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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Avon Barksdale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikhail Rakhmanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rakhmanov is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Russian national anthem. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.
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| 174 cm
28
185 lbs
10 - 7 - 0 |
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179 cm
29
170 lbs
15 - 10 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Avon Barksdale!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
15 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mikhail Rakhmanov!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Steven Brown and Colin Fotheringham.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barksdale shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rakhmanov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Barksdale throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Barksdale throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Barksdale ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Good standup being displayed there by Rakhmanov as he connects with a hook.
Rakhmanov lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Barksdale has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Grappling Pro Helsinki in the buildup to the fight.
Barksdale ducks under a wild hook from Rakhmanov.
Rakhmanov lands a two punch combo.
Barksdale lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Barksdale is looking to chop away at Rakhmanov's legs.
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!
Rakhmanov misses with a two punch combination.
Rakhmanov takes a swing at Barksdale's ribcage but misses.
Rakhmanov connects with a leg kick. Barksdale looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Barksdale throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
We've been informed that Rakhmanov has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Barksdale shoots in and bounces Rakhmanov off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rakhmanov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rakhmanov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Rakhmanov won't allow Barksdale to sweep him here.
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.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Rakhmanov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rakhmanov stopping the sweep attempt from Barksdale.
Rakhmanov is looking to work some ground and pound but Barksdale has wrist control.
Rakhmanov wants to control from the top but Barksdale keeps moving.
Barksdale is looking to stand up but Rakhmanov isn't so interested in that idea.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmanov misses with a kick to the body.
Rakhmanov lands a nice shot that snaps Barksdale's head back.
Rakhmanov misses with a head kick.
Barksdale throws a half hearted mid kick.
Barksdale blocks a jab.
Rakhmanov loads up on a big right hand but Barksdale slips the punch.
Barksdale uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rakhmanov.
Rakhmanov misses with a wild combination.
Barksdale throws a wild body kick that Rakhmanov sees coming a mile off.
Barksdale fails in his attempt to clinch.
Barksdale lands with a nice body punch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmanov misses with a hook. Barksdale ducked under it nicely.
Rakhmanov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Barksdale's head backwards.
Rakhmanov misses with a hook.
Rakhmanov lands a two punch combo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barksdale tries to work over Rakhmanov's front leg with a kick but Rakhmanov checks it.
Barksdale wants to clinch.
Rakhmanov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Barksdale on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Barksdale slips under a jab.
Barksdale steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rakhmanov.
Barksdale staying out of range there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Mikhail Rakhmanov dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!
Rakhmanov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Barksdale fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Rakhmanov checks it well.
Rakhmanov sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Rakhmanov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Barksdale counters with a good low kick that Rakhmanov was not able to check.
Rakhmanov tests Barksdale's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rakhmanov missing with a left hand there. Barksdale was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rakhmanov blocks a head kick by Barksdale.
Avon Barksdale is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Barksdale throws a head kick but Rakhmanov moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barksdale jabs Rakhmanov right on the nose. Rakhmanov blinks but takes it well.
Rakhmanov misses with a straight left.
Rakhmanov takes a swing at Barksdale's ribcage but misses.
Rakhmanov blocks the body kick.
Rakhmanov wants to land a leg kick but Barksdale is out of range.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rakhmanov misses with a looping right.
Rakhmanov moves out of range of the body kick from Barksdale.
Barksdale misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Barksdale tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rakhmanov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Barksdale throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rakhmanov keeps the fight on the outside.
Barksdale moves out of range as Rakhmanov throws a body kick.
Rakhmanov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Barksdale moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rakhmanov throws a big shot that misses.
Barksdale throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A nice leg kick lands there from Barksdale.
Rakhmanov moves out of range as Barksdale throws a body kick.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmanov connects with a jab.
Rakhmanov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Barksdale moves away.
Barksdale shoots for a takedown but Rakhmanov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Barksdale looking to score a takedown here. Rakhmanov is defending well but Barksdale drives through and ends up in Rakhmanov's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barksdale looking to sit in guard and control but Rakhmanov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Barksdale looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Rakhmanov has picked Barksdale up and slammed him! Barksdale can't keep hold of the triangle and Rakhmanov manages to pass to side control!
Rakhmanov in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Rakhmanov cracks Barksdale with a big right hand but Barksdale just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Rakhmanov throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Barksdale is not content to let Rakhmanov control the position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmanov is chipping away with strikes.
Rakhmanov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Barksdale looks to move to half guard but instead Rakhmanov has passed into mount! Damn!
Rakhmanov lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Barksdale wants to control but Rakhmanov is having none of it.
Rakhmanov tries to control but Barksdale wriggling away.
Barksdale slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmanov is trying to control. Barksdale wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Rakhmanov trying to mount his opponent but Barksdale defends it.
Barksdale tries to roll over but Rakhmanov keeps him under control.
Mikhail Rakhmanov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rakhmanov trying to control the action but Barksdale is working from the bottom.
Rakhmanov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Barksdale's head.
Rakhmanov controlling the action here.
Rakhmanov's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Mikhail Rakhmanov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!
Rakhmanov misses with an uppercut
and Barksdale counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Barksdale uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rakhmanov.
Barksdale scores with a head kick.
Rakhmanov clobbers Barksdale with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Mikhail Rakhmanov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rakhmanov does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Barksdale takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Some bone on bone action there as Rakhmanov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Rakhmanov misses with a body shot
and Barksdale counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Barksdale trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Barksdale has gone for a leg lock! Rakhmanov slips out almost immediately though and dives into Barksdale's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barksdale has control of Rakhmanov's left arm, preventing Rakhmanov from doing any damage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Barksdale trying to control the position.
Barksdale wants to sweep here but Rakhmanov controlling him for the moment.
Rakhmanov trying to control the position from guard on top but Barksdale is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Barksdale is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Rakhmanov content to stall in guard here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Barksdale keeping moving, preventing Rakhmanov from controlling successfully.
Barksdale wants to sweep but no luck.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rakhmanov. That's going to slow Barksdale down.
Barksdale closes the distance and clinches.
Rakhmanov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Barksdale is trying to pull guard but Rakhmanov has him pressed against the cage.
Rakhmanov prevents a takedown attempt there.
Barksdale avoids a wild elbow strike from Rakhmanov.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Avon Barksdale. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stalling in the clinch from Rakhmanov.
Rakhmanov lands with a left to the head.
Barksdale manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Rakhmanov is looking to work some ground and pound but Barksdale has wrist control.
Rakhmanov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Barksdale looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rakhmanov is one step ahead there.
Avon Barksdale has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rakhmanov wants to control from the top but Barksdale keeps moving.
Rakhmanov stands and throws Barksdale's legs to the side, diving into side control.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmanov throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Barksdale parries the strikes from Rakhmanov easily there. Rakhmanov is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Barksdale to escape.
Barksdale prevents Rakhmanov from moving into mount.
Barksdale tries to bench press Rakhmanov off him but Rakhmanov keeps the position.
Barksdale is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Rakhmanov's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Rakhmanov is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Barksdale is trying to control but can't.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mikhail Rakhmanov.
Well Rakhmanov 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mikhail Rakhmanov!
Mikhail Rakhmanov decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
Avon Barksdale spoke after the fight, saying 'I'll be back.'.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
40% |
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