PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Michael Kazamier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolai Beljakov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Beljakov is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Black Strobe - I'm a Man . Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kazamier
vs
Beljakov

174 cm
21
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
171 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Michael Kazamier!
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, Nikolai Beljakov!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Vladimir Khabensky and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kazamier stuffs the takedown.
Beljakov leaves Kazamier with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Beljakov doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Kazamier counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Beljakov!
Kazamier with good strikes from the mount here!

Kazamier swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Beljakov is now in Kazamier's guard. A big mistake from Kazamier there, giving up the dominant position!
Beljakov trying to control the position from guard on top but Kazamier is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kazamier tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Beljakov trying to control but Kazamier is working from the bottom.
Kazamier has his hands on Beljakov's head, controlling the position.

Kazamier looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kazamier knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Beljakov on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Beljakov won't allow Kazamier to sweep him here.

Kazamier working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Beljakov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Beljakov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Beljakov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Beljakov trying to control the position but Kazamier is working away.
You can see the frustration on Kazamier's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Beljakov swings around for an armbar but Kazamier sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Beljakov's guard.
Kazamier is breathing heavily.
Kazamier wants to pass the guard but Beljakov is keeping the position.

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.
Beljakov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Beljakov is adopting a defensive guard.
Beljakov keeping full guard, as Kazamier tries to pass.
Beljakov controlling Kazamier's posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazamier wants to stand and escape but instead Beljakov has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kazamier throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Beljakov thows a big elbow that misses.
Kazamier seems keen to control Beljakov's posture.
Kazamier keeping moving, preventing Beljakov from controlling successfully.

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.
Kazamier lands a good elbow from the bottom.
Beljakov thows a big elbow that misses.
Beljakov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kazamier's head.
Beljakov sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Kazamier's guard.
Beljakov prevents Kazamier from improving his position.
Kazamier is not content to let Beljakov control the position.
Kazamier wants to improve his position but Beljakov is controlling well.

Beljakov is looking for a kimura here.
Kazamier is in trouble now - Beljakov has advanced to mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Kazamier dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Beljakov misses with a takedown

and Kazamier counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Beljakov!
Beljakov is desperately trying to improve his position but Kazamier has a good base and remains in mount.
Beljakov bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Kazamier pulls Beljakov in close to prevent any damage.
Kazamier doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Beljakov sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Kazamier's guard.
Beljakov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kazamier does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Beljakov is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kazamier tries to get to full guard but Beljakov has control of the leg.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kazamier manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Kazamier tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kazamier keeping moving, preventing Beljakov from controlling successfully.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Beljakov jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Beljakov with a lazy takedown attempt

and Kazamier counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kazamier is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Beljakov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kazamier is looking to take a break and control but Beljakov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kazamier is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Beljakov is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Beljakov is pressing down on Kazamier's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kazamier trying to control but Beljakov is working from the bottom.
Beljakov manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Beljakov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kazamier is looking to escape.

Beljakov working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

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.
Beljakov takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Kazamier tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The referee warns Kazamier that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Beljakov postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Kazamier looks a forlorn figure.

Beljakov working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Beljakov looking to control but Kazamier is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michael Kazamier 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!

Beljakov with a lazy takedown attempt

and Kazamier counters by clinching up.
Beljakov wants a takedown.

Kazamier pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kazamier tries to close the distance and clinch up but Beljakov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Beljakov misses with a takedown
and Kazamier counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Michael Kazamier has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nikolai Beljakov.

Kazamier fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Beljakov, pushing him back against the cage.

Kazamier escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kazamier's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Kazamier duly obliges.
Kazamier tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Beljakov swivels and escapes.

Kazamier looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kazamier is taking a breather. Beljakov says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Beljakov is looking to improve his position.
Kazamier thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kazamier wants to pass to mount but Beljakov is defending the position.
Kazamier thows a huge punch but Beljakov dodges it nicely.

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.
Beljakov works his way to full guard. Good work.
Beljakov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Beljakov keeping moving, preventing Kazamier from controlling successfully.
Kazamier is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Kazamier wants to control from the top but Beljakov keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazamier trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Beljakov manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Beljakov won't allow Kazamier to get back to his feet.
Beljakov preventing the sweep.
Beljakov throwing strikes but missing.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Beljakov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Kazamier counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kazamier stalling away here and it's allowed Beljakov to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Beljakov keeping full guard, as Kazamier tries to pass.
Nikolai Beljakov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kazamier is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Kazamier's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Kazamier showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kazamier has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michael Kazamier!