fight for respect PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between imants legzda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anders Anderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Anderson has chosen Angel as his entrance music. imants legzda has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

legzda
vs
Anderson

190 cm
22
258 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
20
215 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Enjoys gardening

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, imants legzda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Anders Anderson!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
legzda missing with a left hand there. Anderson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Anderson defending well as legzda loads up on a big left hand.
Anderson tries to clinch there but legzda circles away.
Anderson wants to clinch.
legzda throws a hook but Anderson blocks it.
legzda misses with a few strikes there.
legzda misses with a looping left.
Anderson dodges the punch combination from legzda.
legzda throws a series of punches but Anderson avoids them all with ease.
Anderson slips under a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
legzda throws a right hand that Anderson ducks under and follows up with a left that Anderson also avoids with ease.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Anderson - that will leave a mark!
legzda throws a lazy right hand but Anderson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
legzda fails to land with a series of punches.
legzda is breathing heavily.

Anderson gets a clinch.
legzda throws a punch but it's blocked by Anderson.
Anderson throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
legzda takes a knee right on the jaw!
Anderson lands a knee to the body.
legzda misses with the head strike.
Anderson unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Anderson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Anderson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Anderson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and legzda avoids it.
Anderson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Anderson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nice body punch from Anderson.
legzda managing to block the knees to the body from Anderson.
legzda misses with the head strike.
Anderson crunches a lovely knee into legzda's ribcage.
legzda scores with an uppercut up the middle.
legzda throws a punch but it's blocked by Anderson.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Anderson obliges.
Anderson lands a knee to the body.
legzda on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
legzda managing to block the knees to the body from Anderson.
legzda on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
legzda keeps control of Anderson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
legzda managing to block the knees to the body from Anderson.
A short right from legzda.
legzda gets through Anderson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Anderson looking to slow down the pace here.
legzda throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Andersons head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from legzda.
Anderson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short right from legzda.
legzda misses with some punches.
Anderson blocks an uppercut.
Anderson trying to land knees to the body.
legzda throws a head punch that misses.
Anderson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
legzda managing to block the knees to the body from Anderson.
Anderson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
legzda managing to block the knees to the body from Anderson.
legzda avoiding damage as Anderson throws knees to the body.
legzda swings wildly with an uppercut but Anderson uses good head movement to avoid it.
legzda lands an uppercut.
legzda lands a nice uppercut.
Anderson trying to land knees to the body.
legzda scores with a shoulder strike.
legzda prevents the takedown attempt.
legzda throws a punch but it's blocked by Anderson.
legzda blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
legzda on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
legzda lands a left hand.
Anderson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. legzda just stands there and leans against the cage.
imants legzda has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anders Anderson.
legzda lands with a short shot to the head.
Anderson tries to land knees in the clinch but legzda avoids the damage to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
legzda throws a head punch that misses.
legzda avoiding damage as Anderson throws knees to the body.
Anderson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
legzda has a couple of punches blocked by Anderson.
A shot in the inside from legzda.
Anderson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. legzda is defending well for now.
legzda lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Anderson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from legzda.
Anderson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from legzda.
legzda gets underhooks to prevent Anderson's takedown attempt.
Anderson tries to land knees in the clinch but legzda avoids the damage to the body.
legzda lands with a right to the head.
Anderson takes a shot to the head.
Anderson trying to land knees to the body.
Anderson missing with knees to the body.
legzda fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Anderson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Anderson missing with knees to the body.
legzda lands a left hand.
legzda lands a hook to the side of the head.
legzda swings away with an uppercut that misses.
legzda blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
legzda lands with a light punch inside.
Anderson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. legzda is defending well for now.
legzda could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
legzda blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
legzda lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Anderson trying to land knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Anderson blocking some punches.
legzda avoiding damage as Anderson throws knees to the body.
Anderson taking a breather.
Anderson missing with knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from legzda fails to land.
legzda working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Anderson trying to land knees to the body.
legzda lands on the inside with an uppercut.
legzda on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Anderson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
legzda avoiding damage as Anderson throws knees to the body.
legzda lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
legzda misses with a short punch on the inside.
Anderson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from legzda.
legzda throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Andersons head.
Anderson creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
legzda lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
legzda lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
legzda throws a head punch that misses.
legzda managing to block the knees to the body from Anderson.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
legzda on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
legzda working aggressively here.
legzda fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
legzda managing to block the knees to the body from Anderson.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, legzda creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
legzda on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Anderson tries to land knees in the clinch but legzda avoids the damage to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anders Anderson dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Anderson moves out of range of the strikes.
Anderson is looking to clinch.
legzda misses with a hook. Anderson ducked under it nicely.
Anderson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Anderson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from legzda.
Anderson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but legzda paws at him with a jab and circles away.
legzda swinging wildly here.
legzda avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Anderson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Anderson slips a jab from legzda.
legzda swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
imants legzda seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Anderson tries to close the distance and clinch but legzda swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
legzda throws out a loose jab but Anderson uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from legzda.
A big right from legzda misses.
legzda is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Anderson tries to close the distance and clinch but legzda swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
legzda throws a lazy right hand but Anderson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Anderson tries to close the distance and clinch but legzda swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A jab from legzda misses.
Anderson tries to clinch but legzda is having none of it.
Anderson is looking to clinch but legzda is avoiding it.
Anderson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Anderson moves in looking to clinch but legzda pushes him off.

Anderson forces legzda back against the cage and clinches.
legzda gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Anderson.
legzda swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Anderson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and legzda avoids it.
legzda lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
legzda lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's two 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.
A quick uppercut on the inside from legzda.
Anderson trying to land knees to the body.
Anderson trying to land knees to the body.
legzda makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for legzda.
legzda scores with an uppercut up the middle.
legzda lands a left hand that snaps the head of Anderson backwards.
A quick uppercut on the inside from legzda.
Anderson takes a shot to the head.
legzda managing to block the knees to the body from Anderson.
A short uppercut from legzda.
legzda working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
legzda blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Anderson putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has legzda in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Anderson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from legzda.
Anderson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from legzda.
Anderson landing knees to the body.
Anderson tries a body shot but legzda blocks it.
legzda scores with a nice hook to the head.
Anderson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. legzda is defending well for now.
legzda misses with a short punch on the inside.
legzda scores with a shoulder strike.
Anderson tries to stall but legzda uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
legzda throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Andersons head.
legzda misses with some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for legzda.
Anderson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from legzda.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from legzda fails to land.
legzda managing to block the knees to the body from Anderson.
Anderson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but legzda has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
legzda on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Anderson trying to land knees to the body.
legzda has a couple of punches blocked by Anderson.

Anderson breaks the clinch.
legzda keeps the fight on the outside.
Anderson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from legzda.
legzda throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A left and a right from Anderson both land. Nice combination.
legzda swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Anderson tries to clinch up.
legzda misses with a double jab

and Anderson counters by moving into the clinch.
Anderson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from legzda.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
legzda lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
legzda working aggressively here.
legzda blocks an elbow strike from Anderson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Anderson lands a body shot.
A short right from legzda on the inside.
Anderson stalling in the clinch.
Anderson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and legzda avoids it.
Anderson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and legzda avoids it.
Anderson wants a takedown but no success here.
legzda lands with a right to the head.
legzda misses with a short punch on the inside.
legzda lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Anderson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Anderson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
legzda misses with the head strike.
legzda working aggressively here.
legzda working aggressively here.
Anderson looking to slow down the pace here.
legzda managing to block the knees to the body from Anderson.
Anderson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
legzda lands a right hand that snaps the head of Anderson backwards.
Anderson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. legzda is defending well for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
legzda gets through Anderson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Anderson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and legzda avoids it.
Anderson missing with knees to the body.
legzda fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
legzda tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
legzda lands a right hand that snaps the head of Anderson backwards.
legzda lands with a right to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Anders Anderson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

legzda circles away from the clinch attempt.
Anderson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from legzda.
legzda throws out a loose jab but Anderson uses good head movement to avoid it.
legzda is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Anderson.
Anderson blocks a jab.

Anderson darts in and clinches legzda up against the cage.
legzda has Anderson pressed against the cage, preventing Anderson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
legzda throws a head punch that misses.
legzda lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Anderson jumps guard but legzda stands there with Anderson around his waist. Anderson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Anderson trying to land knees to the body.
Anderson utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
legzda lands with a light punch inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
legzda swings away with an uppercut that misses.
legzda avoiding damage as Anderson throws knees to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
legzda misses with the head strike.
legzda lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
legzda softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
legzda lands with a right to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from legzda.
Anderson trying to land knees to the body.
legzda swings away with an uppercut that misses.
legzda scores with a nice hook to the head.
legzda on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Anderson putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has legzda in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Anderson.
legzda on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Anderson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
legzda makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Anderson tries to work over legzda's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Anderson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but legzda blocks it with crossed arms.
legzda lands a shoulder strike.
legzda throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Andersons head.
A head punch on the inside from legzda fails to land.
legzda scores with a nice hook to the head.
legzda lands a hook that snaps the head of Anderson backwards.
legzda on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A short left from legzda.
legzda misses with a short punch on the inside.
legzda working aggressively here.
Anderson looking to throw knees to the head but legzda is blocking nicely.
legzda misses with a short punch on the inside.
Anderson missing with knees to the body.
legzda gets through Anderson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Anderson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from legzda.
A head punch on the inside from legzda fails to land.
legzda misses with the head strike.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
legzda misses with some punches.
Anderson has legzda pushed against the cage.
Anderson with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
legzda working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Anderson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Anderson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. legzda is defending well for now.
legzda lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
legzda working aggressively here.
Anders Anderson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
legzda lands with a short shot to the head.
legzda scores with a shot to the side of Anderson's head.
Anderson pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
legzda fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Anderson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from legzda.
Anderson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from legzda.
legzda avoiding damage as Anderson throws knees to the body.
legzda throws a head punch that misses.
A quick uppercut on the inside from legzda.
legzda avoiding damage as Anderson throws knees to the body.
Anderson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
legzda working aggressively here.
legzda misses with some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
legzda has a couple of punches blocked by Anderson.
Anderson blocks an uppercut.
Anderson lands a good knee to the midsection. legzda won't want to take too many of those.
legzda lands a hook that snaps the head of Anderson backwards.
Anderson missing with knees to the body.
legzda lands a hook to the side of the head.
Anderson tries to land a knee to the head but legzda blocks with his arms.
Anderson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
legzda misses with the head strike.
Anderson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. legzda is defending well for now.
legzda lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Anderson backwards.
Anderson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
legzda scores with a shot to the side of Anderson's head.
legzda lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Anderson backwards.

Anderson gets control of legzda's arms and successfully pulls guard. Anderson will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
legzda throwing strikes from guard but Anderson blocks nicely.
legzda throwing strikes from guard but Anderson blocks nicely.
legzda is looking to work some ground and pound but Anderson has wrist control.
legzda in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
legzda throws a strike but Anderson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
legzda wants to stand but Anderson is controlling the position.
Anderson wants to stand but legzda has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Anderson is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Anderson ducks under a wild hook from legzda.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Anderson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but legzda paws at him with a jab and circles away.
imants legzda has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
legzda throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anders Anderson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Anderson 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anders Anderson!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
17%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Uldis Bauska (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Niclas Ekman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ekman has a pretty significant injury - he really shouldn't be fighting right now but he's a warrior and he's here none the less! Niclas Ekman has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Bauska
vs
Ekman

195 cm
21
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

193 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Inexperienced

BJJ Brown 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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Uldis Bauska!
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, Niclas Ekman!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Valeri Chadov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bauska has a takedown stuffed.
Ekman looks gassed!

Bauska scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Bauska decides to stand up, so the ref orders Ekman to his feet.
Ekman with a lazy takedown attempt

and Bauska moves into the clinch.

Bauska breaks from the clinch.

Bauska decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Ekman blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bauska.
Ekman is staying active underneath Bauska, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Bauska keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Ekman looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ekman won't allow Bauska to pass to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ekman looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Bauska is looking to take a break and control but Ekman is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bauska wants to stand but Ekman has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Bauska scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Ekman is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Bauska pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bauska tries to pass to full mount but Ekman defends it.
Ekman holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Ekman wants to get back to full guard but Bauska has mounted him!
Bauska prevents Ekman from getting the reversal.
Bauska throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Bauska looking to control but Ekman is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekman tries to hold on but Bauska postures up.
Ekman is desperately trying to improve his position but Bauska has a good base and remains in mount.
Ekman avoids a series of strikes thrown by Bauska.
Bauska throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Ekman regains half guard.
Ekman avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bauska.
Bauska prevents Ekman from improving his position.

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.
Ekman trying to hold on to Bauska's head to control him but Bauska postures up.
Ekman slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bauska looking to sit in guard and control but Ekman gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Ekman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Uldis Bauska dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bauska shoots in for a takedown but Ekman shows good takedown defense.
Bauska fails with the takedown

so Ekman counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Ekman tries to free his leg and advance position but Bauska is retaining full guard.
Ekman seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Ekman wants to control from the top but Bauska keeps moving.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ekman stands and throws Bauska's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bauska tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ekman wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Ekman taking a breather here.

Ekman is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Bauska has escaped the position, nice work there.

Ekman is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Bauska knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bauska tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Bauska tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Ekman easily slips into full mount!
Bauska knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ekman on the ground.
Ekman content just to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bauska wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.

Ekman has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Ekman avoiding Bauska 's attempts to control his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ekman looking for the choke but no joy.

Ekman is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Bauska is really stuck here.
Bauska trying to control the position but Ekman manages to sink in the hooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niclas Ekman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Bauska with a lazy takedown attempt

and Ekman counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Ekman controlling the pace.
Ekman's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Bauska tries to roll over but Ekman keeps him under control.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ekman trying to control from half guard but Bauska is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bauska tries to roll over but Ekman keeps him under control.
Ekman wants to take a breather but Bauska is having none of it.

Bauska actively working from the bottom here.
Ekman tries to pass the half guard into mount. Bauska knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bauska shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Ekman counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Bauska's guard now.
Bauska keeping moving, preventing Ekman from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekman pushing down on Bauska's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Ekman is keen to just control but Bauska is a slippery customer.
Ekman keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Ekman wants to free his trapped foot but Bauska is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Bauska is trying to control but can't.
Ekman is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekman works his way into side control.

Ekman tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Ekman looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekman slips into full mount, dodging the strikes by Bauska.
Bauska is squirming around, avoiding Ekman's attempts to control the action.
Ekman looking to control and managing it successfully.
Niclas Ekman has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bauska is wriggling around trying to escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
Niclas Ekman comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ekman 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 26:29
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Niclas Ekman!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
40%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Krish Grundmanis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pierre Le Jean (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Le Jean's choice of entrance music: La France. Krish Grundmanis had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Grundmanis
vs
Le Jean

197 cm
21
248 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

200 cm
22
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Inexperienced

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Krish Grundmanis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pierre Le Jean!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Sergei Dronov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Grundmanis tries to keep at a distance but Le Jean has taken the fight into the clinch.

Le Jean breaks the clinch.
Le Jean slips a jab and a cross from Grundmanis.
Grundmanis lands a jab.
Le Jean is looking to clinch.
Grundmanis lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Le Jean backs up against the cage.

Le Jean shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Le Jean was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Grundmanis is squirming around, avoiding Le Jean's attempts to control the action.
Grundmanis is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Le Jean misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Grundmanis wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Le Jean lands a nice shot to the head.
Le Jean working the ground and pound effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You get the feeling that Grundmanis really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Le Jean putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Le Jean lands a big shot there that rocks Grundmanis but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Le Jean postures up and throws a couple of big shots that have Grundmanis in real trouble here! The ref calls for Grundmanis to improve his position which he doesn't do, so the referee has no choice but to end the fight due to the strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:38 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Pierre Le Jean!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
81%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between janis svitins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Edgars Lusins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Edgars Lusins will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

svitins
vs
Lusins

180 cm
22
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
21
179 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, janis svitins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Edgars Lusins!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice defenses there by Lusins.
svitins is looking to clinch.
svitins tries to close the distance and clinch but Lusins swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Lusins avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lusins shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says svitins as he avoids it easily.

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

svitins looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
svitins gets full guard.
svitins manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Lusins manages to get himself to full guard.

svitins drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Lusins dives on top into guard.

svitins working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lusins doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lusins manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

svitins has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Lusins should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, svitins has tightened it up now! Lusins should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:03 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). janis svitins!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
64%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Reinis Repss (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and rinalds dzirvinskis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). rinalds dzirvinskis acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Repss
vs
dzirvinskis

175 cm
22
195 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
200 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite 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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Reinis Repss!
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, rinalds dzirvinskis!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Fedor Mirinova and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Repss cracks dzirvinskis with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
dzirvinskis slips a straight right by Repss.
dzirvinskis shoots in looking for a takedown. Repss tries to sprawl out of it but dzirvinskis keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Repss manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Repss throws an overhand right that lands on dzirvinskis's shoulder, as dzirvinskis tries to avoid the shot.
Repss lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
dzirvinskis misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
dzirvinskis drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
dzirvinskis throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Repss's waist but Repss gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing dzirvinskis off to one side.
Reinis Repss has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of rinalds dzirvinskis.
dzirvinskis uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Repss.
dzirvinskis shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Repss defends it nicely.
dzirvinskis fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Reinis Repss is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
dzirvinskis looks gassed!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Repss misses with a head kick.
Repss stuffs the takedown attempt from dzirvinskis. dzirvinskis gets slowly back to his feet.
dzirvinskis on the wrong end of a nice jab.
dzirvinskis fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A punch lands to the side of dzirvinskis 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Repss cracks dzirvinskis with a good jab.
dzirvinskis takes a shot right to the bread basket.
dzirvinskis is trying desperately to land a takedown but Repss is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for dzirvinskis.
Repss connects with a crisp jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Repss misses with a double jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Repss thuds his right hand into dzirvinskis's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
dzirvinskis defending well as Repss loads up on a big left hand.
Repss throws a hook to the side of dzirvinskis's head but dzirvinskis sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
dzirvinskis is trying hard to land a takedown here. Repss sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Repss listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Repss thuds a left hand into dzirvinskis's body.
Repss works over dzirvinskis's head and body with a nice combination.
dzirvinskis closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Repss, as that shot connected.
dzirvinskis on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Good shot there by Repss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Repss throws a hook but dzirvinskis blocks it.
Repss throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from dzirvinskis is defended easily by Repss.
rinalds dzirvinskis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Repss cracks dzirvinskis with a good jab.
Repss throws a right and a left that both miss.
dzirvinskis looks for a takedown but Repss sprawls well.
dzirvinskis dives in and grabs Repss's left leg, looking for a takedown. Repss pushes down on dzirvinskis's head and hops out.
Repss lands with a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
dzirvinskis shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Repss pinned against the cage. Repss gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
dzirvinskis will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Repss looks to land a right hand but dzirvinskis moved out of range.
Repss punishes dzirvinskis's body with a nice straight punch.
Repss stuffs the takedown.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from dzirvinskis.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
dzirvinskis has a takedown stuffed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

dzirvinskis feints and as Repss raises his hands in defense, dzirvinskis changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
dzirvinskis stops Repss from standing up.

dzirvinskis drops back looking for a leg! Repss is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Repss manages to kick dzirvinskis off! dzirvinskis jumps back into Repss's guard.
Repss wants to get back to his feet but dzirvinskis is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

dzirvinskis thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Repss has his feet on dzirvinskis's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

dzirvinskis drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Repss is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst dzirvinskis is controlling him.

dzirvinskis drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and dzirvinskis jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

dzirvinskis drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and dzirvinskis jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Repss is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst dzirvinskis is controlling him.

dzirvinskis thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

dzirvinskis is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

dzirvinskis thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Repss is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

dzirvinskis shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Repss napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Repss is trying to buck dzirvinskis off.

dzirvinskis is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Repss is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

dzirvinskis tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

dzirvinskis is working to tighten is grip on Repss's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Repss has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but dzirvinskis is really squeezing tight and eventually Repss passes out! dzirvinskis breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). rinalds dzirvinskis!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
66%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between vitalijjs ddurnovs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and sasa skarstan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). skarstan has chosen tensta as his entrance music. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

ddurnovs
vs
skarstan

200 cm
22
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

198 cm
22
256 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, vitalijjs ddurnovs!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, sasa skarstan!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Konstantin Menshow and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

skarstan moves into the clinch.
ddurnovs wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but skarstan has him pressed against the cage.
skarstan scores with a nice hook to the head.
skarstan lands with a short head shot on the inside.

It looks like vitalijjs ddurnovs has been cut.
skarstan misses with the head strike.
A nice left hand lands by skarstan.
ddurnovs is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
skarstan lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

ddurnovs escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
ddurnovs clinches but skarstan breaks the clinch

and skarstan counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by skarstan.
ddurnovs working hard to break the clinch.
skarstan lands a left hand that snaps the head of ddurnovs backwards.
skarstan lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by ddurnovs.
skarstan scores with a shoulder strike.
ddurnovs blocking some punches.
A nice left hand lands by skarstan.
A short left from skarstan.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for skarstan.
ddurnovs is trying to break free.
A short left from skarstan.
ddurnovs is trying to break the clinch but skarstan is controlling him.
A short left from skarstan.
ddurnovs is trying to break the clinch but skarstan has him pressed against the cage.
skarstan swings wildly with an uppercut but ddurnovs uses good head movement to avoid it.
ddurnovs tries to break the clinch but skarstan is controlling the position.
skarstan lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of ddurnovs backwards.
skarstan keeps the fight in the clinch, despite ddurnovs's efforts to push away.
A short right from skarstan on the inside.

vitalijjs ddurnovs's cut is getting worse.

That's one minute gone in the round.
ddurnovs is trying to break the clinch but skarstan is controlling him.
ddurnovs is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
ddurnovs is breathing heavily.
skarstan lands with a short punch from the clinch.
skarstan lands a body shot.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, skarstan creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
skarstan lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of ddurnovs backwards.
skarstan lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A nice left hand lands by skarstan.

ddurnovs is rocked!
ddurnovs's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Oh ddurnovs is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
skarstan pushes ddurnovs against the cage and as ddurnovsbounces back, skarstan cracks him with a massive overhand right that sends him crashing to the mat! skarstan follows up with more strikes but ddurnovs was out from that first, devastating punch! Wow!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:31 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). sasa skarstan!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
93%

Co-main event

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Matiss Briedis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and max sirokov irsis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). irsis has chosen rocky as his entrance music. max sirokov irsis acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Briedis
vs
sirokov irsis

179 cm
21
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

182 cm
22
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Matiss Briedis!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, max sirokov irsis!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Konstantin Menshow and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Briedis shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in irsis's guard.
Briedis trying to control the position from guard on top but irsis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Briedis has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
irsis wants to get back to his feet but Briedis is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Briedis slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
irsis wants to stand and escape but Briedis is having none of it.
Briedis throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

irsis is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
irsis has had enough of the clinch but Briedis keeps him there for the moment.
Briedis looking for a takedown.
irsis tries to circle away but Briedis has him pinned against the cage.

irsis pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Briedis slips a jab and a cross from irsis.
Briedis looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
irsis misses with an uppercut.
Briedis is trying hard to land a takedown here. irsis sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matiss Briedis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Briedis is breathing heavily.
irsis throws a nice looking combination but Briedis bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Briedis ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
irsis connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Briedis's hands.

It looks like Matiss Briedis has been cut.
irsis throws a right and a left that Briedis avoids nicely.
irsis rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Briedis moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
irsis misses with an uppercut.
irsis throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Briedis looks for a takedown but irsis sprawls well.
irsis clobbers Briedis with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Briedis looks to land a combination but irsis avoids it well.
Briedis moves out of range as irsis strikes.
Briedis throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around irsis's waist but irsis gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Briedis off to one side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from irsis.

irsis drops Briedis with a nice combination! irsis dives into Briedis's guard, looking to finish!

Briedis is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
irsis trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Oh Briedis is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Briedis is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
irsis lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Briedis seems to have got his legs back now.
irsis loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
irsis loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
irsis postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Briedis on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Briedis tries to get out of the position.
Briedis is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
irsis working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
irsis thows a left - swing and a miss!
Briedis ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Briedis shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Briedis looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks irsis with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Briedis prevents irsis from standing back up.
irsis is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Briedis is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Briedis is looking to stall here but irsis recovers full guard.
irsis has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Briedis won't allow irsis to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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.
Briedis looking to pass the guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Briedis on the wrong end of a nice jab.
irsis misses with a looping right.
Briedis takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
irsis misses with a looping left.

irsis gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Briedis to score an easy takedown into full guard.

irsis has his feet on Briedis's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

max sirokov irsis dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Matiss Briedis's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Briedis tries for a takedown but irsis sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
irsis looks to land a left hand but Briedis moved out of range nicely.
irsis swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Briedis counters with a single leg into guard. irsis didn't expect that.
Briedis thows a big elbow that misses.
irsis avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
irsis wants to stand up but Briedis is controlling him.

irsis has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Briedis off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Briedis fails with a takedown attempt.
irsis misses with an uppercut. Briedis saw that one coming.
irsis might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A swing and a miss from irsis.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Briedis uses good head movement to avoid the hook from irsis.

irsis throws a left that rocks Briedis and follows with a right that sends him tumbling to the canvas! irsis dives into side control, looking to finish! Can Briedis regain composure!
Briedis is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Briedis is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but irsis has just dragged him back down to the mat.
irsis working the body and head with strikes.
irsis cracks Briedis with a big elbow.
irsis scoring with punches and elbows.
Briedis parries the strikes from irsis easily there. irsis is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Briedis to escape.
Briedis is trying to get back to his feet.
Briedis on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
irsis 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.
irsis is working Briedis over with some ground and pound from side control.

Briedis throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
irsis misses with a looping left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Briedis closes this distance looking for a takedown but irsis circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matiss Briedis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Briedis ducks under a wild hook from irsis.
Briedis shoots in but no luck this time.
Briedis showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from irsis.
A lazy left from irsis finds it's target.
irsis connects with a nice looking jab.
Matiss Briedis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
irsis throws out a loose jab but Briedis uses good head movement to avoid it.

Briedis drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
irsis is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Briedis throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Briedis landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
irsis wants to get back to his feet but Briedis drags him back down.

irsis explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

Briedis looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Briedis not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Briedis looking to sit in guard and control but irsis gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
irsis landing some decent shots from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
irsis wants to pass the guard but Briedis is keeping the position.
Briedis wants to stand up but irsis is controlling him.
Briedis preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Briedis uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Briedis moves out of range of the strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Briedis steps to the side to avoid the strikes from irsis.
irsis misses with a few strikes there.
Briedis shoots for a takedown but irsis saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
irsis throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Matiss Briedis will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Matiss Briedis's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

irsis pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nice takedown defense from irsis. No joy for Briedis on that attempt.
irsis throws the left hand but Briedis avoids the punch easily.
Nice defenses there by Briedis.
Briedis tries to close the distance and clinch but irsis swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
irsis scores with a nice head shot.

Matiss Briedis's cut is getting worse.
Briedis avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
irsis throws a jab when Briedis was well out of range.
irsis keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
irsis moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A jab from irsis misses.
A swing and a miss from irsis.
irsis fails to land with a series of punches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
irsis misses with a double jab

and Briedis counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Briedis thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Briedis prevents irsis from standing back up.
Briedis is looking to take a break and control but irsis is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Briedis seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Briedis throwing shots but irsis is blocking nicely.
irsis keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Briedis is trying to control. irsis wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Briedis sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. irsis defending well though.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
irsis stalks Briedis and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Briedis's face. Briedis staggers backwards, shaken.
Briedis takes one to the side of the head.
irsis misses with a hook.
irsis uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
max sirokov irsis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The fighters circling - irsis throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
irsis throws a shot from downtown. Briedis moves away and avoids it.
irsis loads up on a big right hand but Briedis slips the punch.

Briedis throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. irsis was covering up waiting for the punch and Briedis finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Briedis tries to free his leg and advance position but irsis is retaining full guard.

irsis pushes Briedis off and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
irsis throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Briedis sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Briedis shoots in for a takedown but irsis shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matiss Briedis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Horrible takedown by Briedis or perhaps it was just good defense by irsis which made him look bad.
Briedis moves out of range of the strikes.
Briedis blocks a jab.

Briedis scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Briedis sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but irsis is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
irsis managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Briedis.
irsis is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Briedis has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Briedis working the ground and pound from side control.
irsis is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Briedis asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Briedis scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at irsis to see if he's OK.
irsis takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Briedis drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Briedis tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matiss Briedis showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Briedis has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 29:29
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:28
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a draw!
Oh dear, what a disastrous situation! The belt remains unclaimed and both fighters go home unhappy!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
85%

Main event

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul Power (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fedor Emelianenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Power
vs
Emelianenko

205 cm
19
218 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

185 cm
24
235 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Paul Power!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Fedor Emelianenko!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Emelianenko gets the takedown into side control.
Power is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Power takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

Power is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Emelianenko lands a strong strike to the head of Power. That's dazed him! Emelianenko looking to finish here. Power is waving his arms around trying to block but he's hurt badly - Emelianenko lands more strikes and the referee steps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:25 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Fedor Emelianenko!
Fedor Emelianenko is the new heavyweight champion!