PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Michail Rasnov (ranked 6140 p4p, 24669 weight class) and Lazarus Petrov (ranked 555 p4p, 620 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Rasnov
vs
Petrov

185 cm
23
155
8 - 3 - 0

180 cm
26
165
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 4 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Michail Rasnov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Lazarus Petrov!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Daniel Franklin and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rasnov looks for a takedown but Petrov sprawls well.
A nice inside leg kick there by Petrov. That's going to slow Rasnov down.

Rasnov gets a clinch.

Rasnov gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Petrov tries to kick Rasnov off in order to stand up. Rasnov Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Petrov taking a bit of punishment here - Rasnov scoring with strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rasnov is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Petrov's shoulder. That is not cool.
Rasnov trying to control the position but Petrov is working away.
Petrov wants to get back to his feet but Rasnov drags him back down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rasnov throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

Rasnov stands up.
Petrov's coach down at Cozad MMA St Petersburg was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Petrov's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Petrov swats away the attempt to clinch by Rasnov.
Rasnov dives in for a single leg takedown but Petrov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Petrov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Petrov stuffs the takedown attempt from Rasnov. Rasnov gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michail Rasnov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rasnov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Petrov pinned against the cage. Petrov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Petrov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petrov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rasnov.
Rasnov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Petrov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Petrov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Rasnov tries to clinch but Petrov is having none of it.
Petrov unleashes a big counter combination but Rasnov bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Rasnov with a poor takedown
and Petrov counters with a three punch combo that has Rasnov backing up. Rasnov nods at Petrov to acknowledge the strikes.
Petrov swats away the attempt to clinch by Rasnov.
Rasnov shoots in looking for a takedown. Petrov tries to sprawl out of it but Rasnov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Petrov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Petrov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Lazarus Petrov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rasnov blocks a low kick nicely.
Rasnov looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Petrov keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Petrov throws a counter combo.
Petrov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Petrov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Petrov blocks a low kick nicely.
Despite the aggression on Petrov's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Petrov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Petrov wants it to stay on the feet.
Petrov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Petrov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Rasnov checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Rasnov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Petrov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rasnov somewhat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Petrov scores with a leg kick.
Petrov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Petrov has Rasnov up against the cage in a clinch.

Petrov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rasnov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Petrov is fending him off so far but Rasnov persists. Nope, Petrov circles away and we're back to standing.
Michail Rasnov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Petrov drives through and clinches with Rasnov against the cage.

Rasnov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lazarus Petrov dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Rasnov doesn't manage to clinch there - Petrov circles away.
Petrov throws a counter combo.
Petrov keeps the fight on the outside.
Rasnov shoots in and drives through. Petrov sprawls well.

Petrov drives through and clinches with Rasnov against the cage.

Petrov breaks from the clinch.
Petrov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rasnov dives in for a single leg takedown but Petrov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Rasnov breaks the clinch.
Petrov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Petrov wants it to stay on the feet.
Despite the aggression on Petrov's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michail Rasnov. 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.

Rasnov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Petrov sprawls well initially but Rasnov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Petrov kicks off Rasnov and gets to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Petrov moves into the clinch successfully.

Rasnov breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petrov is looking to slow Rasnov down with leg kicks.
Petrov misses with a wild combination.
Rasnov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Petrov defends well and Rasnov ends up having to push Petrov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Petrov unleashes a big counter combination but Rasnov bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

Petrov manages to break the clinch.
Petrov throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Rasnov shoots in for a takedown but Petrov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Despite the aggression on Petrov's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rasnov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Petrov but Petrov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Petrov throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rasnov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Petrov avoids it really well and circles away.

Petrov has Rasnov up against the cage in a clinch.
Rasnov jumps guard but Petrov stands there with Rasnov around his waist. Rasnov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Petrov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Petrov. No joy for Rasnov on that attempt.
Rasnov walks forward, straight into a front kick from Petrov.
Rasnov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Petrov paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Rasnov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Petrov kicks Rasnov off and gets back to his feet.
Petrov scores with a spinning back kick!
Rasnov really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Rasnov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Petrov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rasnov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Petrov defends well and Rasnov ends up having to push Petrov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Petrov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Petrov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Petrov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Lazarus Petrov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Petrov scoring well with a low kick there.
Petrov throws a right and a left that Rasnov avoids nicely.
Rasnov tries for a takedown but Petrov circles away easily
and Petrov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Rasnov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Petrov tries to avoid it but Rasnov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Petrov to the ground. Petrov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A head kick from Petrov lands but Rasnov takes it in his stride.
Rasnov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Petrov throws a counter combo.
Nice body kick from Petrov.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Petrov.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lazarus Petrov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Petrov throws a head kick that half lands.
Petrov is looking to land body kicks.
Rasnov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Petrov gets off balance looking for a body kick
letting Rasnov counter with a right hand.
Rasnov tries to clinch but Petrov is having none of it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rasnov.
Michail Rasnov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rasnov tries to clinch up.

Rasnov drives through with a takedown into guard.

Petrov pushes Rasnov off and scrambles back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Good leg kick by Petrov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rasnov misses with a takedown attempt
and Petrov counters with a one-two to the body.
Petrov jabs at Rasnov's body.

Petrov takes the fight into the clinch.
Rasnov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Petrov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michail Rasnov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Petrov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rasnov shoots in for a takedown but Petrov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Petrov thinks about the counter body kick.
Good work by Petrov as he checks the leg kick.
Rasnov fails with a takedown attempt.
Petrov lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rasnov gets tackled into the cage by Petrov. Petrov maintains the clinch.

Petrov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Petrov clinches up with Rasnov and pushes him back against the cage.

Petrov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Petrov throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Petrov!
Rasnov tries to clinch up
and Petrov counters with a series of strikes. Rasnov will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rasnov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Petrov swivels and escapes.
Petrov leaves Rasnov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Petrov shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Rasnov eats them both and turns towards Petrov to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

Rasnov is rocked!
Petrov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rasnov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rasnov tries to clinch there but Petrov circles away.
Petrov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rasnov loads up on a big right hand but Petrov slips the punch.
Rasnov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Petrov is looking for the big counter here.
Petrov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rasnov will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Rasnov doesn't manage to clinch there - Petrov circles away.

Petrov darts in and clinches Rasnov up against the cage.

Petrov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rasnov is looking to clinch.
Petrov unleashes a big counter combination but Rasnov bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Petrov tries to work over Rasnov's front leg with a kick but Rasnov checks it.
Rasnov closes the distance and clinches up with Petrov, looking for a takedown. Rasnov pushes Petrov against the cage but Petrov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Petrov clinches up with Rasnov and pushes him back against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lazarus Petrov really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Petrov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Rasnov has Petrov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Petrov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Rasnov is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

Rasnov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Petrov lands with a kick to the ribs.
A nice leg kick lands there from Petrov.
Rasnov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Petrov misses with a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Petrov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rasnov avoids a kick to the body.

Petrov tries to keep at a distance but Rasnov has taken the fight into the clinch.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Rasnov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rasnov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Petrov is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michail Rasnov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Petrov breaks the clinch.
Rasnov shoots in looking for a takedown but Petrov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rasnov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
As Rasnov backs off Petrov throws a huge counter combo but Rasnov manages to avoid it all.
Petrov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rasnov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rasnov avoids the head kick by Petrov.
Rasnov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Petrov is looking for the big counter here.

Petrov moves into the clinch.

Petrov manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rasnov fails to land the takedown.
Petrov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Petrov lands with a kick to the ribs.
Petrov lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Rasnov backs up against the cage.
Petrov throws a head kick that misses.

Petrov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Petrov avoids the elbow strike from Rasnov, against the cage.
Rasnov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Petrov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rasnov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Petrov gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Petrov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Some bone on bone action there as Rasnov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Rasnov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Petrov as he avoids it easily.
Petrov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
A solid leg kick lands there for Petrov.
Rasnov chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Petrov can pounce on him.
Rasnov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Petrov sprawls well. Petrov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rasnov gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Petrov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Petrov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Petrov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rasnov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Petrov counters with a left to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rasnov throws a right hand that Petrov ducks under and follows up with a left that Petrov also avoids with ease.
Petrov steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Michail Rasnov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lazarus Petrov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rasnov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lazarus Petrov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Petrov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight for Lazarus Petrov!
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight for Lazarus Petrov!
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight for Lazarus Petrov!

Lazarus Petrov wins by unanimous decision!