PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksander Yaroslev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bill Goldberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Yaroslev
vs
Goldberg

205 cm
19
285 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

193 cm
21
255 lbs
5 - 4 - 1

Decent wrestler
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Aleksander Yaroslev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 1, fighting out of New York, Bill Goldberg!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Alyssa Summers and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Goldberg drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Goldberg working the ground and pound but Yaroslev is defending the strikes.
Goldberg tries to move to mount but Yaroslev blocks the move with his legs.
Goldberg working the ground and pound from side control.
Goldberg looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Yaroslev is avoiding damage well.
Yaroslev stops Goldberg from passing to mount.
Goldberg lands an elbow.
Yaroslev on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Yaroslev tries to get out of the position.
Goldberg sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Yaroslev is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Yaroslev dodges the ground and pound from Goldberg.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Goldberg scoring with punches and elbows.
The strikes coming from Goldberg are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Goldberg is trying to ground and pound but Yaroslev uses the momentary lack of control by Goldberg to regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goldberg is pressing down on Yaroslev's thigh, looking to free his foot. Yaroslev is holding on for now.
Yaroslev wants to get back to full guard.
Yaroslev is working hard here to advance position.
Goldberg missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Goldberg is looking to pass Yaroslev's guard but actually Yaroslev recovers to full guard.
Yaroslev knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Goldberg on the ground.
Goldberg advances position into side control!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yaroslev tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Goldberg wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Goldberg tries to advance to mount but can't.
Goldberg working the ground and pound but Yaroslev is defending the strikes.
Goldberg lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Goldberg with the ground and pound but Yaroslev regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Goldberg is looking to advance position but Yaroslev won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Goldberg is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goldberg scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Goldberg takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Goldberg throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Yaroslev to regain full guard.
Goldberg has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Goldberg pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Yaroslev is keeping the position for now.
Goldberg throws an elbow that misses. Yaroslev uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Goldberg's guard. Nice move by Yaroslev!
Yaroslev is working Goldberg over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Goldberg wants to sweep here but Yaroslev controlling him for the moment.
Yaroslev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yaroslev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Yaroslev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Goldberg 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.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Goldberg preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Yaroslev throws a big elbow that misses.
Yaroslev postures up in Goldberg's guard and throws a big left but Goldberg blocks it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Yaroslev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Yaroslev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Yaroslev is in close to Goldberg's body, working some short punches and elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bill Goldberg 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.

Goldberg drives through with a takedown into Yaroslev's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Goldberg wants to pass the guard but Yaroslev is keeping the position.
Yaroslev will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Goldberg is fighting to break Yaroslev's control of his arms but Yaroslev is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Goldberg wants to pass the guard but Yaroslev is keeping the position.
Yaroslev trying to control the position here.

Yaroslev is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Goldberg is aware though and is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goldberg landing with the ground and pound.
Goldberg throws an elbow that misses. Yaroslev uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Goldberg's guard. Nice move by Yaroslev!
Yaroslev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bill Goldberg has got the better of the ground game so far.
Goldberg avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Goldberg bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Yaroslev's guard.
Yaroslev keeping full guard, as Goldberg tries to pass.
Yaroslev looking for a sweep. Not yet Yaroslev, not yet.
Goldberg throws an elbow that misses. Yaroslev uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Goldberg's guard. Nice move by Yaroslev!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yaroslev distracts Goldberg with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yaroslev lands a couple of digs.
Goldberg preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Yaroslev forces his way into half guard.
Yaroslev thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Goldberg regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Yaroslev.
Yaroslev throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yaroslev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Yaroslev throws a big elbow that misses.
Yaroslev throwing strikes but missing.
Yaroslev is pushing down on Goldberg's leg trying to pass to half guard. Goldberg is fighting to maintain full guard but Yaroslev has managed to sneak the leg through.
Goldberg avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Yaroslev.
Goldberg blocking the ground and pound attempt from Yaroslev.
Yaroslev looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Goldberg with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Yaroslev thows a huge punch but Goldberg dodges it nicely.
Goldberg is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yaroslev throws a strike but Goldberg avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Yaroslev postures up in Goldberg's guard and throws a big left but Goldberg blocks it.
Goldberg avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Yaroslev won't allow Goldberg to sweep him here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Yaroslev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Goldberg working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Yaroslev.
Yaroslev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Yaroslev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Yaroslev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aleksander Yaroslev dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Yaroslev throws a nice inside leg kick.
Yaroslev throws a leg kick but Goldberg sees it coming and moves out of range.
Yaroslev throws a front kick aimed at Goldberg's knee but Goldberg avoids it well.
Bill Goldberg seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Goldberg looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Yaroslev!
Goldberg putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Goldberg thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Goldberg scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Yaroslev?
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Goldberg lands with some strikes.
Goldberg is landing with some decent strikes but Yaroslev is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Goldberg putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

Yaroslev is rocked!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Goldberg lands a big elbow.
Oh Yaroslev is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Goldberg looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Goldberg prevents Yaroslev from getting the reversal.
Goldberg with a couple of short strikes.
Goldberg postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Yaroslev looks a forlorn figure.
Goldberg 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goldberg throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Yaroslev blocking the ground and pound.
Goldberg sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Goldberg working the ground and pound effectively.
Yaroslev is trying desperately to improve position.
Goldberg working the ground and pound effectively.
Yaroslev takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Yaroslev avoids a series of strikes thrown by Goldberg.
Goldberg breaks from Yaroslev's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Goldberg lands a heavy elbow.
Goldberg raining down hammerfists from mount.
Yaroslev is bucking up trying to escape but Goldberg cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Goldberg putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Goldberg postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Yaroslev looks a forlorn figure.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
BOOM! Goldberg connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Yaroslev is trying desperately to improve position.
Goldberg with shots to the head and body - Yaroslev looks very uncomfortable down there.
Goldberg lands a nice shot to the head.
Goldberg pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
A nice elbow there by Goldberg.
Goldberg pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Goldberg. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
BOOM! Goldberg connects with a massive shot to the dome!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Goldberg cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Goldberg putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Goldberg fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Goldberg pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Goldberg looking to finish Yaroslev with some ground and pound. This is bad for Yaroslev!
Goldberg scores with a couple of good head shots there.
The referee warns Yaroslev that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Goldberg punishing his opponent with strikes.
Goldberg scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Goldberg scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Goldberg lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Goldberg with a couple of short strikes.
Goldberg is landing with some decent strikes but Yaroslev is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Goldberg putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Goldberg landing strikes from the mount and Yaroslev is in trouble!
BOOM! Goldberg connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Goldberg lands a nice shot to the head.
Goldberg lands a heavy elbow.
Goldberg punishing his opponent with strikes.
Goldberg is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Yaroslev working to try and regain half guard.
Goldberg lands a heavy elbow.
Goldberg scoring with strikes but Yaroslev is staying in there.
Goldberg connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Goldberg putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Goldberg looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Goldberg postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Yaroslev looks a forlorn figure.
Goldberg punishing his opponent with strikes.
Goldberg has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Goldberg raining down hammerfists from mount.
Yaroslev seems to have got his legs back now.
Yaroslev sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Goldberg uses his free foot to push down on Yaroslev's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Yaroslev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yaroslev is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Goldberg pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Goldberg lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Goldberg working some short elbows here. He postures up to throw some more ground and pound but Yaroslev slips a leg through to get back to half guard. Nice work.
Goldberg sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Yaroslev defending well though.
Yaroslev works his way to full guard. Good work.
Goldberg postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Goldberg pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Yaroslev is keeping the position for now.
Yaroslev pulls Goldberg in close to prevent any damage.
Goldberg throws a big right hand that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Goldberg accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Yaroslev trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Yaroslev bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Goldberg's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Yaroslev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Goldberg managing to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bill Goldberg comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Goldberg has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bill Goldberg!