PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Toe Varish (ranked 2581 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brad Foster (ranked 24104 p4p, 0 weight class). Brad Foster acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Varish
vs
Foster

176 cm
25
202 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

200 cm
19
205 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Toe Varish!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Brad Foster!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Dmitry Maklakov and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Varish. Foster does a little dance to reset his feet.

Foster moves into the clinch successfully.
A short uppercut from Varish.
A short uppercut from Varish.
Varish could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
A hook to the body from Varish.

Foster escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Varish tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Foster was well out of range. Poor timing from Varish.
Varish ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Foster moves away.
Varish lands a glancing blow to the side of Foster's head.
Foster walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A shot to the liver by Varish. Beautiful body shot.
Foster with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Varish to score with a decent uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Varish changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Varish misses with a looping left.

Foster clinches with his opponent.
Varish lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Foster jumps guard and drags Varish to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Varish in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Varish pushes down on Foster's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Varish missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Varish missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Varish lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Varish has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Varish looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Varish looks to land a strike but Foster avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Varish with a flurry of punches that miss.
Varish trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Varish might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Varish throwing strikes from guard but Foster blocks nicely.
Foster keeping full guard, as Varish tries to pass.
Varish in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Varish throwing strikes from guard but Foster blocks nicely.
Foster can't keep his opponent in guard - Varish advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Varish throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Varish wants to pass to mount but Foster is defending the position.
Varish thows a huge punch but Foster dodges it nicely.
Foster is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Varish scores with a couple of nice shots.
Varish passes to side control.
Varish lands an elbow.
Varish misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Foster tries to bench press Varish off him but Varish keeps the position.
Varish misses with the ground and pound.
Varish tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Varish in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Varish working the strikes but Foster uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Varish working the head and body with strikes.
Foster looks winded!
Foster avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Varish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varish lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Varish is looking to advance position but Foster won't allow it.
Varish throwing shots but Foster is blocking nicely.
Foster keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Varish sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Foster defending well though.
Varish landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Foster is trying to get back to full guard.
Varish throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Varish thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Foster's head.
Varish not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Varish is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Foster!
Foster is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Foster is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Varish connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Varish is landing with some decent strikes but Foster is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Foster wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Varish.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Varish breaks from Foster's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Varish scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Foster in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Varish throws some wild stikes that Foster manages to avoid easily.
Varish punching from mount but Foster doing a good job of avoiding damage.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Varish cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Varish lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Foster hang on?
Varish lands a couple of good shots and Foster has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Varish punches the canvas rather than the man.

Varish has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Varish throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Toe Varish dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Varish lands a head shot.

Varish gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Varish jumps guard and drags Foster to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Varish looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
We've been informed that Foster has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Foster looking to pass the guard.
Varish 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Varish is pulling down on Foster's head to control his posture.
Foster wants to pass the guard but Varish is keeping the position.
Varish seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Varish bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Foster's guard.

Varish sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Foster's guard.
Varish missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Varish moves nicely into side control.
Foster managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Varish.
Foster regains half guard, as Varish was trying to land strikes.
Foster keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Varish thows a huge punch but Foster dodges it nicely.
Varish not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Varish wants to pass the guard but Foster is defending well.
Varish looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Toe Varish overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Varish with the ground and pound but Foster uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Varish connects with a couple of short punches.
Varish definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Varish with a flurry of punches that miss.
Varish throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Foster works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Varish stopping the sweep attempt from Foster.
Foster is breathing heavily.
Varish is looking to work some ground and pound but Foster has wrist control.
Varish stands and throws Foster's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Foster avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Varish.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Varish throws an elbow but Foster slips to the side and avoids it well.
Varish scoring with punches from side control.
Varish working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Foster taking punishment in the form of punches.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Varish in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

Varish thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Foster managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Varish.
Varish in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Varish creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Foster sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Foster is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Foster managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Varish.
Varish looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Foster is avoiding damage well.
An elbow from Varish crashes against the mat.
Foster avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Varish.
Sloppy strikes there by Varish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Varish throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Foster dodges the ground and pound from Varish.
Foster managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Varish.
An elbow from Varish crashes against the mat.
Varish working the ground and pound.
An elbow from Varish crashes against the mat.
The ground and pound from Varish seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Varish throws a strike aimed at the side of Foster's head but Foster avoids it well.
Varish throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Varish is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Foster can do to turn this around?
Foster is working to avoid the ground and pound but Varish connects with a decent elbow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Varish working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Varish fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Varish misses with the ground and pound.
Varish looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Foster is avoiding damage well.
Varish sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Foster is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Varish in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Toe Varish dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Varish throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Foster on the side of the head.
Brad Foster is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Some wild striking there from Foster.
Varish has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Foster on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Varish lands a slapping body shot.

Varish takes the fight into the clinch.
Varish lands a nice uppercut.
Varish lands a shot to the body.
Varish lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Varish is working Foster over against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Varish lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Foster backwards.
Varish scores with a hook to the body.
Varish lands a body shot in the clinch.
Foster takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Varish lands a body punch in the clinch.
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!
Varish lands a right hand that snaps the head of Foster backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Varish pushes Foster back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Varish lands a shoulder strike.
Varish lands a nice uppercut.
Varish makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Varish works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A body shot lands from Varish.
Varish softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Varish stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Varish scores with a hook to the body.
Varish stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Varish lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Varish lands a body punch.
Good body shot from Varish.
Varish scores with a shoulder strike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Varish lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Foster backwards.
A nice right hand lands inside from Varish.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Varish works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Varish pushes Foster back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Varish working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Varish decides to pull guard.
Varish controlling the position.

Varish is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Varish bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Foster's guard.

Varish in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Varish working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Varish sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Foster's guard.
Varish wants to pass to mount but Foster is defending the position.
Varish not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Varish sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Foster defending well though.
Varish missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varish throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Varish throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Varish thows a huge punch but Foster dodges it nicely.
Varish missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Varish works his way into full mount!
Varish lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Poor strikes thrown by Varish there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Varish looking to land elbow strikes but Foster uses the position to regain half guard.
Varish lands with a punch from half guard.
Foster wants to get back to full guard.
Varish working the head and body with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Varish passes to full mount!
Varish putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Foster wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Varish.
Poor strikes thrown by Varish there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Varish throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Poor strikes thrown by Varish there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Varish lands a couple of good shots and Foster has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Foster trying to control the position but Varish manages to sink in the hooks.
Varish throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Varish punishes Foster with strikes from the back mount.
Varish misses with a punch to the head.
Varish throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Brad Foster has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Foster covers up after that shot from Varish.

And that's the end of the fight!
Toe Varish showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Varish has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:25
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:24
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Toe Varish!