PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dos Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Viacheslav Eltsov (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.

Santos
vs
Eltsov

191 cm
26
245 lbs
12 - 7 - 1

192 cm
27
251 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Resistance

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 12 - 7 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Dos Santos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Viacheslav Eltsov!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Aleksandr Martynov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santos scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Eltsov doesn't seem bothered though.
Santos ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Santos throws a hook to the side of Eltsov's head but Eltsov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Eltsov shoots in but no luck this time.
Eltsov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Santos's waist but Santos gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Eltsov off to one side.
Santos throws a big shot that misses.
Santos ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Eltsov moves away.

Santos drops Eltsov with a right and a left! Santos comes rushing in but Eltsov regains his composure and manages to keep Santos in guard.

Eltsov is rocked!

It looks like Viacheslav Eltsov has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Santos postures up.
Eltsov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Santos kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos controls from within his opponent's guard.
Eltsov manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Eltsov looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eltsov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Santos tries to hold on but Eltsov postures up.
Santos is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Eltsov controlling from the full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santos tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Eltsov tries to control but Santos wriggling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eltsov content just to control the position here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Viacheslav Eltsov has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Eltsov fails to land the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dos Santos dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Viacheslav Eltsov's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Santos jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Eltsov shoots in for a double leg but Santos sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Eltsov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Santos.
Eltsov slips under a jab from Santos.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Eltsov shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting Santos counter with a right hand.
Dos Santos is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eltsov misses with a takedown

and Santos counters with a right hand that sends Eltsov tumbling to the canvas! Can Santos finish him? He dives into Eltsov's guard looking to do just that!
Dos Santos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Viacheslav Eltsov.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Eltsov working a defensive guard here.

Eltsov looking for subs off his back but Santos has passed one foot through into half guard.
Santos works his way into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santos trying to control the position but Eltsov is working away.
Santos is really struggling to control Eltsov but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Santos wants to control for a moment but Eltsov uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.

Santos is looking for a kimura here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santos tries to pass to full mount but Eltsov defends it.
Eltsov wants to control but Santos is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Santos is controlling the pace.
Santos is thwarting Eltsov's attempts to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santos not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Eltsov wants to get back to full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Santos is stalling here. Eltsov is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Santos seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Eltsov has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Santos is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dos Santos dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Viacheslav Eltsov's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Eltsov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Santos makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Eltsov really felt that one!
Santos works the jab nicely.
Eltsov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Santos.
Santos tried to score with a low kick but Eltsov checks it.
Santos scores with a decent looking hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Eltsov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Santos swivels and escapes.
Eltsov shoots in and drives through. Santos sprawls well.
Dos Santos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Viacheslav Eltsov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

Santos moves into the clinch.
Eltsov is trying desperately to land a takedown but Santos is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Eltsov.
Eltsov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Santos smiles and moves away.
Santos does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Eltsov looks for a takedown but Santos sprawls well.
Santos lands with a nice body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santos throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Santos steps into range and cracks Eltsov with a monster punch that buckles his knees! Eltsov flops backwards and Santos dives into his guard looking to finish!
Eltsov is still in real trouble! Can Santos finish him?
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Santos not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Eltsov seems to have recovered his senses.
Santos tries to free his leg and advance position but Eltsov is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Eltsov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Santos can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Santos is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Eltsov can do to turn this around?
Santos looking to pass the guard.

Eltsov has his foot on Santos's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Santos works his way back into a safe position though.
Santos is looking to advance position but Eltsov has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eltsov controlling his opponent.
Dos Santos is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Viacheslav Eltsov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Eltsov wants to control the pace but Santos is squirming around nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dos Santos showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Santos, 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dos Santos!