PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Andrejs Medvedevs (ranked 5739 p4p, 175 weight class) and Bac Nguyen Xuan (ranked 4773 p4p, 162 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Medvedevs
vs
Nguyen Xuan

225 cm
19
280 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

150 cm
21
300 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Andrejs Medvedevs!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Bac Nguyen Xuan!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Albert Achterberg and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nguyen Xuan drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Medvedevs throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Medvedevs lands a high kick!

Nguyen Xuan dives in and scores a takedown into Medvedevs's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nguyen Xuan passes into half guard.
Medvedevs blocking the ground and pound attempt from Nguyen Xuan.
Medvedevs is not content to let Nguyen Xuan control the position.
Nguyen Xuan working the head and body with strikes.
Nguyen Xuan throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Medvedevs trying to control but Nguyen Xuan postures up.
Medvedevs tries to roll over but Nguyen Xuan keeps him under control.
Medvedevs missing with punches from the bottom.
Nguyen Xuan is trying to control the action in half guard but Medvedevs is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Nguyen Xuan escapes and gets back to his feet.
Medvedevs scores with a kick to the body.
Medvedevs tries for a takedown but Nguyen Xuan sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Medvedevs gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Nguyen Xuan to score an easy takedown into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Medvedevs has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Nguyen Xuan sitting in guard here, content to control.
Medvedevs is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Nguyen Xuan is controlling him.
Nguyen Xuan is looking to stand up but Medvedevs won't let him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nguyen Xuan wants to control from the top but Medvedevs keeps moving.
Nguyen Xuan slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Nguyen Xuan works to advance to full mount. Medvedevs defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Nguyen Xuan content just to control the position here.
Nguyen Xuan looking to finish Medvedevs with some ground and pound. This is bad for Medvedevs!

Nguyen Xuan is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Medvedevs has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Medvedevs tries to improve his position but instead Nguyen Xuan has taken his back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Medvedevs is trying to stand back up.
Medvedevs is really stuck here.
Medvedevs looking very determined here, making life difficult for Nguyen Xuan.
Medvedevs trying to control the action but Nguyen Xuan just sinks the hooks in.
What can Medvedevs do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bac Nguyen Xuan dominated that round.
That's time! Medvedevs's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nguyen Xuan circles away from the clinch attempt
letting Nguyen Xuan counter with a right hand.
Nguyen Xuan lands a right hook to the body.

Nguyen Xuan drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Medvedevs working for a triangle but Nguyen Xuan defends it easily.
Nguyen Xuan is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Medvedevs is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Nguyen Xuan is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nguyen Xuan wants to control from the top but Medvedevs keeps moving.
Nguyen Xuan working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Nguyen Xuan stopping the sweep attempt from Medvedevs.

Medvedevs looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Nguyen Xuan has picked Medvedevs up and slammed him! Medvedevs can't keep hold of the triangle and Nguyen Xuan manages to pass to side control!
Medvedevs is trying to escape the position but Nguyen Xuan is controlling the position.
Medvedevs really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Nguyen Xuan advances nicely into full mount.
Medvedevs is working to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nguyen Xuan with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Medvedevs is wriggling around trying to escape.
Medvedevs wants to control but Nguyen Xuan is having none of it.
Nguyen Xuan controlling from mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nguyen Xuan wants to control the pace but Medvedevs is squirming around nicely.

Nguyen Xuan goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Medvedevs turns into him and now he's in Nguyen Xuan's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Medvedevs wants to control from the top but Nguyen Xuan keeps moving.
Nguyen Xuan has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Medvedevs has passed into side control.
Nguyen Xuan regains half guard there - taking advantage of Medvedevs's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Medvedevs throwing shots but Nguyen Xuan is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Nguyen Xuan is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Medvedevs's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Medvedevs's back!

Nguyen Xuan working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Medvedevs trying to control the hands but Nguyen Xuan breaks the grip.
Medvedevs is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Nguyen Xuan.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Medvedevs prevents Nguyen Xuan from getting a body triangle.
Nguyen Xuan is riding his opponent, not letting Medvedevs buck him off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bac Nguyen Xuan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Medvedevs darts in and clinches Nguyen Xuan up against the cage.
Nguyen Xuan tries to pull guard but Medvedevs holds him up against the cage and eventually Nguyen Xuan drops back down to his feet.
Nguyen Xuan gets underhooks to prevent Medvedevs's takedown attempt.
Nguyen Xuan misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Medvedevs.
Nguyen Xuan is trying to push Medvedevs away but Medvedevs has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Medvedevs manages to break the clinch.

Nguyen Xuan clinches up against the cage.
Nguyen Xuan has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Medvedevs jumps guard but Nguyen Xuan stands there with Medvedevs around his waist. Medvedevs gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Nguyen Xuan pressing his opponent against the cage.
Nguyen Xuan makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nguyen Xuan fails to pull guard.
Nguyen Xuan is looking to control Medvedevs's arms but Medvedevs gets an underhook and turns him. Now Nguyen Xuan has his back to the cage.
Medvedevs creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Nguyen Xuan trying to land knees to the body.
Medvedevs is pressed up against the cage. Nguyen Xuan has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Medvedevs down to the mat. Medvedevs avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Andrejs Medvedevs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bac Nguyen Xuan.
Nguyen Xuan throws a combination that misses

and Medvedevs holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Medvedevs gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Nguyen Xuan has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Medvedevs has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Nguyen Xuan misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Medvedevs.
Nguyen Xuan is trying to pull guard but Medvedevs turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nguyen Xuan looking for a takedown.

Medvedevs manages to break the clinch.

Medvedevs closes the distance and clinches.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Medvedevs lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Nguyen Xuan lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Medvedevs looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Nguyen Xuan uses his free foot to push down on Medvedevs's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Medvedevs.
Nguyen Xuan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Nguyen Xuan goes for an armbar but Medvedevs turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Medvedevs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Medvedevs throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nguyen Xuan works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Medvedevs stands up and waves to Nguyen Xuan to follow him.
Medvedevs shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nguyen Xuan as he avoids it easily.
Nguyen Xuan throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Medvedevs counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Nguyen Xuan!
Nguyen Xuan is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Medvedevs working the ground and pound but Nguyen Xuan is defending the strikes.
Nguyen Xuan on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Medvedevs decides to stand back up.

Nguyen Xuan clinches with his opponent.

Nguyen Xuan is trying to trip Medvedevs. He has hold of a leg but Medvedevs is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Nguyen Xuan persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

Medvedevs has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Nguyen Xuan is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
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!
Nguyen Xuan jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Medvedevs walks away with a smile on his face. Nguyen Xuan gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Medvedevs closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Medvedevs jumps guard and drags Nguyen Xuan to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Nguyen Xuan wants to control from the top but Medvedevs keeps moving.
Medvedevs pulls Nguyen Xuan in close to prevent any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andrejs Medvedevs showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Nguyen Xuan has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bac Nguyen Xuan!
During a confident post fight interview, Bac Nguyen Xuan thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.