PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Vasiliy Khrapov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Saul Tigh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Khrapov might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Rocky road to Dublin (RUS). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Khrapov
vs
Tigh

178 cm
28
170 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

182 cm
21
180 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vasiliy Khrapov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Saul Tigh!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Aleksandr Martynov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tigh shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Khrapov as he avoids it easily.
Khrapov scores with a leg kick.
Tigh slips under a jab.
Vasiliy Khrapov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Khrapov thuds his right hand into Tigh's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Khrapov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Tigh stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Khrapov leaves Tigh with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Khrapov digs a good body shot into Tigh's ribs.
Nice uppercut there from Khrapov.
Khrapov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Khrapov throws a shot to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A decent looking cross lands there for Khrapov.

It looks like Saul Tigh has been cut.
Tigh gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nice defenses there by Tigh.
Khrapov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A left lands for Khrapov.
Good exchange - Khrapov coming out on top.

Tigh shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tigh trying to control the action but Khrapov is working from the bottom.
Tigh tries to pass the half guard into mount. Khrapov knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Khrapov is trying to get back to full guard.

Tigh is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Khrapov defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tigh wants to lay and pray for a moment but Khrapov keeps working.

Tigh is working for a submission of some sort.

Tigh is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Khrapov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Tigh.
Khrapov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Tigh on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khrapov is trying to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tigh seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Khrapov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Tigh is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Tigh not doing much here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tigh is looking for a kimura but Khrapov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Tigh to get the leverage.
Khrapov tries to get to full guard but Tigh has control of the leg.

Tigh is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tigh moves into full mount! Khrapov won't be happy about that!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vasiliy Khrapov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Saul Tigh's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Khrapov comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Tigh keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Khrapov scores with a body shot.
Tigh on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Tigh keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tigh takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A jab from Khrapov finds it's way through Tigh's defenses.
Khrapov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Tigh. Tigh circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Khrapov throws a body punch but Tigh moves out of range.
Khrapov missing with a left hand there. Tigh was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Khrapov looks to score with a jab to the body but Tigh is just out of range.
Tigh moves away from the strike by Khrapov.
Tigh moves out of range of the strikes.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Tigh is defended easily by Khrapov.
Tigh shoots for a double leg takedown but Khrapov sprawls well. He's pushed Tigh's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khrapov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Khrapov with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Khrapov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tigh manages to avoid it.
Tigh fails with the takedown.
Vasiliy Khrapov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saul Tigh.
Khrapov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nice shot by Khrapov.
Tigh on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Khrapov scores with a shot to the body.
Nice shot by Khrapov.
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!
Khrapov throws a body punch but Tigh moves out of range.
Khrapov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Tigh momentarily.
Khrapov misses with a looping left.
Khrapov is looking to slow Tigh down with leg kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khrapov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Khrapov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Khrapov wants it to stay on the feet.
Khrapov misses with a body shot.
Khrapov displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Tigh darts in looking for a takedown but Khrapov gets double underhooks and turns Tigh into the cage.
Khrapov tries to throw a body punch but Tigh avoids it by throwing Khrapov back against the cage.
Khrapov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tigh has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Tigh goes for a takedown in the clinch but Khrapov prevents it.

Khrapov breaks the clinch.
Khrapov connects with a body shot that sends Tigh's belly button to the back.
A jab lands there for Khrapov.

That has opened up Saul Tigh's cut even more.
Khrapov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Tigh on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Khrapov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Tigh's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khrapov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Khrapov looks to score with a jab to the body but Tigh is just out of range.
Khrapov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Khrapov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Khrapov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tigh.
Tigh shoots for a takedown but Khrapov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Khrapov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Khrapov lands a jab to Tigh's midsection.
Tigh has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Tigh there as he acknowledges the shot.
Khrapov cracks Tigh with a right hand to the side of the head.
Nice straight punches there by Khrapov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Khrapov.
Khrapov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tigh.
Khrapov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Khrapov thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tigh tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Khrapov defends well and Tigh ends up having to push Khrapov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tigh wants a takedown but no success here.

Khrapov manages to break the clinch.
Khrapov lands with a hook. Tigh tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Tigh shoots in and bounces Khrapov off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Tigh works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Khrapov trying to hold on to Tigh's head to control him but Tigh postures up.

Tigh is looking for a kimura but Khrapov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Tigh to get the leverage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vasiliy Khrapov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Saul Tigh's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

A jab lands there for Khrapov.
Jab, jab by Khrapov - just one landing.
Khrapov connects with a crisp jab.
Khrapov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Khrapov stuns Tigh with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Tigh shoots for a takedown but Khrapov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Khrapov connects with a jab.
Khrapov takes a swing at Tigh's ribcage but misses.
Khrapov stuffs the takedown attempt from Tigh. Tigh gets slowly back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tigh shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Khrapov pinned against the cage. Khrapov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Vasiliy Khrapov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Saul Tigh.
Khrapov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Khrapov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Tigh takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Khrapov scores with a punch to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khrapov misses with a body shot.
Khrapov lands a really nice looking cross but Tigh seems unphased.

The cut above Saul Tigh's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Khrapov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tigh.
Vasiliy Khrapov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tigh takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Tigh has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Khrapov thows a body shot but no joy.

Tigh darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Khrapov wants to get back to full guard.

Tigh is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tigh trying to control from half guard but Khrapov is working away.
Saul Tigh has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tigh wants to free his trapped foot but Khrapov is holding on for dear life with his legs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Khrapov moves into full guard.
Tigh trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khrapov is trying to control the position but Tigh postures up.
Khrapov keeping moving, preventing Tigh from controlling successfully.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Tigh forces his way into half guard.
Saul Tigh has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Khrapov is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tigh controlling the action here.
Khrapov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Khrapov tries to get out of the position.

Tigh is working for a kimura but Khrapov is defending it quite comfortably.
Vasiliy Khrapov 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.
Tigh thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vasiliy Khrapov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Khrapov, 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vasiliy Khrapov!