PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Filthy McNasty (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolai Valuev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McNasty comes to the cage accompanied by Burn it to the ground-Nickelback. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

McNasty
vs
Valuev

187 cm
26
205 lbs
9 - 8 - 0

213 cm
24
219 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent knees
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Filthy McNasty!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolai Valuev!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Aleksandr Martynov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McNasty fails to land the takedown.

McNasty drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Valuev controlling McNasty's posture.
McNasty wants to pass the guard but Valuev is keeping the position.
McNasty might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
McNasty is working hard here to advance position.
Valuev is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
McNasty slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

McNasty tries for a kimura but Valuev is defending well.

McNasty looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McNasty tries to move into full mount but can't pass Valuev's legs.

McNasty goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Valuev has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for McNasty but great work by Valuev.

Valuev stands up.
No luck with that takedown attempt from McNasty.
McNasty tries for a takedown but Valuev sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Filthy McNasty. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McNasty shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Valuev as he avoids it easily.

McNasty drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Valuev struggling a bit here.

McNasty looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
McNasty is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valuev is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

McNasty thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Valuev is trying to get back to his feet.
McNasty tries to advance to mount but can't.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
McNasty shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Valuev sprawls well. Valuev wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. McNasty gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McNasty looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
McNasty trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Valuev wants to stand but McNasty is controlling the position.
McNasty wants to pass the guard but Valuev is keeping the position.
McNasty pushing down on Valuev's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

McNasty looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Valuev is trying to stand up here but McNasty is controlling him well.
McNasty passes the guard and advances to mount!

McNasty is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Valuev has managed to escape the submission attempt.

McNasty is working for a guillotine from mount but Valuev frees his head quite easily.

McNasty is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Valuev has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Valuev!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Filthy McNasty dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

McNasty fails with the takedown.
McNasty dives in and grabs Valuev's left leg, looking for a takedown. Valuev pushes down on McNasty's head and hops out.
McNasty shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Valuev as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Filthy McNasty. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McNasty fails to land the takedown.
McNasty shoots for a double leg takedown but Valuev sprawls well. He's pushed McNasty's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McNasty shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Valuev as he jumps to the side.
Filthy McNasty is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
McNasty will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

McNasty shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McNasty stopping the sweep attempt from Valuev.

Valuev pushes McNasty off and scrambles back to his feet.
McNasty tries for a takedown but Valuev sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
McNasty tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Valuev swivels and escapes.
McNasty avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
No luck for McNasty with that takedown attempt.
Valuev stuffs the takedown.
McNasty throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Valuev's waist but Valuev gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing McNasty off to one side.
McNasty tries for a takedown but Valuev sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Valuev is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
McNasty circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McNasty shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Valuev pinned against the cage. Valuev gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
McNasty shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Valuev but Valuev pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Valuev tries to clinch up but McNasty circles away and keeps his distance.
Nice takedown defense from McNasty. No joy for Valuev on that attempt.
Valuev fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
McNasty misses with a takedown attempt

and Valuev counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Valuev wants to stand but McNasty has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
McNasty tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McNasty has a closed guard, preventing Valuev from standing up.
Valuev preventing the sweep.
Valuev wanted to stand there but McNasty had control of the position.
Valuev preventing the sweep.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

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

McNasty drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Valuev manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now McNasty has Valuev in his guard.

McNasty looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McNasty wants to hit a switch here but Valuev passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for McNasty there!
McNasty is in all sorts of trouble here.
McNasty is squirming around, avoiding Valuev's attempts to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Valuev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! McNasty's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

McNasty shoots and misses

and Valuev counters by clinching up.
McNasty drops down looking for an ankle pick but Valuev pulls his leg out and moves away.
McNasty misses with a takedown

and Valuev counters by clinching up.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Filthy McNasty. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McNasty takes a knee right on the jaw!
Valuev tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Valuev gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from McNasty.
Valuev misses with a knee to the head.
Valuev with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Valuev looking to throw knees to the head but McNasty is blocking nicely.
McNasty is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
McNasty is working for takedown but Valuev is calmly controlling the position for now.
McNasty has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Valuev avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Valuev scores with a knee to the head.

McNasty has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Valuev uses from the top position.

McNasty is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Valuev is aware though and is defending well.

McNasty has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Valuev can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Valuev wanted to stand there but McNasty had control of the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McNasty had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Valuev defends it easily.
McNasty looking to hit a scissor sweep but Valuev is one step ahead there.

McNasty is looking for a triangle but Valuev pushes his legs off easily.

Valuev gets to his feet. McNasty looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
McNasty misses with a takedown

and Valuev counters by clinching up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valuev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but McNasty blocks it with crossed arms.
McNasty fails to pull guard.
Valuev looking to throw knees to the head but McNasty is blocking nicely.
McNasty tries for a takedown. No joy.
Valuev landing knees to the head.
McNasty has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Valuev avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Valuev misses with a knee to the head.
Valuev gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from McNasty.
Valuev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but McNasty blocks it with crossed arms.
Valuev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but McNasty blocks it with crossed arms.
Valuev gets underhooks to prevent McNasty's takedown attempt.
Valuev prevents the takedown attempt.
Valuev throws a knee to the head but misses.
Valuev misses with a knee strike.
Valuev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but McNasty blocks it with crossed arms.
Valuev with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Valuev tries a knee to the head but McNasty blocks it.
Valuev is pressed up against the cage. McNasty has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Valuev down to the mat. Valuev avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
McNasty doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Valuev decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in McNasty's guard.

McNasty looking for subs off his back but Valuev has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McNasty is looking to get back to full guard here but Valuev has managed to pass to side control instead.
McNasty is looking to improve his position but Valuev isn't that keen on the idea.
Valuev tries to stand up but he's trapped just for the moment.
Valuev prevents McNasty from getting the reversal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Valuev tries to control but McNasty wriggling away.
McNasty bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
McNasty stands and throws Valuev's legs to the side, diving into side control.

McNasty thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Valuev gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolai Valuev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Valuev 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolai Valuev!