PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lee Mathers (ranked 4613 p4p, 4541 weight class) and Viktor Reznov (ranked 0 p4p, 515 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Mathers
vs
Reznov

183 cm
24
190
2 - 0 - 0

178 cm
24
185
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Lee Mathers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Viktor Reznov!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Valeri Chadov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reznov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mathers as he avoids it easily.

Reznov dives in and scores a takedown into Mathers's guard.
Mathers tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Reznov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mathers is keeping the position for now.
Reznov trying to control but Mathers is working from the bottom.
Reznov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Mathers is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Mathers moves into full guard.
Reznov won't allow Mathers to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mathers is trying to control the position but Reznov postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Reznov looking to pass the guard.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mathers lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Mathers throws a big elbow that misses.
Reznov has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Mathers has passed into side control.
Mathers scores with punches from side control.
Reznov trying to control but Mathers flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
You can see the frustration on Reznov's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Reznov trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Reznov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Mathers haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Reznov covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Reznov can't escape the position.
Mathers scores with strikes from the back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mathers gets his hands free as Reznov looks to control.
Mathers is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Reznov. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mathers throwing sloppy strikes.
Mathers not allowing Reznov to control his hands.
Mathers is looking to control Reznov but Reznov is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Mathers has the hooks in. Reznov is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Mathers doesn't have the hooks in and Reznov manages to turn into his guard.
Reznov wants to control from the top but Mathers keeps moving.
Reznov tries to free his leg and advance position but Mathers is retaining full guard.
Mathers is pulling down on Reznov's head. It's preventing any offense from Reznov, at least for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mathers looking for a sweep. Not yet Mathers, not yet.
Reznov stands up over Mathers, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Reznov won't allow Mathers to sweep him here.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Reznov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Reznov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Reznov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Reznov looking to pass the guard.
Mathers wants to sweep here but Reznov controlling him for the moment.

Mathers is looking for a triangle but Reznov pushes his legs off easily.
Mathers keeping moving, preventing Reznov from controlling successfully.
Reznov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reznov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Mathers's head.
Reznov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mathers keeping full guard, as Reznov tries to pass.
Reznov trying to control the position from guard on top but Mathers is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Reznov works over Mathers with some ground and pound from guard.
Mathers is trying to control the position but Reznov postures up.
Mathers wants to sweep but no luck.
Reznov cracks Mathers with a solid left hand.
Reznov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mathers is keeping the position for now.
Reznov is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Reznov trying to control but Mathers is working from the bottom.
Mathers not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Lee Mathers will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Mathers uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Reznov has time to react.

Reznov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Reznov working some strikes from top position.
Reznov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Reznov sitting in guard here, content to control.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mathers is on top in guard.

Mathers keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Reznov's head.
Mathers forces his way into half guard.
Reznov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Mathers's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Mathers's back!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
A lull in the action here.
Reznov scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Reznov tries to keep control of the position but Mathers is staying busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reznov really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Mathers.
The referee is taking a good look at Mathers as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Reznov!

It looks like Lee Mathers has been cut.
Reznov struggling to keep hold of the position.
Mathers is taking damage to the body and head.
Reznov trying to control.
Mathers is trying to break free.
Reznov looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Reznov slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Reznov keeps control of the position as Mathers tries to break free.
Reznov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Mathers. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
I would not like to be Mathers right now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mathers turns into Reznov and is now in his guard.
Reznov wants to sweep but no luck.
Mathers working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Viktor Reznov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Reznov trying to keep a closed guard but Mathers is proving a slippery customer.
Reznov throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Reznov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Reznov wants to sweep here but Mathers controlling him for the moment.
Reznov seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Mathers postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Reznov trying to keep a closed guard but Mathers is proving a slippery customer.
Mathers pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Reznov is keeping the position for now.
Mathers passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Reznov gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mathers working over Reznov with some ground and pound. Reznov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Reznov works his way to full guard. Good work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Mathers lands a couple of elbows.
Mathers won't allow Reznov to sweep him here.
Mathers trying to control but Reznov is working from the bottom.
Mathers pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Reznov is keeping the position for now.
Reznov looking for a sweep. Not yet Reznov, not yet.
Mathers trying to control but Reznov is working from the bottom.
Reznov looking for a sweep. Not yet Reznov, not yet.
Mathers wants to control from the top but Reznov keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mathers throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Reznov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Reznov is trying to keep Mathers in close.
Reznov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Reznov working the head and body with strikes.
Reznov is looking to take a break and control but Mathers is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Reznov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The fighters are battling for position here. Mathers manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Mathers can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Reznov controls the pace.
Mathers looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Viktor Reznov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Lee Mathers's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Reznov.

Mathers drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Mathers preventing the sweep.
Mathers stands and throws Reznov's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Reznov wants to control but Mathers postures up.
Mathers in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mathers trying to control the action but Reznov is working from the bottom.
Reznov is looking to reverse the position.
Reznov isn't going anywhere.
Mathers scores with punches from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reznov manages to work his way to half guard, despite Mathers's best efforts.
Mathers is trying to control. Reznov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Mathers tries to pass the half guard into mount. Reznov knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Reznov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Mathers lands a couple of elbows.
Reznov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Reznov is adopting a defensive guard.
Reznov controls Mathers momentarily but Mathers frees himself.
Mathers 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.
Mathers trying to control but Reznov is working from the bottom.
Mathers postures up in Reznov's guard and throws a big left but Reznov blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Reznov keeping moving, preventing Mathers from controlling successfully.
Reznov looking to control.
Mathers stopping the sweep attempt from Reznov.
Reznov is pulling down on Mathers's head. It's preventing any offense from Mathers, at least for the moment.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Viktor Reznov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Reznov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mathers avoids it really well and circles away.
Mathers goes for a double leg but Reznov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Reznov continues to drive forward.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mathers lands a nice shot that snaps Reznov's head back.
Mathers scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Reznov doesn't seem bothered though.

Reznov gets a double leg takedown into Mathers's guard.
Mathers working a defensive guard here.
Reznov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reznov postures up and lands a big shot to Mathers's brow.
Reznov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Mathers throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Reznov is stalling in the full guard.
Reznov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Reznov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Reznov is nestled in close to Mathers, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Reznov slows the pace down in half guard.
Mathers has hold of Reznov's hands but Reznov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Reznov not doing much here.
Reznov drops an elbow to the side of Mathers's head.
Reznov content to control rather than advance.
Mathers tries to roll over but Reznov keeps him under control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Reznov connects with a nice short shot to Mathers's temple.
Mathers manages to get to full guard.
Mathers keeping full guard, as Reznov tries to pass.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Lee Mathers.
I think Mathers 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight for Lee Mathers!
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight for Viktor Reznov!
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight for Viktor Reznov!

Viktor Reznov wins by split decision!