PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ramazan Abdulkerimov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kamil Gadzhiev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Abdulkerimov
vs
Gadzhiev

188 cm
26
250 lbs
8 - 13 - 0

193 cm
23
279 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Experienced

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

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 8 - 13 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ramazan Abdulkerimov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kamil Gadzhiev!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Vladimir Khabensky and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Abdulkerimov has managed to clinch.
Abdulkerimov can't break the clinch.

Gadzhiev has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Abdulkerimov clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Gadzhiev slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Let's hope that Gadzhiev has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Abdulkerimov tries to escape but Gadzhiev has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

Abdulkerimov is in a bad position with Gadzhiev working for a choke. Abdulkerimov manages to spin nicely into guard and the danger is over for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gadzhiev working a defensive guard but Abdulkerimov passes into half guard.
Gadzhiev wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gadzhiev is looking to control Abdulkerimov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Gadzhiev avoid being mounted?

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kamil Gadzhiev was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Abdulkerimov closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Abdulkerimov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A punch combination from Abdulkerimov misses.

Abdulkerimov has taken the fight to the clinch.

Abdulkerimov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ramazan Abdulkerimov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Abdulkerimov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Abdulkerimov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Gadzhiev has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Abdulkerimov finds it's way round the side to connect with Gadzhiev's head.

It looks like Kamil Gadzhiev has been cut.
Gadzhiev slips a jab and a cross from Abdulkerimov.
Abdulkerimov tries to clinch up.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Gadzhiev closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Abdulkerimov did well to prevent Gadzhiev getting side control.
Gadzhiev slows the pace down in half guard.

Gadzhiev wants to work for an arm triangle but Abdulkerimov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gadzhiev keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Gadzhiev tries to pass the half guard into mount. Abdulkerimov knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kamil Gadzhiev was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Abdulkerimov forces Gadzhiev back against the cage and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gadzhiev has hold of one of Abdulkerimov's legs. Abdulkerimov is fighting the takedown attempt but Gadzhiev gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Abdulkerimov being controlled here, momentarily.
Abdulkerimov wants to sweep here but Gadzhiev controlling him for the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Kamil Gadzhiev hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Abdulkerimov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gadzhiev swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Abdulkerimov moves into the clinch.

Abdulkerimov manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kamil Gadzhiev will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kamil Gadzhiev's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Abdulkerimov takes a swing at Gadzhiev's ribcage but misses.

Gadzhiev gets a double leg takedown into Abdulkerimov's guard.
Abdulkerimov keeping moving, preventing Gadzhiev from controlling successfully.
Gadzhiev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Kamil Gadzhiev wasn't active enough on the ground.

Abdulkerimov gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Abdulkerimov wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gadzhiev is looking to pass into half guard but Abdulkerimov pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Abdulkerimov is in guard.
Abdulkerimov preventing the sweep.
Gadzhiev keeps trying to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

We're going to have a standup here because Ramazan Abdulkerimov wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Abdulkerimov enables Gadzhiev to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Abdulkerimov manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Abdulkerimov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Gadzhiev on the ground.
Abdulkerimov has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Gadzhiev wants to control from the top but Abdulkerimov keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Abdulkerimov rushes Gadzhiev and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Abdulkerimov breaks from the clinch.

Gadzhiev manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Abdulkerimov on his heels. He'll look to pass Abdulkerimov's guard now, I'm sure.
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!
Gadzhiev trying to control the position from guard on top but Abdulkerimov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Kamil Gadzhiev hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Abdulkerimov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ramazan Abdulkerimov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Abdulkerimov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Gadzhiev swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gadzhiev swats away the attempt to clinch by Abdulkerimov.

Abdulkerimov forces Gadzhiev back against the cage and clinches.

Gadzhiev has picked Abdulkerimov up - he's going for a ride! Gadzhiev dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Gadzhiev is controlling the pace.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Abdulkerimov is looking to control Gadzhiev's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Abdulkerimov avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Kamil Gadzhiev wasn't active enough on the ground.
Abdulkerimov swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Gadzhiev.
Gadzhiev circles away from the clinch attempt.

Gadzhiev throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Abdulkerimov tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Gadzhiev is in Abdulkerimov's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gadzhiev looking to pass the guard.
Gadzhiev is breathing heavily.
Gadzhiev trying to control the position from guard on top but Abdulkerimov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Kamil Gadzhiev.

Abdulkerimov moves into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kamil Gadzhiev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kamil Gadzhiev's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Abdulkerimov tries to bum rush Gadzhiev with a series of wild strikes but Gadzhiev uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Gadzhiev shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Abdulkerimov is trying to defend but Gadzhiev finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Gadzhiev should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Gadzhiev content to control rather than advance.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Abdulkerimov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kamil Gadzhiev has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Gadzhiev shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Abdulkerimov's guard.
Gadzhiev trying to control but Abdulkerimov is working from the bottom.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Kamil Gadzhiev wasn't active enough on the ground.
Abdulkerimov throws a big shot that misses.

Gadzhiev drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Abdulkerimov wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Abdulkerimov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Abdulkerimov tries to get out of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Ramazan Abdulkerimov wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Gadzhiev closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Gadzhiev takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Abdulkerimov is doing well to control the position and prevent Gadzhiev from advancing to side control.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Gadzhiev.
Abdulkerimov tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gadzhiev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Abdulkerimov keeps working.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Kamil Gadzhiev has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Kamil Gadzhiev.

Gadzhiev drives through with a takedown into Abdulkerimov's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Abdulkerimov keeping full guard, as Gadzhiev tries to pass.
Gadzhiev stands and throws Abdulkerimov's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Ramazan Abdulkerimov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kamil Gadzhiev is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gadzhiev tries to advance position but instead Abdulkerimov slips a leg back in to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kamil Gadzhiev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Gadzhiev 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kamil Gadzhiev!