PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexei Erschov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rod The Iceberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Erschov
vs
The Iceberg

170 cm
18
180 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

184 cm
25
178 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Powerful

Nuclear Fight Gear
Mango Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexei Erschov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rod The Iceberg!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Erschov scores with a head kick. The Iceberg tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Erschov fails with an attempt to clinch.
The Iceberg takes a head kick and keeps coming.
The Iceberg slaps away a takedown attempt from Erschov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Erschov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Erschov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. The Iceberg tries to avoid it but Erschov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag The Iceberg to the ground. The Iceberg escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Erschov shoots in and bounces The Iceberg off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
The Iceberg controls Erschov momentarily but Erschov frees himself.
Erschov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. The Iceberg is keeping the position for now.
The Iceberg is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The Iceberg is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Erschov is controlling him.
The Iceberg throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Erschov could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Erschov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as The Iceberg works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Erschov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for The Iceberg on the ground.
Erschov prevents The Iceberg from getting back to his feet.
Erschov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The Iceberg wants to sweep here but Erschov controlling him for the moment.
Erschov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Erschov cracks The Iceberg with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Erschov tries to clinch up.
Erschov throws a head kick that misses.

The Iceberg closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

The Iceberg pulls guard effortlessly.
The Iceberg working a defensive guard here.
Erschov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. The Iceberg is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Iceberg trying to keep a closed guard but Erschov is proving a slippery customer.
The Iceberg wants to get back to his feet but Erschov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Erschov pushing down on The Iceberg's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Erschov wants to advance to full mount but The Iceberg doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
The Iceberg manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The Iceberg in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
The Iceberg trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The Iceberg gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
No luck for The Iceberg with that takedown attempt.

The Iceberg clinches up against the cage.

Erschov breaks the clinch.
Erschov tries to clinch
and The Iceberg counters with a straight right hand.

The Iceberg gets tackled into the cage by Erschov. Erschov maintains the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by The Iceberg.
Erschov scores a nice knee to the body.
Erschov goes for a takedown in the clinch but The Iceberg prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexei Erschov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Erschov is trying to pull guard but The Iceberg has him pressed against the cage.
Erschov is looking to break free of the clinch but The Iceberg has double underhooks.
Erschov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Erschov gets underhooks to prevent The Iceberg's takedown attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Erschov is struggling to control the position.
The Iceberg prevents a takedown attempt there.
Erschov crunches a lovely knee into The Iceberg's ribcage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by The Iceberg as Erschov tries to tie him up.
Erschov drops down looking for an ankle pick but The Iceberg pulls his leg out and moves away.
The Iceberg circles away from the clinch attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
No luck with that takedown attempt from The Iceberg.
Erschov is looking to clinch but The Iceberg is avoiding it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rod The Iceberg will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

The Iceberg tries to clinch there but Erschov circles away.

The Iceberg tries to keep at a distance but Erschov has taken the fight into the clinch.
The Iceberg letting Erschov take a breather here.
Erschov working The Iceberg over with knees to the body.

Erschov pulls guard effortlessly.
Erschov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Erschov keeping moving, preventing The Iceberg from controlling successfully.
The Iceberg slips nicely into half guard.

The Iceberg is looking for a kimura but Erschov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for The Iceberg to get the leverage.
Erschov is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Iceberg passes to full mount!
Erschov is squirming around, avoiding The Iceberg's attempts to control the action.
Erschov is trying desperately to improve position.
Rod The Iceberg has got the better of the ground game so far.
Erschov swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.

The Iceberg wants to finish this one by submission but Erschov is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from The Iceberg.
Erschov is desperately trying to improve his position but The Iceberg has a good base and remains in mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Erschov gets back to half guard.
Erschov is trying to get back to full guard.
The Iceberg is keen to just control but Erschov is a slippery customer.
Erschov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The Iceberg stops Erschov from getting back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The Iceberg trying to control from half guard but Erschov is working away.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Rod The Iceberg wasn't active enough on the ground.
The Iceberg throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
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!

The Iceberg darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Erschov tries to roll over but The Iceberg keeps him under control.
Erschov is looking to control The Iceberg's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Erschov avoid being mounted?
Erschov landing strikes from the bottom.
The Iceberg is keen to just control but Erschov is a slippery customer.
Erschov keeping hold of The Iceberg's head, controlling as best he can.

The Iceberg is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Erschov sees it coming and defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Iceberg stalling away here and it's allowed Erschov to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Erschov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Erschov keeping moving, preventing The Iceberg from controlling successfully.
The Iceberg is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Erschov looking to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Rod The Iceberg.
Erschov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Rod The Iceberg will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Erschov tries to clinch up but The Iceberg circles away and keeps his distance.
The Iceberg tries to close the distance and clinch up but Erschov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Alexei Erschov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Erschov lands a nice leg kick that just misses The Iceberg's sensitive parts.
The Iceberg circles away from the clinch attempt
and The Iceberg counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Erschov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. The Iceberg manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
The Iceberg tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Erschov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
The Iceberg tries to clinch but Erschov is having none of it.
The Iceberg avoids the head kick by Erschov.

Erschov tries to sprawl but The Iceberg drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The Iceberg wants to lay and pray for a moment but Erschov keeps working.

The Iceberg is working for a submission of some sort.
Erschov trying to hold on to The Iceberg's head to control him but The Iceberg postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Iceberg works his way into side control.
The Iceberg wants to lay and pray for a moment but Erschov keeps working.
The Iceberg scores with punches from side control.
Erschov gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Erschov is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The Iceberg stands up from mount. Strange move.
Erschov is looking to clinch but The Iceberg is avoiding it.
Erschov throws a quick head kick that skims the top of The Iceberg's head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Erschov manages to get an easy takedown there - catching The Iceberg on his heels. He'll look to pass The Iceberg's guard now, I'm sure.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The Iceberg is trying to hold Erschov in close to prevent damage but Erschov has managed to pass into half guard.

The Iceberg looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The Iceberg wants to improve his position but Erschov is controlling well.
The Iceberg pushes Erschov off looking to stand but Erschov dives back in and keeps control.
Erschov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Erschov trying to mount his opponent but The Iceberg defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Erschov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. The Iceberg defending well though.

Erschov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Erschov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rod The Iceberg is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The Iceberg wants to control but Erschov is keeping busy.
Erschov wants to pass to mount but The Iceberg is defending the position.
The Iceberg is looking to control Erschov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can The Iceberg avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Erschov trying to control from half guard but The Iceberg is working away.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Rod The Iceberg was stalling too much, according to the referee.
The Iceberg keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Erschov gets caught napping as The Iceberg dives in and scores a takedown. Erschov manages to retain guard.
Erschov trying to keep a closed guard but The Iceberg is proving a slippery customer.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The Iceberg works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Alexei Erschov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The Iceberg is looking to take a break and control but Erschov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rod The Iceberg comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got The Iceberg 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 27:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rod The Iceberg!
Rod The Iceberg very nearly forgot to thank Nuclear Fight Gear amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.