PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nikola Veljanovski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Denis Boldyrev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Veljanovski
vs
Boldyrev

182 cm
25
234 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

191 cm
25
228 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Experienced

Good takedowns
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nikola Veljanovski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Denis Boldyrev!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Sam Margolis and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Veljanovski pushes Boldyrev up against the cage in a clinch.
Veljanovski gets underhooks to prevent Boldyrev's takedown attempt.

Boldyrev manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Veljanovski decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Veljanovski throws a big shot that misses.
Boldyrev fails with an attempt to clinch.
Boldyrev uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Veljanovski.

Boldyrev tries to keep at a distance but Veljanovski has taken the fight into the clinch.
Veljanovski wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Boldyrev has him pressed against the cage.
Veljanovski content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Boldyrev has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Veljanovski after a bit of a struggle.
Veljanovski stalling against the cage.
Veljanovski misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Veljanovski as Boldyrev tries to tie him up.
Boldyrev tries to break free but Veljanovski pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boldyrev tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Nikola Veljanovski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Denis Boldyrev.

Boldyrev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Veljanovski swings wildly with an uppercut but Boldyrev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Veljanovski is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Veljanovski on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Veljanovski misses with some punches.
Stalling in the clinch from Veljanovski.
Veljanovski lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Boldyrev wants a takedown.
Boldyrev keeps control of Veljanovski as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Veljanovski working hard to break the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Veljanovski.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Veljanovski's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Veljanovski misses with a short punch on the inside.
Veljanovski digs a right hand underneath Boldyrev's ribcage. Boldyrev let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Veljanovski misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Veljanovski taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Boldyrev is trying to break free.
Veljanovski is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Veljanovski is trying to force a seperation but Boldyrev has the dominant position.
Veljanovski is trying to break the clinch but Boldyrev is controlling him.
Veljanovski is trying to break free.
Boldyrev wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Veljanovski avoiding damage as Boldyrev throws knees to the body.
Veljanovski has had enough of the clinch but Boldyrev keeps him there for the moment.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Veljanovski.
Veljanovski gets through Boldyrev's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Boldyrev letting Veljanovski take a breather here.
Veljanovski wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Boldyrev has him pressed against the cage.
Veljanovski blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Boldyrev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Veljanovski blocks an elbow strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Boldyrev.
Boldyrev drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Veljanovski gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Veljanovski is trying to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Veljanovski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Boldyrev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Veljanovski circles away from the clinch attempt.
Boldyrev doesn't manage to clinch there - Veljanovski circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Boldyrev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Veljanovski clinches up with Boldyrev and pushes him back against the cage.
Boldyrev looking to stall.
Veljanovski is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Boldyrev looking for a takedown.
Veljanovski is trying to break the clinch but Boldyrev has him pressed against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Veljanovski as the two fighters clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Veljanovski swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Boldyrev tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Veljanovski smiles and moves away.
Boldyrev tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Veljanovski counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Veljanovski stops a takedown attempt from Boldyrev.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikola Veljanovski dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Veljanovski keeps the fight on the outside.

Veljanovski moves into the clinch.
Veljanovski stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Veljanovski lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Veljanovski lands a right hand.
Boldyrev is trying to push Veljanovski away but Veljanovski has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Boldyrev wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Veljanovski has him pressed against the cage.
Veljanovski throws a punch but it's blocked by Boldyrev.
Boldyrev wants a takedown.
Boldyrev has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Veljanovski pushes Boldyrev back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Boldyrev wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Veljanovski taking a breather.
Veljanovski lands with a light punch inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Veljanovski fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Veljanovski misses with some punches.
Boldyrev is trying to break the clinch but Veljanovski is controlling him.
Veljanovski wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Veljanovski displaying some good clinch control by pressing Boldyrev up against the cage.
Nikola Veljanovski has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A short right from Veljanovski on the inside.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Veljanovski throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Boldyrevs head.
Veljanovski tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Boldyrev tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Veljanovski's elbow.
Veljanovski gets underhooks to prevent Boldyrev's takedown attempt.
Veljanovski has a couple of punches blocked by Boldyrev.
Veljanovski can't break the clinch.
Boldyrev drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nikola Veljanovski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Denis Boldyrev.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boldyrev is trying to pull guard but Veljanovski has him pressed against the cage.
Boldyrev wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Veljanovski working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Boldyrev tries to circle away but Veljanovski has him pinned against the cage.
Boldyrev is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Veljanovski is keeping busy.
Veljanovski stalling.
Veljanovski is trying to break the clinch but Boldyrev has him pressed against the cage.
Veljanovski wants to break free but Boldyrev has control.
A nice left hand lands by Veljanovski.
Veljanovski lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Boldyrev backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Boldyrev is trying to break the clinch but Veljanovski is controlling him.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boldyrev blocking some punches.

Veljanovski's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Boldyrev misses with a head kick.

Veljanovski moves into range and clinches up with Boldyrev.
Boldyrev is working for takedown but Veljanovski is calmly controlling the position for now.
Veljanovski is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Boldyrev tries to circle away but Veljanovski has him pinned against the cage.
Veljanovski taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Veljanovski cracks Boldyrev with a nice body shot.
Boldyrev is breathing heavily.
Veljanovski misses with some punches.
Veljanovski avoiding damage.
Veljanovski misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Veljanovski has had enough of the clinch but Boldyrev keeps him there for the moment.
Veljanovski taking a breather.
Boldyrev looking to stall.
Veljanovski is looking to break free of the clinch but Boldyrev has double underhooks.
Boldyrev misses with a hook to the ribs.
Veljanovski throws a punch but it's blocked by Boldyrev.
Veljanovski lands on the inside with an uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Veljanovski stalling in the clinch.

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

Veljanovski pushes Boldyrev up against the cage in a clinch.

Veljanovski escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikola Veljanovski dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Veljanovski has closed the distance and engaged Boldyrev in a clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Veljanovski.
Boldyrev misses with the head strike.
Veljanovski slowing the pace effectively.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Nikola Veljanovski.
Veljanovski tries to close the distance and clinch up but Boldyrev swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Boldyrev thuds a left hand into Veljanovski's body.
Boldyrev tries to clinch up

and Veljanovski counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Veljanovski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Boldyrev misses with a jab, cross combination.

Veljanovski fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Boldyrev, pushing him back against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Boldyrev tries to score a body lock takedown but Veljanovski shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boldyrev has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Veljanovski digs a right hand underneath Boldyrev's ribcage. Boldyrev let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Boldyrev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Boldyrev tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Veljanovski just stands there and leans against the cage.
Boldyrev blocks a body shot from Veljanovski.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Veljanovski fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boldyrev is trying to pull guard but Veljanovski has him pressed against the cage.
Nikola Veljanovski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Denis Boldyrev.
Boldyrev looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Veljanovski is looking to break free of the clinch but Boldyrev has double underhooks.
Veljanovski is trying to break the clinch but Boldyrev is controlling him.
Veljanovski is stalling here.

Veljanovski's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Denis Boldyrev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Boldyrev swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Boldyrev misses with a looping left.

Boldyrev tries to keep at a distance but Veljanovski has taken the fight into the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Boldyrev tries to pull guard but Veljanovski forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Veljanovski is pressed up against the cage. Boldyrev has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Veljanovski down to the mat. Veljanovski avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Veljanovski manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Veljanovski looking to throw knees to the head but Boldyrev is blocking nicely.
Boldyrev tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Boldyrev blocks a body shot from Veljanovski.
Veljanovski with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Come on Veljanovski - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Veljanovski can't break the clinch.
Boldyrev is trying to push Veljanovski away but Veljanovski has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Boldyrev wants to get back to striking at distance but Veljanovski won't allow it.
Veljanovski goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short right from Veljanovski on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Veljanovski fails to land.
Veljanovski is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Veljanovski avoiding damage as Boldyrev throws knees to the body.
Veljanovski has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Boldyrev keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Veljanovski's efforts to push away.
Veljanovski tries to circle away but Boldyrev has him pinned against the cage.
Boldyrev missing with knees to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Boldyrev prevents Veljanovski from breaking the clinch.
Veljanovski pushes off an throws an elbow but Boldyrev leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Veljanovski lands with a short shot to the head.
Denis Boldyrev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nikola Veljanovski is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Boldyrev just misses with a elbow thrown towards Veljanovski's brow.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikola Veljanovski showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Veljanovski, 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikola Veljanovski!