PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexandrei Renzo Shirov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gordon Freeman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Alexandrei Renzo Shirov has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Renzo Shirov
vs
Freeman

191 cm
20
205 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

188 cm
25
205 lbs
5 - 8 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexandrei Renzo Shirov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Gordon Freeman!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Ivan Kurochkin and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Freeman tries for a takedown but Shirov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Shirov shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Freeman gets full guard.
Shirov trying to control the position from guard on top but Freeman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shirov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Freeman on the ground.
Shirov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Freeman is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shirov passes Freeman's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Shirov trying to control from half guard but Freeman is working away.

Shirov is working for a submission of some sort.

Shirov is looking for a kimura here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Freeman trying to control here.
Freeman is refusing to be controlled, as Shirov sits in half guard.
Shirov sitting and controlling from the half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Freeman stuffs the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Freeman misses with a takedown attempt

and Shirov counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Freeman!

Shirov is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Freeman has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Freeman wants to control but Shirov is having none of it.

Shirov moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Freeman has worked his arm free - good work by Freeman!
Freeman is trying to improve his position.

Shirov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Freeman is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shirov tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Shirov has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Freeman is looking for a sweep.

Shirov swings around for an armbar but Freeman sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Shirov's guard.
Shirov wants to stand up but Freeman is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Freeman stopping the sweep attempt from Shirov.
Shirov wants to stand and escape but Freeman is having none of it.

That's four 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.

Freeman drops back looking for a leg! Shirov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Shirov manages to kick Freeman off! Freeman jumps back into Shirov's guard.

Shirov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Freeman wants to control from the top but Shirov keeps moving.
Freeman being controlled here momentarily.
Freeman is looking to work some ground and pound but Shirov has wrist control.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Shirov shoots in but Freeman avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Freeman fails with the takedown

so Shirov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Alexandrei Renzo Shirov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gordon Freeman.
Freeman looks gassed!

Freeman had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Shirov defends it easily.
Shirov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Freeman is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexandrei Renzo Shirov dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Freeman lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Shirov circles away quickly and effectively.
Freeman fails with the takedown

and Shirov counters with a nice double leg into side control. Freeman won't be happy with that.

Shirov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Freeman is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

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

Shirov working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Freeman is breathing heavily.

Shirov tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Alexandrei Renzo Shirov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shirov tries for a kimura but Freeman is defending well.
Freeman is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Freeman has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Shirov is working away from the top position though.
Shirov is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Shirov with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Shirov wants to finish this one by submission but Freeman is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Shirov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Shirov tries to control but Freeman wriggling away.
Shirov takes Freeman's back.

Shirov looking for the choke but no joy.
Shirov tries to get the hooks in deep but Freeman pushed the leg off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shirov working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Freeman staying busy and making it hard for Shirov to control.

Shirov is persistently looking for the submission but Freeman is defending it well.
You can see the frustration on Freeman's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Shirov trying to control.

Shirov is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Freeman is keeping busy.

Freeman is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Shirov gets his way!
Freeman manages to reverse the position and now he's in Shirov's guard. Nice work there by Freeman.
Shirov trying to control the position.

Shirov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexandrei Renzo Shirov dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Freeman with a lazy takedown attempt

and Shirov counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Freeman!
Shirov forces the positional change into back control.

Shirov looking to break Freeman's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Freeman remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Shirov will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Shirov is working for the choke. It looks like he might have got it... has he...? Yes! Freeman is tapping out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:36 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Alexandrei Renzo Shirov!