PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rasul Dolaev (ranked 3600 p4p, 0 weight class) and Syco Souirrel (ranked 3501 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Dolaev
vs
Souirrel

178 cm
25
158 lbs
5 - 6 - 1

185 cm
25
159 lbs
6 - 12 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 1, fighting out of New York, Rasul Dolaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 12 - 0, fighting out of New York, Syco Souirrel!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Russell Pearce and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dolaev stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Dolaev wants it to stay on the feet.
Souirrel shoots in but Dolaev avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Dolaev half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Souirrel moves into the clinch.

Souirrel breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Dolaev tries a head kick but it misses.
Dolaev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Dolaev misses with a takedown attempt - Souirrel sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Souirrel is trying to counter with his kicks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dolaev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rasul Dolaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dolaev misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Souirrel feints a counter leg kick.
Dolaev darts in looking for a takedown but Souirrel gets double underhooks and turns Dolaev into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Souirrel throws a head kick that misses.
Dolaev changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Dolaev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Souirrel but Souirrel pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Souirrel fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Dolaev, pushing him back against the cage.
Souirrel is pressed up against the cage. Dolaev has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Souirrel down to the mat. Souirrel avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Souirrel is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Souirrel keeps the fight on the outside.
Dolaev doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Souirrel moves into the clinch.
Dolaev is trying to break free.

Souirrel jumps guard and drags Dolaev to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Souirrel pulls Dolaev in to control the position.
Souirrel tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dolaev postures up.

Souirrel looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Souirrel is trying to control the position but Dolaev postures up.
Dolaev won't allow Souirrel to sweep him here.
Dolaev is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Souirrel is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Souirrel darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dolaev pushes Souirrel off looking to stand but Souirrel dives back in and keeps control.
Souirrel slows the pace down in half guard.
Souirrel is thwarting Dolaev's attempts to control the position.
Souirrel moves into full mount! Dolaev won't be happy about that!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Dolaev wants to control but Souirrel is having none of it.
Souirrel controlling the position easily from mount.
Souirrel wants to control the pace but Dolaev is squirming around nicely.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Dolaev is desperately trying to improve his position but Souirrel has a good base and remains in mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Syco Souirrel dominated that round.
That's time! Dolaev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Souirrel tries for a takedown but Dolaev sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
No luck for Souirrel with that takedown attempt.
Dolaev connects with a right hand. Souirrel shakes it off.
Dolaev changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Souirrel tries to avoid it but Dolaev manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Souirrel to the ground. Souirrel escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Souirrel unleashes a big counter combination but Dolaev bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

Dolaev closes the distance and clinches.
Dolaev's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Dolaev is trying to trip Souirrel. He has hold of a leg but Souirrel is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Dolaev persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

Souirrel kicks Dolaev off and gets to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Souirrel fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Rasul Dolaev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Syco Souirrel.
Souirrel blocks a head kick by Dolaev.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Souirrel pushes Dolaev up against the cage in a clinch.

Souirrel's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Dolaev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Souirrel avoids it really well and circles away.
Dolaev misses with a body kick.
Dolaev shoots for a double leg takedown but Souirrel sprawls well. He's pushed Dolaev's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Dolaev blocks a head kick by Souirrel.

Dolaev gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Dolaev drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Souirrel gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Souirrel slows down the pace here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Souirrel fails to pull guard.
Souirrel keeps control of Dolaev as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Souirrel being controlled against the cage.
Souirrel drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Dolaev gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Souirrel trying to control the position but instead, Dolaev has worked for underhooks and has pushed Souirrel into the cage.
Dolaev fails to pull guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dolaev drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Souirrel wants a takedown.
Dolaev is working Souirrel over against the cage.
Souirrel gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Dolaev.
Souirrel drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Dolaev tries for a takedown but Souirrel manages to get underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Souirrel taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Souirrel breaks from the clinch.

Dolaev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Souirrel is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Dolaev gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Souirrel is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Dolaev to keep the fight standing.
Dolaev is trying to pull guard but Souirrel has him pressed against the cage.
Souirrel is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Dolaev pulls him back up using the underhooks.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Souirrel.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Souirrel breaks the clinch.
Syco Souirrel seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Dolaev shoots in for a takedown but Souirrel shows good takedown defense.
Souirrel stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Souirrel wants it to stay on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Syco Souirrel will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! 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.

Dolaev shoots in for a takedown but Souirrel shows good takedown defense.
Dolaev shoots in for a double leg but Souirrel sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Dolaev fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rasul Dolaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head kick misses from Souirrel.
Souirrel slaps away a takedown attempt from Dolaev, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Souirrel has a takedown stuffed.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dolaev darts in looking for a takedown but Souirrel gets double underhooks and turns Dolaev into the cage.

Souirrel rushes Dolaev and presses him up against the cage.

Souirrel successfully pulls guard.
Souirrel keeping moving, preventing Dolaev from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dolaev's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Dolaev stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Souirrel swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Syco Souirrel has got the better of the ground game so far.

Souirrel working for a triangle but Dolaev defends it easily.
Dolaev tries to free his leg and advance position but Souirrel is retaining full guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Souirrel has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Dolaev is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Rasul Dolaev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Souirrel throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Dolaev's waist but Dolaev gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Souirrel off to one side.
Dolaev tries to counter with a takedown but Souirrel is quick to defend against it.
Souirrel looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Dolaev tries for a takedown but Souirrel sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Dolaev tries for a takedown but Souirrel sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Souirrel throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Dolaev throws a big counter combination but Souirrel scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Dolaev shoots in for a takedown but Souirrel shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Dolaev misses with a low kick.
Souirrel shoots in but no luck this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Souirrel does no damage.
Dolaev throws a big counter combination but Souirrel scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Dolaev fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Souirrel tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Dolaev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Dolaev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Souirrel defends it nicely.

Dolaev tries to keep at a distance but Souirrel has taken the fight into the clinch.
Souirrel landing some nice looking knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dolaev drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Dolaev goes for a takedown attempt but Souirrel pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Souirrel avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Souirrel throws a head kick that misses.
Dolaev fails with a takedown attempt.
Dolaev shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Souirrel pinned against the cage. Souirrel gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Rasul Dolaev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Syco Souirrel is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Souirrel uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Dolaev.

And that's the end of the fight!
Syco Souirrel comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Souirrel has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 28:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Syco Souirrel!