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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Russell Paulman (ranked 2458 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ibrahim Abai (ranked 2460 p4p, 0 weight class). Paulman comes to the cage accompanied by War is my Love . Russell Paulman has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.
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| 183 cm
35
180 lbs
12 - 7 - 0 |
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167 cm
30
184 lbs
9 - 9 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine |
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Olympic wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Russell Paulman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
9 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ibrahim Abai!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Valeri Chadov and Viktor Lagutenko.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paulman keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Abai manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Paulman on his heels. He'll look to pass Paulman's guard now, I'm sure.
Abai throwing strikes but missing.
Abai stopping the sweep attempt from Paulman.
Paulman controlling the position.
Paulman looking to hit a scissor sweep but Abai is one step ahead there.
Abai told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Abai distracts Paulman with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Paulman looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Abai scoring with some ground and pound.
Abai stopping the sweep attempt from Paulman.
Paulman has his hands on Abai's head, controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paulman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Abai.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Abai's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Abai stopping the sweep attempt from Paulman.
Abai landing some decent shots from guard.
Abai postures up and lands a big shot to Paulman's brow.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Paulman pulls Abai in close to his closed guard and prevents Abai from doing any damage or advancing position.
Paulman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Abai.
Paulman utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Abai throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Paulman works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Abai throwing strikes from guard but Paulman blocks nicely.
Abai stands up over Paulman, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
It looks like Russell Paulman has been cut.
Abai stopping the sweep attempt from Paulman.
Abai missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Paulman trying to keep a closed guard but Abai is proving a slippery customer.
Abai throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Paulman works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Abai missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Paulman seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Abai throwing strikes from guard but Paulman blocks nicely.
That's two 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.
Paulman seems keen to control Abai's posture.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Paulman is on top in guard.
Paulman stops Abai from standing up.
Paulman is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Abai manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Abai is trying to pull guard but Paulman turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Paulman misses with a knee strike.
Abai successfully pulls guard.
Abai kicks Paulman off and gets to his feet.
Abai fails to land the takedown.
Russell Paulman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ibrahim Abai.
Abai fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Paulman to the ground. Abai is now in Paulman's guard.
Paulman will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Paulman is pulling down on Abai's head. It's preventing any offense from Abai, at least for the moment.
Abai throwing strikes from guard but Paulman blocks nicely.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paulman is trying to control the position but Abai postures up.
Abai lands a couple of elbows.
Paulman trying to control the position.
Paulman wants to sweep here but Abai controlling him for the moment.
Paulman keeping full guard, as Abai tries to pass.
Paulman is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Abai postures up and lands a big shot to Paulman's brow.
Abai working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Paulman's head.
Paulman working a defensive guard here.
Abai throws a big elbow that misses.
Paulman tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Abai scoring with punches to the head and body.
Paulman is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Paulman trying to control the position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abai throws a big right hand that misses.
Abai preventing the sweep.
Abai throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Abai in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Abai stands up over Paulman, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Paulman managing to control the position.
Abai pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Paulman is keeping the position for now.
Paulman has control of Abai's left arm, preventing Abai from doing any damage.
Abai preventing the sweep.
Paulman manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Abai manages to get himself to full guard.
Abai keeping moving, preventing Paulman from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Ibrahim Abai dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Russell Paulman'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.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Abai.
Abai shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Paulman as he avoids it easily.
Paulman tries to clinch there but Abai circles away.
Paulman tries to clinch up.
Abai is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Paulman with a body shot.
Abai shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Paulman is trying to defend but Abai finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Abai is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Abai lands with a punch from half guard.
Abai slips a nice elbow through Paulman's hands, connecting with Paulman's forehead.
Paulman manages to get to full guard.
Paulman looking for a sweep. Not yet Paulman, not yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paulman is pulling down on Abai's head to control his posture.
Abai cracks Paulman with a solid left hand.
Abai working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Paulman's head.
Abai postures up and lands a big shot to Paulman's brow.
Paulman trying to control the position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Abai trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Abai throws a big right hand that misses.
Abai is in close to Paulman's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Abai trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Abai working some strikes from top position.
Abai works over Paulman with some ground and pound from guard.
Abai scoring with punches to the head and body.
Paulman looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Paulman is trying to control the position but Abai postures up.
Abai loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Abai cracks Paulman with a solid left hand.
Paulman managing to control the position.
Paulman trying to keep a closed guard but Abai is proving a slippery customer.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paulman avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Abai cracks Paulman with a solid left hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Abai accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Abai throwing strikes from guard but Paulman blocks nicely.
Abai lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Abai landing some decent shots from guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Abai accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Abai wants to pass the guard but Paulman is keeping the position.
Abai won't allow Paulman to sweep him here.
Abai throwing strikes but missing.
Paulman is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Paulman is trying to control the position but Abai postures up.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abai connects with a couple of short punches.
Abai is looking to work some ground and pound but Paulman has wrist control.
Paulman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Abai.
Abai trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Paulman looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Abai darts in looking for a takedown but Paulman gets double underhooks and turns Abai into the cage.
Russell Paulman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ibrahim Abai.
Paulman doesn't manage to clinch there - Abai circles away.
Paulman fails in his attempt to clinch.
Abai avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Paulman scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Abai shoots in for a takedown but Paulman shows good takedown defense.
Paulman is looking to clinch.
Paulman throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Abai fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Abai is breathing heavily.
Abai looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Paulman moves in looking to clinch but Abai pushes him off.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Paulman tries to clinch up.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abai drives through with a takedown into Paulman's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Ibrahim Abai has got the better of the ground game so far.
Abai is fighting to break Paulman's control of his arms but Paulman is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Abai throwing strikes from guard but Paulman blocks nicely.
Abai is working Paulman over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Abai stopping the sweep attempt from Paulman.
Abai throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Paulman works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Paulman is on top in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Paulman trying to control but Abai is working from the bottom.
Paulman 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.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Abai is looking to stand up but Paulman isn't so interested in that idea.
Abai has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Paulman off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Ibrahim Abai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Russell Paulman's cut.
That's time! Paulman's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. 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.
Abai looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Abai swats away the attempt to clinch by Paulman.
Russell Paulman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Paulman doesn't manage to clinch there - Abai circles away.
Abai has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Paulman moves into range and clinches up with Abai.
Abai pulls Paulman into guard.
Abai being controlled here, momentarily.
Paulman looking to pass the guard.
Abai is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paulman trying to control the position from guard on top but Abai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Abai wants to stand and escape but Paulman is having none of it.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Abai utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Paulman controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Abai goes for a double leg but Paulman avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Paulman continues to drive forward.
Abai circles away from the clinch attempt.
Paulman is looking to clinch.
Paulman fails with an attempt to clinch.
Paulman tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Abai paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Paulman is looking to clinch but Abai is avoiding it.
Paulman scores with a jab to the body.
Abai drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Abai takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Abai lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Paulman struggling a bit here.
Paulman is trying to get back to half guard.
Abai scoring with punches and elbows.
Paulman sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Paulman is controlling Abai's trapped leg to prevent Abai from advancing to side control.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abai lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Abai lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The fighters are battling for position here. Paulman manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Paulman seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Abai postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Abai throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Abai throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Abai throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Paulman works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Paulman pulls Abai in close to prevent any damage.
Paulman working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Abai.
Paulman trying to keep a closed guard but Abai is proving a slippery customer.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abai scoring with some ground and pound.
Abai is in close to Paulman's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Paulman managing to control the position.
Paulman's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Abai misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Russell Paulman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ibrahim Abai.
Abai fails to land the takedown.
Paulman has managed to clinch.
Abai fails to pull guard.
Abai has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Paulman uses from the top position.
Paulman trying to control the position from guard on top but Abai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Paulman tries to free his leg and advance position but Abai is retaining full guard.
Russell Paulman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abai keeping moving, preventing Paulman from controlling successfully.
Paulman is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Abai is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Paulman sitting in guard here, content to control.
Paulman trying to control the position from guard on top but Abai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Abai wants to get back to his feet but Paulman is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Paulman in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Abai is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Paulman is looking to clinch.
Paulman stuffs the takedown.
Ibrahim Abai is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Paulman darts in and clinches Abai up against the cage.
Paulman landing knees to the head.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ibrahim Abai.
I've got Abai 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ibrahim Abai!
During a confident post fight interview, Ibrahim Abai thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
37% |
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