PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between German Pearson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dmitrij Vasilin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dmitrij Vasilin has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with German Pearson's chin.

Pearson
vs
Vasilin

153 cm
18
214 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

188 cm
25
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, German Pearson!
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, Dmitrij Vasilin!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Ivan Kurochkin and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vasilin shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Pearson defends it nicely.
Vasilin fails with a takedown attempt.

Pearson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Vasilin looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Vasilin passes Pearson's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Pearson regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasilin content to stall in guard here.
Pearson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Vasilin not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Pearson utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Vasilin wanted to stand there but Pearson had control of the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Dmitrij Vasilin was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Vasilin pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vasilin fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Pearson to the ground. Vasilin is now in Pearson's guard.
Vasilin controlling from the top position.
Pearson thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Vasilin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Vasilin not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Pearson could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Dmitrij Vasilin was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Pearson shoots and misses

and Vasilin counters with a takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pearson tries to buck Vasilin off but Vasilin is having none of it.
Vasilin takes a little break here. Pearson wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Pearson prevents Vasilin from improving position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Vasilin is staying tight to Pearson's torso, preventing him from escaping.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Dmitrij Vasilin hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Vasilin drives through with a takedown into Pearson's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vasilin slips nicely into half guard.
Pearson might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Vasilin slows the pace down in half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
It looks like Vasilin might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Vasilin misses with a wild body shot.
Pearson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Vasilin.

Vasilin dives in and scores a takedown into Pearson's guard.
Vasilin wants to pass the guard but Pearson is keeping the position.
Vasilin is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasilin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pearson is keeping the position for now.
Vasilin slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Dmitrij Vasilin wasn't active enough on the ground.
Vasilin shoots in for a double leg but Pearson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Dmitrij Vasilin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Vasilin.
German Pearson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dmitrij Vasilin.

Pearson gets caught napping as Vasilin dives in and scores a takedown. Pearson manages to retain guard.
Vasilin is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vasilin trying to control the position from guard on top but Pearson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vasilin wants to stand but Pearson is controlling his posture from full guard.
Pearson keeping moving, preventing Vasilin from controlling successfully.
Vasilin preventing the sweep.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Vasilin content to stall in guard here.

Dmitrij Vasilin has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Vasilin closes this distance looking for a takedown but Pearson circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasilin misses with a takedown attempt

and Pearson moves into the clinch.
Pearson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Pearson stops a takedown attempt from Vasilin.
Vasilin keeps control of Pearson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Pearson missing with knees to the body.

Vasilin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Vasilin shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Pearson but Pearson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Vasilin dives in for a single leg takedown but Pearson sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pearson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Pearson wants to get back to striking at distance but Vasilin won't allow it.
Pearson can't find room to land a body shot as Vasilin controls the action.
The referee is keeping an eye on Pearson - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Vasilin looking for a takedown.
Pearson tries to break the clinch but Vasilin is controlling the position.
Vasilin blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Vasilin is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Pearson is keeping busy.
Pearson is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Vasilin blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vasilin tries to pull guard but Pearson won't allow it.

Vasilin drags the fight down to the ground.
Pearson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dmitrij Vasilin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Pearson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Vasilin as he jumps to the side.
Vasilin shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Pearson counters with a thumping low kick.
Pearson misses with a takedown attempt

and Vasilin counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Pearson prevents a takedown attempt there.
Pearson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Vasilin has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Pearson uses from the top position.
Vasilin is looking to stand up but Pearson isn't so interested in that idea.
Pearson would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Dmitrij Vasilin has got the better of the ground game so far.
Vasilin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasilin 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.
Vasilin manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Pearson manages to get himself to full guard.
Vasilin preventing the sweep.

Pearson has his foot on Vasilin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Vasilin works his way back into a safe position though.
Vasilin's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vasilin won't allow Pearson to sweep him here.
Vasilin postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Vasilin lands a couple of elbows.
Vasilin showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Vasilin works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Vasilin controlling the pace.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vasilin works his way into full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasilin unloading with bombs!
Vasilin content just to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vasilin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Dmitrij Vasilin hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Vasilin closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Pearson did well to prevent Vasilin getting side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dmitrij Vasilin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Vasilin 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dmitrij Vasilin!