PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexei Crushchev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolai Valuev (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.

Crushchev
vs
Valuev

196 cm
18
255 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

213 cm
22
219 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent knees
Powerful

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexei Crushchev!
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, Nikolai Valuev!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Aleksandr Martynov and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Crushchev misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Crushchev has closed the distance and engaged Valuev in a clinch.
Knees to the body from Valuev.
Valuev crunches a lovely knee into Crushchev's ribcage.
Crushchev is breathing heavily.
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!
Valuev connects with a nasty looking knee right to Crushchev's face.
Valuev landing knees to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Valuev.
Knees to the body from Valuev.
Valuev with a knee to the head.

It looks like Alexei Crushchev has been cut.
Valuev landing knees to the body.
Valuev using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Valuev with a knee to the head.
Valuev crunches a lovely knee into Crushchev's ribcage.
Valuev scores with a knee to the head.
Valuev connects with a nasty looking knee right to Crushchev's face.
Valuev connects with a knee to the head.
Valuev scores a nice knee to the body.
Valuev landing knees to the head.
Valuev connects with a knee to the head.
Valuev scores a nice knee to the body.
Knees to the body from Valuev.
Valuev lands a nice knee to the body.
Valuev is pressed up against the cage. Crushchev has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Valuev down to the mat. Valuev avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Crushchev wants to clinch.

Valuev rushes Crushchev and presses him up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valuev landing knees to the body.
Valuev is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Crushchev drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexei Crushchev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Valuev lands a knee to the head.
Valuev connects with a knee to the head.
Valuev with a knee to the head.
Crushchev changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Valuev fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Crushchev tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Valuev counters by moving into the clinch.
Crushchev is trying to drag Valuev to the mat but Valuev just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Valuev scores with a knee to the head.
Crushchev is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Valuev gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Valuev prevents the takedown attempt.
Valuev connects with a nasty looking knee right to Crushchev's face.
Valuev landing knees to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valuev crunches a lovely knee into Crushchev's ribcage.
Valuev crunches a lovely knee into Crushchev's ribcage.
Crushchev can't get the takedown.
Valuev landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Valuev landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Crushchev has Valuev pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Valuev manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Valuev gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Crushchev.
Valuev connects with a nasty looking knee right to Crushchev's face.
Valuev connects with a nasty looking knee right to Crushchev's face.
Crushchev tries to pull guard but Valuev won't allow it.
Valuev with a knee to the head.
Valuev scores a nice knee to the body.
Crushchev is working for takedown but Valuev is calmly controlling the position for now.
A knee to the head by Valuev.
Crushchev tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Valuev smiles and moves away.
Valuev tries to clinch up but Crushchev circles away and keeps his distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Valuev clinches up with Crushchev and pushes him back against the cage.
Valuev scores with a knee to the head.
Crushchev trying to stall but Valuev improves his position.
Crushchev tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Valuev lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Valuev looking to throw knees to the head but Crushchev is blocking nicely.
Valuev with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Valuev prevents the takedown attempt.
Crushchev drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Crushchev takes a knee right on the jaw!
Crushchev has Valuev pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Valuev manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A knee to the head by Valuev.
Crushchev can't break the clinch.
Valuev with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Crushchev drops down looking for an ankle pick but Valuev pulls his leg out and moves away.
Valuev tries to clinch

and Crushchev counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Valuev's guard now.
Crushchev trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Crushchev wants to control from the top but Valuev keeps moving.
Valuev is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Crushchev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Valuev trying to control the position here.
Crushchev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Valuev works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Valuev dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alexei Crushchev's cut.
That's time! Crushchev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Crushchev keeps the fight on the outside.
Crushchev fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Valuev tries to clinch but Crushchev moves out of range.
Valuev tries to clinch up.

Valuev forces Crushchev back against the cage and clinches.
Crushchev fails to pull guard.
Crushchev tries for a takedown. No joy.
Crushchev wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Crushchev wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Valuev lands a knee to the body.
Valuev scores with a knee to the head.
Valuev lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Valuev connects with a nasty looking knee right to Crushchev's face.
Valuev scores a nice knee to the body.
Crushchev can't find room to land a body shot as Valuev controls the action.
Valuev scores with a knee to the head.
Valuev lands a nice knee to the body.
Valuev unloads a knee to the mid-section. Crushchev lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Crushchev wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Valuev scores with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crushchev is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexei Crushchev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Valuev connects with a knee to the head.
Crushchev wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Valuev has him pressed against the cage.
Valuev lands a knee to the head.
Valuev using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Crushchev is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Valuev gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Valuev scores with a knee to the head.
Valuev lands a knee to the body.
Crushchev can't break the clinch.
Valuev scores with a knee to the head.

Crushchev successfully pulls guard.
Crushchev is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Crushchev is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Crushchev not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Crushchev tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Valuev is pushing down on Crushchev's leg trying to pass to half guard. Crushchev is fighting to maintain full guard but Valuev has managed to sneak the leg through.
Crushchev throws a sloppy strike from the bottom. He's now off balance and Valuev manages to pass to side control.
Valuev has control of an arm but Crushchev manages to advance to Valuev's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crushchev tries to break free.
Valuev is not going to allow Crushchev to sit and survive in this position.
Crushchev manages to reverse the position and now he's in Valuev's guard. Nice work there by Crushchev.
Crushchev trying to control the position from guard on top but Valuev is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Crushchev throws a strike but Valuev rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Crushchev is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Crushchev wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Valuev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Alexei Crushchev's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Valuev closes the distance looking to clinch

and Crushchev counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Valuev scores with a knee to the head.
Valuev prevents the takedown attempt.
A knee to the head by Valuev.
Valuev with a knee to the head.
Crushchev wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Crushchev tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Valuev lands a knee to the head.
Valuev lands a knee to the body.
Valuev unloads a knee to the mid-section. Crushchev lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Knees in the clinch landing for Valuev.
Valuev prevents Crushchev from breaking the clinch.
Valuev lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Valuev with a knee to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Valuev with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Valuev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Valuev scores with a knee to the head.
Valuev lands a nice knee to the body.
Valuev lands a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Valuev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valuev lands a knee to the head.
Crushchev wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Valuev lands a knee to the head.
Crushchev can't break the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Valuev.
Valuev lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Crushchev lands a body shot.
Valuev landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Crushchev is looking to break free of the clinch but Valuev has double underhooks.
Nikolai Valuev seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A knee to the head by Valuev.
Valuev connects with a nasty looking knee right to Crushchev's face.
Crushchev takes a knee right on the jaw!
Crushchev drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Valuev misses with a knee strike.
Crushchev wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexei Crushchev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Crushchev fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Valuev scores with a knee to the head.
Crushchev has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Valuev is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Valuev lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Valuev landing knees to the head.
Crushchev takes a knee right on the jaw!
A knee to the head by Valuev.
Valuev with a knee to the head.
Nikolai Valuev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Crushchev has Valuev pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Valuev manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Valuev gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Crushchev.
Crushchev drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Valuev stops a takedown attempt from Crushchev.
Crushchev has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Valuev is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Valuev prevents the takedown attempt.
Knees to the body from Valuev.
Crushchev has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Valuev avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crushchev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Crushchev drops down looking for an ankle pick but Valuev pulls his leg out and moves away.
Valuev tries to clinch but Crushchev is having none of it.

Valuev rushes Crushchev and presses him up against the cage.
Valuev lands a nice knee to the body.
Crushchev looking for a takedown.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Valuev crunches a lovely knee into Crushchev's ribcage.
Crushchev tries to break the clinch but Valuev is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Valuev lands a nice knee to the body.
Valuev with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Valuev scores with a knee to the head.
Valuev landing knees to the body.
Crushchev wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Crushchev has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Valuev avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Crushchev is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Valuev connects with a knee to the head.
Valuev unloads a knee to the mid-section. Crushchev lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Valuev landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Crushchev takes a knee right on the jaw!
Alexei Crushchev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Valuev prevents a takedown attempt there.
Valuev using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolai Valuev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Valuev 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolai Valuev!