Teslenko has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Crews uses from the top position.
Crews stops Teslenko from standing up.
Crews trying to control but Teslenko is working from the bottom.
Xavier Teslenko overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Crews looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Teslenko is trying to control the position but Crews postures up.

Teslenko working for a triangle but Crews defends it easily.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Crews postures up.

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

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.
Teslenko dives in for a single leg takedown but Crews sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Teslenko misses with a hook to the body
and Crews counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Crews scores with a punch to the head.
Teslenko misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
The crowd cheers as Crews lands an impressive looking overhand right. Teslenko doesn't seem phased though.
Teslenko goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Crews tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Teslenko manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Jab, jab by Crews - just one landing.
A cross from Crews lands.
Crews dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Teslenko is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Crews.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Teslenko slips a straight right by Crews.
Teslenko walks into a jab.
Teslenko shoots for a takedown but Crews saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Xavier Teslenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Crews lands with a nice body punch.
Crews takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Teslenko takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
The fighters circle momentarily. Crews darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Teslenko takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Teslenko avoids the body shot from Crews.
Teslenko went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Crews bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Teslenko's head backwards.

Teslenko clinches up against the cage.

Teslenko gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Crews has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Teslenko is on him like a limpet, forcing Crews back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Teslenko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Crews connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Teslenko moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

Teslenko shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Crews trying to control here.
Crews wants to get back to full guard.
Crews is not content to let Teslenko control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brodus Crews comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Crews 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brodus Crews!
A victorious Brodus Crews thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.