PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ed Crusher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Nifontov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Crusher
vs
Nifontov

185 cm
19
145 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

172 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ed Crusher!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Nifontov!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Konstantin Menshow and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Crusher gets a double leg takedown into Nifontov's guard.

Nifontov pushes Crusher off and gets back to his feet.
Ed Crusher seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Crusher closes the distance but Nifontov moves to the side

and Nifontov counters with a shoot takedown. Crusher fights it but they end up in guard.
Crusher really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Crusher is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nifontov defends well.
Crusher is breathing heavily.

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

Nifontov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Nifontov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Nifontov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nifontov stopping the sweep attempt from Crusher.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Nifontov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Nifontov drops back looking for a leg! Crusher is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Crusher manages to kick Nifontov off! Nifontov jumps back into Crusher's guard.
Nifontov trying to control but Crusher is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nifontov drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Crusher manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Nifontov has Crusher in his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Nifontov wriggles free and stands up.
Crusher wants to clinch up but Nifontov keeps it at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nifontov shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Crusher defends it nicely.

Crusher throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Nifontov was covering up waiting for the punch and Crusher finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Crusher throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nifontov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nifontov wants to stand but Crusher is controlling the position.
Crusher working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Nifontov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Crusher will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Crusher is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nifontov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Crusher is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Nifontov dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Nifontov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Crusher gets a clinch.
Nifontov is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Crusher gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Crusher trying to stall but Nifontov improves his position.
Crusher is trying to push Nifontov away but Nifontov has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Nifontov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Nifontov has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Crusher regains guard immediately.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Nifontov is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Crusher is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Crusher has escaped and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nifontov is looking to stand back up but Crusher counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Nifontov.

Nifontov pushes Crusher off and gets back to his feet.

Nifontov gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Crusher to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Nifontov keeping full guard, as Crusher tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nifontov has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Crusher off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Crusher tries to grapple but his opponent circles

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crusher is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Nifontov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Nifontov postures up.
Nifontov content to stall in guard here.
Crusher keeping moving, preventing Nifontov from controlling successfully.

Nifontov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nifontov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Crusher throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Nifontov drops back, looking for a kneebar! Crusher looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Crusher looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Crusher!
Crusher lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Nifontov 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. This is the final round!

Crusher looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Nifontov!

Nifontov bucks Crusher off and manages to get back to his feet!

Crusher closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Crusher lands in his opponent's guard.

Nifontov pushes Crusher off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Nifontov.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Crusher is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Nifontov's half guard.
Nifontov wants to get back to his feet.
Crusher controlling the pace.

Nifontov makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Crusher gets caught napping as Nifontov dives in and scores a takedown. Crusher manages to retain guard.

Nifontov drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Crusher dives on top into guard.
Crusher wants to get up but he can't break Nifontov's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nifontov keeping full guard, as Crusher tries to pass.
Nifontov keeping moving, preventing Crusher from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nifontov scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Crusher throws a head kick but Nifontov moves out of range.

Nifontov shoots in and gets a takedown into Crusher's guard.

Nifontov drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Crusher dives on top into guard.
Ivan Nifontov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nifontov being controlled here, momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Crusher stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Ivan Nifontov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Crusher is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Crusher tries to clinch up

and Nifontov counters with a nice double leg into guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ivan Nifontov.
I've got Nifontov winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 28:29
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Nifontov!