PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Islam Petrov (ranked 3308 p4p, 959 weight class) and Mate Orsic (ranked 367 p4p, 134 weight class). Orsic has chosen KRS One - Rappaz R. N. Dainja as his entrance music. Mate Orsic has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Islam Petrov's chin.

Petrov
vs
Orsic

186 cm
27
165
7 - 5 - 0

185 cm
34
162
14 - 6 - 1

Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Experienced

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Islam Petrov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 1, fighting out of New York, Mate Orsic!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, George Francis and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Orsic uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Petrov.
A punch combination from Orsic misses.
Petrov throws a sloppy head kick
letting Orsic counter with a right hand.
Petrov connects with a nice looking jab.
Orsic throws the left hand but Petrov avoids the punch easily.
Orsic thows a left - swing and a miss!
Petrov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Petrov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Petrov misses the shot to the body.

Orsic clinches.
Orsic lands with a right to the head.
Orsic leaning his opponent against the cage.
Petrov being controlled against the cage.
Petrov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Orsic misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petrov jumps guard but Orsic stands there with Petrov around his waist. Petrov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Orsic lands a body punch.

Petrov ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Petrov no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Orsic connects with a couple of short punches.
Orsic trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Orsic working some strikes from top position.
Orsic wants to control from the top but Petrov keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Orsic postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Orsic throws a big elbow that misses.

Petrov looking for a guillotine here but Orsic defends easily.

Orsic is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Petrov is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Petrov has escaped and now he's on top!

Petrov being controlled here momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Orsic has his foot on Petrov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Petrov works his way back into a safe position though.
Orsic 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.
Our spies down at at Tran MMA Gym inform us that Orsic has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Petrov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Orsic is keeping the position for now.
Orsic is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Orsic manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Petrov manages to get himself to full guard.

Orsic has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Petrov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Orsic working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Petrov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Petrov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Orsic manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Petrov manages to get himself to full guard.

Petrov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Orsic doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Orsic manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Petrov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Orsic trying to control the position from guard on top but Petrov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Petrov is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Petrov keeping full guard, as Orsic tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Orsic engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Orsic trying to control the position from guard on top but Petrov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Orsic thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Orsic's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Orsic drops back looking for a leg! Petrov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Petrov manages to kick Orsic off! Orsic jumps back into Petrov's guard.
Petrov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Orsic trying to control the position from guard on top but Petrov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Petrov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Petrov misses the body punch
and Orsic counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Petrov lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Petrov misses with a lunging right hand

and Orsic counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Petrov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Orsic throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Petrov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Petrov has his foot on Orsic's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Orsic works his way back into a safe position though.
Orsic has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Petrov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Orsic defends it easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Orsic wants to stand but Petrov has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Petrov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Orsic defends it easily.
Orsic trying to control but Petrov is working from the bottom.
Orsic cracks Petrov with a solid left hand.
Orsic wants to control from the top but Petrov keeps moving.
Orsic lands a couple of digs.
Orsic passes Petrov's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Petrov works his way to full guard. Good work.
Orsic trying to control but Petrov is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Orsic loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Orsic working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Petrov looking for a guillotine here but Orsic defends easily.

Petrov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Orsic defends well.
Mate Orsic has got the better of the ground game so far.
Orsic trying to control the position from guard on top but Petrov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Orsic is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Petrov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Orsic trying to control but Petrov is working from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Petrov is on top in guard.

Orsic is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Orsic trying to control the pace.

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

Petrov working for a triangle but Orsic defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Petrov keeping moving, preventing Orsic from controlling successfully.
Orsic stands and throws Petrov's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Orsic wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Petrov, who protects the arm well.

Orsic wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Petrov, who protects the arm well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Orsic scoring with punches from side control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mate Orsic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Petrov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Petrov throws a jab but it's blocked by Orsic.
Petrov throws a hook but Orsic avoids it easily.
Petrov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Petrov on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Petrov moves out of range as Orsic strikes.
Orsic ducks under a wild hook from Petrov.

Orsic drops Petrov with a nice combination! Orsic dives into Petrov's guard, looking to finish!

Petrov is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Orsic sitting in guard here, content to control.
Oh Petrov is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Orsic postures up from his opponent's guard, before exploding into some vicious ground and pound! Petrov covers up, he's hurt! Orsic keeps throwing the strikes, glancing at the referee... Will he stop it?? One more big shot from Orsic and the ref steps in to end the fight! Orsic can't hide his delight as he celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:45 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mate Orsic!
A relieved looking Mate Orsic thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.