PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Franchesco Bombardini (ranked 5833 p4p, 23232 weight class) and Andrejs Medvedevs (ranked 514 p4p, 619 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bombardini
vs
Medvedevs

200 cm
23
267
1 - 1 - 0

225 cm
23
280
4 - 11 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Franchesco Bombardini!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 11 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Andrejs Medvedevs!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Saam Ante and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Medvedevs dives in for a single leg takedown but Bombardini sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Bombardini is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Medvedevs.
Medvedevs is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Medvedevs defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bombardini.
Sloppy strikes from Medvedevs. Those never looked like landing.
It appears Bombardini was looking to counter with a kick there.
Medvedevs is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bombardini appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Bombardini tries to score a power double leg takedown but Medvedevs sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bombardini somewhat.
Medvedevs misses with a takedown attempt - Bombardini sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bombardini with a poor takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Franchesco Bombardini. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck for Medvedevs with that takedown attempt.
Medvedevs dives in for a single leg takedown but Bombardini sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bombardini looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Bombardini tries to score a power double leg takedown but Medvedevs sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bombardini somewhat.
Bombardini sets himself, and Medvedevs steps forward looking for the clinch! Bombardini avoids it this time.
Bombardini closes the distance and clinches up with Medvedevs, looking for a takedown. Bombardini pushes Medvedevs against the cage but Medvedevs circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Medvedevs shoots in but Bombardini avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Bombardini fails to land the takedown.
Bombardini is trying hard to land a takedown here. Medvedevs sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Bombardini smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Bombardini turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Bombardini shoots in for a double leg but Medvedevs sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Medvedevs wants to counter with a clinch but Bombardini pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Medvedevs fails with the takedown.
Bombardini throws a head kick but Medvedevs moves out of range.
Medvedevs goes for a double leg but Bombardini avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Bombardini continues to drive forward.
Bombardini shoots in but no luck this time.
Bombardini is breathing heavily.
Medvedevs looks for a takedown but Bombardini sprawls well.
Medvedevs shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bombardini as he avoids it easily.
Bombardini misses with a looping right.
Bombardini dives in for a single leg takedown but Medvedevs sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Medvedevs wants the takedown. Bombardini is fighting it off but Medvedevs persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Bombardini's guard against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Medvedevs passes Bombardini's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bombardini is looking to improve his position.
Medvedevs thows a huge punch but Bombardini dodges it nicely.
Bombardini wants to improve his position but Medvedevs is controlling well.
Medvedevs works his foot free and advances to mount.
Medvedevs looking to control and managing it successfully.
Bombardini holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Medvedevs tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bombardini is working to get back to half guard.
Bombardini is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Medvedevs gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Bombardini dives in for a single leg takedown but Medvedevs sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Medvedevs jumps guard but Bombardini turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bombardini wants to break the clinch but can't.
Medvedevs wants to take the fight to the mat but Bombardini manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Medvedevs decides to pull guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Andrejs Medvedevs dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nice takedown defense from Medvedevs. No joy for Bombardini on that attempt.
Despite the aggression on Medvedevs's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

Bombardini drives through and clinches with Medvedevs against the cage.
Bombardini gets underhooks to prevent Medvedevs's takedown attempt.

Bombardini pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bombardini shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Medvedevs shoots for a double leg takedown but Bombardini sprawls well. He's pushed Medvedevs's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Bombardini is looking to clinch but Medvedevs is avoiding it.
Medvedevs stuffs the takedown attempt from Bombardini. Bombardini gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Franchesco Bombardini. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bombardini misses with a head kick.
Medvedevs shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bombardini as he jumps to the side.
Franchesco Bombardini is winning the standup battle so far.
Medvedevs attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Medvedevs changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bombardini tries to avoid it but Medvedevs manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bombardini to the ground. Bombardini escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Medvedevs fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Bombardini feinted with a counter takedown.
Bombardini closes the distance and clinches up with Medvedevs, looking for a takedown. Bombardini pushes Medvedevs against the cage but Medvedevs circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Medvedevs dives in and grabs Bombardini's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bombardini pushes down on Medvedevs's head and hops out.
Bombardini thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Medvedevs if he has to take too many more of those.
Medvedevs tries to clinch but Bombardini is having none of it.
Bombardini shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Medvedevs sprawls well. Medvedevs wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bombardini gets slowly back to his feet.

Medvedevs moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Medvedevs prevents the takedown attempt.
Medvedevs tries for a takedown. No joy.
Medvedevs tries for a takedown but Bombardini manages to get underhooks.
Medvedevs is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Bombardini to keep the fight standing.
Bombardini goes for a takedown in the clinch but Medvedevs prevents it.
Medvedevs tries to pull guard but Bombardini holds him up against the cage and eventually Medvedevs drops back down to his feet.
Medvedevs content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Medvedevs is trying to pull guard but Bombardini has him pressed against the cage.
Bombardini goes for a takedown attempt but Medvedevs pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bombardini misses with a takedown attempt - Medvedevs sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Horrible takedown attempt by Medvedevs or perhaps it was just good defense by Bombardini, which made it look bad.
Bombardini seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Bombardini fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Bombardini as Medvedevs shoots in.
Medvedevs fails with a takedown attempt.
Bombardini misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Bombardini as Medvedevs shoots in.
Medvedevs shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bombardini as he jumps to the side.
Medvedevs shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bombardini darts in looking for a takedown but Medvedevs gets double underhooks and turns Bombardini into the cage.
Medvedevs is looking for the big counter here.

Medvedevs decides to pull guard.
Our spies down at at Battle Science inform us that Medvedevs has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Bombardini 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.

Medvedevs is looking for a triangle but Bombardini pushes his legs off easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bombardini won't allow Medvedevs to sweep him here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Franchesco Bombardini will probably get the nod.
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!

Medvedevs throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Bombardini's waist but Bombardini gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Medvedevs off to one side.
Franchesco Bombardini is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Bombardini has taken the fight to the clinch.
Medvedevs jumps guard but Bombardini stands there with Medvedevs around his waist. Medvedevs gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Medvedevs fails to pull guard.
Franchesco Bombardini has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrejs Medvedevs.
Medvedevs tries for a takedown but Bombardini manages to get underhooks.

Medvedevs breaks the clinch.

Bombardini clinches up against the cage.
Bombardini is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Medvedevs is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A frustrated look appears on Medvedevs's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Bombardini pulls guard successfully.
Bombardini preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Medvedevs looking to pass the guard.
Medvedevs sitting in guard here, content to control.
Medvedevs advances position into side control!
Medvedevs scores with punches from side control.

Medvedevs stands up.
Bombardini tries to clinch but Medvedevs moves out of range.
Bombardini fails with a takedown attempt.
Medvedevs unleashes a big counter combination but Bombardini bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Medvedevs gets a clinch.
Medvedevs changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Bombardini fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A nice leg kick lands there from Bombardini.
Bombardini stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Bombardini wants it to stay on the feet.
Bombardini tries for a takedown but Medvedevs sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Medvedevs changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Medvedevs with the inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Medvedevs changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Bombardini looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Bombardini sneaks out the side door and pushes Medvedevs away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Medvedevs doesn't manage to clinch there - Bombardini circles away.
Medvedevs shoots in for a takedown but Bombardini shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Bombardini misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Medvedevs is looking for the big counter here.
Medvedevs stuffs the takedown.
Bombardini shoots in and drives through. Medvedevs sprawls well.

Medvedevs scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Medvedevs looks up at the clock and then as Bombardini takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Medvedevs smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Medvedevs wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bombardini keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
You can see the frustration on Bombardini's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Medvedevs has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Medvedevs working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Medvedevs passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Bombardini!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Andrejs Medvedevs.
I think Medvedevs 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Andrejs Medvedevs!