PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Anatoly Bazanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lionel Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lionel Santos will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Bazanov
vs
Santos

170 cm
25
205 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

195 cm
24
205 lbs
10 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

SP Ultimate Nutrition
GREEN!160

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 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Anatoly Bazanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Lionel Santos!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Robert Twigg and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Santos gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Bazanov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Bazanov wants to pass the guard but Santos is keeping the position.
Santos wants to stand and escape but Bazanov is having none of it.
Bazanov throws a big right hand that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bazanov throws an elbow that misses. Santos uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bazanov's guard. Nice move by Santos!

Bazanov has control of Santos's left arm, preventing Santos from doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bazanov is looking to sweep but instead, Santos has passed into half guard.
Bazanov is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bazanov wants to control but Santos is keeping busy.
Bazanov keeping control of the position.
Bazanov manages to get to full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bazanov is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Bazanov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bazanov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Santos avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bazanov postures up in Santos's guard and throws a big left but Santos blocks it.
Bazanov throws a big right hand that misses.
Santos working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bazanov.
Bazanov throws a big elbow that misses.
Bazanov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bazanov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bazanov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bazanov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Santos avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Bazanov slips a jab from Santos.
Bazanov with a lazy takedown attempt
and Santos counters with a right hand to the body.
Bazanov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Santos sprawls well. Santos wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bazanov gets slowly back to his feet.
Santos scores with a jab. Bazanov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Santos looks to score with a jab to the body but Bazanov is just out of range.
Bazanov closes the distance and clinches up with Santos, looking for a takedown. Bazanov pushes Santos against the cage but Santos circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anatoly Bazanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Bazanov gets the takedown into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santos managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Bazanov.
Bazanov throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Santos works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Bazanov with the ground and pound but Santos uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Santos working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bazanov.
Santos avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bazanov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Santos working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bazanov.
Bazanov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Bazanov postures up and lands a big shot to Santos's brow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anatoly Bazanov dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bazanov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Santos is fending him off so far but Bazanov persists. Nope, Santos circles away and we're back to standing.
Bazanov shoots in for a double leg but Santos sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Santos is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Santos scores with a jab to the jaw.
Santos swings away with a body shot that misses

and Bazanov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Bazanov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bazanov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bazanov throws an elbow that misses. Santos uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bazanov's guard. Nice move by Santos!

Bazanov controls Santos momentarily but Santos frees himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bazanov wants to improve his position but instead Santos has moved into half guard.
Bazanov is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santos is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Bazanov tries to roll over but Santos keeps him under control.
Santos is thwarting Bazanov's attempts to control the position.

Santos stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Santos throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bazanov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Bazanov misses with a takedown attempt
and Santos counters with a nice uppercut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anatoly Bazanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bazanov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Bazanov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bazanov shoots in but no luck this time.
As Bazanov backs off Santos throws a huge counter combo but Bazanov manages to avoid it all.

Bazanov shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Santos's guard.
Bazanov 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.
Bazanov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Santos works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bazanov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bazanov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bazanov throws a strike but Santos rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Bazanov holds on and takes a little breather.
Santos wants to get up but he can't break Bazanov's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Anatoly Bazanov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bazanov wants to hit a switch here but Santos passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Bazanov there!
Bazanov bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Bazanov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Santos swivels though and keeps the full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bazanov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bazanov throws an elbow that misses. Santos uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bazanov's guard. Nice move by Santos!

Bazanov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Santos's guard.

Bazanov throws an elbow that misses. Santos uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bazanov's guard. Nice move by Santos!

Bazanov controls Santos momentarily but Santos frees himself.
Bazanov is looking to sweep but instead, Santos has passed into half guard.
Santos tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Bazanov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lionel Santos showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Bazanov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Santos pinned against the cage. Santos gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bazanov.
Bazanov has been working on his balance at VENDETTA Elite Gym, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Santos.
Santos is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Bazanov tries for a takedown but Santos sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anatoly Bazanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Santos misses with a looping right.
Anatoly Bazanov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Santos lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Bazanov tries for a takedown but Santos sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Santos misses with a left hand

and Bazanov counters with a shoot takedown. Santos fights it but they end up in guard.
Bazanov with a flurry of punches that miss.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bazanov throwing strikes but missing.
Santos working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bazanov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bazanov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bazanov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Bazanov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bazanov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Santos works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bazanov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Santos is looking to stand up but Bazanov isn't so interested in that idea.
Bazanov throws a strike but Santos rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Bazanov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Santos manages to get himself to full guard.

Bazanov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bazanov throws an elbow that misses. Santos uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bazanov's guard. Nice move by Santos!

Bazanov is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Bazanov wants to sweep here but Santos controlling him for the moment.
Bazanov controlling the position.

Santos gets to his feet - Bazanov follows without any prompting.

Bazanov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Santos to the ground. Bazanov is now in Santos's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santos wants to stand but Bazanov is controlling the position.
Bazanov throwing strikes but missing.
Bazanov throws a big right hand that misses.
Bazanov throws a strike but Santos rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Bazanov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Santos's guard.

Santos avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bazanov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Santos utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santos working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bazanov.
Bazanov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bazanov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Bazanov throws a strike but Santos rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Bazanov looking for a sweep. Not yet Bazanov, not yet.
Bazanov is working hard here to advance position.
Bazanov controls Santos momentarily but Santos frees himself.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bazanov pulls Santos in close to prevent any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anatoly Bazanov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Bazanov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anatoly Bazanov!