PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Igor Kosmodemyanskaya (ranked 2769 p4p, 2821 weight class) and Mauricio Della Bella (ranked 379 p4p, 384 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Kosmodemyanskaya
vs
Della Bella

180 cm
25
180
3 - 1 - 0

187 cm
25
185
4 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Igor Kosmodemyanskaya!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mauricio Della Bella!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Gregory Folan and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.

Kosmodemyanskaya fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Della Bella, pushing him back against the cage.
Della Bella fails to pull guard.
Della Bella jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kosmodemyanskaya walks away with a smile on his face. Della Bella gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kosmodemyanskaya swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kosmodemyanskaya doesn't manage to clinch there - Della Bella circles away.
Della Bella feints the counter takedown.
Igor Kosmodemyanskaya seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kosmodemyanskaya misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Della Bella.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kosmodemyanskaya throws a nice looking combination but Della Bella bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kosmodemyanskaya is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Della Bella tries to keep at a distance but Kosmodemyanskaya has taken the fight into the clinch.
Della Bella tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Igor Kosmodemyanskaya has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mauricio Della Bella.
Della Bella is trying to pull guard but Kosmodemyanskaya turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Della Bella is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kosmodemyanskaya to keep the fight standing.

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.
Della Bella tries to pull guard but Kosmodemyanskaya holds him up against the cage and eventually Della Bella drops back down to his feet.

Kosmodemyanskaya breaks from the clinch.
Kosmodemyanskaya looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Della Bella is fending him off so far but Kosmodemyanskaya persists. Nope, Della Bella circles away and we're back to standing.
No joy there for Kosmodemyanskaya, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Della Bella feints the counter takedown.
Kosmodemyanskaya throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kosmodemyanskaya shoots in but no luck this time.
Della Bella with the counter takedown but Kosmodemyanskaya avoids it easily.
Kosmodemyanskaya swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Della Bella counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Della Bella trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Della Bella is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Della Bella slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Kosmodemyanskaya is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at The Gulag Public Gym, so we'll see if he gets out of it.

Della Bella is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kosmodemyanskaya knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Della Bella tries to advance to mount but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kosmodemyanskaya wants to get back to his feet but Della Bella drags him back down.
Della Bella moves into full mount!
Della Bella wants to control the pace but Kosmodemyanskaya is squirming around nicely.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
You get the feeling that Kosmodemyanskaya really doesn't like being in this position too much.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mauricio Della Bella will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Della Bella swats away the attempt to clinch by Kosmodemyanskaya.
And Della Bella tries to counter it with a takedown but Kosmodemyanskaya pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Della Bella keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kosmodemyanskaya wants to clinch up but Della Bella keeps it at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Della Bella circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kosmodemyanskaya will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kosmodemyanskaya shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Della Bella but Della Bella pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kosmodemyanskaya throws a series of punches but Della Bella avoids them all with ease.
Della Bella changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Della Bella circles away from the clinch attempt.

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.
Kosmodemyanskaya throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Della Bella feints the counter takedown.

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

Kosmodemyanskaya manages to break the clinch.

Kosmodemyanskaya shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Kosmodemyanskaya was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Della Bella manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Della Bella wants to control but Kosmodemyanskaya is keeping him busy.
Della Bella is pressing down on Kosmodemyanskaya's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kosmodemyanskaya is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Della Bella is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Kosmodemyanskaya on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kosmodemyanskaya tries to get out of the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Della Bella is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kosmodemyanskaya defends it well.
Kosmodemyanskaya is in trouble now - Della Bella has advanced to mount!
Della Bella thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Della Bella forces the positional change into back control.
Kosmodemyanskaya is trying to stand back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Della Bella is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Kosmodemyanskaya is defending well though. Della Bella let's go of the attempt for now.
Kosmodemyanskaya knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Della Bella on the ground.

Della Bella is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Kosmodemyanskaya has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Kosmodemyanskaya is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Della Bella is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Kosmodemyanskaya has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
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!

Della Bella has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Kosmodemyanskaya has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Della Bella has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Della Bella.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mauricio Della Bella showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Kosmodemyanskaya closes the distance and clinches up with Della Bella, looking for a takedown. Kosmodemyanskaya pushes Della Bella against the cage but Della Bella circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Della Bella changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Kosmodemyanskaya tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Della Bella was well out of range. Poor timing from Kosmodemyanskaya.
Della Bella tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kosmodemyanskaya looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Della Bella changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Della Bella showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kosmodemyanskaya.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kosmodemyanskaya looks to score with a jab to the body but Della Bella is just out of range.

Kosmodemyanskaya shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kosmodemyanskaya showed some decent athleticism there.

Della Bella looking for submissions off his back.
Kosmodemyanskaya trying to control from half guard but Della Bella is working away.
Della Bella is trying to control but can't.

Della Bella looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Della Bella is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kosmodemyanskaya pulls his head out easily.
Della Bella moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Kosmodemyanskaya trying to control the position from guard on top but Della Bella is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Della Bella is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kosmodemyanskaya is aware though and is defending well.
Kosmodemyanskaya has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Della Bella has his foot on Kosmodemyanskaya's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kosmodemyanskaya works his way back into a safe position though.
Della Bella takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Della Bella is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kosmodemyanskaya is aware though and is defending well.
Kosmodemyanskaya lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Della Bella working for a triangle but Kosmodemyanskaya defends it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kosmodemyanskaya lands a couple of elbows.
Mauricio Della Bella has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kosmodemyanskaya pushes down on Della Bella's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Della Bella is refusing to be controlled, as Kosmodemyanskaya sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Della Bella on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Della Bella looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kosmodemyanskaya is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Della Bella is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kosmodemyanskaya pulls his head out easily.
Kosmodemyanskaya is looking to advance position but Della Bella won't allow it.
Della Bella wants to get back to full guard.
Della Bella is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kosmodemyanskaya scores with a couple of nice shots.
Della Bella won't allow Kosmodemyanskaya to pass to mount.
Kosmodemyanskaya trying to control from half guard but Della Bella is working away.
Della Bella trying to control from the bottom.
Kosmodemyanskaya working the head and body with strikes.
Della Bella is looking to control Kosmodemyanskaya's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Della Bella avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kosmodemyanskaya working Della Bella over with strikes.
Della Bella is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kosmodemyanskaya scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kosmodemyanskaya lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Della Bella taking some punishment here, with Kosmodemyanskaya in his half guard.

Della Bella looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Della Bella is trying to get back to full guard.
Kosmodemyanskaya wants to pass to mount but Della Bella is defending the position.

Della Bella looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Della Bella looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Igor Kosmodemyanskaya has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Della Bella looking for submissions off his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Igor Kosmodemyanskaya showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Della Bella 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 29:29
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Mauricio Della Bella!