PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ruslan Guloev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pat McGroin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pat McGroin has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Ruslan Guloev's chin.

Guloev
vs
McGroin

179 cm
25
209 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

188 cm
29
205 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Insanely flexible

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ruslan Guloev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pat McGroin!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Ivan Kurochkin and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McGroin throws an overhand right that lands on Guloev's shoulder, as Guloev tries to avoid the shot.
McGroin throws a jab but it's blocked by Guloev.
McGroin misses with a straight left.
A telegraphed right hand from McGroin misses the target.
Guloev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Guloev closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. McGroin did well to prevent Guloev getting side control.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Guloev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Guloev throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Guloev throwing shots but McGroin is blocking nicely.
Guloev not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Guloev tries to pass to full mount but McGroin defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Guloev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Guloev is nestled in close to McGroin, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Guloev controlling the action here.
Guloev is nestled in close to McGroin, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Guloev sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. McGroin defending well though.
McGroin avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Guloev.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Guloev is nestled in close to McGroin, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Guloev seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if McGroin can do anything to dispel that myth.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Guloev connects with a nice short shot to McGroin's temple.
Guloev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Guloev prevents McGroin from improving his position.
Guloev lands strikes from half guard.
McGroin taking some punishment here, with Guloev in his half guard.
Still in half guard, Guloev seems content to control.
Guloev sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. McGroin defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Guloev throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Guloev missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Guloev sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. McGroin defending well though.
Guloev is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
McGroin keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
McGroin trying to hold on to Guloev's head to control him but Guloev postures up.
McGroin avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Guloev.
McGroin is not content to let Guloev control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Guloev not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Guloev wants to control but McGroin is keeping him busy.
Guloev thows a huge punch but McGroin dodges it nicely.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Guloev thows a huge punch but McGroin dodges it nicely.
Guloev is stalling here. McGroin is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Guloev seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and McGroin has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Guloev is trying to improve his position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Guloev gets back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ruslan Guloev dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Guloev shoots in but no luck this time.
McGroin throws an overhand right that lands on Guloev's shoulder, as Guloev tries to avoid the shot.
McGroin scores with a jab to the body.
McGroin fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Guloev gets a double leg takedown into McGroin's guard.
Guloev has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Guloev throwing strikes but missing.
Guloev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Guloev throwing strikes but missing.
Guloev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
McGroin keeping moving, preventing Guloev from controlling successfully.
McGroin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Guloev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Guloev connects with a couple of short punches.
Guloev is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Guloev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Guloev wants to pass the guard but McGroin is keeping the position.
Guloev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Guloev trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Guloev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Guloev passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Guloev throws an elbow but McGroin slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Guloev throws a strike aimed at the side of McGroin's head but McGroin avoids it well.
Guloev moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Guloev connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused McGroin some visible discomfort.
Guloev lands an elbow.
Guloev throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Guloev working the body and head with strikes.
Guloev misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Guloev tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Guloev lands a few punches from side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Guloev postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Guloev looking to punish the body of his opponent here but McGroin is avoiding damage well.
Guloev misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
McGroin sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ruslan Guloev dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Guloev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with McGroin but McGroin pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ruslan Guloev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Guloev dives in and grabs McGroin's left leg, looking for a takedown. McGroin pushes down on Guloev's head and hops out.
Guloev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. McGroin defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ruslan Guloev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McGroin displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Guloev.
Guloev bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Guloev throws a body kick that misses.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from McGroin.
Guloev shoots in looking for a takedown but McGroin manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Guloev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
McGroin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
McGroin misses with a straight left.
Guloev shoots for a takedown but McGroin saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ruslan Guloev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Guloev has his takedown stuffed
and McGroin counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

It looks like Ruslan Guloev has been cut.
No luck for Guloev with that takedown attempt.
McGroin stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and McGroin wants it to stay on the feet.
McGroin lands a lovely overhand right.
Guloev shoots in looking for a takedown but McGroin manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Guloev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGroin keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Guloev throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McGroin's waist but McGroin gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Guloev off to one side.
McGroin pushes Guloev away with a front kick.
McGroin misses with a wild body shot.
Guloev fails to land the takedown.
Guloev shoots for a takedown but McGroin saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Pat McGroin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Guloev slips a straight right by McGroin.
Guloev shoots in but McGroin avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Guloev takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
This has been an exciting period of action!

McGroin feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Guloev sprawling to the canvas! Guloev rolls over backwards and springs off the ropes and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can McGroin finish him?!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Guloev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from McGroin.
McGroin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Guloev manages to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pat McGroin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Guloev 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight for Ruslan Guloev!
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight for Ruslan Guloev!
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight for Ruslan Guloev!

Ruslan Guloev wins by unanimous decision!