PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sterling Elliott (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yves Vladimir Kuznetsov Smirknov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kuznetsov Smirknov is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Europe - The final countdown. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Elliott
vs
Vladimir Kuznetsov Smirknov

172 cm
18
193 lbs
1 - 6 - 0

191 cm
25
183 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

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 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Sterling Elliott!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Yves Vladimir Kuznetsov Smirknov!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Donatello Bradman and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Elliott throws a shot from downtown. Kuznetsov Smirknov moves away and avoids it.
Kuznetsov Smirknov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Elliott swivels and escapes.
Kuznetsov Smirknov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kuznetsov Smirknov lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

It looks like Sterling Elliott has been cut.
Kuznetsov Smirknov shoots in for a double leg but Elliott sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kuznetsov Smirknov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nice takedown defense from Elliott. No joy for Kuznetsov Smirknov on that attempt.
Sterling Elliott has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yves Vladimir Kuznetsov Smirknov.
Kuznetsov Smirknov goes for a double leg but Elliott avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Elliott continues to drive forward.
Kuznetsov Smirknov looks winded!
Kuznetsov Smirknov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Elliott is defending well.
Elliott has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kuznetsov Smirknov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Elliott could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Elliott is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kuznetsov Smirknov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kuznetsov Smirknov wants a takedown.
Kuznetsov Smirknov is looking to take this one to the mat.
Kuznetsov Smirknov tries for a takedown. No joy.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Elliott has Kuznetsov Smirknov pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Elliott pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Kuznetsov Smirknov tumbling to the mat - Elliott dives into Kuznetsov Smirknov's guard.
Elliott is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov Smirknov wants to improve his position but instead Elliott has moved into half guard.
Elliott thows a huge punch but Kuznetsov Smirknov dodges it nicely.

Elliott is working for a kimura but Kuznetsov Smirknov is defending it quite comfortably.
Elliott seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Elliott thows a huge punch but Kuznetsov Smirknov dodges it nicely.
Kuznetsov Smirknov is looking to get back to full guard here but Elliott has managed to pass to side control instead.
Kuznetsov Smirknov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Elliott. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kuznetsov Smirknov defending against the ground and pound.
Elliott throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

Elliott decides to stand up, so the ref orders Kuznetsov Smirknov to his feet.

Elliott closes the distance and clinches.

Elliott pulls guard successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Elliott throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Elliott is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Elliott decides to stand up.
Elliott shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kuznetsov Smirknov as he jumps to the side.
Elliott fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Elliott throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Kuznetsov Smirknov.

Elliott darts in and clinches Kuznetsov Smirknov up against the cage.

Elliott jumps guard and drags Kuznetsov Smirknov to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Kuznetsov Smirknov throws an elbow that misses. Elliott uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kuznetsov Smirknov's guard. Nice move by Elliott!
Elliott throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Elliott looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuznetsov Smirknov wants to improve his position but instead Elliott has moved into half guard.
Well, if Elliott is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Elliott stands up and beckons Kuznetsov Smirknov to join him on the feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Elliott lands a slapping body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sterling Elliott dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sterling Elliott's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Elliott fails to land the takedown.
Kuznetsov Smirknov tries to clinch up.
Kuznetsov Smirknov tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Kuznetsov Smirknov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kuznetsov Smirknov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Elliott is fending him off so far but Kuznetsov Smirknov persists. Nope, Elliott circles away and we're back to standing.
Kuznetsov Smirknov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Elliott pinned against the cage. Elliott gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kuznetsov Smirknov slaps away a takedown attempt from Elliott, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kuznetsov Smirknov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Elliott but Elliott pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sterling Elliott has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yves Vladimir Kuznetsov Smirknov.
Kuznetsov Smirknov is breathing heavily.
Kuznetsov Smirknov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Elliott is fending him off so far but Kuznetsov Smirknov persists. Nope, Elliott circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Elliott changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kuznetsov Smirknov looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Elliott looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Elliott taking a breather here.
Kuznetsov Smirknov looks to move to half guard but instead Elliott has passed into mount! Damn!
Elliott controlling the pace for now.
Elliott 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.

Elliott is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Kuznetsov Smirknov is surviving well by controlling Elliott's body position as best he can.
Kuznetsov Smirknov wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Elliott is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Elliott's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Sterling Elliott overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Elliott gets his hands free as Kuznetsov Smirknov looks to control.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Elliott controlling the positon.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Elliott thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Kuznetsov Smirknov wants to escape the position.
Kuznetsov Smirknov holding both Elliott 's hands and preventing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Even with his hooks in, Elliott manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Elliott controlling from the back.

Elliott is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Kuznetsov Smirknov has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Kuznetsov Smirknov covering up well under a series of strikes from Elliott.
Elliott biding his time, looking for the opening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Elliott working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Kuznetsov Smirknov has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Elliott.

Kuznetsov Smirknov fending off the submission attempt from Elliott.
Elliott biding his time, controlling Kuznetsov Smirknov.

Elliott patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Elliott has good solid back control here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sterling Elliott dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Sterling Elliott's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Elliott throws a series of punches but Kuznetsov Smirknov avoids them all with ease.
Kuznetsov Smirknov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Elliott sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kuznetsov Smirknov somewhat.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Elliott.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Elliott is defended easily by Kuznetsov Smirknov.
Kuznetsov Smirknov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Elliott's waist but Elliott gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kuznetsov Smirknov off to one side.
Elliott shoots in and drives through. Kuznetsov Smirknov sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sterling Elliott. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kuznetsov Smirknov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Elliott but Elliott pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuznetsov Smirknov shoots in but no luck this time.

Elliott instigates a clinch.
Elliott is working for takedown but Kuznetsov Smirknov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Elliott stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Elliott breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kuznetsov Smirknov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Elliott as he jumps to the side.
Elliott shoots in and drives through. Kuznetsov Smirknov sprawls well.
Elliott shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kuznetsov Smirknov defends it nicely.

Elliott takes the fight into the clinch.
Yves Vladimir Kuznetsov Smirknov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov Smirknov tries for a takedown. No joy.
Kuznetsov Smirknov takes a knee right on the jaw!
Elliott is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Kuznetsov Smirknov takes an elbow to the temple.
Kuznetsov Smirknov looking to throw knees to the head but Elliott is blocking nicely.
Elliott gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Elliott is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Kuznetsov Smirknov is defending well.

Elliott ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Elliott no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Kuznetsov Smirknov throws a strike but Elliott rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Elliott throws a big elbow that misses.
Kuznetsov Smirknov is wriggling around but Elliott manages to pass to half guard.

Elliott is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Elliott moves into full mount! Kuznetsov Smirknov won't be happy about that!
Kuznetsov Smirknov wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Elliott trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Kuznetsov Smirknov doesn't escape.
Kuznetsov Smirknov is really stuck here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuznetsov Smirknov trying to get back to his feet but Elliott is in full control for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kuznetsov Smirknov is really stuck here.

Elliott is persistently looking for the submission but Kuznetsov Smirknov is defending it well.

Elliott is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Kuznetsov Smirknov is defending well though. Elliott let's go of the attempt for now.
Elliott controlling well, preventing Kuznetsov Smirknov from escaping the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Elliott is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sterling Elliott showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Elliott has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Damien Edna scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sterling Elliott!