PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Igor Svetnela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Squidward Tortellini (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Svetnela kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Angel of Death by Slayer. Tortellini has chosen The Krusty Krab Pizza by Spongebob Squarepants as his entrance music. Squidward Tortellini told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Svetnela
vs
Tortellini

187 cm
23
194 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

182 cm
21
190 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Red Light Clothing ► Amsterdam!

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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Igor Svetnela!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Squidward Tortellini!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Aleksandr Martynov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Svetnela misses with a low kick.
Svetnela throws a head kick that misses.

Tortellini bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Svetnela prevents Tortellini from improving position.

Tortellini looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Tortellini is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Svetnela has escaped the position, nice work there.

Tortellini tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Tortellini has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Tortellini tries for a kimura but Svetnela is defending well.
Svetnela wants to control but Tortellini postures up.

Tortellini is trying to get an arm triangle but Svetnela is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Svetnela is trying to control Tortellini's posture but Tortellini avoids it.
Svetnela is trying to get back to half guard.

Tortellini swings around for an armbar but Svetnela sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Tortellini's guard.
Svetnela content to stall in guard here.
Tortellini looking to hit a scissor sweep but Svetnela is one step ahead there.
Svetnela is stalling in the full guard.
Svetnela has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Svetnela trying to control but Tortellini is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Svetnela missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Svetnela controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Tortellini keeping moving, preventing Svetnela from controlling successfully.

Svetnela got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tortellini has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Svetnela has managed to get both his arms back between Tortellini's legs - danger averted.

Tortellini working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Svetnela doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Svetnela manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Tortellini looks gassed!
Svetnela is looking to stand up but Tortellini won't let him.

Tortellini has his foot on Svetnela's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Svetnela works his way back into a safe position though.
Svetnela is pushing down on Tortellini's leg trying to pass to half guard. Tortellini is fighting to maintain full guard but Svetnela has managed to sneak the leg through.
Tortellini is refusing to be controlled, as Svetnela sits in half guard.
Svetnela tries to stand and escape but Tortellini is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tortellini is not content to let Svetnela control the position.
Tortellini wants to get back to full guard.

Tortellini actively working from the bottom here.
Svetnela is nestled in close to Tortellini, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Svetnela decides to return to a standing position.
Igor Svetnela seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Svetnela tests Tortellini's chin there with a solid looking shot.

It looks like Squidward Tortellini has been cut.
Svetnela goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Svetnela throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Tortellini.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Svetnela lands with a thumping leg kick.
Svetnela thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Tortellini if he has to take too many more of those.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tortellini circles away from the clinch attempt.
Svetnela goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Svetnela wants to clinch up but Tortellini keeps it at a distance.
Svetnela looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Svetnela throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Svetnela with a hook.

That has opened up Squidward Tortellini's cut even more.
Svetnela plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Svetnela connects with a nice looking jab.
Svetnela pulls out of a head kick attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A head kick misses from Tortellini.
Svetnela fails with an attempt to clinch.
Svetnela tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Igor Svetnela dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Squidward Tortellini's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Svetnela works the jab nicely.
Svetnela throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Svetnela throws a head kick but Tortellini moves out of range.

Tortellini drives through with a takedown into guard.

Svetnela has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tortellini can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Tortellini drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Svetnela manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Tortellini has Svetnela in his guard.

Svetnela avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tortellini looking for a sweep. Not yet Tortellini, not yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tortellini can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Svetnela controls the pace.
Tortellini looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Svetnela controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Tortellini tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tortellini is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Tortellini is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Svetnela is aware though and is defending well.

Svetnela stands and steps away. Tortellini gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Svetnela throws a push kick but Tortellini slaps the foot to one side.
Svetnela connects with a body shot.
Svetnela throws a sloppy head kick and Tortellini moves out of range easily.
Horrible takedown by Tortellini or perhaps it was just good defense by Svetnela which made him look bad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Svetnela throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Svetnela tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Svetnela pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Svetnela moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Tortellini shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Svetnela sprawls well. Svetnela wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Tortellini gets slowly back to his feet.
Svetnela pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tortellini looks for a takedown but Svetnela sprawls well.
Igor Svetnela has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Squidward Tortellini.
Tortellini avoids the head kick by Svetnela.
Squidward Tortellini is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Svetnela throws a head kick that misses.
Svetnela tries to clinch there but Tortellini circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tortellini is defended easily by Svetnela.
Tortellini tries for a takedown but Svetnela sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Tortellini misses with a double jab.
Svetnela throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Svetnela fails in his attempt to clinch.

Tortellini darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Svetnela wants to get back to his feet.
Svetnela is doing well to control the position and prevent Tortellini from advancing to side control.
Svetnela is trying to control but can't.

Tortellini is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Svetnela defends it well.
Svetnela is trying to stand.
Svetnela wants to control but Tortellini is keeping busy.

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

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

That was a close second round but I would say that Igor Svetnela will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Squidward Tortellini's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

A nice leg kick lands there from Svetnela.
Svetnela tries to clinch up.
Svetnela throws a half hearted mid kick.
Tortellini uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Svetnela.
Tortellini avoids the head kick by Svetnela.
Tortellini avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tortellini feints and as Svetnela raises his hands in defense, Tortellini changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Tortellini won't allow Svetnela to sweep him here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Tortellini drops back, looking for a kneebar! Svetnela looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Svetnela looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Svetnela!
Tortellini tries to buck Svetnela off but Svetnela is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.
Tortellini is not content to let Svetnela control the position.
Tortellini is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Tortellini gets back to full guard.

Tortellini had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Svetnela is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Tortellini Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Svetnela's back instead.
Squidward Tortellini has got the better of the ground game so far.
Svetnela wants to control his opponent's hands but Tortellini gets his hands free.

That's two 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.
Svetnela rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

Tortellini is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Svetnela has his hands clasped together around Tortellini's back. He's all about the action.
Svetnela is looking to control Tortellini's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Svetnela avoid being mounted?

Tortellini is working for a submission of some sort.
Svetnela wants to control but Tortellini is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tortellini is working for a submission of some sort.
Svetnela controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

Svetnela kicks Tortellini off and gets back to his feet.
Svetnela cracks the inside of Tortellini's front leg.
Svetnela throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Svetnela tries to close the distance and clinch but Tortellini swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Igor Svetnela is winning the standup battle so far.
Tortellini shoots for a takedown but Svetnela saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Tortellini closes the distance and clinches up with Svetnela, looking for a takedown. Tortellini pushes Svetnela against the cage but Svetnela circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Tortellini avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Svetnela scores with the left hand. Tortellini knows he should have avoided that one.
Svetnela throws a good cross that connects.
Tortellini tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Igor Svetnela is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Svetnela tries to clinch up but Tortellini circles away and keeps his distance.
A head kick misses from Svetnela.
Svetnela throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Tortellini's head.
Svetnela tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Squidward Tortellini has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Svetnela tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tortellini paws at him with a jab and circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Igor Svetnela showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Svetnela, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Igor Svetnela!