PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Grigoriy Petrov (ranked 1323 p4p, 3116 weight class) and Riley Ferguson (ranked 177 p4p, 387 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Petrov
vs
Ferguson

165 cm
26
160
7 - 5 - 0

179 cm
28
160
10 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

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 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Grigoriy Petrov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Riley Ferguson!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Petrov shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Petrov takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Ferguson lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Petrov misses with a looping right.
Petrov loads up on a big right hand but Ferguson slips the punch.
We've been told by Petrov's head coaches at Ice Cream Parlour that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Ferguson keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Ferguson misses the jab.
Petrov motions for Ferguson to come forward. Petrov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ferguson throws out a counter right but Petrov avoids it with no problem.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Petrov throws a leg kick but Ferguson checks it.
Petrov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ferguson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Grigoriy Petrov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ferguson throws out a leg kick but Petrov moves out of range and Ferguson only half commits.
Petrov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ferguson takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Ferguson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Petrov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ferguson manages to avoid it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Petrov misses with a hook. Ferguson ducked under it nicely.
It seemed like Ferguson was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Ferguson walks into a straight right hand from Petrov.
Ferguson misses with a looping right.
Ferguson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Ferguson looks to throw the jab but Petrov is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petrov misses with a low kick as Ferguson jumps back.
Petrov misses with a straight left.
Petrov ducks under a wild hook from Ferguson.
Ferguson lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Jab by Petrov.
Petrov slips a jab from Ferguson.
It appears Petrov was looking to counter with a kick there.
Ferguson has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Petrov lands with a good body shot.
A jab from Ferguson misses.
Petrov with a nice calf kick.
Nice body punch from Ferguson.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Ferguson checks a leg kick.
Petrov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ferguson was well out of range. Poor timing from Petrov.
Petrov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ferguson.
Petrov digs a good body shot into Ferguson's ribs.
Ferguson stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ferguson slips a jab from Petrov.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Ferguson! But no joy.
Ferguson misses with a wild combination.
Ferguson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ferguson moves out of range as Petrov strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Petrov circles away quickly and effectively.
A quick step to the side and Petrov tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Petrov misses the jab.
Petrov fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Ferguson checks it well.
Petrov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ferguson.
Ferguson blocks a jab.
Ferguson takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Petrov throws a predictable looking body shot
and Ferguson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Petrov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Petrov looks to score with a jab to the body but Ferguson is just out of range.
Ferguson scores with a shot to the body.
Ferguson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Petrov was well out of range. Poor timing from Ferguson.
Ferguson's jab looks to have found its range, popping Petrov under the eye.
Petrov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ferguson throws a body punch but Petrov moves out of range.
Petrov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ferguson.
Ferguson jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ferguson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Petrov.
Petrov throws a leg kick but Ferguson checks it.
Petrov throws out a leg kick but Ferguson moves out of range and Petrov only half commits.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Donk. Petrov catches Ferguson right on the button with a cross.
Ferguson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Petrov.
A slapping leg kick lands for Petrov.
Petrov lands an overhand right.
Ferguson throws a hook to the side of Petrov's head but Petrov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Petrov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ferguson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Petrov can pounce on him.
Ferguson throws a right and a left that both miss.
Petrov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Petrov wants to land a leg kick but Ferguson is out of range.
Ferguson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Petrov.

Ferguson clinches.
Petrov trying to stall but Ferguson improves his position.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Petrov pushes Ferguson back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Petrov is pushing Ferguson up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Petrov.
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!
A short right hand to the side of the head by Petrov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson blocks a body shot from Petrov.
Ferguson is looking to break free of the clinch but Petrov has double underhooks.

Ferguson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ferguson slips a straight right by Petrov.
Ferguson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice straight punches there by Petrov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Petrov.
Ferguson connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Petrov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ferguson misses with an uppercut.
Ferguson connects with the punch.
Ferguson looks to throw the jab but Petrov is out of range.
Ferguson throws a shot from downtown. Petrov moves away and avoids it.
Petrov throws the left hand but Ferguson avoids the punch easily.
Ferguson looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
The fighters circling - Ferguson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Petrov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ferguson. Petrov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Petrov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
A big left from Ferguson misses.
Ferguson moves out of range of the strikes.
Ferguson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Petrov.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Grigoriy Petrov will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Petrov moves away from the strike by Ferguson.
Petrov misses with a right hand
and Ferguson counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Petrov is looking to slow Ferguson down with leg kicks.
Ferguson lands a jab to Petrov's midsection.
An inside leg kick lands from Petrov.
Petrov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Petrov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Ferguson's head backwards.
Petrov defending well as Ferguson loads up on a big left hand.
Petrov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Ferguson swings widly with a right hand
and Petrov counters with a straight right hand.
A jab from Ferguson misses.
Ferguson takes a swing at Petrov's ribcage but misses.
Ferguson throws a lazy uppercut
and Petrov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Petrov misses with a series of wild punches.
Petrov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ferguson.
Petrov just misses with a punch to the body.
Ferguson looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Ferguson looks to score with a jab to the body but Petrov is just out of range.
Ferguson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petrov swings for the body but Ferguson moves out of range.
Petrov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ferguson was well out of range. Poor timing from Petrov.
Petrov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ferguson. That did some damage!
Petrov misses the shot to the body.
Ferguson misses with a looping right.
A slow jab from Ferguson misses its intended target.
Ferguson misses with a straight right.
Petrov on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Good shot there by Petrov.
Petrov scores with a hook.
Ferguson misses with a right hand
and Petrov counters with a thumping low kick.
Petrov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ferguson manages to avoid it.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Ferguson misses with a few strikes there.
Ferguson moves away from the strike by Petrov.
Petrov throws a lazy uppercut
and Ferguson counters with a nice uppercut.
Petrov scores with a nice strike.
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!
Petrov throws a jab but it's blocked by Ferguson.
Petrov throws a hook to the side of Ferguson's head but Ferguson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Petrov drops his hands momentarily and Ferguson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donk. Ferguson catches Petrov right on the button with a cross.
Petrov throws a hook to the side of Ferguson's head but Ferguson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ferguson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ferguson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A big left from Petrov misses.
Ferguson takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A telegraphed right hand from Petrov misses the target.
Nice shot by Ferguson.
Petrov lands a jab to Ferguson's midsection.
Ferguson lands a jab-cross combination.
A telegraphed right hand from Petrov misses the target.
Ferguson throws a series of punches but Petrov moves out of range.
Petrov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Petrov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Ferguson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Petrov is looking to score with low kicks.
Ferguson throws a jab when Petrov was well out of range.
Petrov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ferguson doesn't seem bothered though.
Ferguson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Grigoriy Petrov is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petrov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ferguson.
Ferguson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Ferguson checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Ferguson connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Ferguson has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Petrov.
Ferguson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Petrov.
Petrov checks a low kick from Ferguson.
Ferguson moves out of range as Petrov strikes.
Petrov connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Petrov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ferguson.
Ferguson throws a hook to the side of Petrov's head but Petrov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Petrov avoids a punch combination nicely.
A swing and a miss from Petrov.
A punch combination from Petrov misses.
Petrov jabs at Ferguson's body.
A big left from Ferguson misses.
Petrov throws the left hand but Ferguson avoids the punch easily.
Ferguson ducks under a wild hook from Petrov.
Ferguson misses with a looping left.
Ferguson's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A jab from Petrov finds it's way through Ferguson's defenses.
Petrov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Ferguson connects with a crisp jab.
Ferguson slips a jab from Petrov.
Petrov connects with a body shot.
Ferguson connects with a right hand. Petrov shakes it off.
Petrov misses the shot to the body.
Petrov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
That kick from Petrov tenderised Ferguson's leg. Ferguson is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ferguson staying out of range there.
Petrov staying out of range there.
Petrov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ferguson manages to avoid it.
Petrov tries to clinch up.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ferguson throws a leg kick but Petrov moved away.
Petrov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ferguson fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Petrov misses with a body shot.
Petrov connects with a crisp jab.
Petrov connects with a solid leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Grigoriy Petrov will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Petrov crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Ferguson - the referee stops the clock and Petrov gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Ferguson. Petrov manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Petrov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Petrov. Ferguson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ferguson loads up on a big right hand but Petrov slips the punch.
Ferguson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Ferguson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ferguson loads up on a big right hand but Petrov slips the punch.
Ferguson throws a jab but it's blocked by Petrov.
Ferguson walks into a stiff left hand from Petrov.
Ferguson slips under a jab.
Petrov misses with a hook.
Ferguson listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Petrov throws a hook but Ferguson blocks it.
A nice side step and Ferguson releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ferguson. Petrov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Petrov scores with a kick to the midsection.
Ferguson throws a hook but Petrov blocks it.
Ferguson throws a shot from downtown. Petrov moves away and avoids it.
Ferguson misses with a straight left.
Petrov throws a series of punches but Ferguson moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ferguson avoids the body shot from Petrov.
Petrov cracks Ferguson with a right hand to the side of the head.
Ferguson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Petrov.
Ferguson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Petrov.
Ferguson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Petrov.
Ferguson staying out of range there.
Petrov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ferguson.
Ferguson has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A looping hook to the body misses from Petrov. Ferguson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Petrov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Petrov is looking to score with low kicks.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Petrov.
A shot to the body from Ferguson misses
and Petrov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ferguson misses with a body shot.
Ferguson connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Petrov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Ferguson throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Petrov connects with a nice looking jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petrov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ferguson.
Ferguson moves forwards but Petrov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Ferguson misses with a wild combination.
Petrov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ferguson lands a right hook to the body.
Ferguson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ferguson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Petrov.
Ferguson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A slow jab from Ferguson misses its intended target.
Ferguson throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Petrov lands a slapping body shot.
Ferguson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Petrov moves away.
Ferguson scores with a hook to the body. Petrov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Petrov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ferguson moves away.
A big right from Petrov misses.
Ferguson throws a jab but it's blocked by Petrov.
Petrov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ferguson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Petrov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Petrov slips a jab from Ferguson.
Petrov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ferguson throws out the jab.
Petrov throws a big shot that misses.
Petrov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ferguson scores with a shot to the body.
Ferguson is looking to clinch.
Petrov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ferguson.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ferguson. Petrov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ferguson throws a right hand that Petrov ducks under and follows up with a left that Petrov also avoids with ease.
Ferguson throws the left hand but Petrov avoids the punch easily.
Petrov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ferguson.
Ferguson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
It looked like Petrov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Ferguson avoids a kick to the body.
Ferguson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Petrov.
The crowd cheers as Ferguson lands an impressive looking overhand right. Petrov doesn't seem phased though.
Ferguson stuns Petrov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Ferguson lands with a right hand.
Ferguson lands a right hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ferguson misses with an attempted mid kick.
Ferguson throws a big shot that misses.
Petrov misses with a wild body shot.
Petrov lands a nice looking body shot.
Ferguson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Petrov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Jab, jab by Petrov - just one landing.
Ferguson throws a body shot but no joy.
Petrov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ferguson manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ferguson looks to throw the jab but Petrov is out of range.
Riley Ferguson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ferguson throws an overhand right that lands on Petrov's shoulder, as Petrov tries to avoid the shot.
Ferguson scores with a crisp jab that stopped Petrov in his tracks.
Petrov connects with a jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ferguson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Petrov manages to avoid it.
Petrov fires out a quick counter leg kick but Ferguson just manages to avoid it.
Ferguson lands with a nice body punch.
Petrov scores with a nice head shot.
Petrov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ferguson.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Grigoriy Petrov.
Well Petrov 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Grigoriy Petrov!
Our winner, Grigoriy Petrov, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.