PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Riku Momomoto (ranked 292 p4p, 191 weight class) and Ivan Sidorov (ranked 39 p4p, 25 weight class). Sidorov has chosen Sidorov's Heart as his entrance music. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Momomoto
vs
Sidorov

187 cm
26
188
15 - 2 - 0

184 cm
30
202
17 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Northern Zombie
Shadow Realm Apparel

Shadow Realm Apparel
Northern Zombie

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Riku Momomoto!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ivan Sidorov!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Robert Douchet and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sidorov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting Momomoto counter with a right hand.

It looks like Ivan Sidorov has been cut.
Sidorov has his takedown stuffed
and Momomoto counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Momomoto throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sidorov.
Momomoto misses with an uppercut.
Sidorov is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Momomoto swinging wildly here.
A slow jab from Momomoto misses its intended target.
Sidorov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sidorov fails with the takedown.
Riku Momomoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Sidorov.
The fighters circling - Momomoto throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sidorov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Momomoto counters with a nice body shot.
Sidorov misses with a takedown attempt - Momomoto sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Momomoto darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Momomoto throws a hook but Sidorov blocks it.

Sidorov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Sidorov trying to pass the guard but Momomoto defending well.
Momomoto looks like he's trying to stand up.
Sidorov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Sidorov is nestled in close to Momomoto, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Momomoto is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sidorov wants to pass the guard but Momomoto is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Momomoto on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Momomoto tries to get out of the position.
Sidorov thows a huge punch but Momomoto dodges it nicely.
Momomoto knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Sidorov on the ground.
Sidorov works his foot free and advances to mount.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Sidorov working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Sidorov raining down shots from the mount!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sidorov working Momomoto over with strikes here.
Momomoto is trying desperately to improve position.
Momomoto holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Sidorov tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Momomoto tries to hold on but Sidorov postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sidorov throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Sidorov throwing strikes but Momomoto recovers to half guard. A much better position.
Sidorov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Momomoto with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Sidorov works his foot free and advances to mount.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sidorov scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Momomoto?
Sidorov pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Sidorov throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Sidorov pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Sidorov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sidorov throwing strikes here but Momomoto is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Momomoto definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sidorov thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sidorov breaks from Momomoto's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Sidorov in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Sidorov lands with some strikes.
Sidorov misses with a head shot.
Sidorov landing shots from mount.
Sidorov scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Momomoto?
Sidorov raining down shots from the mount!
Momomoto holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Sidorov tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Sidorov throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Sidorov lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Momomoto hang on?
Sidorov lands a big shot there that rocks Momomoto but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Sidorov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ivan Sidorov's cut.
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.

Momomoto lands a glancing blow to the side of Sidorov's head.
Ivan Sidorov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Momomoto misses with a hook.
Momomoto throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sidorov dives in and grabs Momomoto's left leg, looking for a takedown. Momomoto pushes down on Sidorov's head and hops out.
Momomoto fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sidorov manages to avoid it.
Sidorov shoots in looking for a takedown but Momomoto manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sidorov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
An attempted straight right counter from Momomoto misses the target.
Sidorov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Momomoto as he avoids it easily.
Momomoto is looking to counter punch.
Riku Momomoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Sidorov.
Sidorov avoids the body shot from Momomoto.
Sidorov misses with a takedown attempt - Momomoto sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Jab from Momomoto.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sidorov dives in and grabs Momomoto's left leg, looking for a takedown. Momomoto pushes down on Sidorov's head and hops out.
Momomoto lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Sidorov at a distance.
Sidorov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Momomoto to counter with a crisp jab.
Momomoto throws a good cross that connects.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice body punch from Momomoto.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Momomoto stuffs the takedown attempt from Sidorov. Sidorov gets slowly back to his feet.
Momomoto scores with a nice right hand.

That has opened up Ivan Sidorov's cut even more.
Sidorov has a takedown stuffed.
Nice takedown defense from Momomoto. No joy for Sidorov on that attempt.

Sidorov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Momomoto tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Sidorov is in Momomoto's guard.
Sidorov is breathing heavily.
Sidorov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sidorov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Momomoto working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sidorov.
Sidorov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Momomoto is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Sidorov is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Momomoto jumps into side control!
Sidorov tries to bench press Momomoto off him but Momomoto keeps the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sidorov manages to work his way to half guard, despite Momomoto's best efforts.
Momomoto controlling the pace.
Sidorov tries to get to full guard but Momomoto has control of the leg.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sidorov keeps trying to improve his position.
Sidorov flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Sidorov is pressing down on Momomoto's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Sidorov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Momomoto manages to get himself to full guard.

Momomoto avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Momomoto preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sidorov postures up in Momomoto's guard and throws a big left but Momomoto blocks it.
Sidorov stands up over Momomoto, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Sidorov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Momomoto swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sidorov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sidorov stands and throws Momomoto's legs to the side, diving into side control.
You can see the frustration on Momomoto's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Sidorov tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Sloppy strikes there by Sidorov.
Sidorov cracks Momomoto with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Sidorov tries to score with some ground and pound. Momomoto controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Momomoto wants to control but Sidorov postures up.
Momomoto is looking to regain half guard here but Sidorov keeps moving and retains side control.
Sidorov cracks Momomoto with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Sidorov working the strikes but Momomoto uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Sidorov is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Momomoto!
Sidorov lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Sidorov cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sidorov breaks from Momomoto's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Sidorov raining down hammerfists from mount.
Sidorov thowing shots but they're missing.
Sidorov is in the full mount, landing strikes.
A nice elbow there by Sidorov.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ivan Sidorov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Ivan Sidorov's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sidorov shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Sidorov was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Momomoto dodges the ground and pound from Sidorov.
Momomoto dodges the ground and pound from Sidorov.
Sidorov scoring with punches and elbows.
Momomoto is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Sidorov fails to land a wild elbow strike.
The strikes coming from Sidorov are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sidorov in side control lands a decent elbow.
Sidorov scoring with punches from side control.
Sidorov working the ground and pound but Momomoto is defending the strikes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Momomoto taking punishment in the form of punches.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Momomoto takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Sidorov working the ground and pound.
Sidorov throws an elbow but Momomoto slips to the side and avoids it well.
Sidorov misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Sidorov looks up at the clock and then as Momomoto takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Sidorov smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Sidorov with the ground and pound but Momomoto regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Sidorov is nestled in close to Momomoto, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Sidorov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Momomoto blocking the ground and pound attempt from Sidorov.
Sidorov tries to pass to full mount but Momomoto defends it.
Sidorov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Momomoto on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Sidorov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Momomoto has hold of Sidorov's hands but Sidorov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Sidorov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Sidorov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Momomoto with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Sidorov wants to free his trapped foot but Momomoto is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Momomoto keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sidorov looks to land a strike but Momomoto avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Sidorov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Momomoto swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sidorov throws an elbow that misses. Momomoto uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Sidorov's guard. Nice move by Momomoto!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sidorov looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Momomoto puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Sidorov is looking for a sweep. Momomoto is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are battling for position here. Sidorov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Momomoto stopping the sweep attempt from Sidorov.
Sidorov is looking to sweep but instead, Momomoto has passed into half guard.
Sidorov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Sidorov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Momomoto's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Momomoto's back!
Sidorov gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Sidorov is punishing Momomoto with strikes - can he finish him?!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sidorov misses with a punch to the head.
Sidorov lands shots from the back.
Momomoto is really stuck here.
Momomoto covering up well under a barage of strikes.
Momomoto covers up after that shot from Sidorov.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Momomoto is trying to break free.
Momomoto is trapped and Sidorov is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Sidorov misses with an elbow to the head.
Sidorov missing with punches from the back.
Sidorov is landing with strikes. Momomoto can't take much more of this.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Sidorov really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ivan Sidorov's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sidorov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Momomoto swivels and escapes.
Momomoto stalks Sidorov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Sidorov's face. Sidorov staggers backwards, shaken.
The fighters circling - Momomoto throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Momomoto throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sidorov darts in looking for a takedown but Momomoto gets double underhooks and turns Sidorov into the cage.
Momomoto was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Sidorov dives in for a single leg takedown but Momomoto sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Riku Momomoto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Sidorov.

Sidorov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Sidorov throws a strike aimed at the side of Momomoto's head but Momomoto avoids it well.
Sidorov scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Momomoto to see if he's OK.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The ground and pound from Sidorov seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Sidorov creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Momomoto sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Sidorov throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Sidorov working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Momomoto tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Sidorov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The strikes coming from Sidorov are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Momomoto defending against the ground and pound.
Sidorov throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Momomoto dodges the ground and pound from Sidorov.
Sidorov creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Sidorov cracks Momomoto with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Sidorov working the ground and pound but Momomoto is defending the strikes.
Sidorov working the body and head with strikes.
Sidorov throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Sidorov throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Sloppy strikes there by Sidorov.
Sidorov creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Sidorov postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sidorov sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Momomoto is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Sidorov in side control lands a decent elbow.
Sidorov working the head and body with strikes.
Momomoto on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Sidorov scoring with punches and elbows.
Sidorov scoring with punches from side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sloppy strikes there by Sidorov.
Sidorov is putting a hurting on Momomoto here, landing some big shots from side control.
Sidorov in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Sidorov is putting a hurting on Momomoto here, landing some big shots from side control.
Sidorov lands a decent elbow from side control.
Sidorov looks up at the clock and then as Momomoto takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Sidorov smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes there by Sidorov.
Check out the look on Sidorov's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
An elbow from Sidorov crashes against the mat.
Sidorov misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Momomoto takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Momomoto taking punishment in the form of punches.
Sloppy strikes there by Sidorov.
Sidorov creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Momomoto sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Ivan Sidorov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Momomoto takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Sidorov misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Sidorov working the ground and pound but Momomoto is defending the strikes.
Sidorov lands some shots froms side control.
Sidorov working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sidorov in side control lands a decent elbow.
Momomoto managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Sidorov.
Momomoto takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Sidorov in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Sidorov landing strikes.
Sidorov connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Momomoto some visible discomfort.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Sidorov fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Sidorov looks up at the clock and then as Momomoto takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Sidorov smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Sidorov working the ground and pound from side control.

Momomoto is rocked!
Sidorov scoring with punches from side control.
Oh Momomoto is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Sidorov tries to score with some ground and pound. Momomoto controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Momomoto seems to have got his legs back now.
Sidorov lands an elbow.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Sidorov dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Ivan Sidorov's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Sidorov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Sidorov working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Sidorov working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Sidorov tries to score with some ground and pound. Momomoto controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
The ground and pound from Sidorov seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Sidorov tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Sidorov tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Sidorov looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Momomoto is avoiding damage well.
Sidorov lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sidorov working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Sidorov working the ground and pound.
Sidorov cracks Momomoto with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sidorov misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Momomoto regains half guard.
Sidorov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Sidorov lands a massive shot from half guard that has rocked Momomoto! More strikes land and this one is all over! Sidorov jumps to his feet and is applauded loudly by the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:29 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ivan Sidorov! Ivan Sidorov retains his middleweight title!
A relieved looking Ivan Sidorov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.