PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Malik Moss (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexsandr Slemenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Slemenko has chosen Небо Славян as his entrance music. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Moss
vs
Slemenko

194 cm
20
193 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Malik Moss!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexsandr Slemenko!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Vladimir Khabensky and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Slemenko is trying hard to land a takedown here. Moss sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Slemenko fails with the takedown
and Moss counters with a straight right hand.

Slemenko rushes Moss and presses him up against the cage.
Moss is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Slemenko pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Moss can't get the takedown.

Slemenko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Slemenko clinches up against the cage.
Moss tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Slemenko smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Malik Moss. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Slemenko lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Slemenko or perhaps it was just good defense by Moss which made him look bad.
Moss slaps away a takedown attempt from Slemenko, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Slemenko shoots in and gets a takedown into Moss's guard.
Moss trying to strike off his back.
Moss is trying to hold Slemenko in close to prevent damage but Slemenko has managed to pass into half guard.
Moss works his way to full guard. Good work.
Slemenko won't allow Moss to get back to his feet.
Moss trying to keep a closed guard but Slemenko is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slemenko seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Moss is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Malik Moss wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Slemenko tries to clinch up
and Moss counters with a right hand to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Slemenko tries to land a front kick but Moss steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slemenko lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Slemenko moves into the clinch.
Slemenko changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Moss fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Moss ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Slemenko moves away.

Slemenko fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Moss, pushing him back against the cage.
Slemenko is trying to drag Moss to the mat but Moss just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Moss as Slemenko tries to tie him up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Moss jumps guard but Slemenko turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Moss struggles to land a body shot inside as Slemenko controls his hands.
Moss is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Slemenko is defending well.

Slemenko lands a takedown into guard.
Moss is looking to stand up but Slemenko isn't so interested in that idea.
Moss trying to keep a closed guard but Slemenko is proving a slippery customer.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Slemenko is looking to work some ground and pound but Moss has wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexsandr Slemenko dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Slemenko gets a double leg takedown into Moss's guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Moss is on top in guard.
Moss will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Moss stopping the sweep attempt from Slemenko.
Moss keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Slemenko's head.
Moss working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Moss 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moss cracks Slemenko with a solid left hand.
Moss throwing strikes but missing.
Moss keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Slemenko's head.

Moss stands and steps away. Slemenko gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Slemenko throws a sloppy head kick and Moss moves out of range easily.
Slemenko shoots in looking for a takedown. Moss tries to sprawl out of it but Slemenko keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Moss manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Slemenko shoots in and drives through. Moss sprawls well.
Slemenko is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moss thows a body shot but no joy.
Slemenko dives in and grabs Moss's left leg, looking for a takedown. Moss pushes down on Slemenko's head and hops out.
Malik Moss has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexsandr Slemenko.
Slemenko shoots in for a takedown but Moss shows good takedown defense.
Moss shoots in looking for a takedown. Slemenko tries to sprawl out of it but Moss keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Slemenko manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice sprawl there from Slemenko as Moss shoots in.
Moss slaps away a takedown attempt from Slemenko, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moss tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Slemenko defends well and Moss ends up having to push Slemenko into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Moss jumps guard but Slemenko stands there with Moss around his waist. Moss gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Slemenko tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Moss ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Moss no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Moss throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Slemenko stops Moss from standing up.
Moss wants to sweep here but Slemenko controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Moss wants to stand but Slemenko is controlling the position.
Slemenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Moss is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Moss controls Slemenko momentarily but Slemenko frees himself.

Slemenko stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Malik Moss is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Moss throws a right and a left that Slemenko avoids nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Moss takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Slemenko decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
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 Malik Moss will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Slemenko shoots in looking for a takedown. Moss tries to sprawl out of it but Slemenko keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Moss manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Slemenko connects with a body shot.
Slemenko chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Moss shoots for a double leg takedown but Slemenko sprawls well. He's pushed Moss's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Slemenko gets a double leg takedown into Moss's guard.
Slemenko trying to control but Moss is working from the bottom.
Slemenko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Slemenko accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slemenko wants to control from the top but Moss keeps moving.
Slemenko being controlled here momentarily.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Moss is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Slemenko is trying hard to land a takedown here. Moss sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Slemenko misses with a jab, cross combination.

Slemenko shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Moss's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Moss throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Moss manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Slemenko is in a horrible position here. Moss smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Moss cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Moss lands a big shot there that rocks Slemenko but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Moss avoids the attempt from Slemenko to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moss has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Slemenko's face.
Slemenko takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Slemenko taking shots to the head.
Slemenko is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Slemenko wants to control but Moss is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Moss putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Moss is landing with some decent strikes but Slemenko is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Moss cracks Slemenko with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

Moss jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Slemenko manages to avoid the submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Moss cracks Slemenko with a big elbow.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Moss scoring with punches from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Malik Moss showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Moss has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 28:29
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:29
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!