PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brandon Boucher (ranked 4303 p4p, 421 weight class) and Abdulrashid Sadulaev (ranked 3545 p4p, 378 weight class). Sadulaev has chosen Russian National Anthem as his entrance music. Abdulrashid Sadulaev has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Boucher
vs
Sadulaev

191 cm
26
205 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

181 cm
25
190 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Brandon Boucher!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Abdulrashid Sadulaev!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Alyssa Summers and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Boucher throws a combination. Sadulaev tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Boucher throws a combination that misses

and Sadulaev counters with a nice double leg into side control. Boucher won't be happy with that.
Sadulaev in side control lands a decent elbow.
Sadulaev wants to control but Boucher is keeping him busy.

Sadulaev swings around for an armbar but Boucher sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Sadulaev's guard.
Boucher working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sadulaev seems keen to control Boucher's posture.
Sadulaev 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.

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

Boucher pushes Sadulaev off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boucher scores with a punch to the head.
Sadulaev takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Sadulaev doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Boucher counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sadulaev shoots in but no luck this time.
Sadulaev with a poor takedown

and Boucher holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Brandon Boucher has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abdulrashid Sadulaev.
Sadulaev is trying to drag Boucher to the mat but Boucher just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sadulaev goes for a takedown in the clinch but Boucher prevents it.

Boucher is fighting off a takedown attempt but Sadulaev is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Boucher to the mat. Boucher regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

Boucher has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Sadulaev is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Sadulaev wants the takedown. Boucher is fighting it off but Sadulaev persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Boucher's guard against the cage.
Boucher not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sadulaev looking to pass the guard.

Boucher is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Boucher is trying to keep Sadulaev in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boucher is looking to stand up but Sadulaev isn't so interested in that idea.
Boucher looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sadulaev is one step ahead there.
Boucher keeping moving, preventing Sadulaev from controlling successfully.
Sadulaev connects with a couple of short punches.

Boucher throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Boucher had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sadulaev defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Sadulaev cracks Boucher with a solid left hand.
Sadulaev wants to control from the top but Boucher keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Boucher looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Sadulaev shoots and misses
and Boucher connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sadulaev moves forwards but Boucher connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Sadulaev has his takedown stuffed
and Boucher counters with a stiff right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Boucher dominated that 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.

A shot to the liver by Boucher. Beautiful body shot.
Sadulaev with a lazy takedown attempt
and Boucher counters with a straight right hand.
Sadulaev tries for a takedown but Boucher circles away easily
and Boucher connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Oooooh!!! Boucher has knocked Sadulaev down with a huge combo! Boucher steps away and waves a wobbly Sadulaev back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!
Abdulrashid Sadulaev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Boucher pounces like a tiger and cracks Sadulaev with a vicious hook! Sadulaev is down but not out! Boucher follows up with more strikes forcing the ref to jump in and stop it!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:45 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Brandon Boucher!
Abdulrashid Sadulaev spoke after the fight, saying '*Some Russian bullshit*'.