PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mandla Bangizwe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Gorvinskichev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gorvinskichev has chosen New Noise as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. 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.

Bangizwe
vs
Gorvinskichev

194 cm
23
230 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

195 cm
20
245 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Prefers standup

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Murder Inc.
CROWN

Slaughterhouse Nutrition
Blueprint Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mandla Bangizwe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Steve Gorvinskichev!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Paulo Santos and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gorvinskichev's corner calls for a 1-2. Gorvinskichev obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Bangizwe throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

It looks like Steve Gorvinskichev has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gorvinskichev bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Bangizwe's head.
Gorvinskichev throws a right and a left that Bangizwe avoids nicely.
Bangizwe uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gorvinskichev.
Bangizwe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bangizwe avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bangizwe takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

Bangizwe is rocked!

Gorvinskichev shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Gorvinskichev showed some decent athleticism there.
Bangizwe is staying active underneath Gorvinskichev, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Gorvinskichev sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Gorvinskichev is tying to control. Bangizwe wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gorvinskichev wants to free his trapped foot but Bangizwe is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Gorvinskichev lands a nice short elbow.
Bangizwe won't allow Gorvinskichev to pass to mount.
Gorvinskichev frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Bangizwe tries to lock up and control but Gorvinskichev gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Bangizwe keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Gorvinskichev working for a submission but Bangizwe is keeping him at bay.
Gorvinskichev thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bangizwe wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Gorvinskichev.
Bangizwe tries to reverse the position but Gorvinskichev maintains control.
Gorvinskichev trying to control but Bangizwe is having none of it.
Gorvinskichev misses with a head shot.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Bangizwe is looking to improve his position but Gorvinskichev isn't that keen on the idea.
Gorvinskichev punching from mount but Bangizwe doing a good job of avoiding damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bangizwe wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Gorvinskichev.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Gorvinskichev swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Bangizwe is now in Gorvinskichev's guard. A big mistake from Gorvinskichev there, giving up the dominant position!
Gorvinskichev trying to keep a closed guard but Bangizwe is proving a slippery customer.

Gorvinskichev throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Bangizwe escapes and throws Gorvinskichev's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Bangizwe wants to control but Gorvinskichev is keeping him busy.
Gorvinskichev manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Gorvinskichev is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Bangizwe defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gorvinskichev wants to work for an arm triangle but Bangizwe is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Gorvinskichev looks gassed!
Bangizwe is controlling Gorvinskichev's trapped leg to prevent Gorvinskichev from advancing to side control.

Gorvinskichev is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Gorvinskichev looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gorvinskichev is looking to stall here but Bangizwe recovers full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Gorvinskichev dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Steve Gorvinskichev's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Bangizwe lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Bangizwe goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Mandla Bangizwe is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
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!
Bangizwe fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bangizwe lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Bangizwe takes a swing at Gorvinskichev's ribcage but misses.
Gorvinskichev throws a combination that misses
and Bangizwe counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That has opened up Steve Gorvinskichev's cut even more.
Mandla Bangizwe is winning the standup battle so far.
Gorvinskichev blocks a head kick by Bangizwe.
Bangizwe connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Bangizwe. Gorvinskichev shrugs it off though.
Bangizwe throws a nice outside leg kick.
Bangizwe is looking to slow Gorvinskichev down with leg kicks.
A slapping leg kick lands for Bangizwe.
Gorvinskichev on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Gorvinskichev is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bangizwe goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Bangizwe keeps Gorvinskichev at a distance using the push kick.
Bangizwe connects with a high kick.

The cut above Steve Gorvinskichev's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Bangizwe throws a nice inside leg kick.
Bangizwe is looking to slow Gorvinskichev down with leg kicks.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bangizwe fails to land with a series of punches.
Gorvinskichev shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bangizwe pinned against the cage. Bangizwe gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Mandla Bangizwe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bangizwe throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gorvinskichev takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Bangizwe dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Gorvinskichev. That did some damage!
A solid leg kick lands there for Bangizwe.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bangizwe lands a nice looking kick to the body. Gorvinskichev takes a step back to recover.
Bangizwe scores with a shot to the body.
Bangizwe ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A shot to the body from Gorvinskichev misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Bangizwe lands a head kick. Gorvinskichev smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Bangizwe lands a head kick. Gorvinskichev smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Gorvinskichev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gorvinskichev thows a body shot but no joy.
Bangizwe ducks right into an uppercut from Gorvinskichev.
Gorvinskichev thows a body shot but no joy.
Gorvinskichev doesn't manage to clinch there - Bangizwe circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bangizwe slips a jab from Gorvinskichev.
Bangizwe ducks under a wild hook from Gorvinskichev.
Steve Gorvinskichev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bangizwe looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Gorvinskichev swinging wilding here.
Bangizwe throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
A slapping body kick lands there for Bangizwe.
Gorvinskichev takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Gorvinskichev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Gorvinskichev swings for the body but Bangizwe moves out of range.
A slapping body kick lands there for Bangizwe.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A good leg kick by Bangizwe.
Bangizwe scores with a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bangizwe thows a body shot but no joy.
Gorvinskichev has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Bangizwe.
Gorvinskichev misses with a body shot.
Bangizwe is looking to wear down Gorvinskichev with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Bangizwe throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Bangizwe misses with a body shot.
Gorvinskichev tries to clinch up but Bangizwe circles away and keeps his distance.
Bangizwe tries to land a front kick but Gorvinskichev steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Gorvinskichev throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Bangizwe counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Bangizwe turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Bangizwe scores with a nice body kick.
Bangizwe misses with a combination
and Bangizwe takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bangizwe bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Gorvinskichev's head.
Gorvinskichev misses with a double jab
and Bangizwe finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mandla Bangizwe dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Steve Gorvinskichev'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. This is the final round!

Bangizwe scores with a head kick.
Bangizwe throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Gorvinskichev throws a good cross that connects.
Bangizwe lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Gorvinskichev throws a hook to the side of Bangizwe's head but Bangizwe sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bangizwe slips a jab from Gorvinskichev.
Bangizwe scores with a leg kick.
Gorvinskichev tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Bangizwe uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Gorvinskichev.
Gorvinskichev swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gorvinskichev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Bangizwe connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Steve Gorvinskichev's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Steve Gorvinskichev's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:01 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Mandla Bangizwe!