PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rasul Dolaev (ranked 4244 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jose Arroya Ramirez (ranked 3180 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Dolaev
vs
Arroya Ramirez

178 cm
25
158 lbs
5 - 7 - 1

178 cm
27
158 lbs
7 - 14 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 5 - 7 - 1, fighting out of New York, Rasul Dolaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 14 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jose Arroya Ramirez!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, John Kavanagh and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Dolaev.
Ramirez is looking to clinch but Dolaev is avoiding it.
Dolaev fails with the takedown
enabling Ramirez to counter with a crisp jab.
Ramirez fails with a takedown attempt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Dolaev is defended easily by Ramirez.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ramirez tries to clinch up but Dolaev circles away and keeps his distance.
Dolaev shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ramirez pinned against the cage. Ramirez gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ramirez throws out a counter right but Dolaev avoids it with no problem.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rasul Dolaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dolaev moves out of range as Ramirez throws a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dolaev tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ramirez defends well and Dolaev ends up having to push Ramirez into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Dolaev fails with a takedown attempt.
Ramirez tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Dolaev is able to avoid easily.
Dolaev is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Ramirez.
Dolaev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ramirez avoids it really well and circles away.
Ramirez swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Dolaev darts in looking for a takedown but Ramirez gets double underhooks and turns Dolaev into the cage.
Ramirez scores with a decent looking hook.
Ramirez shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dolaev as he jumps to the side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ramirez.
Ramirez will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ramirez lands with an overhand left.
Dolaev shoots in for a takedown but Ramirez shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Dolaev sets himself, and Ramirez steps forward looking for the clinch! Dolaev avoids it this time.
Dolaev takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Dolaev looks to land a combination but Ramirez avoids it well.
Dolaev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ramirez steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Dolaev.
Dolaev is breathing heavily.

Ramirez clinches up against the cage.
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!

Ramirez manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Dolaev tries to free his leg and advance position but Ramirez is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez trying to control the position.

Ramirez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Ramirez is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Dolaev is controlling him.
Ramirez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Dolaev prevents Ramirez from getting back to his feet.
Ramirez is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Ramirez is keen to just control but Dolaev is a slippery customer.
Dolaev knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ramirez on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dolaev is looking to improve his position.
Ramirez is looking to advance position but Dolaev won't allow it.
Ramirez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ramirez missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Dolaev trying to control from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ramirez thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ramirez trying to control from half guard but Dolaev is working away.
Ramirez not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Arroya Ramirez dominated that round.
That's time! Dolaev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Dolaev moves into the clinch successfully.

Ramirez drags the fight down to the ground.
Ramirez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Dolaev throws a big right hand that misses.
Dolaev controls from within his opponent's guard.
Ramirez controls Dolaev momentarily but Dolaev frees himself.
Ramirez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ramirez is on top in guard.

Ramirez wants to control from the top but Dolaev keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dolaev working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Ramirez has passed into half guard!
Dolaev is refusing to be controlled, as Ramirez sits in half guard.
Dolaev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ramirez.
Dolaev is doing well to control the position and prevent Ramirez from advancing to side control.
Ramirez content to control rather than advance.

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.
Dolaev is trying to stand back up but Ramirez is controlling him
Dolaev is looking for a sweep. Ramirez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Dolaev is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Ramirez jumps into side control!
Dolaev can't do much from the bottom here.
Dolaev is looking for a sweep.
Dolaev on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Dolaev tries to get out of the position.
Ramirez wants to control but Dolaev is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ramirez moves into full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez looking to control but Dolaev is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Dolaev is looking to improve his position but Ramirez isn't that keen on the idea.
Ramirez trying to control but Dolaev is having none of it.

That's four 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.
Ramirez might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Dolaev haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Dolaev wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Ramirez.
Dolaev is wriggling around trying to escape.
Dolaev wants to hold on but Ramirez pushes him away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Ramirez working for a submission but Dolaev is keeping him at bay.
Dolaev is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Arroya Ramirez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Dolaev tries to clinch up.
Dolaev dives in for a single leg takedown but Ramirez sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Ramirez displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Dolaev throws out the jab.
Ramirez unleashes a big counter combination but Dolaev bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Ramirez tries to score a power double leg takedown but Dolaev sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ramirez somewhat.
Ramirez has a takedown stuffed.
Ramirez shoots in looking for a takedown but Dolaev manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ramirez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rasul Dolaev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jose Arroya Ramirez.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ramirez has his takedown stuffed
and Dolaev counters with a one-two to the body.
Ramirez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Dolaev.
Ramirez shoots in looking for a takedown but Dolaev manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ramirez's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dolaev looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Dolaev tries to bum rush Ramirez with a series of wild strikes but Ramirez uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Dolaev throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ramirez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ramirez dives in and grabs Dolaev's left leg, looking for a takedown. Dolaev pushes down on Ramirez's head and hops out.
Dolaev fails in his attempt to clinch.
Dolaev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ramirez avoids it really well and circles away.
Dolaev is looking to clinch but Ramirez is avoiding it.
Dolaev shoots in for a double leg but Ramirez sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ramirez is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dolaev avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Nice takedown defense from Dolaev. No joy for Ramirez on that attempt.
A head kick misses from Dolaev.

Dolaev takes the fight into the clinch.
Ramirez tries to circle away but Dolaev has him pinned against the cage.
Dolaev has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ramirez is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Dolaev wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ramirez has him pressed against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Dolaev is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Dolaev is trying to pull guard but Ramirez has him pressed against the cage.

Ramirez breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dolaev tries to keep at a distance but Ramirez has taken the fight into the clinch.
Ramirez wants to break free but Dolaev has control.
Dolaev jumps guard but Ramirez turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Ramirez successfully pulls guard.
Ramirez is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Ramirez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Dolaev keeps working.
Ramirez prevents Dolaev from standing back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez thows a huge punch but Dolaev dodges it nicely.
Dolaev trying to control here.

Ramirez is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Ramirez is looking to take a break and control but Dolaev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ramirez not landing any meaningful shots this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jose Arroya Ramirez.
Well Ramirez has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jose Arroya Ramirez!