PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Sergei Ulatov (ranked 19626 p4p, 5986 weight class) and Alonzo Wagner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wagner is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Coma. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ulatov
vs
Wagner

173 cm
35
155
21 - 13 - 0

169 cm
21
150
1 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Brawler
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Fast

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 13 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sergei Ulatov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Alonzo Wagner!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Illya Tyunina and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ulatov closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Wagner's guard.
Wagner is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ulatov tries to free his leg and advance position but Wagner is retaining full guard.
Wagner looking to control.
Ulatov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wagner swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ulatov advances to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ulatov wants to work for an arm triangle but Wagner is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Ulatov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Ulatov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Wagner defends it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wagner is trying to get back to full guard.

Ulatov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Ulatov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Wagner defends it well.
Ulatov prevents Wagner from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Ulatov is trying to work for a kimura but Wagner is defending well.

Ulatov gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

Ulatov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Ulatov wants to control from the top but Wagner keeps moving.

Wagner is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ulatov defends well.
Wagner looking for a sweep. Not yet Wagner, not yet.
Ulatov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ulatov sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Wagner's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ulatov seems to be looking for submissions.
Ulatov wants to control but Wagner is keeping him busy.

Ulatov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Ulatov seems to be looking for submissions.

Ulatov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Wagner has managed to free his arm - good work.

Ulatov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Ulatov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Wagner sees it coming and defends easily.

That's four 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.

Ulatov wants to work for an arm triangle but Wagner is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Ulatov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Wagner does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Ulatov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Wagner has managed to free his arm - good work.

Ulatov is trying to work for a kimura but Wagner is defending well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Ulatov is looking for a kimura but Wagner is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ulatov to get the leverage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ulatov shoots in and gets a takedown into Wagner's guard.
Wagner trying to keep a closed guard but Ulatov is proving a slippery customer.
Ulatov stands and throws Wagner's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Ulatov trying to control the action but Wagner is working from the bottom.
Wagner tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Ulatov tries for a kimura but Wagner is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
You can see the frustration on Wagner's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Wagner is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Ulatov's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ulatov is working for a submission of some sort.
Ulatov wants to stand up but Wagner has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Ulatov is keen to just control but Wagner is a slippery customer.

Ulatov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Ulatov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Wagner sees it coming and defends easily.
Ulatov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Wagner can do to turn this around?
Wagner is pressing down on Ulatov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Wagner is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ulatov is aware though and is defending well.
Wagner 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.
Ulatov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Wagner tries to get to full guard but Ulatov has control of the leg.

Ulatov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Wagner sees it coming and defends easily.

Ulatov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Wagner has managed to free his arm - good work.

Ulatov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Wagner tries to get to full guard but Ulatov has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wagner holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Wagner wants to improve his position but Ulatov is controlling well.
Ulatov seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Wagner is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Ulatov is looking for a kimura here.

Ulatov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Wagner doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ulatov.
Sergei Ulatov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Wagner trying to control here.
Wagner keeping hold of Ulatov's head, controlling as best he can.
Wagner has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Wagner is looking for a sweep. Ulatov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ulatov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Ulatov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Wagner defends it well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sergei Ulatov dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Ulatov feints and as Wagner raises his hands in defense, Ulatov changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Ulatov wants to pass the guard but Wagner is keeping the position.
Wagner keeping moving, preventing Ulatov from controlling successfully.
Ulatov preventing the sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Wagner looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ulatov passes Wagner's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Ulatov is looking for submissions but instead, Wagner has regained full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wagner is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Wagner is looking for a kimura here.

Ulatov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Wagner pulls his head out easily.

Ulatov actively working from the bottom here.
Wagner throwing shots but Ulatov is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ulatov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Ulatov won't allow Wagner to pass to mount.
Wagner controlling the pace.
Wagner is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Ulatov reverses the position - he's now on top in Wagner's guard.

Wagner had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ulatov defends it easily.

Ulatov stands and steps away. Wagner gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Sergei Ulatov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ulatov closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Wagner's guard.
Wagner wants to sweep but no luck.
Ulatov passes into half guard.

Ulatov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Wagner has managed to free his arm - good work.

Ulatov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Wagner is just riding it out for now. Ulatov eventually gives up the hold.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Ulatov is working for an americana but Wagner has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Ulatov was thinking about the submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ulatov won't allow Wagner to sweep him here.
Ulatov trying to control but Wagner is working from the bottom.
Ulatov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Wagner is keeping the position for now.
Alonzo Wagner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Wagner wants to improve his position but instead Ulatov has moved into half guard.

Ulatov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Wagner defends it well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sergei Ulatov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ulatov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sergei Ulatov!
During a confident post fight interview, Sergei Ulatov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.