PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Zver Borcuha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikhail Tsoy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mikhail Tsoy will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Borcuha
vs
Tsoy

193 cm
22
190 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Tends to cut

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Zver Borcuha!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mikhail Tsoy!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Aleksandr Martynov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Borcuha fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Borcuha shoots in for a takedown but Tsoy shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Borcuha shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Tsoy napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Borcuha looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Borcuha looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsoy wants to control but Borcuha postures up.

Borcuha looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Borcuha thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Borcuha tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

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.

Borcuha looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Tsoy manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Tsoy working the head and body with strikes.
Borcuha on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Borcuha tries to get out of the position.
Tsoy thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Borcuha gets back to full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tsoy accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tsoy postures up in Borcuha's guard and throws a big left but Borcuha blocks it.
Tsoy connects with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Borcuha isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Tsoy stacks Borcuha on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Tsoy!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Borcuha gets back to half guard.

Borcuha looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Borcuha is breathing heavily.

Borcuha is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Tsoy pulls his head out easily.
Tsoy 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.

Tsoy is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Borcuha doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Tsoy.
Tsoy working Borcuha over with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Tsoy missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Borcuha is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Tsoy scores with a couple of nice shots.
Tsoy slips a nice elbow through Borcuha's hands, connecting with Borcuha's forehead.

Borcuha looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Borcuha actively working from the bottom here.
Tsoy wants to pass to mount but Borcuha is defending the position.
Tsoy is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Borcuha looking for submissions off his back.
Tsoy landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Tsoy decides to stand up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Borcuha is defended easily by Tsoy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mikhail Tsoy will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Borcuha shoots in looking for a takedown. Tsoy tries to sprawl out of it but Borcuha keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Tsoy manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Borcuha fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Borcuha shoots in but Tsoy avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zver Borcuha. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Borcuha shoots in but no luck this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Borcuha fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Tsoy avoids it really well and circles away.
Borcuha tries for a takedown but Tsoy sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsoy leaves Borcuha with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Borcuha looks for a takedown but Tsoy sprawls well.
Tsoy takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Tsoy misses with a hook. Borcuha ducked under it nicely.
Borcuha keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tsoy throws a jab when Borcuha was well out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Tsoy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Borcuha's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Tsoy fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Borcuha on the side of the head.
Borcuha uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tsoy.
Borcuha shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tsoy keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tsoy keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Zver Borcuha. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsoy misses the shot to the body.
Zver Borcuha is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tsoy works Borcuha's body with a nice hook.
Tsoy leaves Borcuha with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

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.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Borcuha.
Borcuha tries for a takedown but Tsoy sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Good exchange - Tsoy coming out on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Borcuha fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Tsoy sprawls well initially but Borcuha persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Borcuha seems to be looking for submissions.

Borcuha is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Tsoy has managed to free his arm - good work.

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

Borcuha seems to be working for a kimura but Tsoy defends the submission attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Borcuha wants to work for an arm triangle but Tsoy is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Borcuha is looking for a kimura but Tsoy is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Borcuha to get the leverage.
Zver Borcuha has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Borcuha is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Tsoy defends it well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Borcuha throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mikhail Tsoy.
I've got Tsoy winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mikhail Tsoy!