PBP Commentary

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

Andreev
vs
Shlemenko

204 cm
20
245 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

192 cm
24
239 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Stas Andreev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Shlemenko!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Sergei Dronov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Andreev landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Andreev is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Shlemenko is defending well for now.
With the fighters up against the cage, Andreev throws an elbow but misses.

Shlemenko gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Shlemenko stops Andreev from standing up.

Shlemenko drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Shlemenko jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Shlemenko is stalling in the full guard.
Shlemenko distracts Andreev with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Andreev is looking to stand up but Shlemenko isn't so interested in that idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shlemenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Andreev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Andreev is looking to stand up but Shlemenko isn't so interested in that idea.
Shlemenko landing some decent shots from guard.

Shlemenko gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Shlemenko gets a clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Andreev just misses with a elbow thrown towards Shlemenko's brow.

Shlemenko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Andreev moves into the clinch.

Shlemenko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Andreev gets tackled into the cage by Shlemenko. Shlemenko maintains the clinch.
Andreev tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shlemenko avoids it.

Shlemenko breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Andreev rushes Shlemenko and presses him up against the cage.
Andreev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Shlemenko tries for a takedown. No joy.
Shlemenko looks gassed!
Andreev wants to get back to striking at distance but Shlemenko won't allow it.
Shlemenko takes a knee right on the jaw!
Shlemenko is trying to break the clinch but Andreev is controlling him.
Shlemenko wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Andreev has him pressed against the cage.

Andreev breaks the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Shlemenko breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Stas Andreev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shlemenko looks for a takedown but Andreev sprawls well.
Shlemenko closes this distance looking for a takedown but Andreev circles away.
Stas Andreev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Shlemenko.

Shlemenko tries to keep at a distance but Andreev has taken the fight into the clinch.
Andreev trying to land knees to the body.
Shlemenko takes an elbow to the forehead.

Andreev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shlemenko tries to clinch

and Andreev holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Andreev.

Andreev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Shlemenko shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Andreev as he avoids it easily.

Andreev clinches up against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Andreev just misses with a elbow thrown towards Shlemenko's brow.
Andreev gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Andreev creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Shlemenko's defenses.
Andreev lands an elbow that stopped Shlemenko in his tracks for a moment.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Andreev just misses with a elbow thrown towards Shlemenko's brow.
Andreev tries a knee to the head but Shlemenko blocks it.
Andreev creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Shlemenko's defenses.
Andreev missing with knees to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Andreev.
Andreev comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Shlemenko is trying to push Andreev away but Andreev has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Andreev lands a shoulder strike.
Andreev keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Shlemenko's efforts to push away.
Andreev gets through Shlemenko's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Andreev creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Shlemenko's defenses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Andreev lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Shlemenko or not.
Shlemenko is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Shlemenko tries to pull guard but Andreev holds him up against the cage and eventually Shlemenko drops back down to his feet.
Andreev lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Shlemenko tries for a takedown. No joy.
Andreev lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Andreev lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Shlemenko dodges an elbow strike from Andreev.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Andreev just misses with a elbow thrown towards Shlemenko's brow.
Shlemenko is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Andreev pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Andreev pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Shlemenko dodges an elbow strike from Andreev.
Andreev lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Andreev pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Shlemenko pushes Andreev back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Shlemenko has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Andreev is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Andreev lands an elbow just above Shlemenko 's eye.
Andreev throws an elbow that misses.
Shlemenko avoids the elbow strike from Andreev, against the cage.
Andreev looks to throw an elbow but misses.

Shlemenko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shlemenko shoots in for a double leg but Andreev sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Stas Andreev will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Andreev instigates a clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Andreev creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Shlemenko tries to pull guard but Andreev holds him up against the cage and eventually Shlemenko drops back down to his feet.
Shlemenko blocks an elbow strike from Andreev.

Shlemenko breaks from the clinch.
Stas Andreev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Andreev has Shlemenko up against the cage in a clinch.
Shlemenko blocks an elbow strike.

Andreev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Andreev stuffs the takedown.

Andreev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Andreev lands a right hand that snaps the head of Shlemenko backwards.
Andreev tries to land a knee to the head but Shlemenko blocks with his arms.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Andreev keeps control of Shlemenko as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Andreev misses with an elbow strike.

Andreev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Andreev darts in and clinches Shlemenko up against the cage.
Shlemenko wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Andreev misses with an elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Andreev creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Shlemenko tries to break the clinch but Andreev is controlling the position.
Shlemenko takes an elbow to the forehead.
Andreev lands a right hand that snaps the head of Shlemenko backwards.
Andreev lands a knee to the body.
A knee to the head by Andreev.
Andreev lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Shlemenko has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Andreev avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Stas Andreev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Shlemenko.
Andreev lands a nice elbow.
Andreev lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Andreev misses with an elbow strike.
Andreev throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Shlemenkos head.
Nice elbow from Andreev.
Andreev working Shlemenko over with knees to the body.
Andreev misses with a knee to the head.

Andreev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Andreev has taken the fight to the clinch.
Shlemenko jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Andreev walks away with a smile on his face. Shlemenko gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Andreev pushes Shlemenko up against the cage in a clinch.
Andreev throws a punch but it's blocked by Shlemenko.

Shlemenko's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Andreev forces Shlemenko back against the cage and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shlemenko blocks an uppercut.
Andreev lands an elbow just above Shlemenko 's eye.
Nice body punch from Shlemenko - that landed with a thud.
Shlemenko wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Shlemenko tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Andreev lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Andreev lands a nice elbow.
Andreev lands an elbow that stopped Shlemenko in his tracks for a moment.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Andreev just misses with a elbow thrown towards Shlemenko's brow.
Shlemenko takes an elbow to the forehead.
Andreev throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Shlemenko blocks an elbow strike from Andreev.

Shlemenko breaks from the clinch.
Shlemenko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shlemenko swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Andreev has closed the distance and engaged Shlemenko in a clinch.
Andreev pushes off an throws an elbow but Shlemenko leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Andreev prevents Shlemenko from breaking the clinch.
Andreev tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shlemenko avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Shlemenko pulls guard effortlessly.
Shlemenko is striking off his back. Andreev thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Andreev prevents Shlemenko from standing back up.
Shlemenko wants to improve his position but Andreev is controlling well.
Shlemenko is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Shlemenko is trying to stand up here but Andreev is controlling him well.

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.
Shlemenko regains full guard. Nicely done.
Andreev preventing the sweep.
Andreev wants to stand but Shlemenko has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Shlemenko has control of Andreev's left arm, preventing Andreev from doing any damage.
Andreev wanted to stand there but Shlemenko had control of the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stas Andreev dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A head kick misses from Shlemenko.
Andreev circles away from the clinch attempt

and Andreev counters by clinching up.
Nice elbow from Andreev.
Shlemenko goes for a takedown attempt but Andreev pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Shlemenko tries for a takedown but Andreev sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Shlemenko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Andreev closes the distance and clinches.
Shlemenko wants a takedown.
Stas Andreev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Shlemenko.
Andreev trying to land knees to the body.
Nice elbow from Andreev.

It looks like Alexander Shlemenko has been cut.
Andreev using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Shlemenko has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Andreev just misses with a elbow thrown towards Shlemenko's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Andreev pushes off an throws an elbow but Shlemenko leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Andreev lands an elbow that stopped Shlemenko in his tracks for a moment.
Andreev lands a right hand.

Andreev breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Andreev rushes Shlemenko and presses him up against the cage.
Andreev lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Shlemenko takes an elbow to the temple.
Andreev is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Shlemenko is defending well for now.
Andreev is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Andreev tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Shlemenko avoids it.
Shlemenko's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Andreev lands an elbow inside that Shlemenko shrugs off.
Andreev softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Shlemenko takes an elbow to the forehead.
Andreev looks to throw an elbow but misses.

Shlemenko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shlemenko shoots in but no luck this time.
Andreev circles away from the clinch attempt.
Andreev defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Shlemenko.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shlemenko gets tackled into the cage by Andreev. Andreev maintains the clinch.
Andreev keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Shlemenko's efforts to push away.
Andreev gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Andreev with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Shlemenko works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Shlemenko gets to his feet. Andreev looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Shlemenko tries to close the distance and clinch but Andreev swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Shlemenko tries to keep at a distance but Andreev has taken the fight into the clinch.

Shlemenko's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Andreev fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Shlemenko, pushing him back against the cage.
Andreev pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Andreev connects with a nasty looking knee right to Shlemenko's face.
Shlemenko blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Andreev prevents the takedown attempt.
Shlemenko blocks an elbow strike.

Shlemenko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Shlemenko moves into the clinch.
Alexander Shlemenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shlemenko goes for a takedown in the clinch but Andreev prevents it.

Shlemenko turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shlemenko working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Shlemenko prevents Andreev from escaping the position.

Shlemenko decides to stand up, so the ref orders Andreev to his feet.
Shlemenko shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Andreev but Andreev pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Andreev clinches up against the cage.
Andreev using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shlemenko wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Andreev lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Shlemenko.
Andreev lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Shlemenko managing to block the knees to the body from Andreev.
Shlemenko scores with a shoulder strike.

Shlemenko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Andreev clinches up against the cage.
Shlemenko blocks an elbow strike.

Shlemenko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Andreev closes the distance and clinches.
Andreev throws a knee to the head but misses.
Andreev with a knee to the head.
A short left from Shlemenko.
Andreev creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Shlemenko's defenses.
Shlemenko is working for takedown but Andreev is calmly controlling the position for now.
Andreev lands an elbow that stopped Shlemenko in his tracks for a moment.

Andreev is fighting off a takedown attempt but Shlemenko is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Andreev to the mat. Andreev regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shlemenko controls from within his opponent's guard.
Stas Andreev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Shlemenko connects with a couple of short punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Alexander Shlemenko.
I think Andreev 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stas Andreev!