PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between The Wilson (ranked 1306 p4p, 549 weight class) and Kirill Semenov (ranked 149 p4p, 69 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Wilson might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Painkiller. Kirill Semenov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Wilson
vs
Semenov

195 cm
26
230
12 - 3 - 0

192 cm
25
267
9 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid 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 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, The Wilson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kirill Semenov!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Santiago Holmes and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Semenov closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Wilson's guard.
Wilson lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Semenov scores with a nice shot.
Semenov wants to sweep here but Wilson controlling him for the moment.
Wilson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Semenov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Wilson wants to pass the guard but Semenov is keeping the position.
Semenov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Wilson is pressing down on Semenov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Semenov throwing strikes but missing.
Wilson has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Semenov throws a big right hand that misses.
Wilson keeping full guard, as Semenov tries to pass.
Wilson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Semenov manages to get himself to full guard.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Semenov is on top in guard.

Semenov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Semenov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Wilson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Semenov working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Wilson working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Semenov.
Semenov being controlled here momentarily.
Semenov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Wilson has control of Semenov's left arm, preventing Semenov from doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Semenov tries to free his leg and advance position but Wilson is retaining full guard.
Wilson is pulling down on Semenov's head. It's preventing any offense from Semenov, at least for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Semenov looking to pass the guard.
Semenov throws a strike but Wilson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Semenov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Wilson is one step ahead there.
Wilson wants to control from the top but Semenov keeps moving.
Semenov wants to sweep but no luck.
Wilson working some strikes from top position.
Wilson with a flurry of punches that miss.
Wilson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Wilson trying to control but Semenov is working from the bottom.
Wilson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wilson preventing the sweep.
Wilson definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Wilson working some strikes from top position.
Wilson won't allow Semenov to sweep him here.
Wilson postures up and lands a big shot to Semenov's brow.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Wilson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Semenov 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.
Wilson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Wilson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Wilson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Wilson is in close to Semenov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Semenov is on top in guard.

Semenov wants to pass the guard but Wilson is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Semenov preventing the sweep.
Semenov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Wilson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Wilson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Semenov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Wilson is keeping the position for now.
Semenov is still trying to improve position.
Semenov throws a big elbow that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Semenov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Wilson keeping full guard, as Semenov tries to pass.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kirill Semenov will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Wilson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Wilson wants it to stay on the feet.

Semenov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Semenov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Sloppy strikes there by Semenov.
Semenov tries to move to full mount but Wilson actually manages to regain half guard.
Wilson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Semenov.
Semenov thows a huge punch but Wilson dodges it nicely.
Wilson wants to get back to full guard.
Wilson gets full guard.
Kirill Semenov has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Semenov throws a big elbow that misses.
Wilson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Semenov stands up over Wilson, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Wilson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Semenov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Semenov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Semenov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Wilson preventing the sweep.
Wilson scoring with punches to the head and body.
Semenov keeping full guard, as Wilson tries to pass.
Wilson landing with the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Wilson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Wilson lands a couple of digs.
Wilson scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Semenov looking for a sweep. Not yet Semenov, not yet.
Wilson is in close to Semenov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Wilson trying to control the position from guard on top but Semenov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Semenov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Wilson manages to get himself to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Semenov looking to pass the guard.
Semenov trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Wilson manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Wilson with a nice head shot there.
Wilson chips away with some ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Wilson preventing the sweep.
Semenov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Wilson manages to get himself to full guard.

Semenov passes Wilson's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Wilson is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Semenov throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Wilson to regain full guard.
Wilson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Wilson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Semenov is controlling him.
Semenov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Wilson is keeping the position for now.
Semenov throws an elbow that misses. Wilson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Semenov's guard. Nice move by Wilson!

Wilson stopping the sweep attempt from Semenov.
Wilson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Semenov is on top in guard.

Wilson keeping full guard, as Semenov tries to pass.
Semenov throws an elbow that misses. Wilson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Semenov's guard. Nice move by Wilson!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wilson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Semenov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Semenov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Wilson with a nice head shot there.
Wilson is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Semenov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Wilson manages to get himself to full guard.

Wilson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Wilson wants to stand but Semenov is controlling the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Wilson is on top in guard.

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Wilson preventing the sweep.
Wilson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Semenov looking for a sweep. Not yet Semenov, not yet.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Wilson's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
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 The Wilson will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Semenov shoots in and drives through. Wilson sprawls well.
Semenov misses with a takedown attempt - Wilson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Semenov shoots in for a takedown but Wilson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Wilson half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
The Wilson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kirill Semenov.

Wilson takes the fight into the clinch.
Semenov tries for a takedown. No joy.

Wilson drags the fight down to the ground.
Semenov stops Wilson from standing up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Wilson is on top in guard.

Wilson lands a couple of decent looking shots.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wilson tries to free his leg and advance position but Semenov is retaining full guard.
Wilson stands up over Semenov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Semenov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Wilson controls the pace.
Wilson works over Semenov with some ground and pound from guard.
Wilson preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wilson trying to control the position from guard on top but Semenov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Semenov looking for a sweep. Not yet Semenov, not yet.
Wilson landing some decent shots from guard.
Wilson won't allow Semenov to sweep him here.
Semenov is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Wilson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Wilson is in close to Semenov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Wilson forces his way into half guard.
Wilson looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Semenov with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Wilson working over Semenov with some ground and pound. Semenov looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Wilson working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Semenov wants to improve his position but Wilson is controlling well.
Wilson working the head and body with strikes.
Semenov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Semenov regains full guard. Nicely done.
Wilson working some strikes from top position.
The Wilson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wilson preventing the sweep.
Wilson controls from within his opponent's guard.
Semenov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Wilson manages to get himself to full guard.

Wilson managing to control the position.
Semenov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wilson swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Wilson trying to control the position here.
Semenov won't allow Wilson to sweep him here.
Semenov is fighting to break Wilson's control of his arms but Wilson is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Semenov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Wilson has control of Semenov's left arm, preventing Semenov from doing any damage.
Wilson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Wilson looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Wilson keeping full guard, as Semenov tries to pass.
Semenov postures up in Wilson's guard and throws a big left but Wilson blocks it.
Semenov is looking to work some ground and pound but Wilson has wrist control.
Semenov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
An elbow from Semenov crashes against the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Semenov tries to advance to mount but can't.
Who's going to make the next move?
Semenov tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Wilson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Semenov wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Semenov working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Semenov throws a strike aimed at the side of Wilson's head but Wilson avoids it well.
Semenov fails to land a wild elbow strike.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Semenov in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Wilson dodges the ground and pound from Semenov.
The strikes coming from Semenov are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Semenov throws an elbow but Wilson slips to the side and avoids it well.

And that's the end of the fight!
The Wilson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Wilson 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 Michael Johnstone scores the fight for The Wilson!
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight for The Wilson!
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight for The Wilson!

The Wilson wins by unanimous decision!
A pretty intense looking The Wilson took the opportunity post-fight to ask for a shot at the title.