PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vladimir Molotav (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Blake Stevenson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Blake Stevenson has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Molotav
vs
Stevenson

185 cm
22
205 lbs
3 - 7 - 0

186 cm
22
215 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vladimir Molotav!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Blake Stevenson!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Aleksandr Martynov and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Molotav.
A punch combination from Molotav misses.
Stevenson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Molotav.
Molotav cracks Stevenson with a good jab.

Stevenson shoots in and bounces Molotav off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Molotav wants to stand and escape but Stevenson is having none of it.
Molotav is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Stevenson dives into side control.
Molotav is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Stevenson is controlling him well.

Stevenson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Molotav, who protects the arm well.
Molotav knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Stevenson on the ground.
Molotav wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Stevenson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Molotav wants to get back to his feet.
Stevenson lands a few punches from side control.
Molotav is pushing Stevenson's head away, looking to escape. Stevenson manages to hold on to the position though.
Molotav is breathing heavily.
A lull in the action here.
Stevenson trying to control the position but Molotav is working away.
Molotav is trying to get back to his feet.
Stevenson lands a few punches from side control.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stevenson is trying to get an arm triangle but Molotav is defending well.
Molotav wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

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

Stevenson 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.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Molotav is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Stevenson has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

Stevenson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Molotav, who protects the arm well.

Stevenson is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Molotav has escaped the position, nice work there.
Stevenson creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Stevenson wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Molotav, who protects the arm well.
Molotav is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Stevenson is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Molotav is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Stevenson decides to take the fight back to the feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Molotav scores with a jab. Stevenson acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Molotav circles away from the clinch attempt.
Stevenson is looking to clinch but Molotav is avoiding it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Molotav looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A nice combination there by Molotav.

Stevenson drives through and clinches with Molotav against the cage.
Stevenson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Molotav just stands there and leans against the cage.
Stevenson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Molotav avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Stevenson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Stevenson dodges the punch combination from Molotav.
Molotav stuffs the takedown.
Vladimir Molotav has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Blake Stevenson.
Molotav throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Stevenson has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Molotav throws a nice looking combination but Stevenson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Molotav misses with a wild combination.
Molotav throws a one two combo.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Molotav scores with a nice right hand.
Molotav scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Molotav looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson moves in looking to clinch but Molotav pushes him off.
Stevenson takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Stevenson moves in looking to clinch but Molotav pushes him off.
Molotav plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Molotav throws a good cross that connects.
Molotav lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stevenson circles away quickly and effectively.
Stevenson shoots for a takedown but Molotav saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Stevenson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Stevenson moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Molotav misses with a jab, cross combination.
Stevenson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Molotav as he jumps to the side.
Stevenson wants to clinch.
Stevenson fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Molotav throws a series of punches but Stevenson avoids them all with ease.
Molotav looks to score with a jab to the body but Stevenson is just out of range.
Molotav throws a looping overhand right but Stevenson ducks down to avoid it.

Stevenson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Stevenson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Stevenson stands up out of the half guard.
Molotav throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stevenson.
Molotav connects with a right hand. Stevenson shakes it off.

Stevenson is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Molotav's half guard.
Molotav is staying active underneath Stevenson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevenson scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Stevenson is trying to control. Molotav wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Stevenson stops Molotav from getting back to his feet.

Molotav makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
No joy there for Molotav, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A nice combination there by Molotav.
Stevenson shoots in for a double leg but Molotav sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Stevenson shoots for a takedown but Molotav saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Molotav misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Stevenson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Stevenson is looking to break free of the clinch but Molotav has double underhooks.

Molotav breaks the clinch.

Stevenson clinches.
Stevenson is trying to break free.
Molotav can't break the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stevenson manages to break the clinch.
Molotav throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Molotav misses with a wild combination.
Molotav thuds his right hand into Stevenson's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Stevenson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Molotav throws a right hand that Stevenson ducks under and follows up with a left that Stevenson also avoids with ease.
Stevenson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Molotav throws a right and a left that Stevenson avoids nicely.
Molotav throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Stevenson.
Molotav misses with a series of wild punches.
Stevenson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Molotav defends it nicely.

Stevenson clinches up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Blake Stevenson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Stevenson dodges the punch combination from Molotav.

Stevenson drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Molotav sneaks out the side door and pushes Stevenson away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Molotav throws a series of punches but Stevenson avoids them all with ease.
Molotav throws a one two combo.

Stevenson feints and as Molotav raises his hands in defense, Stevenson changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Molotav is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Stevenson is controlling him.
Stevenson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Molotav is keeping the position for now.
Molotav is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stevenson looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevenson prevents Molotav from getting back to his feet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Stevenson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Stevenson blocks a head kick by Molotav.
A head kick misses from Molotav.

Stevenson moves into the clinch.
Stevenson lands an elbow inside that Molotav shrugs off.
Molotav looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Stevenson jumps guard but Molotav stands there with Stevenson around his waist. Stevenson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Molotav wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

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.
Stevenson is looking to break free of the clinch but Molotav has double underhooks.

Stevenson breaks from the clinch.
Molotav connects with a solid leg kick.
Molotav throws a nice looking combination but Stevenson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Stevenson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Molotav as he avoids it easily.
Molotav scores with a punch to the head.
Danga de danga de dang - Molotav scores with a four punch combination!

Stevenson closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Molotav to the mat! Molotav manages to get full guard.
Stevenson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Molotav swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Molotav wants to stand up but Stevenson is controlling him.
Stevenson chips away with some ground and pound.

Stevenson drops back looking for a leg! Molotav is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Molotav manages to kick Stevenson off! Stevenson jumps back into Molotav's guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Stevenson's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Molotav can't keep his opponent in guard - Stevenson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Stevenson is looking for a kimura here.
Molotav wants to get back to his feet.

Stevenson is trying to work for a kimura but Molotav is defending well.

Stevenson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Stevenson trying to mount his opponent but Molotav defends it.
Molotav is looking to escape.
Molotav is in trouble now - Stevenson has advanced to mount!
Blake Stevenson has got the better of the ground game so far.

Stevenson looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Stevenson tries to control but Molotav wriggling away.
Vladimir Molotav has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Blake Stevenson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Molotav is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Molotav throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Blake Stevenson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Stevenson 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 26:30
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 26:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Blake Stevenson!