PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Eddy Fernandez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Khabib Raisov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Fernandez
vs
Raisov

214 cm
18
161 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

170 cm
18
161 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Eddy Fernandez!
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, Khabib Raisov!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Aleksandr Martynov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Raisov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Khabib Raisov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Raisov closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Raisov lands in his opponent's guard.
Raisov won't allow Fernandez to sweep him here.
Raisov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Raisov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Fernandez working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Raisov has passed into half guard!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Raisov sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raisov's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Fernandez is looking for a sweep. Raisov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Raisov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Raisov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Fernandez keeps working.
Fernandez tries to roll over but Raisov keeps him under control.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Raisov in particular looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Fernandez is staying active underneath Raisov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Fernandez really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Raisov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Fernandez wants to improve his position but Raisov is controlling well.
Raisov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Still in half guard, Raisov seems content to control.
Let's hope that Raisov has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Raisov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Fernandez keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raisov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Fernandez haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Raisov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Raisov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Raisov controlling the pace.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
It looks like Raisov might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's four 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.
No joy there for Raisov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Raisov bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Fernandez is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Raisov's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Raisov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Fernandez wants to improve his position but Raisov is controlling well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Raisov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khabib Raisov dominated that round.
That's time! Fernandez's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Fernandez gets caught napping as Raisov dives in and scores a takedown. Fernandez manages to retain guard.
Raisov trying to control the position from guard on top but Fernandez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Raisov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Fernandez utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Raisov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Fernandez has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Raisov has managed to get both his arms back between Fernandez's legs - danger averted.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Raisov wants to control from the top but Fernandez keeps moving.
Raisov is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Raisov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Raisov scoring with some ground and pound.
Fernandez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Fernandez being controlled here, momentarily.
Raisov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Raisov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Fernandez will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Raisov distracts Fernandez with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez can't keep his opponent in guard - Raisov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Fernandez tries to roll over but Raisov keeps him under control.
Raisov content to control rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez taking some punishment here, with Raisov in his half guard.
Raisov lands strikes from half guard.
Raisov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
More stalling from Raisov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Fernandez dodges the punch combination from Raisov.

Raisov drives through with a takedown into guard.
Khabib Raisov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Raisov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Fernandez is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Khabib Raisov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! 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.

Raisov shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Raisov was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Raisov lands some shots froms side control.
Fernandez is looking to regain half guard here but Raisov keeps moving and retains side control.
A lull in the action here as Raisov stalls from top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandez is looking for a sweep.
Raisov is staying tight to Fernandez's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Raisov working the head and body with strikes.
Fernandez tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Raisov lands some shots froms side control.
Raisov content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Raisov with more of the same as he continues to hold on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raisov working the ground and pound.
Khabib Raisov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Fernandez is looking to regain half guard here but Raisov keeps moving and retains side control.
Fernandez being controlled for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raisov wants to control but Fernandez is keeping him busy.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Fernandez manages to get back to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Fernandez manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Raisov controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Fernandez is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Raisov defends well.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Raisov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fernandez swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Raisov tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Fernandez counters with a three punch combo that has Raisov backing up. Raisov nods at Fernandez to acknowledge the strikes.

Raisov gets a clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Raisov is struggling to control the position.
Eddy Fernandez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fernandez stalling in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Khabib Raisov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Raisov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Khabib Raisov!
Khabib Raisov tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.