PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dmitriy Bukharin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Craig Armstrong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bukharin comes to the cage accompanied by "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" by Brad Fiedel. Armstrong is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: We Were Soldiers - Sgt. Mackenzie. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Bukharin
vs
Armstrong

183 cm
21
230 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

186 cm
19
275 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

White Gorilla Nutrition
White Gorilla Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Dmitriy Bukharin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Craig Armstrong!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Yves DeLean and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Armstrong is defended easily by Bukharin.
Armstrong slaps away a takedown attempt from Bukharin, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Horrible takedown by Armstrong or perhaps it was just good defense by Bukharin which made him look bad.
Armstrong with a lazy takedown attempt
and Bukharin counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

It looks like Craig Armstrong has been cut.
Dmitriy Bukharin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Craig Armstrong.

Armstrong lands a jab followed by a vicious hook that sends Bukharin sprawling to the canvas. Armstrong follows him down, looking for the kill. Can Bukharin hang on?

It looks like Dmitriy Bukharin has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Armstrong working Bukharin over with strikes.
Bukharin missing with punches from the bottom.
Armstrong thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Bukharin wants to control but Armstrong is keeping busy.
Armstrong not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bukharin is looking to improve his position.
Armstrong seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Armstrong is controlling the pace.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Armstrong connects with a nice short shot to Bukharin's temple.
Bukharin is pressing down on Armstrong's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Armstrong is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Armstrong's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Armstrong trying to control the position from guard on top but Bukharin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Armstrong wants to stand and escape but instead Bukharin has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bukharin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Armstrong is looking to stand up but Bukharin isn't so interested in that idea.
Bukharin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Bukharin drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bukharin jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bukharin looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Armstrong shoots in for a takedown but Bukharin shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Bukharin fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bukharin with a hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Bukharin throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Armstrong was covering up waiting for the punch and Bukharin finishes the takedown easily into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong is pulling down on Bukharin's head to control his posture.
Bukharin trying to control but Armstrong is working from the bottom.
Bukharin passes Armstrong's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Bukharin working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Armstrong is concentrating on defense, preventing Bukharin from advancing position.
Bukharin thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Armstrong's head.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Bukharin missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Armstrong can do anything to dispel that myth.
Armstrong is not content to let Bukharin control the position.

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.
Armstrong is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Armstrong blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bukharin.
Armstrong taking some punishment here, with Bukharin in his half guard.
Armstrong is doing well to control the position and prevent Bukharin from advancing to side control.
Bukharin throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Bukharin leaves Armstrong with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Bukharin pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A combination from Armstrong does no damage.
Bukharin tries for a takedown but Armstrong circles away easily

and Armstrong counters with a nice double leg into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Armstrong dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Bukharin swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Armstrong.
Armstrong staying out of range there.

Armstrong feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Bukharin is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Armstrong defends well.
Armstrong lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Armstrong throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bukharin wants to control the position but Armstrong says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Armstrong wants to pass the guard but Bukharin is defending well.
Armstrong not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Craig Armstrong has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bukharin trying to hold on to Armstrong's head to control him but Armstrong postures up.
Bukharin is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Armstrong sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bukharin defending well though.
Armstrong throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Armstrong shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Bukharin napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Armstrong lands a decent elbow from side control.
Bukharin struggling a bit here.
Armstrong in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Bukharin can't do much from the bottom here.
Armstrong creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Armstrong wants to control but Bukharin is keeping him busy.
Bukharin sneaks back into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bukharin defending well though.
Bukharin is staying active underneath Armstrong, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Bukharin trying to control from the bottom.
Armstrong wants to take a breather but Bukharin is having none of it.
Bukharin is looking to control Armstrong's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Bukharin avoid being mounted?

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Bukharin fails with the takedown

and Armstrong counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Armstrong looking to pass the guard.
Armstrong wants to stand but Bukharin is controlling his posture from full guard.
Bukharin has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Armstrong throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bukharin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bukharin is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Bukharin has momentary wrist control but Armstrong slips an elbow through the middle.
Armstrong loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Armstrong lands a couple of elbows.
Armstrong postures up and lands a big shot to Bukharin's brow.

Armstrong got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bukharin has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Armstrong has managed to get both his arms back between Bukharin's legs - danger averted.
Armstrong throwing strikes from guard but Bukharin blocks nicely.
Armstrong trying to control but Bukharin is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Bukharin throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Armstrong pushing down on Bukharin's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Bukharin punching from the bottom.
Bukharin won't allow Armstrong to pass to mount.
Armstrong scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Nice strikes from Armstrong there.
Bukharin has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Armstrong is working away from the top position though.
Armstrong trying to control the action but Bukharin is working from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bukharin avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Armstrong.
Armstrong scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Armstrong showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Bukharin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Dmitriy Bukharin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bukharin fails with the takedown

and Armstrong counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Armstrong prevents Bukharin from improving his position.

Bukharin looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Bukharin looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Armstrong is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Armstrong prevents Bukharin from improving his position.
Armstrong working Bukharin over with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bukharin trying to control from the bottom.
Bukharin on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Bukharin looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Armstrong working Bukharin over with strikes.
Armstrong frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Armstrong landing strikes from the mount.
Armstrong landing shots from mount.
Armstrong is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Armstrong working the ground and pound effectively.

Bukharin is rocked!
Bukharin really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Armstrong punishing his opponent with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
BOOM! Armstrong connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Armstrong scoring with strikes but Bukharin is staying in there.
Oh Bukharin is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Armstrong connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Armstrong connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Armstrong tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Bukharin seems to have got his legs back now.
BOOM! Armstrong connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Armstrong has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Bukharin's face.
Armstrong has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Armstrong landing punches.
Bukharin is working to get back to half guard.
Armstrong avoids the attempt from Bukharin to control.
Armstrong landing shots from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong cracks Bukharin with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Bukharin is trying desperately to improve position.
Armstrong lands a heavy elbow.
Armstrong working Bukharin over with strikes here.
Armstrong with a couple of short strikes.
Armstrong with good strikes from the mount here!
The referee warns Bukharin that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bukharin slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Armstrong working over Bukharin with some ground and pound. Bukharin looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Armstrong working over Bukharin with some ground and pound. Bukharin looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Armstrong trying to mount his opponent but Bukharin defends it.
Armstrong scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Armstrong looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Armstrong trying to control the action but Bukharin is working from the bottom.
Armstrong throwing shots but Bukharin is blocking nicely.
Armstrong missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Bukharin trying to control but Armstrong postures up.
Armstrong throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Craig Armstrong is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Bukharin looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Armstrong throwing shots but Bukharin is blocking nicely.
Dmitriy Bukharin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Armstrong looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Bukharin!

And that's the end of the fight!
Craig Armstrong comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Armstrong has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 26:30
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 26:30
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Craig Armstrong!