PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Michelangelo Di Lodovico (ranked 3081 p4p, 356 weight class) and Serhey Rishkinov (ranked 1894 p4p, 236 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Michelangelo Di Lodovico has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Michelangelo Di Lodovico seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Di Lodovico
vs
Rishkinov

185 cm
19
195 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

180 cm
19
174 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

Rogue Clothing

Groove Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Michelangelo Di Lodovico!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Serhey Rishkinov!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Aafke Stam and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rishkinov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Rishkinov tries to move into full mount but can't pass Di Lodovico's legs.
Rishkinov lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Di Lodovico down.
Di Lodovico tries to improve position but can't.
Di Lodovico manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Rishkinov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rishkinov tries to get to full guard but Di Lodovico has control of the leg.
Rishkinov keeps trying to improve his position.
Rishkinov manages to get to full guard.
Di Lodovico is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Rishkinov keeping full guard, as Di Lodovico tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rishkinov has his foot on Di Lodovico's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Di Lodovico works his way back into a safe position though.
Rishkinov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Di Lodovico won't allow Rishkinov to sweep him here.
Di Lodovico stays in close to Rishkinov's body and controls the position.
Di Lodovico slips nicely into half guard.
Rishkinov is trying to get back to full guard.
Di Lodovico trying to pass the guard but Rishkinov defending well.
Rishkinov wants to get back to full guard.
Di Lodovico wants to pass to mount but Rishkinov is defending the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Di Lodovico is working hard here to advance position.
Rishkinov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Rishkinov striking off his back but it's not causing Di Lodovico any problems.
Rishkinov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Rishkinov working for a triangle but Di Lodovico defends it easily.
Rishkinov looking for a sweep. Not yet Rishkinov, not yet.
Rishkinov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Di Lodovico's guard.

Di Lodovico trying to control the position.
Rishkinov tries to free his leg and advance position but Di Lodovico is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rishkinov is still trying to improve position.
Di Lodovico utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Di Lodovico wants to sweep but no luck.
Rishkinov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Rishkinov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Di Lodovico looking for a guillotine here but Rishkinov defends easily.
Rishkinov sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Di Lodovico's guard.
Di Lodovico is trying to control but Rishkinov manages to pass to mount!
Rishkinov looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Di Lodovico tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Di Lodovico tries to lock up and control but Rishkinov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rishkinov landing strikes from the mount.

Rishkinov is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Di Lodovico can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Rishkinov is landing with some decent strikes but Di Lodovico is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Rishkinov lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Rishkinov scoring with strikes but Di Lodovico is staying in there.
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!
A nice elbow there by Rishkinov.
Di Lodovico wants to control but Rishkinov is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rishkinov dominating with strikes here.

Di Lodovico is rocked!
Di Lodovico really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Oh Di Lodovico is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Rishkinov wants to control the pace but Di Lodovico is squirming around nicely.
Di Lodovico seems to have got his legs back now.
Rishkinov lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Di Lodovico hang on?

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Di Lodovico taking shots to the head.
Rishkinov landing punches.
Di Lodovico bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Rishkinov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Di Lodovico's guard.

Di Lodovico keeping moving, preventing Rishkinov from controlling successfully.
Rishkinov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Rishkinov is looking to work some ground and pound but Di Lodovico has wrist control.
Di Lodovico trying to control the position.
Di Lodovico keeping full guard, as Rishkinov tries to pass.
Di Lodovico is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Rishkinov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Di Lodovico trying to control the position.
Rishkinov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Rishkinov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Di Lodovico's head.
Di Lodovico looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Rishkinov slips nicely into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Di Lodovico makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Di Lodovico.

Di Lodovico throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rishkinov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Rishkinov postures up and lands a big shot to Di Lodovico's brow.
Di Lodovico has momentary wrist control but Rishkinov slips an elbow through the middle.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Rishkinov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Rishkinov landing with the ground and pound.
Di Lodovico looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Rishkinov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Di Lodovico's head.
Rishkinov trying to control the position from guard on top but Di Lodovico is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Di Lodovico keeping full guard, as Rishkinov tries to pass.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Rishkinov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Di Lodovico trying to control the position.
Di Lodovico utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rishkinov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Di Lodovico is trying to keep Rishkinov in close.
Rishkinov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Di Lodovico lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Rishkinov keeping full guard, as Di Lodovico tries to pass.
Di Lodovico stopping the sweep attempt from Rishkinov.
Rishkinov keeping moving, preventing Di Lodovico from controlling successfully.
Di Lodovico is pushing down on Rishkinov's leg trying to pass to half guard. Rishkinov is fighting to maintain full guard but Di Lodovico has managed to sneak the leg through.
Rishkinov is pressing down on Di Lodovico's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Di Lodovico preventing the sweep.
Di Lodovico trying to control the position from guard on top but Rishkinov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Rishkinov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Di Lodovico pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rishkinov is keeping the position for now.
Rishkinov wants to improve his position but instead Di Lodovico has moved into half guard.
Rishkinov gets back to full guard.
Di Lodovico trying to control but Rishkinov is working from the bottom.

Rishkinov is looking for a triangle but Di Lodovico pushes his legs off easily.
Rishkinov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

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

Serhey Rishkinov dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Rishkinov tries to close the distance and clinch but Di Lodovico swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Di Lodovico smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Rishkinov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Rishkinov tries to pass to full mount but Di Lodovico defends it.
Di Lodovico blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rishkinov.
Rishkinov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Di Lodovico is looking for a sweep. Rishkinov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rishkinov is keen to just control but Di Lodovico is a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rishkinov prevents Di Lodovico from improving his position.
Di Lodovico keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rishkinov trying to mount his opponent but Di Lodovico defends it.
Di Lodovico gets back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Di Lodovico not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rishkinov throwing strikes from guard but Di Lodovico blocks nicely.
Rishkinov being controlled here momentarily.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Rishkinov. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Rishkinov working some strikes from top position.
Di Lodovico is trying to control the position but Rishkinov postures up.
Rishkinov trying to control but Di Lodovico is working from the bottom.
Di Lodovico looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rishkinov is one step ahead there.
Rishkinov with a nice head shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rishkinov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Di Lodovico keeping full guard, as Rishkinov tries to pass.
Rishkinov advances position into side control!
Rishkinov tries to advance to mount but can't.

Rishkinov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Rishkinov scoring with punches from side control.
Di Lodovico can't do much from the bottom here.
Di Lodovico sneaks back into half guard.
Rishkinov drops an elbow to the side of Di Lodovico's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Di Lodovico is looking for a sweep. Rishkinov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rishkinov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Di Lodovico is controlling Rishkinov's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Rishkinov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Rishkinov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Di Lodovico is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Rishkinov scores with a couple of nice shots.

Rishkinov wants to work for an arm triangle but Di Lodovico is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Rishkinov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Di Lodovico wants to get back to full guard.
Rishkinov lands strikes from half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Di Lodovico manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Di Lodovico looking to control.
Rishkinov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Di Lodovico is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Di Lodovico looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Serhey Rishkinov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rishkinov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Di Lodovico looking for a sweep. Not yet Di Lodovico, not yet.
Rishkinov scoring with some ground and pound.
Rishkinov works over Di Lodovico with some ground and pound from guard.
Di Lodovico not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rishkinov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Di Lodovico's head.
Rishkinov postures up in Di Lodovico's guard and throws a big left but Di Lodovico blocks it.
Rishkinov trying to control the position from guard on top but Di Lodovico is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rishkinov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Rishkinov pushes down on Di Lodovico's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Rishkinov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Di Lodovico won't allow Rishkinov to pass to mount.
Rishkinov is breathing heavily.
Rishkinov is looking to take a break and control but Di Lodovico is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rishkinov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Rishkinov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Rishkinov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Rishkinov trying to mount his opponent but Di Lodovico defends it.
Di Lodovico avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rishkinov.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Rishkinov lands a nice short elbow.
Di Lodovico makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Di Lodovico.
Rishkinov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Di Lodovico swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Di Lodovico tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rishkinov connects with a couple of short punches.
Rishkinov postures up and lands a big shot to Di Lodovico's brow.
Rishkinov wants to pass the guard but Di Lodovico is keeping the position.
Di Lodovico preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rishkinov preventing the sweep.
Rishkinov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Di Lodovico lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Di Lodovico trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Michelangelo Di Lodovico has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Rishkinov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Di Lodovico manages to get himself to full guard.

Rishkinov landing with the ground and pound.
Di Lodovico wants to sweep but no luck.
Rishkinov with a nice head shot there.
Di Lodovico has momentary wrist control but Rishkinov slips an elbow through the middle.

Di Lodovico is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rishkinov is aware though and is defending well.
Rishkinov scoring with some ground and pound.

Di Lodovico escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rishkinov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Di Lodovico is looking for a triangle but Rishkinov pushes his legs off easily.
Rishkinov sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Di Lodovico's guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Di Lodovico has hold of Rishkinov's hands but Rishkinov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Rishkinov working Di Lodovico over with strikes.

Rishkinov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Di Lodovico defends it well.
Rishkinov wants to control but Di Lodovico is keeping him busy.
Rishkinov lands strikes from half guard.
Di Lodovico is looking for a sweep. Rishkinov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Di Lodovico is staying active underneath Rishkinov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Rishkinov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Di Lodovico is defending against the submission attempts here by Rishkinov.
Rishkinov wants to pass to mount but Di Lodovico is defending the position.
Serhey Rishkinov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Di Lodovico looking for submissions off his back.
Rishkinov trying to control the pace.

Di Lodovico looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Di Lodovico looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Serhey Rishkinov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rishkinov 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 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight for Serhey Rishkinov!
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight for Serhey Rishkinov!
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight for Serhey Rishkinov!

Serhey Rishkinov wins by unanimous decision!
Serhey Rishkinov decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.