PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pavel Vodenisov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Damien Veto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Damien Veto will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Vodenisov
vs
Veto

186 cm
24
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 1

200 cm
21
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Likes comics

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

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 - 1 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pavel Vodenisov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Damien Veto!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Vladimir Khabensky and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown by Veto or perhaps it was just good defense by Vodenisov which made him look bad.
Veto fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Vodenisov is looking to clinch but Veto is avoiding it.
Vodenisov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Veto paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Vodenisov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Veto as he avoids it easily.

Vodenisov closes the distance and pushes Veto back into the cage.
Vodenisov is trying to push Veto away but Veto has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Vodenisov avoiding damage as Veto throws knees to the body.
Veto tries for a takedown but Vodenisov manages to get underhooks.
Pavel Vodenisov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Damien Veto.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Vodenisov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Veto's brow.
Vodenisov is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Vodenisov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Veto prevents it.
Veto can't break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vodenisov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Veto after a bit of a struggle.
Veto is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Vodenisov pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Vodenisov wants the takedown. Veto is fighting it off but Vodenisov persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Veto's guard against the cage.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Vodenisov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Veto is keeping the position for now.
Veto wants to sweep but no luck.
Vodenisov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Veto works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Vodenisov postures up.
Vodenisov stopping the sweep attempt from Veto.
Veto is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vodenisov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Veto swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Veto working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Vodenisov has passed into half guard!
Vodenisov seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Veto trying to hold on to Vodenisov's head to control him but Vodenisov postures up.
Veto wants to get back to full guard.
Veto slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vodenisov looking to pass the guard.
Veto controls Vodenisov momentarily but Vodenisov frees himself.
Vodenisov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Veto can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Vodenisov controls the pace.
Veto is trying to hold Vodenisov in close to prevent damage but Vodenisov has managed to pass into half guard.
Veto manages to get to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vodenisov is looking to stand up but Veto won't let him.
Veto wants to stand but Vodenisov is controlling the position.
Vodenisov scoring with some ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Veto has momentary wrist control but Vodenisov slips an elbow through the middle.
Veto keeping moving, preventing Vodenisov from controlling successfully.
Veto keeping full guard, as Vodenisov tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pavel Vodenisov dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Veto has a takedown stuffed.
Veto shoots in for a takedown but Vodenisov shows good takedown defense.
Veto misses with a takedown attempt
and Vodenisov counters with a left and a right that stings Veto.
Pavel Vodenisov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Damien Veto.
Vodenisov tries for a takedown but Veto sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Veto misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Veto takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Horrible takedown by Vodenisov or perhaps it was just good defense by Veto which made him look bad.
Vodenisov closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Veto is looking to clinch.
Vodenisov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Veto moves away.
Veto throws a nice outside leg kick.
Veto fails with the takedown.
Vodenisov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Veto drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Veto tries for a kimura but Vodenisov is defending well.
Vodenisov is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Veto asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Veto trying to control the position but Vodenisov is working away.
Vodenisov struggling a bit here.
Vodenisov manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Well, if Veto 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Veto wants to take a breather but Vodenisov is having none of it.
Veto is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Vodenisov!
Veto sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Vodenisov is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Vodenisov is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Veto throwing strikes here but Vodenisov is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Veto tries to control but Vodenisov wriggling away.
Vodenisov working to try and regain half guard.
Veto thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Pavel Vodenisov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Veto looking to control and managing it successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Damien Veto will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Vodenisov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Vodenisov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Veto moves away.
Veto is looking to land body kicks.

Vodenisov is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Veto's half guard.
Vodenisov is trying to control. Veto wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Veto is trying to stand.
Veto moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Vodenisov wanted to stand there but Veto had control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Veto working a defensive guard here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

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

Vodenisov stands and steps away. Veto gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Vodenisov throws a body punch but Veto moves out of range.
Vodenisov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Veto shoots in but no luck this time.
Vodenisov shoots in and drives through. Veto sprawls well.
A combination from Vodenisov does no damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vodenisov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Veto fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Veto shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Vodenisov sprawls well. Vodenisov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Veto gets slowly back to his feet.
Pavel Vodenisov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Damien Veto.
A head kick by Vodenisov misses
and Veto counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Veto looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Vodenisov is fending him off so far but Veto persists. Nope, Vodenisov circles away and we're back to standing.
Vodenisov closes the distance and clinches up with Veto, looking for a takedown. Vodenisov pushes Veto against the cage but Veto circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Vodenisov shoots for a double leg takedown but Veto sprawls well. He's pushed Vodenisov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Vodenisov throws a head kick but Veto moves out of range.
Veto fails in his attempt to clinch.

Veto fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Vodenisov, pushing him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Veto prevents Vodenisov from breaking the clinch.
Veto throws a punch but it's blocked by Vodenisov.
Vodenisov is trying to break free.
Vodenisov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Veto after a bit of a struggle.
Vodenisov tries to break free but Veto pushes him back against the cage.

Veto has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Vodenisov uses from the top position.
Veto looking for a sweep. Not yet Veto, not yet.

Veto had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Vodenisov defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Vodenisov stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Veto shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Vodenisov defends it nicely.

Vodenisov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Vodenisov gets to his feet. Veto looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Veto is trying hard to land a takedown here. Vodenisov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Vodenisov clinches with his opponent.
Veto tries to throw a body punch but Vodenisov avoids it by throwing Veto back against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pavel Vodenisov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Vodenisov 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 29:28
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:28
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pavel Vodenisov!