PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rashid Elkhan (ranked 846 p4p, 489 weight class) and Timur Vasiliev (ranked 119 p4p, 62 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Elkhan
vs
Vasiliev

193 cm
27
267
10 - 3 - 0

185 cm
27
289
12 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Rashid Elkhan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Timur Vasiliev!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, James Ackerman and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vasiliev tries to close the distance and clinch up but Elkhan swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Vasiliev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Elkhan paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Vasiliev clinches with his opponent.
Vasiliev drops down looking for an ankle pick but Elkhan pulls his leg out and moves away.
Vasiliev is looking to clinch but Elkhan is avoiding it.
Elkhan appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

Vasiliev clinches with his opponent.
Elkhan misses with a punch on the inside.
Elkhan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Elkhan has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Good body shot from Elkhan.
Vasiliev is working for takedown but Elkhan is calmly controlling the position for now.
Elkhan swings wildly with an uppercut but Vasiliev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vasiliev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vasiliev jumps guard but Elkhan stands there with Vasiliev around his waist. Vasiliev gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rashid Elkhan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Timur Vasiliev.
Vasiliev blocks an uppercut.
Vasiliev blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasiliev is trying to pull guard but Elkhan has him pressed against the cage.
Vasiliev goes for a takedown attempt but Elkhan pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Vasiliev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Elkhan was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Vasiliev fails in his attempt to clinch.
Elkhan is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Vasiliev closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Elkhan throws the left hand but Vasiliev avoids the punch easily.
Vasiliev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Elkhan manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Elkhan waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Vasiliev.

Vasiliev darts in and clinches Elkhan up against the cage.
Vasiliev misses with an elbow over the top.
Elkhan scores with a shoulder strike.

Vasiliev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Timur Vasiliev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Elkhan circles away from the clinch attempt.
Elkhan bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Vasiliev's head.
Vasiliev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Elkhan.
Vasiliev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Elkhan.
Vasiliev was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Elkhan tries to keep at a distance but Vasiliev has taken the fight into the clinch.

Vasiliev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Vasiliev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vasiliev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Elkhan paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Vasiliev clinches up against the cage.
Vasiliev's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Vasiliev pulls guard successfully.
Elkhan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Vasiliev swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Elkhan wants to stand but Vasiliev has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Elkhan trying to control but Vasiliev is working from the bottom.
Vasiliev wants to stand and escape but Elkhan is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Elkhan controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Elkhan continues to stall.

Vasiliev is looking for a triangle but Elkhan pushes his legs off easily.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Vasiliev looking for a sweep. Not yet Vasiliev, not yet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Elkhan gets tackled into the cage by Vasiliev. Vasiliev maintains the clinch.

Vasiliev manages to break the clinch.
Vasiliev looks to clinch
and Elkhan counters with a stiff right hand.
Vasiliev tries to clinch
and Elkhan connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Vasiliev has closed the distance and engaged Elkhan in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Elkhan misses with a punch to the body.
Elkhan is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vasiliev.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vasiliev.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Elkhan is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Vasiliev holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Vasiliev gets control of Elkhan's arms and successfully pulls guard. Vasiliev will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Vasiliev trying to control the position.
Elkhan wants to control from the top but Vasiliev keeps moving.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Vasiliev wants to clinch.
Vasiliev ducks under a wild hook from Elkhan.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Elkhan pushes Vasiliev back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Vasiliev is trying to pull guard but Elkhan turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
A short left from Vasiliev.
Elkhan lands an uppercut.

Vasiliev gets control of Elkhan's arms and successfully pulls guard. Vasiliev will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vasiliev has control of Elkhan's left arm, preventing Elkhan from doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vasiliev keeping moving, preventing Elkhan from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasiliev is controlling Elkhan's posture.
Vasiliev is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Elkhan controlling from the top position.
Vasiliev controls Elkhan momentarily but Elkhan frees himself.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Elkhan wants to control from the top but Vasiliev keeps moving.

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

That's two 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.

Vasiliev clinches with his opponent.
Vasiliev tries to score a body lock takedown but Elkhan shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Elkhan on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Timur Vasiliev seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Elkhan is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Rashid Elkhan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Timur Vasiliev.
Vasiliev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Elkhan blocks it with crossed arms.
Vasiliev wants a takedown.

Vasiliev manages to pull guard.
Vasiliev is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Elkhan is controlling him.
Elkhan won't allow Vasiliev to sweep him here.
Vasiliev manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Elkhan manages to get himself to full guard.

Elkhan pulls Vasiliev in to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasiliev wants to pass the guard but Elkhan is keeping the position.
Vasiliev controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Elkhan knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Vasiliev on the ground.
Elkhan controlling the position.
Vasiliev is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Elkhan trying to keep a closed guard but Vasiliev is proving a slippery customer.
Vasiliev won't allow Elkhan to sweep him here.
Elkhan being controlled here, momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Vasiliev trying to control but Elkhan is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Elkhan tries to keep at a distance but Vasiliev has taken the fight into the clinch.
Elkhan working aggressively here.
Vasiliev misses with a knee to the head.
Elkhan misses with a hook from the clinch.
Elkhan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Vasiliev misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Elkhan misses with a punch to the body.
Elkhan lands a left hand that snaps the head of Vasiliev backwards.
Vasiliev is trying to pull guard but Elkhan turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Elkhan is working Vasiliev over against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Timur Vasiliev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Vasiliev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Vasiliev tries to clinch but Elkhan moves out of range.
Vasiliev tries to clinch up but Elkhan circles away and keeps his distance.

Vasiliev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Elkhan has a couple of punches blocked by Vasiliev.

Vasiliev jumps into guard, dragging Elkhan to the mat.
Vasiliev throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Vasiliev is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Elkhan is controlling him.

Vasiliev is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Elkhan defends well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Elkhan looking to sit in guard and control but Vasiliev gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vasiliev stands up and waves to Elkhan to follow him.
Vasiliev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Elkhan manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Vasiliev drops his hands momentarily and Elkhan takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Vasiliev fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Elkhan, pushing him back against the cage.
Elkhan misses with a hook to the ribs.
Elkhan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Vasiliev's elbow.
Elkhan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A hook to the body from Elkhan.
Vasiliev tries to pull guard but Elkhan holds him up against the cage and eventually Vasiliev drops back down to his feet.
Elkhan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Elkhan has a couple of punches blocked by Vasiliev.
Vasiliev has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Elkhan avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Vasiliev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Elkhan throws a body punch but Vasiliev moves out of range.
Vasiliev has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Elkhan swats away the attempt to clinch by Vasiliev.
Elkhan swats away the attempt to clinch by Vasiliev.
Elkhan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Vasiliev moves away.
Vasiliev doesn't manage to clinch there - Elkhan circles away.
Elkhan swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Elkhan avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Elkhan was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Vasiliev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Elkhan is looking to counter punch.

Elkhan tries to keep at a distance but Vasiliev has taken the fight into the clinch.
Elkhan fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Elkhan lands a body shot.
Vasiliev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Elkhan tries to throw a body punch but Vasiliev avoids it by throwing Elkhan back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasiliev tries for a takedown. No joy.
Rashid Elkhan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Timur Vasiliev.
Elkhan struggles to land a body shot inside as Vasiliev controls his hands.
Vasiliev goes for a takedown attempt but Elkhan pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Vasiliev wants to clinch
and Elkhan makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Vasiliev is looking to clinch but Elkhan is avoiding it.
Vasiliev moves in looking to clinch but Elkhan pushes him off.
Vasiliev fails in his attempt to clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Elkhan lands with a right to the head.
Elkhan misses with a short punch on the inside.
Good body shot from Elkhan.
Elkhan struggles to land a body shot inside as Vasiliev controls his hands.

Elkhan breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vasiliev wants to clinch.
An attempted straight right counter from Elkhan misses the target.
Vasiliev wants to clinch up but Elkhan keeps it at a distance.
Elkhan scores with the left hand. Vasiliev knows he should have avoided that one.
Elkhan just misses with a punch to the body.
Vasiliev takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Vasiliev wants to clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vasiliev slips under a jab.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Elkhan, as that shot connected.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vasiliev darts in trying to clinch
and Elkhan makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rashid Elkhan showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Elkhan 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rashid Elkhan!
A very excited looking Rashid Elkhan rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.