PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wellington Pereira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Artur Taymazov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Pereira
vs
Taymazov

212 cm
19
265 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

188 cm
25
280 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Wellington Pereira!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Artur Taymazov!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Ivan Kurochkin and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taymazov avoids the head kick by Pereira.
Pereira throws a head kick but Taymazov moves out of range.
Pereira throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Pereira pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Taymazov drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Taymazov stopping the sweep attempt from Pereira.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pereira preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Pereira has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Taymazov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Taymazov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Pereira looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Taymazov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taymazov wants to control from the top but Pereira keeps moving.
Pereira 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.
Taymazov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Pereira working for a triangle but Taymazov defends it easily.
Pereira has a closed guard, preventing Taymazov from standing up.

Pereira working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Taymazov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Taymazov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

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.
Taymazov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Taymazov won't allow Pereira to get back to his feet.
Pereira is breathing heavily.
Pereira throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Taymazov is stalling in the full guard.
Pereira wants to stand and escape but Taymazov is having none of it.
Taymazov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Artur Taymazov has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Pereira goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Pereira throws a sloppy head kick and Taymazov moves out of range easily.
Pereira tries to clinch up but Taymazov circles away and keeps his distance.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Taymazov.
Taymazov taking a breather here.
Let's hope that Taymazov has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
I looks like Taymazov might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Pereira takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Taymazov scoring with punches from side control.
A lull in the action here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pereira wants to get back to his feet but Taymazov is dominant here and he's now got Pereira's back!
Taymazov controls the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artur Taymazov dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Pereira gets caught flat footed, as Taymazov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Pereira wants to sweep here but Taymazov controlling him for the moment.
Pereira is trying to keep Taymazov in close.
Taymazov tries to free his leg and advance position but Pereira is retaining full guard.
Taymazov works over Pereira with some ground and pound from guard.

Pereira is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Taymazov content to stall in guard here.
Taymazov is in close to Pereira's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taymazov postures up and lands a big shot to Pereira's brow.

Pereira looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Pereira will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Taymazov drops back looking for a leg! Pereira is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Pereira manages to kick Taymazov off! Taymazov jumps back into Pereira's guard.
Taymazov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pereira has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Taymazov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Taymazov passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Taymazov is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Taymazov creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Taymazov works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Taymazov cracks Pereira with a big elbow.
Taymazov controlling from side mount.
Taymazov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Pereira. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pereira wants to control but Taymazov postures up.
Taymazov takes a little break here. Pereira wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Pereira is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Taymazov blocks the strikes from Pereira.
Taymazov just content to control the position.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Artur Taymazov hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Pereira misses with a takedown attempt

and Taymazov counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Taymazov.
Taymazov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pereira is keeping the position for now.
Taymazov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Taymazov is pushing down on Pereira's leg trying to pass to half guard. Pereira is fighting to maintain full guard but Taymazov has managed to sneak the leg through.
Well, if Taymazov is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artur Taymazov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Pereira throws a sloppy head kick and Taymazov moves out of range easily.

Taymazov instigates a clinch.
Pereira tries to circle away but Taymazov has him pinned against the cage.
Pereira is trying to break the clinch but Taymazov is controlling him.
Taymazov fails to pull guard.
Pereira wants to break the clinch but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Taymazov pulls guard effortlessly.
Pereira throws a strike but Taymazov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Taymazov content to stall in guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pereira throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Pereira working for submissions but it's allowed Taymazov to get to half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pereira trying to get back to full guard but Taymazov takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Taymazov takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Taymazov landing shots from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taymazov cracks Pereira with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Taymazov prevents Pereira from getting the reversal.
Taymazov controlling his opponent.
Artur Taymazov has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Artur Taymazov hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Pereira tries to land a front kick but Taymazov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Taymazov tries a low kick but Pereira avoids it.
Taymazov throws a leg kick but Pereira sees it coming and moves out of range.

Pereira tries to sprawl but Taymazov drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Taymazov stops Pereira from getting back to his feet.
Taymazov tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

Taymazov stands up from half guard.
Pereira shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

so Taymazov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Wellington Pereira has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pereira can't keep his opponent in guard - Taymazov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Taymazov is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Pereira!
Taymazov prevents Pereira from getting the reversal.
Pereira is in a horrible position here. Taymazov smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Taymazov controlling his opponent.
Artur Taymazov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Taymazov scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Pereira?

And that's the end of the fight!
Artur Taymazov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Taymazov 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 25:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 25:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Artur Taymazov!