PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksandr Fedorov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Turo Vatanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fedorov's entrance music is m.o.v.e - Blazin' Beat. A fine choice. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Fedorov
vs
Vatanen

180 cm
22
275 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

198 cm
22
277 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Prefers standup

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Drago's Choice

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aleksandr Fedorov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Turo Vatanen!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Dmitry Maklakov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fedorov is looking to score with low kicks.
Fedorov works Vatanen's body with a nice hook.
Vatanen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Fedorov. Fedorov obviously looking to wear him down.
Fedorov dodges the punch combination from Vatanen.
Vatanen misses with a two punch combination.
The fighters circle momentarily. Fedorov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Fedorov thows a body shot but no joy.
Vatanen wants to clinch.

Vatanen drives through with a takedown into guard.
Fedorov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Fedorov tries to get out of the position.
Vatanen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Vatanen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Vatanen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Fedorov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Vatanen works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Fedorov tries to roll over but Vatanen keeps him under control.
Vatanen trying to control from half guard but Fedorov is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Fedorov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Fedorov throws a series of punches but Vatanen moves out of range.

Vatanen looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Vatanen won't allow Fedorov to sweep him here.
Vatanen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Fedorov keeping moving, preventing Vatanen from controlling successfully.
Vatanen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Vatanen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Fedorov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Vatanen trying to move into half guard but instead Fedorov has managed to sweep!
Fedorov stays in close to Vatanen's body and controls the position.
Fedorov preventing the sweep.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Fedorov throws a leg kick but Vatanen sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Vatanen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Fedorov throws out the jab.
Fedorov 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.
Fedorov lands a body shot.
Vatanen looks gassed!
Vatanen closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Vatanen fails with a takedown attempt.
Vatanen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Fedorov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Fedorov as Vatanen shoots in.
Fedorov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Vatanen's hands.
Horrible takedown by Vatanen or perhaps it was just good defense by Fedorov which made him look bad.
Aleksandr Fedorov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Turo Vatanen.
Fedorov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fedorov misses with the combination.
Fedorov misses with an uppercut. Vatanen saw that one coming.
Fedorov scores with a body shot.
Vatanen with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Vatanen drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

Vatanen closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Vatanen lands in his opponent's guard.
Vatanen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Fedorov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Fedorov wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Vatanen looking to pass the guard.
Fedorov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Vatanen on the ground.
Vatanen passes Fedorov's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vatanen is trying to work for a kimura but Fedorov is defending well.
Vatanen wants to pass to mount but Fedorov is defending the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vatanen is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Fedorov!
Fedorov suckers Vatanen into throwing a sloppy strike and uses the momentum to reverse the position beautifully! Fedorov is now in Vatanen's guard!

Vatanen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Fedorov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Vatanen is trying to control the position but Fedorov postures up.
Fedorov trying to control but Vatanen is working from the bottom.

Vatanen is looking for a triangle but Fedorov pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vatanen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Fedorov stopping the sweep attempt from Vatanen.
Vatanen keeping moving, preventing Fedorov from controlling successfully.
Fedorov postures up.

Vatanen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Vatanen has his foot on Fedorov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Fedorov works his way back into a safe position though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fedorov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Vatanen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Fedorov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksandr Fedorov dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Fedorov takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Fedorov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Fedorov looks to land a combination. Vatanen sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Vatanen looks for a takedown but Fedorov sprawls well.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Vatanen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Vatanen shoots in looking for a takedown. Fedorov tries to sprawl out of it but Vatanen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Fedorov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Vatanen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Aleksandr Fedorov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Turo Vatanen.
Fedorov throws a series of punches but Vatanen moves out of range.
Fedorov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Fedorov throws a right hand that Vatanen ducks under and follows up with a left that Vatanen also avoids with ease.
Fedorov swings for the body but Vatanen moves out of range.
Vatanen shoots in but no luck this time.
Vatanen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Fedorov.
Fedorov throws a hook but Vatanen blocks it.

Vatanen scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Vatanen trying to control the action but Fedorov is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Vatanen postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vatanen wants to control for a moment but Fedorov uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.

Vatanen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Vatanen actively working from the bottom here.
Vatanen trying to control here.
Vatanen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Vatanen takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Vatanen closes the distance and clinches up with Fedorov, looking for a takedown. Vatanen pushes Fedorov against the cage but Fedorov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Fedorov scores with a shot to the body.
Vatanen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Fedorov is fending him off so far but Vatanen persists. Nope, Fedorov circles away and we're back to standing.

Vatanen closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Vatanen lands in his opponent's guard.
Vatanen with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vatanen tries to free his leg and advance position but Fedorov is retaining full guard.
Vatanen passes Fedorov's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Vatanen landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Vatanen is tying to control. Fedorov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Vatanen tries to pass to full mount but Fedorov defends it.
Turo Vatanen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Vatanen trying to control from half guard but Fedorov is working away.
Vatanen content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Vatanen 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.

Vatanen wants to work for an arm triangle but Fedorov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vatanen works his foot free and advances to mount.

Vatanen is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Fedorov has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Vatanen controlling from mount.
Fedorov tries to hold on but Vatanen pushes him away.
BOOM! Vatanen connects with a massive shot to the dome!

Vatanen goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Fedorov is on top in guard.

Vatanen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vatanen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Vatanen being controlled here, momentarily.

Vatanen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Fedorov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Fedorov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Vatanen holds on and takes a little breather.

Fedorov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vatanen wants to improve his position but instead Fedorov has moved into half guard.
Vatanen punching from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Turo Vatanen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Fedorov misses with a straight left.
Fedorov lands a slapping body shot.
Vatanen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Fedorov as he jumps to the side.
Fedorov throws a front kick aimed at Vatanen's knee but Vatanen avoids it well.
Vatanen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Fedorov checks a low kick from Vatanen.
Fedorov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Fedorov misses the shot to the body.
Horrible takedown by Vatanen or perhaps it was just good defense by Fedorov which made him look bad.
Aleksandr Fedorov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Turo Vatanen.
Fedorov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fedorov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Fedorov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Vatanen shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Fedorov's guard.
Vatanen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Fedorov managing to control the position.
Fedorov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Vatanen looking to sit in guard and control but Fedorov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Fedorov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Vatanen has his foot on Fedorov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Fedorov works his way back into a safe position though.
Vatanen controls Fedorov momentarily but Fedorov frees himself.

Vatanen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Fedorov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Vatanen wants to sweep but no luck.
Vatanen has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Fedorov has passed into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vatanen is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Fedorov off and has taken his back!

Vatanen is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Fedorov wants to control his opponent's hands but Vatanen gets his hands free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vatanen missing with strikes.

Vatanen is looking for the choke from the back position but Fedorov is controlling his hands well.
You can see the frustration on Fedorov's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Vatanen is persistently looking for the submission but Fedorov is defending it well.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Vatanen has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Fedorov has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Fedorov finds himself mounted whilst avoiding strikes.

Vatanen is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Fedorov can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Fedorov is in all sorts of trouble here.
Vatanen landing strikes from the mount.
Vatanen trying to control but Fedorov is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fedorov wants to control but Vatanen is having none of it.

Vatanen wants to finish this one by submission but Fedorov is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Vatanen.
Fedorov keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Vatanen has control of Fedorov's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Fedorov regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Fedorov tries to hold on but Vatanen postures up.
Vatanen throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Fedorov because Vatanen loaded up on that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Fedorov tries to hold on but Vatanen pushes him away.
Vatanen prevents Fedorov from getting the reversal.
Vatanen scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Fedorov?

Vatanen looking for a guillotine from mount but Fedorov is having none of it.

Vatanen goes for an armbar but Fedorov turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Fedorov.
Vatanen 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.

Vatanen looking for a triangle here. Fedorov is fighting it but it looks tight! Vatanen pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Fedorov is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Turo Vatanen!