PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Staal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Boris Kharitonov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Staal
vs
Kharitonov

195 cm
28
230 lbs
20 - 6 - 0

207 cm
32
272 lbs
23 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin

Brute

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Staal!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Boris Kharitonov!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Seu Braga and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Staal misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Staal connects with a leg kick. Kharitonov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Staal throws a head kick that misses.
Staal throws a head kick that misses.
Kharitonov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Staal stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Staal attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Staal lands a nice looking kick to the body. Kharitonov takes a step back to recover.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Staal.
Staal misses the jab.
Staal fails with the takedown.
Kharitonov misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kharitonov tries to clinch but Staal moves away
and Staal counters with a good, hard body kick but Kharitonov shrugs it off.
Kharitonov ducks right into an uppercut from Staal.
Staal scores with a kick to the midsection.
Boris Kharitonov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Kharitonov tries to sprawl but Staal drives through with a takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Staal is thwarting Kharitonov's attempts to control the position.
Staal not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kharitonov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Staal looks to land a strike but Kharitonov avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Staal working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Staal throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Staal trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kharitonov keeping moving, preventing Staal from controlling successfully.
Kharitonov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Staal throwing strikes from guard but Kharitonov blocks nicely.
Staal throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Staal throws a strike but Kharitonov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Staal is controlling Kharitonov's posture.
Kharitonov wants to stand and escape but instead Staal has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Kharitonov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kharitonov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kharitonov keeping moving, preventing Staal from controlling successfully.
Kharitonov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Staal throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kharitonov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Staal working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kharitonov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Staal postures up.
Kharitonov keeping moving, preventing Staal from controlling successfully.
Kharitonov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Staal is one step ahead there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kharitonov keeping moving, preventing Staal from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Staal dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kharitonov misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kharitonov throws a jab when Staal was well out of range.

Staal looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Kharitonov!
The referee warns Kharitonov that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Staal sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Staal with good strikes from the mount here!
Staal throws some wild stikes that Kharitonov manages to avoid easily.
Staal with a couple of short strikes.
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!
Staal throwing strikes here but Kharitonov is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Staal controlling the position easily from mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Staal scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Kharitonov?
Staal working the ground and pound effectively.
Staal lands a big shot there that rocks Kharitonov but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Staal cracks Kharitonov with a big head shot that has him covering up instantly! He's rolled onto his side and the referee has seen enough - this one is aaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). John Staal!
John Staal retains his heavyweight title!