|
|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Paulie Rover (ranked 2935 p4p, 4376 weight class) and Spas Ganikov (ranked 322 p4p, 430 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.
 |
|
 |
| 186 cm
22
198
5 - 2 - 0 |
|
189 cm
22
193
1 - 2 - 0 |
Good takedowns
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine |
|
BJJ Purple 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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Paulie Rover!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Spas Ganikov!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Sosuke Kotani and Hirohito Nitta.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ganikov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ganikov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Rover tries to land a front kick but Ganikov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Ganikov looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Ganikov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Rover throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ganikov with the counter takedown but Rover avoids it easily.
Ganikov closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Rover quickly recovers to half guard.
Ganikov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rover. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Ganikov prevents Rover from standing back up.
Ganikov is thwarting Rover's attempts to control the position.
Ganikov stops Rover from getting back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ganikov is looking for a kimura but Rover is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ganikov to get the leverage.
Rover throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Rover keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Ganikov stops Rover from getting back to his feet.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ganikov forces Rover back against the cage and clinches.
Rover is trying to break the clinch but Ganikov is controlling him.
Rover prevents a body shot from Ganikov.
Ganikov has clasped his hands together around Rover's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
You can see the frustration on Rover's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Ganikov prevents Rover from escaping the position.
Ganikov has knee on belly momentarily but Rover bucks him off and regains half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rover wants to improve his position but Ganikov is controlling well.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Ganikov seems content to control.
Rover kicks off Ganikov and gets to his feet.
Ganikov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ganikov breaks the clinch.
Rover misses with a few strikes there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ganikov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ganikov is looking to clinch.
Paulie Rover seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rover tests Ganikov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rover looks to land a right hand but Ganikov moved out of range.
Ganikov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Rover is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rover trying to hold on to Ganikov's head to control him but Ganikov postures up.
Ganikov wants to pass to mount but Rover is defending the position.
Ganikov prevents Rover from standing back up.
Rover wants to control but Ganikov is keeping busy.
Rover manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Ganikov tries to clinch up.
Ganikov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rover is looking for a counter combo.
Rover paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rover scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Rover connects with a good right hand that stumbles Ganikov. Ganikov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Rover connects with a body shot.
Ganikov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Ganikov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Rover's brow.
Ganikov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Rover has Ganikov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ganikov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ganikov prevents Rover from breaking the clinch.
Ganikov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Donk. Rover catches Ganikov right on the button with a cross.
Ganikov slips under a jab from Rover.
Rover lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Rover looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ganikov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Rover defends well and Ganikov ends up having to push Rover into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Paulie Rover dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Rover misses with a straight left.
Rover cracks Ganikov with a right hand to the side of the head.
Rover stuns Ganikov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Rover misses with a low kick.
Rover lands a body shot.
Ganikov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rover.
Rover is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ganikov.
Rover throws a hook but Ganikov blocks it.
Rover shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Ganikov is refusing to be controlled, as Rover sits in half guard.
Ganikov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Rover trying to control the position from guard on top but Ganikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
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.
Rover scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Rover has gone for a leg lock! Ganikov slips out almost immediately though and dives into Rover's guard.
Rover tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rover keeping full guard, as Ganikov tries to pass.
Ganikov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ganikov gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Ganikov avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Rover scores with a jab to the jaw.
Ganikov lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Ganikov throws a one two combo.
It looks like Paulie Rover has been cut.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rover throws the kick towards the body but Ganikov avoids it.
Rover is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ganikov can do to turn this around?
Rover scores with a nice strike.
Spas Ganikov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rover with the inside leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rover gets caught flat footed, as Ganikov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Ganikov is standing up over Rover. Rover looks to escape but Ganikov dives into side control.
Rover gets back to half guard.
Rover is looking to escape.
Ganikov stands up out of the half guard.
Ganikov slips under a jab.
Rover pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ganikov steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Rover scores with a crisp jab that stopped Ganikov in his tracks.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ganikov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Rover throws the kick towards the body but Ganikov avoids it.
Rover misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rover misses with a hook
and Ganikov moves into the clinch.
Ganikov drags the fight down to the ground.
Rover wants to control from the top but Ganikov keeps moving.
Ganikov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ganikov wants to stand but Rover is controlling the position.
Rover thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Ganikov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rover defends it easily.
Ganikov keeping moving, preventing Rover from controlling successfully.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rover wants to pass the guard but Ganikov is keeping the position.
Rover drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Ganikov dives on top into guard.
Rover wants to stand but Ganikov is controlling the position.
Ganikov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rover is keeping the position for now.
Rover working for a triangle but Ganikov defends it easily.
Ganikov stops Rover from standing up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that Paulie Rover will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Paulie Rover's cut.
That's time! Rover's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!
Ganikov delivers a nice body kick.
Rover's jab looks to have found its range, popping Ganikov under the eye.
Ganikov slips a straight right by Rover.
Some wild striking there from Rover.
Rover moves into the clinch.
Ganikov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rover tries to clinch up
and Rover takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rover misses the jab.
Rover misses with a looping right.
Ganikov on the wrong end of a nice hook.
The fighters circling - Rover throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ganikov tries to counter by closing the distance.
Ganikov moves out of range of the strikes.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Ganikov. No joy for Rover on that attempt.
Rover lands with a cross.
Rover scores with a jab.
Ganikov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ganikov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ganikov shapes to counter with a head kick.
Rover throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ganikov feints the counter takedown.
Rover goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
A low kick from Rover misses
and Ganikov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Rover is wriggling around but Ganikov manages to pass to half guard.
Rover trying to hold on to Ganikov's head to control him but Ganikov postures up.
Rover looking for a kimura from the bottom but Ganikov passes into side control!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ganikov looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rover dodges the ground and pound from Ganikov.
Rover is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Rover is being controlled here.
Rover is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Ganikov is controlling him well.
Rover tries to control but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
You get the feeling that Rover really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Rover bucks up and throws Ganikov to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rover waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ganikov.
Rover stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rover wants it to stay on the feet.
Nice takedown defense from Ganikov. No joy for Rover on that attempt.
Ganikov let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Rover misses with a looping left.
Rover throws a poor cross that misses
and Ganikov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rover tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rover pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ganikov moves out of range as Rover strikes.
Ganikov feints the counter takedown.
Rover lands with a right hand.
Rover scores with a jab to the head.
Rover connects with a jab.
Paulie Rover is winning the standup battle so far.
Rover swings for the body but Ganikov moves out of range.
Ganikov slaps away a takedown attempt from Rover, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Paulie Rover. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ganikov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A little jabbing left from Ganikov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rover throws a big shot that misses.
Ganikov tries for a takedown but Rover sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rover throwing a counter right hand but Ganikov manages to avoid it.
Rover lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Ganikov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Ganikov takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
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!
Ganikov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rover.
Ganikov shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Rover's guard.
Ganikov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Paulie Rover is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rover is looking to stand up but Ganikov isn't so interested in that idea.
Rover is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Rover looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
And that's the end of the fight!
Paulie Rover showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rover, 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paulie Rover!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
|
S |
C |
G |
|
energy
A | B |
|
hype
A | B |
|
pop
A | B |
|
mgr
A | B |
|
FIGHT
RATING
54% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
