PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Grigori Rasputin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eric Kilgore (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rasputin's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, ,. Eric Kilgore has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rasputin
vs
Kilgore

191 cm
20
193 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

189 cm
24
192 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Grigori Rasputin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Eric Kilgore!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Viktor Lagutenko and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kilgore bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nice sprawl there from Rasputin as Kilgore shoots in.
Kilgore looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kilgore is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rasputin sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Grigori Rasputin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Kilgore.
Rasputin throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kilgore fails with a takedown attempt.
Rasputin takes a swing at Kilgore's ribcage but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kilgore has a takedown stuffed.
Rasputin connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kilgore closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Rasputin to the mat! Rasputin manages to get full guard.
Kilgore trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Kilgore has gone for a leg lock! Rasputin slips out almost immediately though and dives into Kilgore's guard.
Kilgore has a closed guard, preventing Rasputin from standing up.

Kilgore looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Rasputin has picked Kilgore up and slammed him! Kilgore can't keep hold of the triangle and Rasputin manages to pass to side control!
Kilgore is trying to control Rasputin's posture but Rasputin avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rasputin wants to stand but Kilgore has his arm trapped.
Kilgore is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Rasputin off and has taken his back!

Kilgore working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Rasputin is trying to stand back up.

Kilgore is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Rasputin has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Kilgore looking for the choke but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kilgore is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Kilgore is persistently looking for the submission but Rasputin is defending it well.

Kilgore is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Rasputin defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rasputin preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Kilgore.
Kilgore looks gassed!

Kilgore is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Rasputin is defending well though. Kilgore let's go of the attempt for now.

Kilgore working for the choke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Kilgore dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kilgore moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Eric Kilgore seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kilgore fails to land the takedown.
Rasputin swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rasputin misses with a double jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rasputin lands with a hook. Kilgore tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Rasputin just misses with a punch to the body.
Kilgore looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rasputin is fending him off so far but Kilgore persists. Nope, Rasputin circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Rasputin misses the target.
Grigori Rasputin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kilgore shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rasputin as he avoids it easily.
Grigori Rasputin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Kilgore.
A punch combination from Rasputin misses.
Kilgore shoots in and drives through. Rasputin sprawls well.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kilgore.
Kilgore shoots in and drives through. Rasputin sprawls well.
Rasputin moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Rasputin scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kilgore fails with a takedown attempt.
Rasputin fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kilgore looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kilgore is breathing heavily.
Rasputin thows a body shot but no joy.
Rasputin throws a nice looking combination but Kilgore bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kilgore.
Rasputin misses with a double jab.
Kilgore fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kilgore fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rasputin avoids it really well and circles away.
No joy there for Rasputin, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Rasputin looks to land a right hand but Kilgore moved out of range.
Kilgore moves forwards but Rasputin connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Rasputin fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Kilgore keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kilgore takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kilgore closes the distance and clinches up with Rasputin, looking for a takedown. Kilgore pushes Rasputin against the cage but Rasputin circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rasputin misses with a hook. Kilgore ducked under it nicely.
Rasputin bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kilgore's head.

Rasputin gets caught flat footed, as Kilgore shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kilgore trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rasputin wants to stand and escape but Kilgore is having none of it.

Kilgore drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Rasputin manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kilgore has Rasputin in his guard.
Rasputin would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Grigori Rasputin dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Jab, jab by Rasputin - just one landing.
Rasputin swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rasputin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Kilgore closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Eric Kilgore has got the better of the ground game so far.

Kilgore working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Kilgore swings around for an armbar but Rasputin sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Kilgore's guard.
Kilgore takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kilgore lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Rasputin!

Kilgore moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Rasputin has worked his arm free - good work by Rasputin!
Kilgore is looking to take a break and control but Rasputin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Kilgore goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Rasputin rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Kilgore's guard! Nice work there by Rasputin!
Kilgore looking for a sweep. Not yet Kilgore, not yet.
Rasputin wants to stand but Kilgore has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Rasputin decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Kilgore, up you get!
Rasputin waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kilgore.
Rasputin lands a jab to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rasputin throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kilgore.
Kilgore bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kilgore tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rasputin swivels and escapes.
Rasputin misses with a wild combination.
A punch combination from Rasputin misses.
Rasputin scores with a jab to the body.
Kilgore walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Kilgore changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rasputin tries to avoid it but Kilgore manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rasputin to the ground. Rasputin escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's four 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.
Rasputin defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kilgore.
Grigori Rasputin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eric Kilgore.
Kilgore takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kilgore.
Kilgore looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rasputin is fending him off so far but Kilgore persists. Nope, Rasputin circles away and we're back to standing.
Kilgore shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rasputin as he avoids it easily.
Rasputin misses with a straight right.
Rasputin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rasputin throws a hook but Kilgore avoids it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Grigori Rasputin showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rasputin 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:28
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Grigori Rasputin!