PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Medvedev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jun Morales (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Medvedev
vs
Morales

190 cm
22
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

179 cm
25
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Good chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Medvedev!
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, Jun Morales!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Igor Prikhodko and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Medvedev as Morales shoots in.

Morales throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Medvedev tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Morales is in Medvedev's guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Morales lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Morales trying to control the position from guard on top but Medvedev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Morales lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Morales trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Morales throws an elbow that misses. Medvedev uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Morales's guard. Nice move by Medvedev!
Medvedev postures up in Morales's guard and throws a big left but Morales blocks it.

Morales looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Medvedev will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Medvedev is looking to work some ground and pound but Morales has wrist control.
Medvedev postures up in Morales's guard and throws a big left but Morales blocks it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Medvedev scoring with some ground and pound.
Medvedev throws a big right hand that misses.
Morales is trying to keep Medvedev in close.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Morales wants to sweep here but Medvedev controlling him for the moment.
Medvedev wants to pass the guard but Morales is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Medvedev trying to control but Morales is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Morales utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Medvedev wants to control from the top but Morales keeps moving.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Morales can do anything to dispel that myth.
Medvedev is really struggling to control Morales but he's trying to hold on to the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Ivan Medvedev.
Morales tries for a takedown but Medvedev sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Morales dives in and grabs Medvedev's left leg, looking for a takedown. Medvedev pushes down on Morales's head and hops out.
Ivan Medvedev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jun Morales.
No luck for Morales with that takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Medvedev gets back to full guard.
Medvedev trying to keep a closed guard but Morales is proving a slippery customer.
Medvedev wants to stand up but Morales is controlling him.
Medvedev looking to control.
Morales is working Medvedev over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Medvedev looking for a sweep. Not yet Medvedev, not yet.
Medvedev is working hard here to advance position.
Morales postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Medvedev controlling Morales's posture.
Morales stops Medvedev from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Medvedev trying to keep a closed guard but Morales is proving a slippery customer.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Ivan Medvedev has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Morales shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Medvedev napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Medvedev throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

Morales closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Medvedev's guard.
Medvedev wants to sweep but no luck.
Morales postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Morales is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Morales wants to control from the top but Medvedev keeps moving.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Medvedev looking for a sweep. Not yet Medvedev, not yet.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Medvedev preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Morales throwing strikes from guard but Medvedev blocks nicely.
Morales must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Morales lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Medvedev trying to control the position.
Medvedev pulls Morales in close to his closed guard and prevents Morales from doing any damage or advancing position.
Morales with a nice head shot there.
Medvedev manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Medvedev pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Medvedev throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Morales is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Medvedev cracks Morales with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Medvedev connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Morales really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jun Morales will probably get the nod.
That's time! Medvedev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Morales shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Medvedev is trying to defend but Morales finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Medvedev tries to get to full guard but Morales has control of the leg.
Morales working Medvedev over with strikes.
Morales looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Medvedev with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Morales missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Medvedev keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Medvedev preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Morales sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Medvedev defending well though.
Morales seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Medvedev is looking to escape.
Medvedev trying to hold on to Morales's head to control him but Morales postures up.
Nice strikes from Morales there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Medvedev is trying to get back to full guard.
Morales sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Medvedev defending well though.
Morales thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Jun Morales has got the better of the ground game so far.
Morales throwing shots but Medvedev is blocking nicely.
Medvedev is trying to stand.
Morales lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Morales drops an elbow to the side of Medvedev's head.
Morales working Medvedev over with strikes.
Morales thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Medvedev's head.
Medvedev slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Morales wants to control from the top but Medvedev keeps moving.
Morales throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Morales wants to pass the guard but Medvedev is keeping the position.
Medvedev doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Morales makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Morales prevents Medvedev from getting back to his feet.
Medvedev has his hands on Morales's head, controlling the position.
Medvedev is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Morales throwing strikes but missing.
Morales stopping the sweep attempt from Medvedev.
Morales cracks Medvedev with a solid left hand.
Morales lands a couple of digs.
Medvedev wants to sweep here but Morales controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morales trying to control but Medvedev is working from the bottom.
Medvedev is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Medvedev scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Morales manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Medvedev on his heels. He'll look to pass Medvedev's guard now, I'm sure.
Morales trying to control but Medvedev is working from the bottom.
Morales scoring with some ground and pound.
Morales wants to control from the top but Medvedev keeps moving.
Morales lands a couple of elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morales keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Medvedev's head.
Morales stops Medvedev from standing up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Morales throwing strikes but missing.
Morales won't allow Medvedev to sweep him here.
Morales postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Morales works over Medvedev with some ground and pound from guard.
Medvedev manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Morales manages to get himself to full guard.
Morales looking to hit a scissor sweep but Medvedev is one step ahead there.
Medvedev landing with the ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Morales working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Medvedev.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jun Morales showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Morales goes for a double leg but Medvedev avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Medvedev continues to drive forward.
Medvedev is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Morales has clasped his hands together around Medvedev's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Morales lands a nice forearm strike.
Medvedev is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Morales scoring with punches from side control.
Morales lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Medvedev tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Medvedev takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Morales cracks Medvedev with a big elbow.
Medvedev tries to improve position but can't.
Morales looks up at the clock and then as Medvedev takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Morales smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morales throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Medvedev is looking to regain half guard here but Morales keeps moving and retains side control.
Morales working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Medvedev regains half guard.
Medvedev is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Morales scores with a couple of nice shots.
Morales scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Medvedev trying to control but Morales postures up.
Morales lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Ground and pound from Morales.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Morales seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Nice strikes from Morales there.
Morales trying to control the action but Medvedev is working from the bottom.
Jun Morales is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Medvedev blocking the ground and pound attempt from Morales.
Morales sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Medvedev defending well though.
Morales is trying to control. Medvedev wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Medvedev moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Morales is looking to work some ground and pound but Medvedev has wrist control.
Morales won't allow Medvedev to sweep him here.
Medvedev working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Morales.
Morales distracts Medvedev with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Medvedev wants to sweep here but Morales controlling him for the moment.
Morales is looking to work some ground and pound but Medvedev has wrist control.
Morales postures up in Medvedev's guard and throws a big left but Medvedev blocks it.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Morales's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Morales trying to control but Medvedev is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morales passes Medvedev's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Morales takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Medvedev avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Morales.
Medvedev desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Medvedev is trying to stand.
Medvedev is looking to improve his position.
Medvedev gets back to full guard.
Morales landing some decent shots from guard.
Morales working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Medvedev controls Morales momentarily but Morales frees himself.
Medvedev striking off his back but it's not causing Morales any problems.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Medvedev is looking to stand up but Morales isn't so interested in that idea.
Morales landing with the ground and pound.
Morales trying to control the position from guard on top but Medvedev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Morales throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Medvedev works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Morales works over Medvedev with some ground and pound from guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Morales trying to control the position from guard on top but Medvedev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Morales landing some decent shots from guard.
Morales connects with a couple of short punches.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Morales postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Morales distracts Medvedev with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Ivan Medvedev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Morales trying to control but Medvedev is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jun Morales comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Morales has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jun Morales!