PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sergey Telegin (ranked 1866 p4p, 1688 weight class) and Spinning Fire (ranked 270 p4p, 252 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Telegin
vs
Fire

190 cm
30
250
10 - 10 - 0

209 cm
30
290
19 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Neon Zombie

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 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sergey Telegin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Spinning Fire!
The judges for this bout are Ben Watson, Donatello Bradman and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big right from Telegin misses.
And Fire tries to counter it with a takedown but Telegin pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Fire uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Telegin.
Telegin throws a big shot that misses.
Sergey Telegin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A big right from Telegin misses.
Fire takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fire ducks under a wild hook from Telegin.
Telegin lands with an uppercut that bounces Fire off the cage and back into range.
Telegin looks to land a right hand but Fire moved out of range.
And Fire tries to counter it with a takedown but Telegin pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Telegin misses its intended target.
Telegin misses with an uppercut. Fire saw that one coming.
Fire feints the counter takedown.
A jab lands there for Telegin.
A slow jab from Telegin misses its intended target.
Fire changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
A swing and a miss from Telegin.
And Fire tries to counter it with a takedown but Telegin pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Telegin is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Telegin throws an overhand right that lands on Fire's shoulder, as Fire tries to avoid the shot.
Fire is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Telegin looks to land a right hand but Fire moved out of range.
Fire is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Telegin has a takedown stuffed.
And Fire tries to counter it with a takedown but Telegin pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Telegin rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Fire counters with a takedown into side control.
Telegin is looking for a sweep.
Fire working away.
Telegin takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Fire lands some shots froms side control.
Telegin tries to buck Fire off but Fire is having none of it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fire scoring with punches from side control.

It looks like Sergey Telegin has been cut.
We've been hearing good reports from Telegin's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Telegin tries to improve position but can't.
Telegin is working to avoid the ground and pound but Fire connects with a decent elbow.

Sergey Telegin's cut is getting worse.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Telegin is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Telegin is trying to control Fire's posture but Fire avoids it.
Fire trying to control the action but Telegin is working from the bottom.
Telegin is trying to control Fire's posture but Fire avoids it.
Telegin might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Telegin is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Fire's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Telegin actively working from the bottom here.

Telegin looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Fire looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Telegin with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Telegin looking for submissions off his back.
Fire prevents Telegin from improving his position.
Fire controlling the pace.
Fire slips a nice elbow through Telegin's hands, connecting with Telegin's forehead.

Sergey Telegin's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Telegin is trying to get back to full guard.
Telegin avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Fire.
Telegin gets full guard.
Fire engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fire distracts Telegin with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Jeez, Sergey Telegin's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Sergey Telegin's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Spinning Fire!
A relieved looking Spinning Fire thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.