PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mamed Kartuzelev (ranked 4092 p4p, 24880 weight class) and Dusty Rousey (ranked 505 p4p, 678 weight class). Kartuzelev's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Fuck Donald Trump. Dusty Rousey will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Kartuzelev
vs
Rousey

182 cm
25
190
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
19
192
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mamed Kartuzelev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dusty Rousey!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Ian Loll and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rousey throws a sloppy head kick
and Kartuzelev counters with a nice uppercut.

Rousey shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kartuzelev napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Kartuzelev is trying to get back to half guard.

Rousey has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Rousey wants to clinch up but Kartuzelev keeps it at a distance.
Rousey shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kartuzelev pinned against the cage. Kartuzelev gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kartuzelev throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Rousey counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Rousey.
Kartuzelev takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Rousey looks for a takedown but Kartuzelev sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kartuzelev throws a lazy uppercut
and Kartuzelev takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rousey displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kartuzelev throws out the jab.
Kartuzelev throws a hook but Rousey avoids it easily.

Kartuzelev clinches with his opponent.

Kartuzelev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rousey with a poor takedown
and Kartuzelev counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Mamed Kartuzelev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dusty Rousey.
Kartuzelev rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Rousey counters with a straight right hand.
Rousey uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kartuzelev.
Kartuzelev walks into a jab.
Horrible takedown attempt by Rousey or perhaps it was just good defense by Kartuzelev, which made it look bad.
Rousey shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rousey.
Rousey looks winded!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Kartuzelev misses.
Kartuzelev is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rousey.
Rousey shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kartuzelev defends it nicely.
Kartuzelev looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rousey blocks a jab.

Kartuzelev closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Rousey's guard.
Kartuzelev wants to get up but he can't break Rousey's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Kartuzelev trying to control the position from guard on top but Rousey is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rousey told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Kartuzelev controlling from the top position.
Rousey keeping full guard, as Kartuzelev tries to pass.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rousey fails to land the takedown.
Kartuzelev is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

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.
Rousey moves out of range of the strikes.
Rousey misses with a head kick.
Kartuzelev checks a leg kick nicely.
It looked like Kartuzelev wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Rousey staying out of range there.
Rousey keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kartuzelev.
Kartuzelev misses the jab.
Rousey wants to counter the offense by Kartuzelev and move into the clinch position.

Rousey gets caught napping as Kartuzelev dives in and scores a takedown. Rousey manages to retain guard.
Kartuzelev passes Rousey's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Rousey is trying to get back to full guard.
Kartuzelev is looking to take a break and control but Rousey is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mamed Kartuzelev dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Rousey tries to keep at a distance but Kartuzelev has taken the fight into the clinch.

Kartuzelev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kartuzelev waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rousey.
Rousey shoots in for a takedown but Kartuzelev shows good takedown defense.
A little feinted left hand from Kartuzelev on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Rousey wants to clinch up but Kartuzelev keeps it at a distance.
Rousey moves away from the strike by Kartuzelev.
Kartuzelev connects with a solid leg kick.
Rousey goes for a double leg but Kartuzelev avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kartuzelev continues to drive forward.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kartuzelev needs to keep his hands up - Rousey had a free shot at his head there.
Rousey closes the distance but Kartuzelev moves to the side
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
and Rousey takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rousey slips under a jab from Kartuzelev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rousey with a lazy takedown attempt

and Kartuzelev counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kartuzelev.
Mamed Kartuzelev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dusty Rousey.
Rousey is looking for a takedown.

Kartuzelev breaks the clinch.
Rousey tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kartuzelev manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Dusty Rousey is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rousey keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kartuzelev.

Kartuzelev closes the distance and clinches.

Kartuzelev has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Rousey clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Kartuzelev's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Kartuzelev keeps control of the position as Rousey tries to break free.
Kartuzelev wants to control but Rousey is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rousey covering up well under a series of strikes from Kartuzelev.
Kartuzelev is not going to allow Rousey to sit and survive in this position.
Kartuzelev trying to control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kartuzelev has the hooks in. Rousey is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Kartuzelev trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Rousey doesn't escape.
Kartuzelev tries to keep control of the position but Rousey is staying busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kartuzelev is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Rousey is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Kartuzelev gets his hands free as Rousey looks to control.
Mamed Kartuzelev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Kartuzelev is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Rousey defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Kartuzelev is hanging on to Rousey's back as he tries to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Rousey looking very determined here, making life difficult for Kartuzelev.
Rousey tries to break free.
Rousey has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Kartuzelev.
Will Kartuzelev go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Kartuzelev throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rousey prevents Kartuzelev from getting a body triangle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mamed Kartuzelev dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Kartuzelev connects with a crisp jab.
Rousey will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kartuzelev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rousey can do to turn this around?

Kartuzelev clinches up with Rousey and pushes him back against the cage.

Kartuzelev breaks from the clinch.
Kartuzelev looks to throw the jab but Rousey is out of range.
Rousey ducks under a wild hook from Kartuzelev.
Rousey looks for a takedown but Kartuzelev sprawls well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rousey uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kartuzelev.
Rousey slips a jab from Kartuzelev.
Rousey is looking to clinch.
Rousey tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kartuzelev throws a jab when Rousey was well out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kartuzelev lands a really nice looking cross but Rousey seems unphased.
Rousey shoots in for a takedown but Kartuzelev shows good takedown defense.
Mamed Kartuzelev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dusty Rousey.

Kartuzelev has managed to clinch.

Kartuzelev breaks the clinch.
Rousey ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Rousey misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Rousey takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kartuzelev takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Kartuzelev keeps the fight on the outside.
Rousey defending well as Kartuzelev loads up on a big left hand.
Kartuzelev misses the jab.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kartuzelev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kartuzelev misses with an uppercut. Rousey saw that one coming.
A big left from Kartuzelev misses.
Kartuzelev tries to bum rush Rousey with a series of wild strikes but Rousey uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rousey staying out of range there.
Mamed Kartuzelev is winning the standup battle so far.
Rousey tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kartuzelev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kartuzelev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rousey moves away.
Kartuzelev with a nice calf kick.
Kartuzelev avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rousey slips a jab from Kartuzelev.
Rousey uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kartuzelev.
Rousey appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Rousey shoots in but no luck this time.

Kartuzelev closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Kartuzelev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kartuzelev loads up on a big right hand but Rousey slips the punch.
Rousey steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kartuzelev.
Kartuzelev swings widly with a right hand
and Rousey counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kartuzelev fails with a takedown attempt.
Rousey wants to clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rousey is defended easily by Kartuzelev.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rousey misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kartuzelev missing with a left hand there. Rousey was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rousey avoids the body shot from Kartuzelev.
Kartuzelev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kartuzelev misses the jab.
As Kartuzelev backs off Rousey throws a huge counter combo but Kartuzelev manages to avoid it all.
Kartuzelev misses the jab.
Kartuzelev misses with a straight left.
Rousey tries to close the distance and clinch but Kartuzelev swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rousey closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kartuzelev circles away.
Dusty Rousey has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mamed Kartuzelev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kartuzelev lands with an overhand left.

Rousey is rocked!

And that's the end of the fight!
Mamed Kartuzelev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kartuzelev 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 Alec Ball scores the fight for Mamed Kartuzelev!
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight for Mamed Kartuzelev!
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight for Mamed Kartuzelev!

Mamed Kartuzelev wins by unanimous decision!
Our winner, Mamed Kartuzelev, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.