PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Panda Bare (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rulon Oboev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bare's entrance music is Never Gonna Give You Up. A fine choice. Panda Bare has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Bare
vs
Oboev

199 cm
23
275 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

150 cm
23
264 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Panda Bare!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rulon Oboev!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Oboev feints and as Bare raises his hands in defense, Oboev changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Oboev has gone for a leg lock! Bare slips out almost immediately though and dives into Oboev's guard.

Bare stands up and waves to Oboev to follow him.
Bare looks to land a combination. Oboev sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

It looks like Rulon Oboev has been cut.
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!
Bare has his takedown stuffed

and Oboev counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Bare wants to control but Oboev is keeping busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Oboev is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Bare has managed to free his arm - good work.

Oboev is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Bare sees it coming and defends easily.

Oboev is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Bare is just riding it out for now. Oboev eventually gives up the hold.

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.

Oboev seems to be looking for submissions.

Oboev is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Bare doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Oboev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oboev is keen to just control but Bare is a slippery customer.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Oboev gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Bare throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Jab by Bare.

Oboev drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Oboev tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Oboev has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bare wants to get back to his feet but Oboev drags him back down.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bare is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Oboev is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Bare is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Panda Bare dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rulon Oboev's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Oboev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bare but Bare pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Oboev takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
No joy there for Bare, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Oboev closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Bare is not content to let Oboev control the position.
Oboev stalling away here and it's allowed Bare to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Oboev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oboev pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bare is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Oboev has gone for a leg lock! Bare slips out almost immediately though and dives into Oboev's guard.

Oboev is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two 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.
Bare looking to sit in guard and control but Oboev gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Oboev has gone for a leg lock! Bare slips out almost immediately though and dives into Oboev's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oboev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Oboev is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Oboev has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bare can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Oboev throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Oboev is looking for a triangle but Bare pushes his legs off easily.
Oboev manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Bare wants to control but Oboev is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Panda Bare dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Rulon Oboev's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Bare throws a nice looking combination but Oboev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Oboev bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Oboev thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Oboev goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Bare rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Oboev's guard! Nice work there by Bare!
Bare trying to control but Oboev is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bare postures up.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Oboev can do anything to dispel that myth.
Bare slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Oboev is looking for a triangle but Bare pushes his legs off easily.
Bare will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

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.
Bare seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Oboev 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.
Oboev manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Bare manages to get himself to full guard.
Oboev must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oboev pushes down on Bare's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Oboev is looking to advance position but Bare won't allow it.
Oboev has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Oboev is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Bare has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Oboev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

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.
Bare holds on for dear life.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Oboev with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rulon Oboev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Bare has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Panda Bare!