PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Hiroshi Papo (ranked 2673 p4p, 5820 weight class) and Peter Petrov (ranked 167 p4p, 303 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Papo
vs
Petrov

160 cm
34
140
9 - 10 - 1

178 cm
35
140
15 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Hiroshi Papo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 14 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Peter Petrov!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Daniel Blasius and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Papo moves out of range of the strikes.
A lazy left from Petrov finds it's target.
Papo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Papo darts in looking for a takedown but Petrov gets double underhooks and turns Papo into the cage.
Petrov goes for a takedown attempt but Papo pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Petrov goes for a double leg but Papo avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Papo continues to drive forward.

Petrov gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Petrov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Papo is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Petrov has his foot on Papo's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Papo works his way back into a safe position though.
Papo is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Petrov working for a triangle but Papo defends it easily.

Petrov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Papo doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Papo manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Papo controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

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.
Petrov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Papo preventing the sweep.

Petrov has his foot on Papo's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Papo works his way back into a safe position though.
Papo is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Papo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Petrov's waist but Petrov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Papo off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hiroshi Papo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Papo doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Petrov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Papo.
Petrov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petrov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Papo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Papo attempts a counter takedown but Petrov avoids it well and moves away.
Papo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Petrov.

Papo shoots in and bounces Petrov off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Petrov has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Papo is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Petrov.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Petrov pushes Papo away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Papo gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
A lull in the action here as Papo stalls from top position.
Petrov is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Papo's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Papo sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Peter Petrov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Papo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Papo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Petrov misses with an uppercut. Papo saw that one coming.
Papo shoots in but no luck this time.
No luck for Papo with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hiroshi Papo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Petrov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Petrov lands a jab to the nose.
Petrov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Papo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Petrov throws out the jab.
Papo shoots in but Petrov avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Papo shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Petrov is trying to defend but Papo finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
We've been hearing good reports from Papo's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Papo wants to pass to mount but Petrov is defending the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Papo with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Petrov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Papo scores with a couple of nice shots.

Petrov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Papo pulls his head out easily.
Petrov tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Papo has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Papo controlling the pace for now.
Papo raining down shots from the mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petrov keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Papo looking to control and managing it successfully.
Papo breaks from Petrov's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Petrov is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petrov manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Petrov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Papo takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Papo moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Petrov.
Papo staying calm.
Petrov is looking to reverse the position.

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.
Papo taking a breather here.
Petrov tries to escape but Papo is in control.
Papo lands some shots froms side control.
Petrov is letting Papo control him for a moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Petrov is looking to regain half guard here but Papo keeps moving and retains side control.
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 Hiroshi Papo will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Petrov leaves Papo with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Petrov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Papo dives in and grabs Petrov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Petrov pushes down on Papo's head and hops out.
Papo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hiroshi Papo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Petrov closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Papo quickly recovers to half guard.
Petrov winds up and cracks Papo with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Petrov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Papo's head.
Papo tries to get to full guard but Petrov has control of the leg.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Petrov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Papo has managed to free his arm - good work.
Petrov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petrov working over Papo with some ground and pound. Papo looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Petrov thows a huge punch but Papo dodges it nicely.

Petrov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Papo doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Petrov.
Papo is trying to get back to full guard.
Petrov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Papo with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

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.
Petrov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Petrov working Papo over with strikes.
Petrov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Papo blocking the ground and pound attempt from Petrov.
Petrov throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Papo to regain full guard.
Petrov postures up in Papo's guard and throws a big left but Papo blocks it.
Petrov throws a big elbow that misses.
Papo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Petrov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Petrov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Papo has momentary wrist control but Petrov slips an elbow through the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Papo lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Petrov throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Papo escapes and throws Petrov's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Papo controls the position from side control.
Petrov is trying to buck Papo off.
Petrov bucks up and tries to throw Papo off but instead Papo has got his back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Petrov is in bad spot here.
Papo controlling from the back.
I really don't envy Petrov right now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Papo biding his time, looking for the opening.
Papo keeps control of the position as Petrov tries to break free.

And that's the end of the fight!
Peter Petrov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Petrov 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 29:29
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 29:29
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!