PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fabricio Werdum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vardan Mamikonyan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vardan Mamikonyan will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Werdum
vs
Mamikonyan

192 cm
22
265 lbs
2 - 1 - 1

180 cm
20
225 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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 2 - 1 - 1, fighting out of London, Fabricio Werdum!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Vardan Mamikonyan!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Chris Edwards and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Werdum shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mamikonyan pinned against the cage. Mamikonyan gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Werdum fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Fabricio Werdum seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mamikonyan stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fabricio Werdum. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Werdum shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mamikonyan but Mamikonyan pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Werdum fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mamikonyan avoids it really well and circles away.
Mamikonyan scores with a hook to the body. Werdum takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Werdum shoots in but Mamikonyan avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Mamikonyan clinches.

Mamikonyan breaks from the clinch.

Mamikonyan moves into range and clinches up with Werdum.
Werdum goes for a takedown attempt but Mamikonyan pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Werdum drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Mamikonyan dives on top into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mamikonyan preventing the sweep.

Werdum working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mamikonyan doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mamikonyan manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Mamikonyan would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Werdum wants to sweep here but Mamikonyan controlling him for the moment.
Mamikonyan really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Werdum. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Mamikonyan would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Werdum is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Mamikonyan is aware though and is defending well.
Werdum manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mamikonyan manages to get himself to full guard.

Werdum thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Werdum is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Werdum is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Werdum thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Werdum postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Mamikonyan is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Werdum, into his guard.
Mamikonyan should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Werdum has his foot on Mamikonyan's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mamikonyan works his way back into a safe position though.

Werdum is looking for a triangle but Mamikonyan pushes his legs off easily.
Werdum manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mamikonyan manages to get himself to full guard.

Werdum drops back looking for a leg! Mamikonyan is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Mamikonyan manages to kick Werdum off! Werdum jumps back into Mamikonyan's guard.
Werdum prevents Mamikonyan from getting back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Werdum.
Werdum changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Mamikonyan tries to avoid it but Werdum manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Mamikonyan to the ground. Mamikonyan escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Fabricio Werdum is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Werdum shoots for a takedown but Mamikonyan saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fabricio Werdum. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Mamikonyan clinches.
Werdum has Mamikonyan pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Mamikonyan manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Werdum tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Mamikonyan smiles and moves away.
Mamikonyan lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Mamikonyan.
Werdum shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mamikonyan defends it nicely.
Werdum looks for a takedown but Mamikonyan sprawls well.
Werdum looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mamikonyan is fending him off so far but Werdum persists. Nope, Mamikonyan circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Mamikonyan.
Mamikonyan stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mamikonyan wants it to stay on the feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Werdum.
Werdum misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Mamikonyan closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Mamikonyan breaks the clinch.
Werdum throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mamikonyan's waist but Mamikonyan gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Werdum off to one side.
Mamikonyan scores with a jab to the head.
Nice sprawl there from Mamikonyan as Werdum shoots in.
Werdum fails with a takedown attempt.
Werdum shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mamikonyan pinned against the cage. Mamikonyan gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mamikonyan clinches.

Mamikonyan breaks the clinch.

Mamikonyan darts in and clinches Werdum up against the cage.
Werdum wants a takedown but no success here.
Werdum is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Mamikonyan pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Mamikonyan breaks the clinch.
Werdum shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mamikonyan defends it nicely.
Mamikonyan slaps away a takedown attempt from Werdum, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Werdum fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Werdum tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mamikonyan sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Werdum somewhat.
Mamikonyan cracks Werdum with an open hand slap.
Mamikonyan lands with a straight right. Werdum didn't see that one coming.
Werdum closes the distance and clinches up with Mamikonyan, looking for a takedown. Werdum pushes Mamikonyan against the cage but Mamikonyan circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Mamikonyan lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Vardan Mamikonyan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Werdum fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Werdum closes the distance and clinches up with Mamikonyan, looking for a takedown. Werdum pushes Mamikonyan against the cage but Mamikonyan circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Werdum shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mamikonyan defends it nicely.

Mamikonyan has managed to clinch.

Mamikonyan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Mamikonyan has managed to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Werdum tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Werdum tries for a takedown. No joy.
Werdum is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Mamikonyan pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Mamikonyan's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A chopping leg kick lands by Mamikonyan.
Mamikonyan moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Mamikonyan stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mamikonyan wants it to stay on the feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Werdum is defended easily by Mamikonyan.
Mamikonyan keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Mamikonyan darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vardan Mamikonyan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Werdum shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mamikonyan defends it nicely.
Nice takedown defense from Mamikonyan. No joy for Werdum on that attempt.
A chopping leg kick lands by Mamikonyan.

Werdum gets the takedown into side control.

Werdum swings around for an armbar but Mamikonyan sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Werdum's guard.
Werdum looking for a sweep. Not yet Werdum, not yet.

Werdum escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Mamikonyan gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Werdum working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Mamikonyan has passed into half guard!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mamikonyan wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Werdum gets full guard.

Mamikonyan avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Werdum looking for a guillotine here but Mamikonyan defends easily.

Mamikonyan gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mamikonyan stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fabricio Werdum. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mamikonyan stuffs the takedown attempt from Werdum. Werdum gets slowly back to his feet.
Werdum shoots in for a takedown but Mamikonyan shows good takedown defense.

Werdum bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Mamikonyan is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Werdum asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Werdum is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Mamikonyan knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Werdum goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Mamikonyan rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Werdum's guard! Nice work there by Mamikonyan!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Werdum escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Mamikonyan gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Werdum looking for subs off his back but Mamikonyan has passed one foot through into half guard.
Werdum slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Werdum tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Werdum lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Mamikonyan!

Werdum working for a guillotine from mount but Mamikonyan is in no mood to give up.

Werdum is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Mamikonyan to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Mamikonyan shrugs it off.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fabricio Werdum showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Werdum has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight for Vardan Mamikonyan!
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight for Vardan Mamikonyan!
Judge James Glass scores the fight for Vardan Mamikonyan!

Vardan Mamikonyan wins by unanimous decision!