PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Big Russian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Austin (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.

Russian
vs
Austin

189 cm
22
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
24
252 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Big Russian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Steve Austin!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Tarja Halkonen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Russian gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Austin working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Austin lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Big Russian has been cut.
Austin can't get the takedown.

Austin has clasped his hands together around Russian's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Austin working away.
Russian on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Russian tries to get out of the position.
Austin postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Russian is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Austin in side control, just content to control the action for now.

Austin is trying to get an arm triangle but Russian is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Austin thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Russian tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Austin wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Russian wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Russian regains half guard, as Austin was trying to land strikes.
Russian keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Russian wants to improve his position but Austin is controlling well.
Russian is working hard here to advance position.

Austin is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Russian defends it well.
Austin trying to advance position but Russian counters by regaining guard.
Russian preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Austin trying to control the position from guard on top but Russian is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Russian is looking to clinch.
Austin shoots in looking for a takedown but Russian manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Austin's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Russian shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Russian has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Russian preventing the sweep.
Russian slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Russian trying to control the action but Austin is working from the bottom.
Austin can't do much from the bottom here.
Russian staying calm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russian has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Russian in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

It looks like Steve Austin has been cut.
Austin is looking to regain half guard here but Russian keeps moving and retains side control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Austin takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Russian in side control lands a decent elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Big Russian will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Austin closes the distance and clinches.
Knees to the body from Austin.
Russian is pressed up against the cage. Austin has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Russian down to the mat. Russian avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Russian tries to close the distance and clinch up but Austin swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Austin scores with a three punch combo!
Russian doesn't manage to clinch there - Austin circles away.
Austin lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Russian fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Russian fails with a takedown attempt.
Big Russian is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Russian fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Big Russian. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Austin misses with a wild combination.
Russian shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Austin as he avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russian fails to land the takedown.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Austin forces Russian back against the cage and clinches.
Russian slowing the pace effectively.
Austin scores with a hook to the body.
Russian displaying some good clinch control by pressing Austin up against the cage.
Austin misses with a knee to the head.

Austin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Big Russian seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Austin moves into the clinch.
Russian is trying to force a seperation but Austin has the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russian is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Austin digs a right hand into Russian's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Russian's gas tank.

Austin breaks from the clinch.
Russian misses with a two punch combination.
And Austin tries to counter it with a takedown but Russian pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Austin lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Russian circles away quickly and effectively.
Russian went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Austin swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Russian counters with a left to the body.
Russian shoots for a takedown but Austin saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Austin gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Austin creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Russian's defenses.
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!

Austin breaks the clinch.
Austin throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Austin gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russian is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Russian changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Austin fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Austin throws a one two combo.
Steve Austin seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Russian leaves Austin with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Russian has a takedown stuffed.
Austin connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Austin fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Austin lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Austin fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Russian appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Russian misses with the combination.
Russian fails in his attempt to clinch.

Austin bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
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!
Russian tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Austin wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Austin decides to stand back up.

Russian fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Austin, pushing him back against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Austin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Russian is looking to control Austin's arms but Austin gets an underhook and turns him. Now Russian has his back to the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Austin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Russian darts in looking for a takedown but Austin gets double underhooks and turns Russian into the cage.

Austin gets tackled into the cage by Russian. Russian maintains the clinch.

Russian has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Austin clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Austin just trying to survive but Russian is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Austin is really stuck here.
Russian not allowing Austin to control his hands.
Russian is punishing Austin with strikes - can he finish him?!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Russian punishes Austin with strikes from the back mount.
Russian keeps control of the position easily here as Austin tries to buck him off.
Austin covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russian keeps control of the position as Austin tries to break free.
Austin staying busy and making it hard for Russian to control.
Austin trying to control but not successfully.
Austin tries to escape the position.
Austin trying to control but not successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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.
Russian has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Austin's body.
Austin is trying to get back to his feet but Russian has full control of the position and if anything, Austin has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Russian lands strikes to the head.

Austin defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Russian's arms.

Russian is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Austin is defending well though. Russian let's go of the attempt for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Russian is persistently looking for the submission but Austin is defending it well.

Russian is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Austin is defending well though. Russian let's go of the attempt for now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Austin is trying to escape under a series of strikes and manages to escape from Russian 's hooks.
Russian can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Austin is looking to escape.
Steve Austin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Russian landing shots from mount.
Austin is bucking up trying to escape but Russian cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Big Russian has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Russian tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Russian lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Big Russian overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Russian tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Russian can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Austin is looking to escape.

And that's the end of the fight!
Big Russian showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Russian 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight for Steve Austin!
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight for Steve Austin!
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight for Steve Austin!

Steve Austin wins by unanimous decision!