PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Manoel Moicano (ranked 2389 p4p, 7326 weight class) and Ruslan Omnikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Manoel Moicano has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Moicano
vs
Omnikov

174 cm
25
160
3 - 4 - 0

173 cm
18
162
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Manoel Moicano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ruslan Omnikov!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Michael Johnstone and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Moicano throws a nice inside leg kick.
Omnikov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Moicano can pounce on him.

Omnikov closes the distance and clinches.
Moicano is trying to push Omnikov away but Omnikov has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Moicano tries to break the clinch but Omnikov is controlling the position.
Omnikov displaying some good clinch control by pressing Moicano up against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Moicano.
Omnikov has Moicano pushed against the cage.
Omnikov struggles to land a body shot inside as Moicano controls his hands.
Moicano blocks a body shot from Omnikov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Omnikov is struggling to control the position.
Omnikov manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
The crowd are getting on Omnikov's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Moicano is trying to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Omnikov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Moicano is trying to push Omnikov away but Omnikov has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Moicano blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Omnikov misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Omnikov fails to land.
Omnikov misses with the head strike.
Moicano blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Omnikov prevents Moicano from breaking the clinch.
Moicano swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Moicano has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Omnikov working aggressively here.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Omnikov takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Omnikov misses with some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Omnikov has Moicano pushed against the cage.
Moicano definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Moicano is trying to break the clinch but Omnikov is controlling him.
Omnikov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Moicano's elbow.
Moicano prevents a body shot from Omnikov.
Moicano tries a body shot but Omnikov blocks it.
Moicano is trying to break free.
Omnikov misses with some punches.
Omnikov keeps control of Moicano as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Moicano tries to throw a body punch but Omnikov avoids it by throwing Moicano back against the cage.

Omnikov turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Omnikov manages to end up in side control.
Moicano is trying to buck Omnikov off.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Omnikov remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Moicano bucks up and tries to throw Omnikov off but instead Omnikov has got his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Omnikov controlling the position well here. Moicano rolled but Omnikov kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Moicano is trying to get back to his feet but Omnikov has full control of the position and if anything, Moicano has just worked his way into a worse spot.

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.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Moicano just trying to survive but Omnikov is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Omnikov controlling from the back.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ruslan Omnikov dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Moicano slips a straight right by Omnikov.
Moicano ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Omnikov avoids the head kick by Moicano.

Omnikov moves into the clinch.
Moicano can't break the clinch.
Moicano blocks a body shot from Omnikov.
Omnikov wants a takedown but no success here.
Moicano blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Omnikov will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Moicano up against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Omnikov fails to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Omnikov misses with the head strike.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Omnikov tightens his grip and picks Moicano up, before dumping him to the ground. Moicano manages to land in guard.
Moicano is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Omnikov dives into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Omnikov controlling from side mount.
Moicano can't do much from the bottom here.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Omnikov working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Moicano tries to escape but Omnikov is in control.
Moicano is trying to escape the position but Omnikov is controlling the position.
Moicano is looking for a sweep.
Moicano is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Omnikov asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Ruslan Omnikov has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Omnikov takes a little break here. Moicano wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Moicano is looking to get back to his feet here but Omnikov is keeping cool and he's managed to take Moicano's back.
Omnikov is riding his opponent, not letting Moicano buck him off.
Omnikov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Moicano is trying to stand back up.
Omnikov is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moicano is trying to get back to his feet but Omnikov has full control of the position and if anything, Moicano has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Omnikov controls the action.
Omnikov's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

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.
Moicano trying to control the position but Omnikov manages to sink in the hooks.
Omnikov has good solid back control here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Moicano is trying to break free.
Moicano is trying to stand back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ruslan Omnikov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Moicano connects with a high kick.
Moicano lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
A good leg kick by Moicano.
Moicano tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Omnikov is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Moicano lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Omnikov throws a right hand that misses
and Moicano connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A swing and a miss from Omnikov.
Moicano throws a counter high kick but Omnikov was just alert enough to avoid it.
Moicano moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Omnikov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Moicano swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Omnikov has Moicano pressed against the cage.
Moicano misses with a body punch.
Moicano blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Omnikov displaying some good clinch control by pressing Moicano up against the cage.
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!
Moicano is trying to break the clinch but Omnikov has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moicano is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Omnikov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Omnikov throws a head punch that misses.
Omnikov stalling.
Moicano is trying to break the clinch but Omnikov has him pressed against the cage.
Omnikov taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Omnikov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Moicano is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Moicano is trying to force a seperation but Omnikov has the dominant position.
Omnikov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's two 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.
Moicano has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Moicano is looking to control Omnikov's arms but Omnikov gets an underhook and turns him. Now Moicano has his back to the cage.
Omnikov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Omnikov has Moicano pressed against the cage, preventing Moicano from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Moicano tries to circle away but Omnikov has him pinned against the cage.
Moicano tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Omnikov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Omnikov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Moicano taking a breather.
Moicano is trying to break the clinch but Omnikov has him pressed against the cage.
Omnikov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Omnikov dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Ruslan Omnikov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Omnikov misses with a punch on the inside.
Moicano wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Omnikov has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Omnikov controlling the action here for a moment.
Omnikov tries a body shot but Moicano blocks it.
Moicano can't break the clinch.

Omnikov has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Moicano clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
I would not like to be Moicano right now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Omnikov has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Omnikov not allowing Moicano to control his hands.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Omnikov is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Manoel Moicano has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ruslan Omnikov.
I've got Omnikov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Dirk Anderson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 27:30
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ruslan Omnikov!