PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Darell Cantu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Pulunskivic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Cantu
vs
Pulunskivic

205 cm
18
161 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

185 cm
24
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Darell Cantu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vladimir Pulunskivic!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Konstantin Menshow and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Cantu drives through and clinches with Pulunskivic against the cage.
Pulunskivic keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cantu's efforts to push away.
Cantu really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

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

Pulunskivic moves into range and clinches up with Cantu.
A frustrated look appears on Cantu's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Come on Cantu - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Pulunskivic fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Cantu is trying to break the clinch but Pulunskivic is controlling him.

Cantu escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pulunskivic shoots in and drives through. Cantu sprawls well.
Cantu tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Pulunskivic paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Cantu moves into range and clinches up with Pulunskivic.
Cantu working hard to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cantu lands a body punch.
Pulunskivic tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Cantu just stands there and leans against the cage.
Darell Cantu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladimir Pulunskivic.

Pulunskivic lands a takedown into guard.
Cantu tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pulunskivic trying to control but Cantu is working from the bottom.
Cantu knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Pulunskivic on the ground.

Cantu working for submissions but it's allowed Pulunskivic to get to half guard.
Well, if Pulunskivic 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.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pulunskivic gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Pulunskivic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cantu pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Pulunskivic moves into the clinch.
Cantu is pushing Pulunskivic up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Cantu scores with a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pulunskivic displaying some good clinch control by pressing Cantu up against the cage.

Cantu breaks the clinch.
Cantu darts in looking for a takedown but Pulunskivic gets double underhooks and turns Cantu into the cage.
Cantu misses with a double jab.
Pulunskivic shoots and misses
and Cantu counters with a good low kick that Pulunskivic was not able to check.
Pulunskivic throws an overhand right that lands on Cantu's shoulder, as Cantu tries to avoid the shot.
Pulunskivic changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Cantu tries to avoid it but Pulunskivic manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Cantu to the ground. Cantu escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Cantu went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Pulunskivic avoids a punch combination nicely.
Cantu stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cantu wants it to stay on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pulunskivic feints and then cracks Cantu's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Cantu down.
Pulunskivic scores with a one two! Cantu had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

It looks like Darell Cantu has been cut.

Cantu clinches up with Pulunskivic and pushes him back against the cage.
Pulunskivic is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Cantu pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Cantu manages to break the clinch.
Pulunskivic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Pulunskivic gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Cantu landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Cantu tries to pull guard but Pulunskivic holds him up against the cage and eventually Cantu drops back down to his feet.
Cantu jumps guard but Pulunskivic stands there with Cantu around his waist. Cantu gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Vladimir Pulunskivic will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Darell Cantu's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Pulunskivic.
Pulunskivic dives in and grabs Cantu's left leg, looking for a takedown. Cantu pushes down on Pulunskivic's head and hops out.
Cantu misses with a takedown attempt - Pulunskivic sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Pulunskivic throws a lazy head kick
and Pulunskivic takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Cantu throws a front kick that sends Pulunskivic stumbling back into the cage.
Cantu fails with an attempt to clinch.
Pulunskivic tries to counter with a clinch but Cantu shakes him off and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pulunskivic misses with a hook. Cantu ducked under it nicely.
Cantu stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cantu wants it to stay on the feet.
Darell Cantu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladimir Pulunskivic.
Pulunskivic fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Pulunskivic is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cantu fails with the takedown
and Pulunskivic counters with a left and a right that stings Cantu.
Pulunskivic blocks the body kick.
Pulunskivic now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Pulunskivic fails to land with a series of punches.
Cantu throws a nice outside leg kick.
Pulunskivic fails with the takedown.
Cantu blocks a head kick by Pulunskivic.

Cantu rushes Pulunskivic and presses him up against the cage.
Pulunskivic is trying to break the clinch but Cantu has him pressed against the cage.

Pulunskivic turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Cantu sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Pulunskivic is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Cantu sees it coming and defends easily.
Cantu tries to roll over but Pulunskivic keeps him under control.

Cantu is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Pulunskivic pulls his head out easily.

Cantu looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pulunskivic working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Cantu's thigh. Cantu counters though and makes it back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pulunskivic postures up in Cantu's guard and throws a big left but Cantu blocks it.

Cantu is looking for a triangle but Pulunskivic pushes his legs off easily.
Pulunskivic slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Pulunskivic sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Cantu's guard.
Vladimir Pulunskivic has got the better of the ground game so far.
Pulunskivic stalling away here and it's allowed Cantu to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Pulunskivic wants to control from the top but Cantu keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Pulunskivic drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Cantu dives on top into guard.

Pulunskivic working a defensive guard but Cantu manages to pass into side control anyway.

Cantu decides to stand back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Pulunskivic gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Pulunskivic dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Cantu is trying to stall.
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 Darell Cantu will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Darell Cantu's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Pulunskivic misses with a body kick.
Pulunskivic takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Pulunskivic misses with a two punch combination.

Cantu closes the distance and clinches.

Cantu breaks from the clinch.
Pulunskivic misses with a takedown attempt - Cantu sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Pulunskivic shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Cantu but Cantu pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Darell Cantu is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cantu shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Pulunskivic as he avoids it easily.

Pulunskivic rushes Cantu and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Cantu escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cantu shoots for a takedown but Pulunskivic saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Cantu tries to clinch but Pulunskivic is having none of it.
Sloppy strikes from Pulunskivic. Those never looked like landing.
Cantu tries to close the distance and clinch but Pulunskivic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Pulunskivic throws a wild body kick that Cantu sees coming a mile off.
Some wild striking there from Cantu.

Pulunskivic gets a clinch.
Pulunskivic is trying to pull guard but Cantu turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Darell Cantu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladimir Pulunskivic.
Cantu tries to land knees in the clinch but Pulunskivic avoids the damage to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pulunskivic tries to pull guard but Cantu won't allow it.
Pulunskivic tries for a takedown but Cantu manages to get underhooks.
Pulunskivic takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Cantu slows down the pace here.
Pulunskivic tries to circle away but Cantu has him pinned against the cage.
Cantu tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Pulunskivic jumps guard but Cantu stands there with Pulunskivic around his waist. Pulunskivic gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Pulunskivic tries a knee to the head but Cantu blocks it.
Pulunskivic stalling in the clinch but Cantu improves position.
Pulunskivic jumps guard but Cantu turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cantu landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Cantu misses with a punch to the body.
Cantu scores with a shoulder strike.
Cantu is struggling to control the position.
Pulunskivic stalling in the clinch but Cantu improves position.
Cantu using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Pulunskivic has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Pulunskivic wants a takedown but no success here.
Cantu will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Pulunskivic up against the cage.
Pulunskivic is trying to pull guard but Cantu has him pressed against the cage.
Pulunskivic tries to pull guard but Cantu won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cantu tries to break the clinch but Pulunskivic is controlling the position.
Pulunskivic drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Cantu gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Pulunskivic keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cantu's efforts to push away.
Cantu gets underhooks to prevent Pulunskivic's takedown attempt.
Pulunskivic misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Cantu tries a body shot but Pulunskivic blocks it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Pulunskivic prevents Cantu from breaking the clinch.
Pulunskivic tries to pull guard but Cantu holds him up against the cage and eventually Pulunskivic drops back down to his feet.

Cantu breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Darell Cantu showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Cantu 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:29
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:29
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!