PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Edwards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andriy Pakusteleyev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Edwards
vs
Pakusteleyev

210 cm
24
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

176 cm
18
208 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light 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, James Edwards!
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, Andriy Pakusteleyev!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Dmitry Maklakov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Edwards misses with a head kick.
Edwards misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Pakusteleyev doesn't manage to clinch there - Edwards circles away.
Edwards throws a series of strikes that have Pakusteleyev backpedaling.

It looks like Andriy Pakusteleyev has been cut.
Pakusteleyev shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Edwards pinned against the cage. Edwards gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Pakusteleyev fails with a takedown attempt.

Edwards moves into the clinch successfully.

Edwards manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Pakusteleyev must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

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

Edwards is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edwards tries to strike from the bottom.
Edwards wants to sweep here but Pakusteleyev controlling him for the moment.
Edwards really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Edwards has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Pakusteleyev throws a big right hand that misses.
Edwards wants to sweep here but Pakusteleyev controlling him for the moment.
Edwards keeping moving, preventing Pakusteleyev from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pakusteleyev being controlled here momentarily.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Edwards moves into the clinch.
Edwards is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Edwards prevents a takedown attempt there.
James Edwards has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andriy Pakusteleyev.
Edwards prevents Pakusteleyev from breaking the clinch.
Pakusteleyev changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Edwards fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Pakusteleyev is looking to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pakusteleyev stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Pakusteleyev wants it to stay on the feet.
Edwards looks for a takedown but Pakusteleyev sprawls well.
Edwards closes this distance looking for a takedown but Pakusteleyev circles away.
Edwards throws a half hearted mid kick.
Pakusteleyev defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Edwards.
Pakusteleyev wants to clinch.

Edwards forces Pakusteleyev back against the cage and clinches.
Edwards manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Pakusteleyev tries to pull guard but Edwards holds him up against the cage and eventually Pakusteleyev drops back down to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Edwards dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Edwards tries to circle away but Pakusteleyev has him pinned against the cage.
Pakusteleyev is looking to control Edwards's arms but Edwards gets an underhook and turns him. Now Pakusteleyev has his back to the cage.
Pakusteleyev seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.
Pakusteleyev misses with a body punch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Edwards slowing the pace effectively.
Edwards wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Edwards just leaning against Pakusteleyev, taking a breather.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Edwards dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Andriy Pakusteleyev's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Pakusteleyev shoots in for a double leg but Edwards sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Edwards misses with a takedown attempt - Pakusteleyev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Pakusteleyev defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Edwards.
Pakusteleyev fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Edwards closes the distance and clinches.
Pakusteleyev looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Pakusteleyev displaying some good clinch control by pressing Edwards up against the cage.
Edwards is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Pakusteleyev is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Edwards. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Edwards is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pakusteleyev breaks the clinch.
Pakusteleyev shoots in looking for a takedown. Edwards tries to sprawl out of it but Pakusteleyev keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Edwards manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Pakusteleyev is looking to clinch.
Pakusteleyev misses with a takedown attempt - Edwards sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Pakusteleyev is breathing heavily.
Pakusteleyev closes the distance but Edwards moves to the side

and Edwards counters by clinching up.
Edwards is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Pakusteleyev gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Pakusteleyev stops a takedown attempt from Edwards.
Pakusteleyev jumps guard but Edwards stands there with Pakusteleyev around his waist. Pakusteleyev gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Edwards tries to score a body lock takedown but Pakusteleyev shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pakusteleyev has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Edwards is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Edwards is working for takedown but Pakusteleyev is calmly controlling the position for now.

Pakusteleyev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Pakusteleyev swats away the attempt to clinch by Edwards.
Edwards uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Pakusteleyev.
Pakusteleyev throws a combination that misses

and Edwards counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Edwards.
Edwards is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Edwards is trying to break free.
Edwards is trying to push Pakusteleyev away but Pakusteleyev has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pakusteleyev tries to stall but Edwards uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Edwards fails to pull guard.

Pakusteleyev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Edwards avoids the head kick by Pakusteleyev.
Pakusteleyev tries to clinch up but Edwards circles away and keeps his distance.
Pakusteleyev closes this distance looking for a takedown but Edwards circles away.
Pakusteleyev should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Edwards shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Pakusteleyev defends it nicely.
Edwards scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
No luck for Edwards with that takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Pakusteleyev is defended easily by Edwards.
Edwards misses with a head kick.
Edwards misses with a low kick.
Horrible takedown by Edwards or perhaps it was just good defense by Pakusteleyev which made him look bad.
Edwards shoots in for a double leg but Pakusteleyev sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pakusteleyev wants to clinch.
Pakusteleyev lands a jab-cross combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that James Edwards will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Andriy Pakusteleyev's cut.
That's time! Edwards's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Pakusteleyev shoots in looking for a takedown but Edwards manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Pakusteleyev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Edwards shoots in for a takedown but Pakusteleyev shows good takedown defense.
Pakusteleyev shoots in looking for a takedown. Edwards tries to sprawl out of it but Pakusteleyev keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Edwards manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Pakusteleyev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Edwards moves away.
No luck for Edwards with that takedown attempt.
Edwards looks for a takedown but Pakusteleyev sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Edwards. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Edwards throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Pakusteleyev's waist but Pakusteleyev gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Edwards off to one side.
James Edwards is winning the standup battle so far.

Edwards instigates a clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Edwards controlling the action here for a moment.
Edwards blocks an elbow strike from Pakusteleyev.
Edwards can't break the clinch.
Edwards letting Pakusteleyev take a breather here.
Pakusteleyev tries for a takedown. No joy.
Pakusteleyev gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Edwards.

Pakusteleyev successfully pulls guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Edwards trying to control the position from guard on top but Pakusteleyev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Edwards controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Edwards decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Pakusteleyev, up you get!
Pakusteleyev shoots for a takedown but Edwards saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Pakusteleyev blocks a head kick by Edwards.
Pakusteleyev avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Pakusteleyev throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Edwards makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

Edwards clinches.

Edwards has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Pakusteleyev uses from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pakusteleyev won't allow Edwards to sweep him here.

Edwards is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Edwards had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Pakusteleyev defends it easily.
Edwards keeping full guard, as Pakusteleyev tries to pass.
Edwards is controlling Pakusteleyev's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Edwards keeping moving, preventing Pakusteleyev from controlling successfully.
Edwards trying to control the position here.

Edwards looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Pakusteleyev would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Andriy Pakusteleyev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
James Edwards 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.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Edwards is pulling down on Pakusteleyev's head. It's preventing any offense from Pakusteleyev, at least for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Edwards showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Edwards 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Edwards!