PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Igor Maksimenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anton Andreev (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.

Maksimenko
vs
Andreev

180 cm
21
170 lbs
0 - 2 - 3

184 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 3, fighting out of St Petersburg, Igor Maksimenko!
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, Anton Andreev!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Illya Tyunina and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Andreev shoots in but no luck this time.
Anton Andreev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Andreev darts in trying to clinch

and Maksimenko counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Maksimenko.
Andreev jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Maksimenko walks away with a smile on his face. Andreev gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Andreev darts in trying to clinch

and Maksimenko counters by moving into the clinch.
Maksimenko blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Andreev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Andreev throws a head kick that misses.
Andreev tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Maksimenko paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Andreev tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Maksimenko swivels and escapes.
Igor Maksimenko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Anton Andreev.
Maksimenko shoots in but Andreev avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Maksimenko fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Andreev avoids it really well and circles away.

Andreev gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Andreev prevents a takedown attempt there.
Andreev is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Maksimenko is keeping busy.
Maksimenko is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Andreev dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Andreev tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Maksimenko avoids it.
Andreev blocks an elbow strike.
Maksimenko on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Maksimenko jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Andreev walks away with a smile on his face. Maksimenko gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab by Andreev.
Maksimenko throws a leg kick but Andreev sees it coming and moves out of range.
Maksimenko swats away the attempt to clinch by Andreev.
Andreev fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Andreev wants to clinch but Maksimenko slips to the side

so Maksimenko counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Andreev has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Maksimenko can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Andreev has his foot on Maksimenko's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Maksimenko works his way back into a safe position though.
Maksimenko has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Andreev looks winded!
Maksimenko content to stall in guard here.
Andreev keeping moving, preventing Maksimenko from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Igor Maksimenko wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Maksimenko throws a head kick but Andreev moves out of range.
Andreev tries to clinch but Maksimenko is having none of it.
Maksimenko tries to clinch but Andreev is having none of it.
Maksimenko misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
The fight stays on the outside here - Andreev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Maksimenko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Andreev pushes Maksimenko up against the cage in a clinch.
Andreev wants to get back to striking at distance but Maksimenko won't allow it.
Maksimenko tries to score a body lock takedown but Andreev shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Andreev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Maksimenko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Maksimenko looks to score with a jab to the body but Andreev is just out of range.
Andreev misses with a takedown

and Maksimenko counters by clinching up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Andreev is trying to stall.
Maksimenko tries to work over Andreev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Igor Maksimenko will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Maksimenko shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Andreev but Andreev pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Maksimenko defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Andreev.
Maksimenko circles away from the clinch attempt.
Andreev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Maksimenko shoots in and drives through. Andreev sprawls well.
Andreev fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Andreev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Andreev tries to clinch there but Maksimenko circles away.

Maksimenko fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Andreev to the ground. Maksimenko is now in Andreev's guard.
Andreev manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Maksimenko manages to get himself to full guard.
Maksimenko not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maksimenko is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Andreev defends well.
Maksimenko throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Andreev looking to pass the guard.
Maksimenko wants to control but Andreev passes easily into half guard.
Maksimenko is trying to get back to full guard.
Maksimenko knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Andreev on the ground.
Maksimenko is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Andreev's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Andreev's back!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Andreev is really stuck here.
Andreev breaks Maksimenko's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Maksimenko on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Maksimenko tries to get out of the position.
Andreev pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maksimenko is keeping the position for now.
Andreev is breathing heavily.
Maksimenko looking for a sweep. Not yet Maksimenko, not yet.

Andreev thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Andreev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Andreev pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maksimenko is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Andreev decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Maksimenko, up you get!
Andreev closes the distance looking to clinch

and Maksimenko counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Andreev!

Maksimenko is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Andreev has escaped the position, nice work there.

Maksimenko wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Andreev, who protects the arm well.
Maksimenko tries to move into full mount but can't pass Andreev's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Andreev is pushing Maksimenko's head away, looking to escape. Maksimenko manages to hold on to the position though.
Andreev tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Maksimenko presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Andreev really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maksimenko won't let Andreev get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Maksimenko putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

Maksimenko is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Andreev has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Andreev!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Igor Maksimenko will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Andreev moves in looking to clinch but Maksimenko pushes him off.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Andreev missing with knees to the body.
Andreev pushes off an throws an elbow but Maksimenko leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Andreev tries to break the clinch but Maksimenko is controlling the position.
Andreev is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Maksimenko landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Andreev misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Maksimenko.
Andreev looking to stall.
Andreev jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Maksimenko walks away with a smile on his face. Andreev gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Igor Maksimenko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Andreev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maksimenko drives through and clinches with Andreev against the cage.
Andreev can't get the takedown.

Maksimenko lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Maksimenko is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Maksimenko escapes and gets back to his feet.

Maksimenko drives through with a takedown into Andreev's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Maksimenko won't allow Andreev to sweep him here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Andreev is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Maksimenko is controlling him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Maksimenko stands and throws Andreev's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Andreev tries to buck Maksimenko off but Maksimenko is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Andreev is working to avoid the ground and pound but Maksimenko connects with a decent elbow.
Andreev wants to get back to his feet but Maksimenko is dominant here and he's now got Andreev's back!
Andreev wants to escape the position.

Maksimenko working for the choke.
Maksimenko is riding his opponent, not letting Andreev buck him off.
Igor Maksimenko overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maksimenko lands punches and elbows.
Maksimenko just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Andreev looking very determined here, making life difficult for Maksimenko.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Good control from Maksimenko.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Maksimenko is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Andreev is defending well though. Maksimenko let's go of the attempt for now.
Andreev is trying to stand back up.
Anton Andreev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Igor Maksimenko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Igor Maksimenko showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Maksimenko, 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:28
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Igor Maksimenko!