PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Werdinand Xiilianiatoph (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vitaliy Ermakov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vitaliy Ermakov told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Xiilianiatoph
vs
Ermakov

225 cm
25
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
25
265 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Werdinand Xiilianiatoph!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vitaliy Ermakov!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Aleksandr Martynov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Xiilianiatoph throws a head kick that half lands.

It looks like Vitaliy Ermakov has been cut.
Jab by Ermakov.
Ermakov misses with a combination
and Xiilianiatoph counters with a three punch combo that has Ermakov backing up. Ermakov nods at Xiilianiatoph to acknowledge the strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Xiilianiatoph misses with a few strikes there.

Xiilianiatoph lands a big head kick that sends Ermakov tumbling to the mat! Xiilianiatoph takes a step backwards and waves Ermakov back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Ermakov is rocked!
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Xiilianiatoph takes the fight into the clinch.
Ermakov is still on wobbly legs! Can Xiilianiatoph finish him?
Xiilianiatoph really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Xiilianiatoph drags the fight down to the ground.
Xiilianiatoph will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Xiilianiatoph has his foot on Ermakov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ermakov works his way back into a safe position though.
Ermakov seems to have recovered his senses.

Xiilianiatoph working for a triangle but Ermakov defends it easily.

Xiilianiatoph is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ermakov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Xiilianiatoph works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

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

Xiilianiatoph is looking for a triangle but Ermakov pushes his legs off easily.

Xiilianiatoph had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ermakov defends it easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xiilianiatoph preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Xiilianiatoph has a closed guard, preventing Ermakov from standing up.

Xiilianiatoph looking for a guillotine here but Ermakov defends easily.

Xiilianiatoph is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Xiilianiatoph had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ermakov defends it easily.

Xiilianiatoph has his foot on Ermakov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ermakov works his way back into a safe position though.
Xiilianiatoph tries to strike from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Xiilianiatoph working a defensive guard here.
Xiilianiatoph striking off his back but it's not causing Ermakov any problems.

Xiilianiatoph had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ermakov defends it easily.
Ermakov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Xiilianiatoph works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

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

Xiilianiatoph is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ermakov is aware though and is defending well.

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

Xiilianiatoph is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ermakov is fighting to break Xiilianiatoph's control of his arms but Xiilianiatoph is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Xiilianiatoph had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ermakov defends it easily.
Ermakov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Xiilianiatoph is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Xiilianiatoph kicks Ermakov off and gets to his feet.
Xiilianiatoph uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ermakov.
Ermakov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Ermakov tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ermakov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Xiilianiatoph rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ermakov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ermakov misses with a few strikes there.
Werdinand Xiilianiatoph seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ermakov looks gassed!
Ermakov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ermakov wants it to stay on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ermakov throws a body punch but Xiilianiatoph moves out of range.
Xiilianiatoph works the jab nicely.
Ermakov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Xiilianiatoph changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ermakov tries to avoid it but Xiilianiatoph manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ermakov to the ground. Ermakov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Vitaliy Ermakov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Xiilianiatoph plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Xiilianiatoph shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ermakov as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Werdinand Xiilianiatoph. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Xiilianiatoph rushes Ermakov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Xiilianiatoph jumps guard.
Ermakov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Xiilianiatoph throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Xiilianiatoph on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Xiilianiatoph tries to get out of the position.

Xiilianiatoph looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Xiilianiatoph working a defensive guard here.
Ermakov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Xiilianiatoph. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Xiilianiatoph looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Werdinand Xiilianiatoph dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Vitaliy Ermakov's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Xiilianiatoph tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ermakov swivels and escapes.
Xiilianiatoph scores with a nice strike.
Sloppy strikes from Ermakov. Those never looked like landing.
Xiilianiatoph is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ermakov can do to turn this around?
Xiilianiatoph looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Xiilianiatoph misses with a takedown attempt - Ermakov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Werdinand Xiilianiatoph. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Xiilianiatoph has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ermakov.
Ermakov thows a body shot but no joy.
Werdinand Xiilianiatoph is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Xiilianiatoph takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Ermakov stuffs the takedown.
Ermakov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Xiilianiatoph blocks a head kick by Ermakov.
Xiilianiatoph throws a series of punches but Ermakov avoids them all with ease.
Ermakov moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Xiilianiatoph takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ermakov lands a leg kick that knocks Xiilianiatoph off balance momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ermakov misses with a double jab.
Ermakov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Ermakov tries to keep at a distance but Xiilianiatoph has taken the fight into the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Xiilianiatoph.

Xiilianiatoph escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ermakov looks to throw the jab but Xiilianiatoph is out of range.

Xiilianiatoph drives through and clinches with Ermakov against the cage.
Xiilianiatoph tries to pull guard but Ermakov won't allow it.
Xiilianiatoph misses with an elbow over the top.

Xiilianiatoph breaks from the clinch.
Ermakov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ermakov wants it to stay on the feet.
Ermakov throws a jab when Xiilianiatoph was well out of range.
A punch combination from Ermakov misses.
Xiilianiatoph throws a head kick that half lands.
Xiilianiatoph changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ermakov tries to avoid it but Xiilianiatoph manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ermakov to the ground. Ermakov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ermakov lands a two punch combo.
Xiilianiatoph closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ermakov circles away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ermakov misses with a double jab.
Xiilianiatoph goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Ermakov throws a head kick but Xiilianiatoph moves out of range.
Xiilianiatoph blocks a head kick by Ermakov.
Werdinand Xiilianiatoph is winning the standup battle so far.
That kick from Xiilianiatoph tenderised Ermakov's leg. Ermakov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Xiilianiatoph lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

Xiilianiatoph closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ermakov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Xiilianiatoph.
Ermakov is trying to break free.
Xiilianiatoph tries to score a body lock takedown but Ermakov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Xiilianiatoph looking to throw knees to the head but Ermakov is blocking nicely.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Xiilianiatoph just misses with a elbow thrown towards Ermakov's brow.
Ermakov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ermakov is trying to break the clinch but Xiilianiatoph has him pressed against the cage.
Xiilianiatoph tries for a takedown but Ermakov manages to get underhooks.
Xiilianiatoph has Ermakov pressed against the cage, preventing Ermakov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Ermakov is trying to break free.
Xiilianiatoph tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ermakov avoids it.
Xiilianiatoph misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ermakov.
Xiilianiatoph keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ermakov's efforts to push away.
Ermakov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Xiilianiatoph breaks the clinch.
Horrible takedown by Xiilianiatoph or perhaps it was just good defense by Ermakov which made him look bad.
Xiilianiatoph misses with the combination.
Xiilianiatoph slips under a jab from Ermakov.
A head kick misses from Ermakov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xiilianiatoph misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Xiilianiatoph throws a series of punches but Ermakov avoids them all with ease.
Ermakov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Xiilianiatoph walks into a jab.
Xiilianiatoph throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Xiilianiatoph tries to clinch up.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ermakov. That's going to slow Xiilianiatoph down.
Ermakov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Xiilianiatoph throws an elbow that misses.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Xiilianiatoph breaks the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ermakov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Xiilianiatoph.
Ermakov lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Xiilianiatoph tries to land a front kick but Ermakov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Vitaliy Ermakov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Vitaliy Ermakov's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Xiilianiatoph jabs at Ermakov's body.
Ermakov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ermakov takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Xiilianiatoph has Ermakov up against the cage in a clinch.

Xiilianiatoph manages to break the clinch.
Ermakov missing with a left hand there. Xiilianiatoph was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ermakov throws a hook but Xiilianiatoph avoids it easily.
Ermakov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Xiilianiatoph tries for a takedown but Ermakov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Xiilianiatoph tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Xiilianiatoph fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ermakov tries a head kick but it misses.
Xiilianiatoph shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ermakov but Ermakov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ermakov tries a head kick but it misses.
Ermakov throws a head kick that misses
and Xiilianiatoph counters with a series of strikes. Ermakov will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ermakov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A head kick misses from Ermakov.
A head kick misses from Xiilianiatoph.
Xiilianiatoph rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ermakov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Good leg kick by Ermakov there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Ermakov misses with a double jab.

Xiilianiatoph shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Xiilianiatoph was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Ermakov really wants to buck Xiilianiatoph off and get back to his feet.

Xiilianiatoph has hold of Ermakov's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Ermakov manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Ermakov holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Xiilianiatoph tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ermakov in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Ermakov avoids a series of strikes thrown by Xiilianiatoph.

Xiilianiatoph jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Ermakov manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Xiilianiatoph stands up and we're back to a striking position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Some wild striking there from Xiilianiatoph.
Xiilianiatoph throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xiilianiatoph throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Xiilianiatoph shoots in and drives through. Ermakov sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Werdinand Xiilianiatoph. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Xiilianiatoph tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ermakov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Xiilianiatoph somewhat.
Ermakov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Xiilianiatoph. Those never looked like landing.
Ermakov lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Ermakov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Xiilianiatoph throws a nice looking combination but Ermakov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ermakov avoids the head kick by Xiilianiatoph.
Ermakov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ermakov takes a kick to the side of the head.
Ermakov with a hook.
Xiilianiatoph throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ermakov throws a right hand that Xiilianiatoph ducks under and follows up with a left that Xiilianiatoph also avoids with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ermakov slaps away a takedown attempt from Xiilianiatoph, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Xiilianiatoph tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ermakov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Xiilianiatoph somewhat.
Ermakov avoids the head kick by Xiilianiatoph.
Xiilianiatoph is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ermakov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Xiilianiatoph dodges the punch combination from Ermakov.
Xiilianiatoph throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Xiilianiatoph tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ermakov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A chopping leg kick lands by Xiilianiatoph.
Xiilianiatoph shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ermakov pinned against the cage. Ermakov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Xiilianiatoph tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Werdinand Xiilianiatoph showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Xiilianiatoph 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:28
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:28
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Werdinand Xiilianiatoph!
After winning the bout, Werdinand Xiilianiatoph thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.