PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Charlie Ray (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dmitiri Ralakov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Ray
vs
Ralakov

164 cm
24
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Charlie Ray!
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, Dmitiri Ralakov!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Konstantin Menshow and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ralakov misses with a series of wild punches.
Ray tries to clinch there but Ralakov circles away.
Ray feints a jab promting Ralakov to slip. Ray then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Ralakov slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Ray could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Ralakov is looking to clinch but Ray is avoiding it.
Ralakov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ray has a takedown stuffed.

Ralakov shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ray tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ralakov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Ray working for a triangle but Ralakov defends it easily.

Ralakov 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ray keeping moving, preventing Ralakov from controlling successfully.
Ralakov with a flurry of punches that miss.

Ralakov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ralakov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Ray controls Ralakov momentarily but Ralakov frees himself.
Ralakov lands a couple of digs.
Ralakov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Ray is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ralakov defends well.
Ralakov wants to stand but Ray has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ray working a defensive guard here.
Ralakov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ralakov throwing strikes from guard but Ray blocks nicely.
Ralakov wants to stand but Ray has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ralakov tries to free his leg and advance position but Ray is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ray is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ralakov is aware though and is defending well.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ray is on top in guard.
Ray won't allow Ralakov to get back to his feet.
Ralakov has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Ray has passed into side control.
You can see the frustration on Ralakov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Ralakov gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Ray throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ralakov trying to hold on to Ray's head to control him but Ray postures up.

Ray escapes and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ralakov misses with a body shot.

Ray gets tackled into the cage by Ralakov. Ralakov maintains the clinch.

Ralakov has Ray pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Ralakov pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Ray tumbling to the mat - Ralakov dives into Ray's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ralakov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Ralakov stands and steps away. Ray gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ray looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Ralakov.
Ray is breathing heavily.
Check out the look on Ralakov's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dmitiri Ralakov dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ralakov throws a lazy head kick
and Ray counters with a three punch combo that has Ralakov backing up. Ralakov nods at Ray to acknowledge the strikes.
Ralakov throws a left and a right that both miss
and Ray counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Ray is looking to clinch but Ralakov is avoiding it.
Ralakov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Ray counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A combination from Ralakov does no damage.
Ralakov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ralakov feints a jab promting Ray to slip. Ralakov then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Ray slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Ralakov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ray paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ralakov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Ralakov shoots in and gets a takedown into Ray's guard.
Dmitiri Ralakov has got the better of the ground game so far.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Ray holds on and takes a little breather.
Ray might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Ralakov is breathing heavily.

Ray escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ralakov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ray not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Ray has momentary wrist control but Ralakov slips an elbow through the middle.

Ray is working an open guard so Ralakov takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Sloppy strikes from Ralakov. Those never looked like landing.

Ralakov closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Ralakov tries to stand but can't do so whilst Ray controls his leg.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Ralakov lands a nice short elbow.

Ralakov stands up from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ralakov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Ray misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Horrible takedown attempt by Ray or perhaps it was just good defense by Ralakov, which made it look bad.
Ray is looking to clinch but Ralakov is avoiding it.
Ray slips a jab and a cross from Ralakov.
No joy there for Ray, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ralakov throws a low kick but Ray moves out of range easily.

Ralakov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Ralakov content to control rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ralakov trying to pass the guard but Ray defending well.
Ray is trying to maintain the position but Ralakov is very close to passing his half guard.
Ray regains full guard. Nicely done.
Ralakov stays in close to Ray's body and controls the position.
Ralakov is looking to stand up but Ray won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ray is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Ralakov connects with a couple of short punches.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ralakov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ralakov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ralakov pushing down on Ray's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Ralakov is looking to stall here but Ray recovers full guard.
Ralakov wants to pass the guard but Ray is keeping the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ralakov wants to control from the top but Ray keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dmitiri Ralakov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Ray shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ralakov wants to clinch up but Ray keeps it at a distance.
Ralakov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

It looks like Charlie Ray has been cut.

Ray closes the distance and clinches.

Ralakov pulls Ray into guard.
Ray with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ray won't allow Ralakov to sweep him here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ray accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ray wanted to stand there but Ralakov had control of the position.

Ray stands up from Ralakov's guard - Ray perhaps looking for a knockout.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ralakov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ray swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ray.

Ralakov drives through with a takedown into Ray's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Ray escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ralakov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ralakov would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Ray keeping full guard, as Ralakov tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ralakov would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Ralakov being controlled here momentarily.
Ralakov throws a strike but Ray rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Ralakov has a closed guard, preventing Ray from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ralakov wants to sweep but no luck.
Ray postures up.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Ralakov doesn't manage to clinch there - Ray circles away.
Some wild striking there from Ray.
Ralakov misses the shot to the body.
Ralakov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ray.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charlie Ray. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ralakov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Ray managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Ralakov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ray is working to avoid the ground and pound but Ralakov connects with a decent elbow.
Ralakov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ray keeps working.
Ray is looking to regain half guard here but Ralakov keeps moving and retains side control.
Ralakov landing a few strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ray tries to improve position but can't.
Ray is working hard here to advance position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ralakov is looking to take a break and control but Ray is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Charlie Ray has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dmitiri Ralakov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ralakov connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Ray some visible discomfort.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dmitiri Ralakov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ralakov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dmitiri Ralakov!