PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Aluicious James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bolodenka Kharitonov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

James
vs
Kharitonov

170 cm
32
177 lbs
14 - 13 - 0

185 cm
30
179 lbs
19 - 20 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 14 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Aluicious James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bolodenka Kharitonov!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Tiny Johnson and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kharitonov misses with the combination.
Kharitonov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
James shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kharitonov pinned against the cage. Kharitonov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kharitonov throws a right and a left that James avoids nicely.
James has his takedown stuffed
and Kharitonov counters with a three punch combo that has James backing up. James nods at Kharitonov to acknowledge the strikes.
Kharitonov takes a swing at James's ribcage but misses.
James shoots and misses
and James takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aluicious James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
James tries to clinch but Kharitonov moves out of range.
James blocks a head kick by Kharitonov.
Kharitonov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but James was well out of range. Poor timing from Kharitonov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kharitonov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kharitonov throws a series of punches but James avoids them all with ease.
Kharitonov misses with a kick to the body.
James steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Kharitonov. That one must have hurt.

James shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Kharitonov won't allow James to pass to mount.
James thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
James passes to side control.
James working the ground and pound but Kharitonov is defending the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An elbow from James crashes against the mat.
James misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Kharitonov is trying to get back to his feet.

James looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
James with the ground and pound but Kharitonov regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Kharitonov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with James. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
This has been an exciting period of action!
James wants to pass to mount but Kharitonov is defending the position.

James is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.

James drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kharitonov dives on top into guard.

James is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kharitonov defends well.

Kharitonov got a little sloppy there for a moment and James has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kharitonov has managed to get both his arms back between James's legs - danger averted.

James had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kharitonov defends it easily.
James has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Kharitonov trying to control the position from guard on top but James is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

James has his foot on Kharitonov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kharitonov works his way back into a safe position though.
Kharitonov trying to control but James is working from the bottom.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
James controls Kharitonov momentarily but Kharitonov frees himself.
Kharitonov 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.

Kharitonov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kharitonov won't allow James to sweep him here.
Kharitonov postures up.
James looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aluicious James dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kharitonov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
James is looking for a sweep. Kharitonov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Kharitonov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
James tries to get to full guard but Kharitonov has control of the leg.

James looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kharitonov takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
James has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kharitonov is working away from the top position though.
The fighters are battling for position here. James manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
James looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Kharitonov puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.

James looking for submissions off his back.
James tries to get to full guard but Kharitonov has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kharitonov is looking for a kimura here.
James is pressing down on Kharitonov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
James wants to sweep but no luck.
Kharitonov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Kharitonov trying to control but James is working from the bottom.
Kharitonov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

James throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

James is looking for a triangle but Kharitonov pushes his legs off easily.
James keeping moving, preventing Kharitonov from controlling successfully.

James has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kharitonov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kharitonov trying to control the position from guard on top but James is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
James 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.
Kharitonov trying to control but James is working from the bottom.

James has his foot on Kharitonov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kharitonov works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James wants to sweep but no luck.
Kharitonov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

James has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kharitonov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

James looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kharitonov trying to control but James is working from the bottom.
Kharitonov throws a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
James keeping full guard, as Kharitonov tries to pass.
Kharitonov content to stall in guard here.

James is looking for a triangle but Kharitonov pushes his legs off easily.
Kharitonov sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

James goes for an armbar but Kharitonov turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Kharitonov.

Kharitonov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

James has his foot on Kharitonov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kharitonov works his way back into a safe position though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

James throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Kharitonov escapes and throws James's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Kharitonov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aluicious James dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Kharitonov has James up against the cage in a clinch.

Kharitonov is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. James can't fight it off and eventually Kharitonov manages to take the fight to the floor. James looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Kharitonov trying to control the position from guard on top but James is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kharitonov stopping the sweep attempt from James.
James is working hard here to advance position.

Kharitonov drops back looking for a leg! James is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and James manages to kick Kharitonov off! Kharitonov jumps back into James's guard.
James manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kharitonov manages to get himself to full guard.
James postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
James stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kharitonov swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kharitonov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kharitonov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kharitonov is looking to stand up but James isn't so interested in that idea.
James throws an elbow that misses. Kharitonov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in James's guard. Nice move by Kharitonov!
James might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Kharitonov stopping the sweep attempt from James.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now James is on top in guard.

James drops back, looking for a kneebar! Kharitonov looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Kharitonov looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Kharitonov!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James manages to get back to half guard.
James is pressing down on Kharitonov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Kharitonov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Kharitonov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kharitonov trying to control the position from guard on top but James is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

James has his foot on Kharitonov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kharitonov works his way back into a safe position though.

James is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kharitonov wants to control from the top but James keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kharitonov controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Let's hope that Kharitonov 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.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

James has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kharitonov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kharitonov trying to control the position from guard on top but James is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Aluicious James overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
James looking for a sweep. Not yet James, not yet.
Kharitonov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Bolodenka Kharitonov was stalling too much, according to the referee.
James closes the distance and clinches up with Kharitonov, looking for a takedown. James pushes Kharitonov against the cage but Kharitonov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aluicious James showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for James, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 George Francis scores the fight for Aluicious James!
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight for Aluicious James!
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight for Aluicious James!

Aluicious James wins by unanimous decision!