PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sergej Golubutov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Duka Begovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Begovic is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Gigolo Americana. 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.

Golubutov
vs
Begovic

180 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

185 cm
18
187 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Plays chess

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 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sergej Golubutov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Duka Begovic!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Igor Prikhodko and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Golubutov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Begovic can't do much from the bottom here.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
Begovic wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Golubutov cracks Begovic with a big right hand but Begovic just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Golubutov throws a strike aimed at the side of Begovic's head but Begovic avoids it well.
Golubutov in side control lands a decent elbow.
Golubutov scores with punches from side control.
Begovic tries to escape but Golubutov is in control.
Begovic regains half guard, as Golubutov was trying to land strikes.
Golubutov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
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.
Golubutov wants to control but Begovic is keeping him busy.
Begovic tries to kick Golubutov off but Golubutov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Golubutov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Golubutov slips a nice elbow through Begovic's hands, connecting with Begovic's forehead.
Begovic trying to control from the bottom.
Golubutov content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Golubutov looks to land a strike but Begovic avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Golubutov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Begovic swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Golubutov cracks Begovic with a solid left hand.
Begovic utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two 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.
Golubutov lands a couple of elbows.
Golubutov working some strikes from top position.
Begovic looking to hit a scissor sweep but Golubutov is one step ahead there.
Begovic is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Begovic looks gassed!
Golubutov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Golubutov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Golubutov wants to pass the guard but Begovic is keeping the position.
Golubutov slips nicely into half guard.
Golubutov trying to control from half guard but Begovic is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Golubutov slows the pace down in half guard.
Golubutov working over Begovic with some ground and pound. Begovic looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Golubutov is pressing down on Begovic's thigh, looking to free his foot. Begovic is holding on for now.
Begovic on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Begovic is not content to let Golubutov control the position.
Golubutov thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Begovic to regain full guard.

That's four 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.
Golubutov controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Golubutov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Golubutov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Golubutov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Golubutov postures up in Begovic's guard and throws a big left but Begovic blocks it.
Begovic wants to sweep here but Golubutov controlling him for the moment.
Golubutov stops Begovic from standing up.
Begovic keeping full guard, as Golubutov tries to pass.
Golubutov wants to control from the top but Begovic keeps moving.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A punch combination from Begovic misses.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Golubutov crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Begovic - the referee stops the clock and Golubutov gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Begovic. Golubutov manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergej Golubutov dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Golubutov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Golubutov showed some decent athleticism there.
Begovic tries to roll over but Golubutov keeps him under control.

Begovic pushes Golubutov off and gets back to his feet.
Golubutov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Begovic swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Golubutov gets caught flat footed, as Begovic shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Begovic would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Golubutov wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Begovic is now in half guard.

Begovic postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Golubutov to stand up.
Golubutov with a poor takedown
and Begovic counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Golubutov thinking.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Golubutov shoots for a double leg takedown but Begovic sprawls well. He's pushed Golubutov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Golubutov shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergej Golubutov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Golubutov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Begovic counters with a nice low kick that buckles Golubutov's knee momentarily.
Golubutov avoids the head kick by Begovic.
A slapping leg kick lands for Golubutov.

Golubutov takes the fight into the clinch.
Begovic tries to throw a body punch but Golubutov avoids it by throwing Begovic back against the cage.

Golubutov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Golubutov has a takedown stuffed.
Golubutov closes the distance and clinches up with Begovic, looking for a takedown. Golubutov pushes Begovic against the cage but Begovic circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Golubutov wants to clinch up but Begovic keeps it at a distance.

Golubutov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Begovic avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Begovic is looking to stand up but Golubutov isn't so interested in that idea.
Golubutov looking to sit in guard and control but Begovic gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Golubutov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Begovic's guard.
Golubutov chips away with some ground and pound.
Golubutov landing with the ground and pound.
Begovic is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Golubutov tries to free his leg and advance position but Begovic is retaining full guard.
Begovic working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Golubutov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Golubutov wants to control from the top but Begovic keeps moving.
Golubutov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Golubutov prevents Begovic from getting back to his feet.
Begovic is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Begovic 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.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Begovic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Begovic throws a leg kick which misses Golubutov's front leg but catches the back leg as Golubutov tries to avoid it.

Golubutov gets a takedown into half guard.
Begovic is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Golubutov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Golubutov's back!
Golubutov trying to control the position but Begovic manages to sink in the hooks.
Golubutov rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Begovic is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Golubutov throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Golubutov wants to control but Begovic is keeping busy.
Begovic wants to get back to his feet.
Begovic is trying to control the action in half guard but Golubutov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Golubutov tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Begovic has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Golubutov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Sergej Golubutov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Golubutov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Begovic is looking to clinch but Golubutov is avoiding it.
Nice takedown defense from Begovic. No joy for Golubutov on that attempt.
Begovic looks to land a body kick but Golubutov moved away.

Golubutov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Golubutov throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Begovic tries to bench press Golubutov off him but Golubutov keeps the position.
Begovic is working to avoid the ground and pound but Golubutov connects with a decent elbow.
Golubutov trying to control the position but Begovic is working away.
Golubutov is staying tight to Begovic's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Begovic tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Golubutov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Golubutov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Golubutov tries to advance to mount but Begovic denies him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Begovic is looking to regain half guard here but Golubutov keeps moving and retains side control.
Begovic avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Golubutov.
Begovic takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Golubutov sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Begovic is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Begovic tries to escape but Golubutov is in control.

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

Golubutov scores with a takedown into Begovic's guard.
Golubutov wants to control from the top but Begovic keeps moving.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Begovic is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Golubutov has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Begovic has passed into side control.
Golubutov tries to improve position but can't.
Golubutov gets back to half guard.
Golubutov is looking to improve his position.
Begovic trying to control from half guard but Golubutov is working away.
Golubutov misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Golubutov tries to get to full guard but Begovic has control of the leg.
Golubutov trying to hold on to Begovic's head to control him but Begovic postures up.
Golubutov is pressing down on Begovic's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Begovic trying to stand up but can't free himself from Golubutov's guard.
Golubutov 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.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Golubutov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Golubutov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Begovic counters with a head kick. That will keep Golubutov thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Begovic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Golubutov has his takedown stuffed
and Begovic counters with a head kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergej Golubutov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Begovic pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Golubutov has a takedown stuffed.
A head kick misses from Begovic.
Begovic misses with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Golubutov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Golubutov looking to pass the guard.
Golubutov throws and elbow that misses. Begovic uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Golubutov's guard. Nice move by Begovic!
Golubutov has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Begovic has passed into side control.
Golubutov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Golubutov tries to get out of the position.

Begovic stands up and beckons Golubutov to his feet.
Begovic looks to clinch

and Golubutov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Golubutov.
Begovic is looking to break free of the clinch but Golubutov has double underhooks.
Golubutov prevents Begovic from breaking the clinch.

Golubutov gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Begovic gets full guard.
Golubutov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Duka Begovic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Begovic pushes Golubutov off and scrambles back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sergej Golubutov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Golubutov, 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sergej Golubutov!