PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rio Serrano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Evgeniy Borashikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Serrano kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is IT'S A LONG WAY TO THE TOP (IF YOU WANNA ROCK 'N' ROLL) . The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Serrano
vs
Borashikov

209 cm
18
230 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

187 cm
21
255 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rio Serrano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Evgeniy Borashikov!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Sergei Dronov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Borashikov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Serrano did well to prevent Borashikov getting side control.
Borashikov is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Borashikov in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Serrano knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Borashikov on the ground.

Borashikov looking for a guillotine from mount but Serrano is having none of it.
Borashikov content just to control the position here.

Borashikov looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Borashikov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Borashikov lands with some strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
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!
Borashikov putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Borashikov looking for a guillotine from mount but Serrano is having none of it.

Borashikov goes for an armbar but Serrano turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Serrano.

Borashikov isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Serrano stacks Borashikov on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Serrano!
Borashikov is letting Serrano control him for a moment.
Borashikov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Borashikov is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Serrano's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Borashikov keeping control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Serrano gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

Serrano shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Borashikov's guard.

Serrano avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Borashikov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Serrano's guard.

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Serrano working a defensive guard but Borashikov manages to pass into side control anyway.

Borashikov is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Serrano knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Borashikov is looking to take a break and control but Serrano is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Serrano misses with an elbow from the bottom.

Borashikov is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Serrano has escaped the position, nice work there.

Borashikov goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Serrano rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Borashikov's guard! Nice work there by Serrano!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Serrano accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Borashikov is trying to control the position but Serrano postures up.
Borashikov is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Serrano sitting in guard here, content to control.

Borashikov has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Serrano is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Borashikov.
Borashikov sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Borashikov is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Serrano jumps into side control!
Borashikov struggling a bit here.
Borashikov is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evgeniy Borashikov dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Borashikov lands a jab to the nose.
Borashikov has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Serrano.

Serrano tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Serrano has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Borashikov pushes Serrano away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Serrano gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Borashikov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Borashikov is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Borashikov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Serrano throwing strikes from guard but Borashikov blocks nicely.

Borashikov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Serrano wants to pass the guard but Borashikov is keeping the position.
Borashikov wants to control but Serrano passes easily into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Borashikov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Borashikov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Serrano can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Serrano has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Serrano preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Borashikov looking for subs off his back but Serrano has passed one foot through into half guard.
Borashikov wants to get back to full guard.

Borashikov actively working from the bottom here.
Borashikov is trying to maintain the position but Serrano is very close to passing his half guard.
Borashikov gets full guard.

Borashikov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Serrano doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Serrano manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Borashikov looking for a guillotine here but Serrano defends easily.
Borashikov is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Borashikov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Borashikov is striking from the bottom but Serrano uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.

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.
Borashikov missing with punches from the bottom.
Serrano with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Serrano trying to control from half guard but Borashikov is working away.

Borashikov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Serrano scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Borashikov is pressing down on Serrano's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Borashikov working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Serrano has passed into half guard!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evgeniy Borashikov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Serrano looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Serrano shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Borashikov's guard.
Serrano throws a big right hand that misses.

Borashikov is looking for a triangle but Serrano pushes his legs off easily.

Serrano got a little sloppy there for a moment and Borashikov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Serrano has managed to get both his arms back between Borashikov's legs - danger averted.
Serrano is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Borashikov is looking to sweep but instead, Serrano has passed into half guard.
Borashikov keeps control of the position for the meantime.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Borashikov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Serrano's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Serrano's back!

Borashikov has got one arm under Serrano's chin. This could be trouble... Serrano trying to control the other hand but Borashikov gets it free and sqeezes tight - just a matter of time now! Yep, Serrano has tapped out! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:39 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Evgeniy Borashikov!