PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Donato Russo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gregori Vladivostok (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vladivostok is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Goodbye Sober Day - Mr Bungle. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Russo
vs
Vladivostok

172 cm
25
157 lbs
17 - 9 - 0

168 cm
23
153 lbs
12 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

White Gorilla Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Donato Russo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Gregori Vladivostok!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Steve Smith and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vladivostok comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Vladivostok misses with a low kick as Russo jumps back.
Vladivostok throws the left hand but Russo avoids the punch easily.
Vladivostok throws a right and a left that both miss.
Vladivostok tests Russo's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Gregori Vladivostok seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vladivostok lands a really nice looking cross but Russo seems unphased.

It looks like Donato Russo has been cut.
Vladivostok is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Russo.
Russo thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Vladivostok if he has to take too many more of those.

Russo changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Vladivostok looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Russo throws a strike aimed at the side of Vladivostok's head but Vladivostok avoids it well.
Russo wants to control but Vladivostok is keeping him busy.
Russo is trying to ground and pound but Vladivostok uses the momentary lack of control by Russo to regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russo sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Vladivostok defending well though.
Russo trying to pass the guard but Vladivostok defending well.
Vladivostok is trying to get back to full guard.
Vladivostok really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Russo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Vladivostok keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Vladivostok is looking to get back to full guard here but Russo has managed to pass to side control instead.
Vladivostok holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Russo tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

That's two 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.
Vladivostok is desperately trying to improve his position but Russo has a good base and remains in mount.
The referee warns Vladivostok that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Russo unloads with some shots from mount but Vladivostok bucks and avoids them well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vladivostok is trying to stand up.
Russo putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Russo looking to finish with strikes here!
Vladivostok is working to get back to half guard.
You get the feeling that Vladivostok really doesn't like being in this position too much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Russo putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Russo with shots to the head and body - Vladivostok looks very uncomfortable down there.
Russo misses with a head shot.
Russo lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

Russo looking to secure an arm triangle but Vladivostok defends it well.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Vladivostok avoids a series of strikes thrown by Russo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Russo has hold of Vladivostok's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Vladivostok manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Vladivostok avoids a series of strikes thrown by Russo.
Vladivostok is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
A nice elbow there by Russo.
Russo with shots to the head and body - Vladivostok looks very uncomfortable down there.
Russo unloads with some shots from mount but Vladivostok bucks and avoids them well.
Russo throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Russo trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Vladivostok is in all sorts of trouble here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Donato Russo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Donato Russo's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Vladivostok swinging wildly here.
Russo avoids the body shot from Vladivostok.
Russo throws a wild body kick that Vladivostok sees coming a mile off.
Russo tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A left and a right from Vladivostok both land. Nice combination.
Russo throws a low kick but it's checked well by Vladivostok.
Vladivostok throws a big shot that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vladivostok throws a body punch but Russo moves out of range.
Vladivostok throws a leg kick that is checked

and Russo holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Vladivostok stops a takedown attempt from Russo.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Vladivostok lands a hook that snaps the head of Russo backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russo is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Vladivostok gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Russo is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Vladivostok has a couple of punches blocked by Russo.

Russo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Vladivostok throws a jab but it's blocked by Russo.
Russo takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A low kick from Vladivostok is predictable there

and Russo counters with a takedown into side control.
Russo trying to control the action but Vladivostok is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Russo working away.
Russo works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Vladivostok can do anything to dispel that myth.
Russo throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vladivostok regains half guard.
Vladivostok is trying to control but can't.
Vladivostok wants to get back to his feet.
Vladivostok is not content to let Russo control the position.
Russo is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Vladivostok is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Russo thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Vladivostok if he has to take too many more of those.
Russo defending well as Vladivostok loads up on a big left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Vladivostok keeps the fight on the outside.
Russo throws a predictable looking body shot
letting Vladivostok counter with a right hand.
Russo lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Russo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A shot to the liver by Vladivostok. Beautiful body shot.
Vladivostok throws a leg kick that is checked
and Russo counters with a nice kick to the body.
Vladivostok thows a left - swing and a miss!
Russo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Vladivostok throws out the jab.
Russo will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Russo fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Donato Russo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vladivostok ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Russo moves away.
Vladivostok checks the leg kick.
Vladivostok throws a left and a right that both miss
and Russo counters with an outside leg kick.
Vladivostok waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Russo.
Vladivostok misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Russo.
Vladivostok takes a swing at Russo's ribcage but misses.
Russo slips under a jab.
Russo scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Donato Russo dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Donato Russo's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

A swing and a miss from Vladivostok.
A low kick from Vladivostok misses
and Russo counters with a leg kick.
Russo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Vladivostok just misses with a punch to the body.
Vladivostok throws a looping overhand right but Russo ducks down to avoid it.
Russo throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Vladivostok connects with a good right hand that stumbles Russo. Russo circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Vladivostok falls off balance throwing a combination

and Russo counters with a single leg into guard. Vladivostok didn't expect that.
Russo connects with a couple of short punches.
Russo wants to control from the top but Vladivostok keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russo postures up.
Russo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Russo wants to control from the top but Vladivostok keeps moving.
Russo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Vladivostok is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Donato Russo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Vladivostok leaves Russo with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Vladivostok checks a leg kick.
Vladivostok displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Russo.
Russo moves out of range as Vladivostok strikes.
Gregori Vladivostok has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Russo shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Donato Russo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Russo closes the distance and clinches up with Vladivostok, looking for a takedown. Russo pushes Vladivostok against the cage but Vladivostok circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Vladivostok misses with a hook.
Russo blocks a jab.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Russo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Vladivostok swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Vladivostok misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Russo counters with a nice leg kick.
Vladivostok swings for the body but Russo moves out of range.
Vladivostok misses the shot to the body.
Vladivostok misses with a leg kick
and Russo counters with a slapping leg kick.

Russo closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Russo - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Vladivostok doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Russo is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Vladivostok gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Russo comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Russo is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Vladivostok is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Vladivostok creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Russo tries for a takedown but Vladivostok manages to get underhooks.
Russo just leaning against Vladivostok, taking a breather.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Vladivostok looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Russo tries to circle away but Vladivostok has him pinned against the cage.
Vladivostok is looking to control Russo's arms but Russo gets an underhook and turns him. Now Vladivostok has his back to the cage.
Vladivostok misses with some punches.
Russo goes for a takedown attempt but Vladivostok pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Russo takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Vladivostok scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Vladivostok throws a lazy right hand but Russo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Vladivostok misses with a leg kick

so Russo counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Russo drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Russo jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Donato Russo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Russo, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Peck scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Donato Russo!