PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ruslam Raskmanuv (ranked 4114 p4p, 3396 weight class) and Demetrius Pierce (ranked 425 p4p, 376 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Raskmanuv
vs
Pierce

187 cm
19
190
2 - 0 - 0

191 cm
25
185
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Can Moonwalk

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ruslam Raskmanuv!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Demetrius Pierce!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Chris Edwards and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pierce defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Raskmanuv.
Pierce feints the counter takedown.
Pierce fails to land the takedown.
Raskmanuv throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Pierce's waist but Pierce gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Raskmanuv off to one side.

Raskmanuv tries to sprawl but Pierce drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pierce wants to take a breather but Raskmanuv is having none of it.
Raskmanuv is doing well to control the position and prevent Pierce from advancing to side control.
Pierce missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pierce throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Pierce is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Raskmanuv on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Raskmanuv tries to get out of the position.
Pierce throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pierce keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Raskmanuv is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Pierce trying to mount his opponent but Raskmanuv defends it.
Raskmanuv pushes Pierce off looking to stand but Pierce dives back in and keeps control.
Pierce slows the pace down in half guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Pierce lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Raskmanuv makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Raskmanuv.
Raskmanuv tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Pierce passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Pierce decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Pierce closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Pierce lands in his opponent's guard.
Raskmanuv keeping moving, preventing Pierce from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pierce won't allow Raskmanuv to sweep him here.
Pierce throwing strikes but missing.
Raskmanuv controlling the position.
Pierce wants to control from the top but Raskmanuv keeps moving.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Pierce is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Pierce trying to control but Raskmanuv is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Pierce will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Pierce doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Raskmanuv counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Ruslam Raskmanuv has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Demetrius Pierce.
Pierce avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Pierce being controlled here, momentarily.
Pierce is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Raskmanuv preventing the sweep.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Demetrius Pierce dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Raskmanuv changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Pierce tries to avoid it but Raskmanuv manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Pierce to the ground. Pierce escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Raskmanuv leaves Pierce with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Raskmanuv half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

Pierce pushes Raskmanuv up against the cage in a clinch.
Raskmanuv is trying to break free.
Pierce looking for a takedown.
Raskmanuv has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Pierce is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pierce is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ruslam Raskmanuv. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Raskmanuv drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Pierce gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Pierce jumps guard and drags Raskmanuv to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pierce striking off his back, scoring a few points.
Pierce tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Raskmanuv has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Raskmanuv got a little sloppy there for a moment and Pierce has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Raskmanuv has managed to get both his arms back between Pierce's legs - danger averted.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Raskmanuv accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Pierce is pulling down on Raskmanuv's head. It's preventing any offense from Raskmanuv, at least for the moment.
Pierce utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Pierce 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.
Raskmanuv definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Pierce working a defensive guard here.
Raskmanuv postures up and lands a big shot to Pierce's brow.
Raskmanuv postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Raskmanuv throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Pierce works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Pierce is looking to stand up but Raskmanuv isn't so interested in that idea.
Raskmanuv trying to control but Pierce is working from the bottom.
Raskmanuv scoring with punches to the head and body.
Raskmanuv lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Raskmanuv lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Pierce is rocked!
Pierce is breathing heavily.
Raskmanuv postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Pierce is still in real trouble! Can Raskmanuv finish him?
Raskmanuv gets to his feet and stands over Pierce, holding his ankles. He dives in with a big left hand that connects! Pierce felt that one! Raskmanuv unloads more punches and elbows and this one is over! The ref has dived in to save Pierce from any more punishment!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ruslam Raskmanuv!