PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mohammed Ruslanov (ranked 4514 p4p, 20480 weight class) and Marcelinho Lima (ranked 457 p4p, 550 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Marcelinho Lima was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Ruslanov
vs
Lima

188 cm
30
235
7 - 5 - 0

202 cm
31
270
11 - 19 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Granite 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 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mohammed Ruslanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Marcelinho Lima!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Shirou Masuda and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lima changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ruslanov tries to avoid it but Lima manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ruslanov to the ground. Ruslanov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Lima gets a takedown into half guard.
Lima thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ruslanov wants to get back to his feet.
Ruslanov definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Lima looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Lima throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lima looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Lima is controlling the pace.

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.
Lima throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Lima is trying to control. Ruslanov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Lima passes the guard and advances to mount!

Lima looking to secure an arm triangle but Ruslanov defends it well.
Lima punching from mount but Ruslanov doing a good job of avoiding damage.

Lima get's back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lima fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ruslanov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lima was well out of range. Poor timing from Ruslanov.
Ruslanov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Lima throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ruslanov is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Lima stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Lima shoots in for a takedown but Ruslanov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A quick step to the side and Ruslanov tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mohammed Ruslanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marcelinho Lima.
Lima with a lazy takedown attempt
and Ruslanov counters with a two punch combo.
Lima shoots in for a takedown but Ruslanov shows good takedown defense.
Ruslanov goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Lima shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ruslanov sprawls well. Ruslanov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Lima gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lima misses with a takedown attempt
and Ruslanov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lima tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ruslanov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ruslanov scores with a jab to the body.
Ruslanov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Ruslanov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Lima manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Ruslanov on his heels. He'll look to pass Ruslanov's guard now, I'm sure.
Ruslanov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Lima is controlling him.
Lima forces his way into half guard.

Lima is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ruslanov has managed to free his arm - good work.
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 Mohammed Ruslanov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Ruslanov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Lima uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ruslanov.
Mohammed Ruslanov is winning the standup battle so far.

Lima manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Ruslanov on his heels. He'll look to pass Ruslanov's guard now, I'm sure.
Ruslanov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ruslanov keeping moving, preventing Lima from controlling successfully.
Lima is in close to Ruslanov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Ruslanov is looking to stand up but Lima isn't so interested in that idea.
Lima trying to control but Ruslanov is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lima works over Ruslanov with some ground and pound from guard.
Lima is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lima trying to control but Ruslanov is working from the bottom.
Lima trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Lima trying to control the position from guard on top but Ruslanov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lima throwing strikes from guard but Ruslanov blocks nicely.
Lima with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ruslanov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lima.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

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.
Ruslanov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ruslanov wants it to stay on the feet.
Ruslanov is looking to wear down Lima with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Lima is looking to clinch.
Lima shoots in for a double leg but Ruslanov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ruslanov throws a hook but Lima avoids it easily.
Lima misses with a takedown attempt
and Ruslanov counters with a straight right hand.
Mohammed Ruslanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marcelinho Lima.

Lima bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Lima tries for a kimura but Ruslanov is defending well.
Lima cracks Ruslanov with a big right hand but Ruslanov just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Ruslanov defending against the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lima throwing shots but missing, from side control.

Lima decides to stand back up.
Marcelinho Lima seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Lima drives through and clinches with Ruslanov against the cage.
Ruslanov is trying to break the clinch but Lima is controlling him.

Ruslanov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lima moves in looking to clinch but Ruslanov pushes him off.
Ruslanov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Lima tries to clinch but Ruslanov is having none of it.
Ruslanov closes the distance and lands a one-two.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Ruslanov enables Lima to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Ruslanov manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Lima pushes down on Ruslanov's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Marcelinho Lima has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lima prevents Ruslanov from standing back up.
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.

Lima is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Lima wants to pass the guard but Ruslanov is defending well.
Ruslanov is looking to escape.

Lima is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lima not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcelinho Lima 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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Lima shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Ruslanov counters with a straight right hand.
Lima throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ruslanov throws a right and a left that Lima avoids nicely.
Ruslanov swinging wildly here.
Lima darts in looking for a takedown but Ruslanov gets double underhooks and turns Lima into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lima gets a double leg takedown into Ruslanov's guard.
Lima trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Lima stands up from Ruslanov's guard - Lima perhaps looking for a knockout.
Ruslanov jabs at Lima's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Ruslanov as he connects with a hook.
Lima fails with the takedown
and Ruslanov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Mohammed Ruslanov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marcelinho Lima.
Ruslanov slaps away a takedown attempt from Lima, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ruslanov throws a good cross that connects.
Lima tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ruslanov swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lima closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Lima lands in his opponent's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lima accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ruslanov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Lima is controlling him.
Lima trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ruslanov is looking to stand up but Lima isn't so interested in that idea.
Lima trying to control but Ruslanov is working from the bottom.
Lima tries to free his leg and advance position but Ruslanov is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruslanov keeping moving, preventing Lima from controlling successfully.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Lima pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ruslanov is keeping the position for now.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A jab lands there for Ruslanov.
Ruslanov moves into range and connects with a jab.

Lima closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

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

Lima is trying to get an arm triangle but Ruslanov is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lima wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ruslanov keeps working.
Ruslanov parries the strikes from Lima easily there. Lima is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Ruslanov to escape.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lima 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.

Lima wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Ruslanov, who protects the arm well.

Lima is trying to get an arm triangle but Ruslanov is defending well.

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 Mohammed Ruslanov.
I think Ruslanov 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 Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mohammed Ruslanov!
Mohammed Ruslanov decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.