PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Zhasulan Boranbayev (ranked 6035 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kaplan Temrezov (ranked 6765 p4p, 0 weight class). Kaplan Temrezov is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Boranbayev
vs
Temrezov

177 cm
25
157 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
157 lbs
2 - 2 - 1

Good wrestling
Brawler
Big heart

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Zhasulan Boranbayev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kaplan Temrezov!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Ivan Kurochkin and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Temrezov tries to sprawl but Boranbayev drives through with a takedown into half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Temrezov can do anything to dispel that myth.

Temrezov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Boranbayev pulls his head out easily.
Boranbayev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Temrezov trying to control here.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Boranbayev in particular looking to stall.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Temrezov makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Temrezov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Boranbayev wanted to stand there but Temrezov had control of the position.
Temrezov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boranbayev is looking to work some ground and pound but Temrezov has wrist control.
Boranbayev is stalling in the full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Horrible takedown attempt by Temrezov or perhaps it was just good defense by Boranbayev, which made it look bad.
Boranbayev tries a head kick but it misses.
Temrezov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Boranbayev shoots in and bounces Temrezov off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boranbayev is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Temrezov thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Temrezov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Boranbayev controlling from the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Boranbayev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Temrezov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Boranbayev is aware though and is defending well.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Boranbayev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Temrezov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Temrezov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Boranbayev gets a takedown into half guard.
Temrezov looks winded!
Temrezov manages to get to full guard.
Boranbayev postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boranbayev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Boranbayev tries to free his leg and advance position but Temrezov is retaining full guard.
Boranbayev engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zhasulan Boranbayev dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Boranbayev leaves Temrezov with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Temrezov moves forwards but Boranbayev connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Boranbayev gets caught napping as Temrezov dives in and scores a takedown. Boranbayev manages to retain guard.
Boranbayev tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Boranbayev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Temrezov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Temrezov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Boranbayev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Temrezov can do to turn this around?
Temrezov landing with the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Temrezov wants to stand but Boranbayev has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Temrezov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Boranbayev is keeping the position for now.
Zhasulan Boranbayev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Boranbayev pulls Temrezov in to control the position.

Boranbayev has his foot on Temrezov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Temrezov works his way back into a safe position though.
Boranbayev controls Temrezov momentarily but Temrezov frees himself.
Temrezov tries to stand but Boranbayev is controlling from the bottom.

That's two 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.
Boranbayev trying to keep a closed guard but Temrezov is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Temrezov circles away from the clinch attempt
and Temrezov counters with a nice leg kick.
Temrezov tries to close the distance and clinch but Boranbayev swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Boranbayev decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Boranbayev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Temrezov moves into full guard.
Temrezov is breathing heavily.
Boranbayev controlling from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boranbayev lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Boranbayev showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Boranbayev seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Temrezov for as long as he can get away with.
Boranbayev with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Temrezov is looking to stand up but Boranbayev isn't so interested in that idea.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Nice sprawl there from Boranbayev as Temrezov shoots in.
Nice takedown defense from Boranbayev. No joy for Temrezov on that attempt.
Zhasulan Boranbayev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kaplan Temrezov.
Temrezov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Zhasulan Boranbayev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Boranbayev wants to clinch up but Temrezov keeps it at a distance.
Temrezov throws a counter combo.

Boranbayev bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Temrezov bucks up and tries to throw Boranbayev off but instead Boranbayev has got his back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Temrezov fails with the takedown.
Temrezov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Boranbayev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Boranbayev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Boranbayev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Temrezov steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Boranbayev.

Boranbayev closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Temrezov quickly recovers to half guard.
Temrezov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Boranbayev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Boranbayev throwing shots but Temrezov is blocking nicely.
Temrezov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Temrezov is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boranbayev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Boranbayev controlling the pace.
Boranbayev continues to stall.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Boranbayev shoots in and gets a takedown into Temrezov's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boranbayev content to stall in guard here.
Temrezov trying to keep a closed guard but Boranbayev is proving a slippery customer.
Boranbayev is looking to work some ground and pound but Temrezov has wrist control.
Boranbayev is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Boranbayev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Temrezov 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.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Nice sprawl there from Boranbayev as Temrezov shoots in.
Zhasulan Boranbayev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kaplan Temrezov.

Boranbayev closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Boranbayev lands in his opponent's guard.
Temrezov trying to keep a closed guard but Boranbayev is proving a slippery customer.
Boranbayev stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Temrezov swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boranbayev stays in close to Temrezov's body and controls the position.
Boranbayev postures up in Temrezov's guard and throws a big left but Temrezov blocks it.
Temrezov pulls Boranbayev in to control the position.
Boranbayev passes Temrezov's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Boranbayev is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Temrezov trying to control but Boranbayev postures up.
Kaplan Temrezov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zhasulan Boranbayev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boranbayev is figuring out what he wants to do next.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Zhasulan Boranbayev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Boranbayev has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zhasulan Boranbayev!