PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Geraths (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and dave don (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Geraths
vs
don

197 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
22
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Poweful takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolai Geraths!
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, dave don!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Ivan Kurochkin and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
don tries for a takedown but Geraths sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
don takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
don looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Geraths is fending him off so far but don persists. Nope, Geraths circles away and we're back to standing.
Geraths swinging wilding here.
don fails to land the takedown.
Nikolai Geraths has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of dave don.
Geraths lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as don backs up against the cage.
Nikolai Geraths seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
don has a takedown stuffed.
Geraths misses with the combination.
Geraths lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Geraths closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Nice sprawl there from Geraths as don shoots in.
Horrible takedown by don or perhaps it was just good defense by Geraths which made him look bad.
don ducks right into an uppercut from Geraths.
Geraths tests don's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
don fails to land the takedown.
don looks gassed!
Geraths will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
don has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Geraths lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
don is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Geraths.
don has a takedown stuffed.
Left hook, right uppercut from Geraths.
Geraths bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps don's head backwards.
don gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Geraths is working the combinations to good effect here.
Geraths fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. don looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Geraths scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
This has been an exciting period of action!
don takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
don slips a jab and a cross from Geraths.
Nikolai Geraths is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Geraths lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
don moves out of range of the body kick.
don takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Geraths looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Geraths throws a combination. don tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
A right-left combo lands from Geraths.
Geraths bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Geraths scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Geraths sizes up don with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
don shoots in for a double leg but Geraths sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Geraths works over don's head and body with a nice combination.
Geraths ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
No joy there for Geraths, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Geraths scores with a three punch combo!
Geraths misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Geraths lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Geraths lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Geraths.
don takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
No joy there for Geraths, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
don fails with a takedown attempt.

don closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Geraths to the mat! Geraths manages to get full guard.

don drops back looking for a leg! Geraths is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Geraths manages to kick don off! don jumps back into Geraths's guard.

don thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
don pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Geraths is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Geraths is looking to stand up but don isn't so interested in that idea.
Geraths is trying to keep don in close.

don postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Geraths is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of don, into his guard.
Geraths knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for don on the ground.

Geraths avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
don being controlled here, momentarily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
don keeping moving, preventing Geraths from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Geraths dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

A big left from Geraths misses.
Geraths digs a good body shot into don's ribs.
Geraths lands with a cross.
Geraths stuffs the takedown attempt from don. don gets slowly back to his feet.
Geraths will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Excellent takedown into side control there by don.
Geraths is looking to work his way out of this bad position but don is controlling him well.

don working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Geraths is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.

don is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Geraths knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Geraths sneaks out the side door and pushes don away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
don looks for a takedown but Geraths sprawls well.
Nikolai Geraths is winning the standup battle so far.
don looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Geraths is fending him off so far but don persists. Nope, Geraths circles away and we're back to standing.
Nikolai Geraths has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of dave don.
don shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Geraths as he avoids it easily.
Geraths lands with a nice combination. don backs away looking to recover.
A nice combination there by Geraths.
don shoots in but Geraths avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Left hook, right uppercut from Geraths.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from don.
don looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Horrible takedown by don or perhaps it was just good defense by Geraths which made him look bad.
Geraths lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Geraths throws a series of punches but don avoids them all with ease.
don shoots in but no luck this time.
Some wild striking there from Geraths.
Nice takedown defense from Geraths. No joy for don on that attempt.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Geraths!
Geraths rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but don moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Geraths ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for don with that takedown attempt.
don looks for a takedown but Geraths sprawls well.
don shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Geraths pinned against the cage. Geraths gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Geraths!
Geraths swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
don looks for a takedown but Geraths sprawls well.
don closes the distance and clinches up with Geraths, looking for a takedown. don pushes Geraths against the cage but Geraths circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
don chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Geraths can pounce on him.
Geraths throws a combination but it was largely blocked by don.

That's four 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.
don shoots in for a double leg but Geraths sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Donk. Geraths catches don right on the button with a cross.
don shoots in for a takedown but Geraths shows good takedown defense.
Geraths fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
don throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Geraths's waist but Geraths gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing don off to one side.
Geraths lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
don shoots in but Geraths avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Geraths lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Geraths throws a series of punches but don moves out of range.
Horrible takedown by don or perhaps it was just good defense by Geraths which made him look bad.
Geraths throws a nice looking combination but don bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
don walks into a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Geraths dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

don moves forwards but Geraths connects with a nice, crisp jab.
don fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
don shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Geraths as he avoids it easily.
don has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Geraths lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Geraths rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but don moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
don misses with a takedown attempt - Geraths sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nikolai Geraths has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of dave don.
Geraths throws a series of punches but don avoids them all with ease.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Geraths throws a series of strikes that have don backpedaling.
don takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Geraths misses with a series of wild punches.

don closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - don lands in his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

don thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
don stops Geraths from standing up.

don drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and don jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Geraths wants to stand up but don is controlling him.
don wants to pass the guard but Geraths is keeping the position.

don drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and don jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

don thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

don is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Geraths stalks don and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into don's face. don staggers backwards, shaken.
don fails with the takedown.
Nice sprawl there from Geraths as don shoots in.
Geraths tries to work over don's front leg with a kick but don checks it.
Geraths works over don's head and body with a nice combination.
don tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Geraths swivels and escapes.
Geraths fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Geraths throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Nice takedown defense from Geraths. No joy for don on that attempt.
don has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Geraths with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
don is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Geraths.
don shoots in but Geraths avoids the takedown attempt easily.
don misses with a takedown attempt - Geraths sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Geraths lands with an uppercut that bounces don off the cage and back into rage.
don fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Geraths scores with a three punch combo!
A punch combination from Geraths misses.
Geraths stuffs the takedown attempt from don. don gets slowly back to his feet.
don tries for a takedown but Geraths sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Geraths scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

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.
A lazy left from Geraths finds it's target.
don fails to land the takedown.
don on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Jab from Geraths.
Geraths lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as don backs up against the cage.

don feints and as Geraths raises his hands in defense, don changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

don postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Geraths is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of don, into his guard.

don throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

don has his foot on Geraths's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Geraths works his way back into a safe position though.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Nikolai Geraths.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Geraths, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolai Geraths!