PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between MIKE CROCOP (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Serega Virtus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). MIKE CROCOP has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

CROCOP
vs
Virtus

188 cm
20
250 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

190 cm
19
245 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, MIKE CROCOP!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Serega Virtus!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Dmitry Maklakov and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

CROCOP gets caught flat footed, as Virtus shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Virtus trying to control the position from guard on top but CROCOP is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Virtus wants to pass the guard but CROCOP is keeping the position.
Virtus is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Virtus wants to control from the top but CROCOP keeps moving.
Virtus throws a big right hand that misses.
CROCOP preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Virtus has gone for a leg lock! CROCOP slips out almost immediately though and dives into Virtus's guard.
Virtus preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
CROCOP throws and elbow that misses. Virtus uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in CROCOP's guard. Nice move by Virtus!
Virtus passes CROCOP's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Virtus missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

CROCOP manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Virtus is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in CROCOP's half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Virtus wants to free his trapped foot but CROCOP is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Virtus looks gassed!
Virtus not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Virtus wants to take a breather but CROCOP is having none of it.
CROCOP blocking the ground and pound attempt from Virtus.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Virtus is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so CROCOP is just riding it out for now. Virtus eventually gives up the hold.
Virtus thows a huge punch but CROCOP dodges it nicely.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
CROCOP dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Virtus. That did some damage!
Virtus takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
CROCOP could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
CROCOP delivers a nice body kick.
CROCOP moves into range and connects with a jab.
CROCOP lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Virtus has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by CROCOP.
CROCOP throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
CROCOP looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Virtus tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
CROCOP lands with a thumping leg kick.
CROCOP lands a head kick. Virtus smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
CROCOP circles away from the clinch attempt.
Virtus takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
CROCOP pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
CROCOP stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and CROCOP wants it to stay on the feet.
CROCOP throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Virtus checks a leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Virtus lands a straight punch to the body, keeping CROCOP at a distance.
Some wild striking there from CROCOP.
Virtus tries for a takedown but CROCOP sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

MIKE CROCOP dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Virtus shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in CROCOP's guard.
Virtus postures up in CROCOP's guard and throws a big left but CROCOP blocks it.
Virtus tries to free his leg and advance position but CROCOP is retaining full guard.

Virtus is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! CROCOP is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! CROCOP has escaped and now he's on top!
Virtus keeping full guard, as CROCOP tries to pass.
CROCOP won't allow Virtus to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
CROCOP is looking to stand up but Virtus won't let him.
Virtus wants to sweep but no luck.
CROCOP throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Virtus works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Virtus manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
CROCOP is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Virtus misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.

Virtus looking to secure an arm triangle but CROCOP defends it well.

That's two 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.

Virtus goes for an armbar but CROCOP turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from CROCOP.
Virtus is controlling CROCOP's posture.
Virtus trying to keep a closed guard but CROCOP is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
CROCOP postures up in Virtus's guard and throws a big left but Virtus blocks it.
Virtus is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Virtus is trying to control the position but CROCOP postures up.
CROCOP with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Virtus wants to stand up but CROCOP is controlling him.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Virtus has a takedown stuffed.
CROCOP buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Virtus checks the leg kick.
Virtus lands a jab to the nose.
A nice inside leg kick there by CROCOP. That's going to slow Virtus down.
Virtus dives in and grabs CROCOP's left leg, looking for a takedown. CROCOP pushes down on Virtus's head and hops out.
CROCOP feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Virtus's calf.
Virtus tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but CROCOP swivels and escapes.
MIKE CROCOP has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Serega Virtus.
Virtus tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but CROCOP swivels and escapes.
CROCOP stalks Virtus and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Virtus's face. Virtus staggers backwards, shaken.
Virtus shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has CROCOP pinned against the cage. CROCOP gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
CROCOP lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Virtus decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Virtus is just content to waste time from the top position. CROCOP takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Serega Virtus showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! CROCOP's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Virtus clinches with his opponent.
The referee is keeping an eye on Virtus - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
CROCOP prevents a takedown attempt there.

Virtus breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Virtus looks for a takedown but CROCOP sprawls well.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Virtus.
MIKE CROCOP has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Serega Virtus.
CROCOP tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horrible takedown by Virtus or perhaps it was just good defense by CROCOP which made him look bad.
Virtus takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
CROCOP scores with a spinning back kick!
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by CROCOP.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Virtus fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Virtus on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by CROCOP. CROCOP obviously looking to wear him down.
CROCOP lands with a nice body kick.
Virtus scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
No luck for Virtus with that takedown attempt.
Virtus stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from CROCOP.
A nice leg kick lands there from CROCOP.
MIKE CROCOP is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Virtus scores with a takedown into CROCOP's guard.
Virtus throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Virtus pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. CROCOP is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Virtus throws a big right hand that misses.
Virtus postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Virtus has gone for a leg lock! CROCOP slips out almost immediately though and dives into Virtus's guard.
Serega Virtus has got the better of the ground game so far.
CROCOP throwing strikes but missing.
Virtus is adopting a defensive guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virtus looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
CROCOP loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Virtus controls CROCOP momentarily but CROCOP frees himself.
Virtus is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Virtus is looking for a kimura but CROCOP is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Virtus to get the leverage.

Virtus is trying to work for a kimura but CROCOP is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
CROCOP is refusing to be controlled, as Virtus sits in half guard.
Virtus trying to mount his opponent but CROCOP defends it.

Virtus seems to be looking for submissions.
Virtus thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing CROCOP to regain full guard.

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 MIKE CROCOP.
I think CROCOP has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:29
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a draw!