PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bruce Babcock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Evgeni Klebanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Klebanov is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Your Worst Nightmare. Bruce Babcock has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Babcock
vs
Klebanov

180 cm
26
170 lbs
11 - 5 - 1

168 cm
26
166 lbs
16 - 4 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Good low kicks
Powerful

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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 11 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Bruce Babcock!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Evgeni Klebanov!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Babcock avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Babcock keeps the fight on the outside.
Babcock misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Klebanov.
Klebanov misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Klebanov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Klebanov ducks under a wild hook from Babcock.
Babcock misses with a leg kick
and Klebanov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Babcock misses with a hook. Klebanov ducked under it nicely.
Klebanov ducks right into an uppercut from Babcock.
Klebanov misses with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Klebanov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Babcock throws a hook to the side of Klebanov's head but Klebanov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Babcock with a poor takedown

and Klebanov counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Babcock will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Klebanov's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Klebanov trying to control but Babcock is working from the bottom.

Babcock is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Babcock looking to control.
Babcock wants to sweep here but Klebanov controlling him for the moment.
Klebanov wants to control from the top but Babcock keeps moving.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Klebanov postures up.

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.
Babcock 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.
Babcock keeping moving, preventing Klebanov from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Klebanov misses with a low kick.
Klebanov misses with a leg kick.
Klebanov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Babcock manages to avoid it.
Klebanov keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Babcock missing with a left hand there. Klebanov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Babcock misses with a wild body shot.
Babcock misses with a double jab.
Babcock looks to land a combination but Klebanov avoids it well.
Klebanov defending well as Babcock loads up on a big left hand.
The fight stays on the outside here - Klebanov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Babcock scores with a shot to the body.
Klebanov tries to clinch but Babcock moves out of range.
Babcock fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Klebanov shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Babcock swings for the body but Klebanov moves out of range.

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.
Babcock looks to throw the jab but Klebanov is out of range.
Klebanov shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Babcock checks the leg kick.
Babcock feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Klebanovs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Klebanov slips a jab from Babcock.
Klebanov walks into a jab.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Klebanov, right into the meat.
Babcock swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Babcock throws out a loose jab but Klebanov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Klebanov fails with the takedown
and Babcock counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evgeni Klebanov dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Klebanov throws a half hearted mid kick.
Nice defenses there by Klebanov.
Babcock misses with the combination.
Babcock keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Babcock with a nice cross.
Babcock swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Babcock swings widly with a right hand

so Klebanov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Klebanov preventing the sweep.
Babcock is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Babcock escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Klebanov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Klebanov trying to control the position from guard on top but Babcock is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Babcock can't keep his opponent in guard - Klebanov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Babcock trying to control from the bottom.
Klebanov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

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.
Klebanov is keen to just control but Babcock is a slippery customer.
Klebanov prevents Babcock from improving his position.
Babcock is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Klebanov is figuring out what he wants to do next.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Babcock moves into full guard.
Klebanov passes Babcock's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Babcock makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Babcock.

Babcock looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Klebanov passes into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Klebanov in side control lands a decent elbow.
Babcock is trying to get back to half guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Klebanov landing strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evgeni Klebanov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Babcock's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Klebanov misses with a wild body shot.
Klebanov works Babcock's body with a nice hook.
Babcock swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Klebanov counters with a nice leg kick.
Klebanov wants to land a leg kick but Babcock is out of range.
Babcock is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Babcock gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Klebanov counters with a nice body kick.
Decent striking displayed by Babcock there.
Klebanov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Babcock misses with a straight left.
Babcock avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Klebanov thows a body shot but no joy.
Babcock lands a jab-cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Babcock waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Klebanov.
Babcock lands with a nice combination. Klebanov backs away looking to recover.
Babcock keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Klebanov walks into a left hand.
Klebanov avoids the body shot from Babcock.
Klebanov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Klebanov is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Babcock rather than just go for the knockout.
Babcock lands a body shot.
Klebanov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Bruce Babcock seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Klebanov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Babcock.
The fighters circle momentarily. Babcock darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Klebanov takes a swing at Babcock's ribcage but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Klebanov misses with a hook to the body
and Babcock cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Babcock avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Klebanov wants to clinch
and Babcock counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Babcock shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Klebanov but Klebanov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A looping hook to the body misses from Babcock. Klebanov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Klebanov scoring well with a low kick there.
Babcock looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Klebanov throws a sloppy body shot
and Babcock counters with a stiff right hand.

Klebanov closes the distance and pushes Babcock back into the ropes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Babcock is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bruce Babcock. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Klebanov prevents a body shot from Babcock.
Babcock tries to break the clinch but Klebanov is controlling the position.
Babcock tries to work over Klebanov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Klebanov lands a body shot.
Klebanov tries to throw a body punch but Babcock avoids it by throwing Klebanov back against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Klebanov scores with a nice short uppercut.
Klebanov keeps control of Babcock as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Babcock is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Babcock tries to break the clinch but Klebanov is controlling the position.
A nice left hand lands by Klebanov.
Klebanov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Babcock wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Klebanov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Babcock backwards.
Klebanov scores with a shoulder strike.
A short body shot lands from Klebanov as the two fighters clinch.
Nice body punch from Klebanov.
Klebanov misses with a body punch.
Klebanov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Klebanov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Babcock wants to get back to striking at distance but Klebanov won't allow it.
A left hand lands to the body for Klebanov.
A right hook to the body lands for Klebanov.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A right handed body shot lands from Klebanov.
Klebanov stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Klebanov lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Babcock.
Klebanov lands with a short shot to the head.
Klebanov scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Babcock takes a shot to the head.
Nice body punch from Klebanov - that landed with a thud.
Nice body punch from Klebanov - that landed with a thud.
Klebanov cracks Babcock with a nice body shot.
A body shot lands from Klebanov.
Klebanov scores with a shoulder strike.
Klebanov lands a body punch.
Klebanov is leaning against Babcock and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A short left from Klebanov.
Babcock's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Klebanov cracks Babcock with a nice body shot.
Klebanov lands a body shot in the clinch.
Klebanov lands a body punch in the clinch.
Klebanov digs a right hand into Babcock's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Babcock's gas tank.
Klebanov lands with a left to the head.
Klebanov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Klebanov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Babcock is rocked!
Klebanov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Oh Babcock is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Klebanov pushes Babcock back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Klebanov.
Klebanov lands an uppercut.
Babcock misses with some punches.
Klebanov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Bruce Babcock has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Klebanov digs a right hand into Babcock's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Babcock's gas tank.
Klebanov scores with a shoulder strike.
Klebanov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Babcock or not.

And that's the end of the fight!
Evgeni Klebanov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Klebanov 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evgeni Klebanov!