PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Boris Kharitonov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ghoul Ghotha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kharitonov
vs
Ghotha

207 cm
44
272 lbs
41 - 28 - 0

207 cm
47
272 lbs
46 - 46 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Spartan Nutrition

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 41 - 28 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Boris Kharitonov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 46 - 46 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ghoul Ghotha!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Leandro Rodrigues and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kharitonov throws a nice looking combination but Ghotha bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kharitonov throws a head kick but Ghotha moves out of range.
Kharitonov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ghotha moves out of range as Kharitonov strikes.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Kharitonov throws the left hand but Ghotha avoids the punch easily.
Ghotha changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Kharitonov moves in looking to clinch but Ghotha pushes him off.
Ghotha tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ghotha on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kharitonov lands with a slapping head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kharitonov pushes Ghotha up against the cage in a clinch.
A short uppercut from Kharitonov.
Ghotha wants to take the fight to the mat but Kharitonov manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Ghotha changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kharitonov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kharitonov misses with a hook

and Ghotha counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Kharitonov!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kharitonov is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Ghotha scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Kharitonov is looking to improve his position.
Ghotha content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Ghotha seems to be working for a kimura but Kharitonov defends the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ghotha is just content to waste time from the top position. Kharitonov takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Kharitonov's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Ghotha postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ghotha working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Kharitonov controlling Ghotha's posture.
Ghotha is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghotha trying to control the position from guard on top but Kharitonov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ghotha accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ghotha has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kharitonov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ghotha works over Kharitonov with some ground and pound from guard.
Kharitonov keeping moving, preventing Ghotha from controlling successfully.
Ghotha stopping the sweep attempt from Kharitonov.
Ghotha throwing strikes but missing.

That's four 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.
Ghotha throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kharitonov 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.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ghotha doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Kharitonov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Boris Kharitonov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ghoul Ghotha.

Kharitonov clinches.

Ghotha has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Kharitonov clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Ghotha is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Kharitonov has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Ghotha throwing damaging strikes from the back! Kharitonov could be in trouble here!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ghoul Ghotha will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kharitonov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kharitonov throws a jab when Ghotha was well out of range.
Kharitonov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ghotha's head.
A shot to the liver by Kharitonov. Beautiful body shot.
Kharitonov throws a looping overhand right but Ghotha ducks down to avoid it.
Ghotha tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kharitonov throws a lazy right hand but Ghotha sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Ghotha shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kharitonov napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ghotha tries to score with some ground and pound. Kharitonov controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ghotha misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Kharitonov isn't going anywhere.
Ghotha remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Kharitonov sneaks back into half guard.
Ghotha is thwarting Kharitonov's attempts to control the position.
Ghotha missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two 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.
Kharitonov wants to get back to full guard.
Ghotha is nestled in close to Kharitonov, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ghotha not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ghotha trying to control from half guard but Kharitonov is working away.
Ghotha thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kharitonov's head.
Ghotha controlling the action here.
Kharitonov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Ghotha is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
My spies in The Warehouse inform me that Ghotha has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Ghoul Ghotha has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kharitonov wants to control but Ghotha is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghotha drops an elbow to the side of Kharitonov's head.
Ghotha throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ghotha scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Ghotha trying to pass the guard but Kharitonov defending well.
Ghotha throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Kharitonov to regain full guard.
Ghotha looking to sit in guard and control but Kharitonov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Kharitonov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Ghotha is proving hard to escape from.

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.

Kharitonov stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Ghotha takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ghotha or perhaps it was just good defense by Kharitonov, which made it look bad.
Kharitonov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kharitonov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ghoul Ghotha showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Kharitonov misses with a few strikes there.
Ghotha changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Ghotha dodges the punch combination from Kharitonov.
Kharitonov is looking to clinch.
It seemed like Ghotha was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Kharitonov moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ghotha goes for a takedown attempt but Kharitonov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kharitonov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kharitonov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ghotha.
Kharitonov tries to bum rush Ghotha with a series of wild strikes but Ghotha uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A head kick by Kharitonov misses

and Ghotha counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Ghotha with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ghotha is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Kharitonov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ghotha is one step ahead there.
Ghotha throwing strikes from guard but Kharitonov blocks nicely.
Boris Kharitonov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ghoul Ghotha is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ghotha missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ghotha landing some decent shots from guard.
Ghotha trying to control the position from guard on top but Kharitonov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ghotha working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ghotha controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ghotha works over Kharitonov with some ground and pound from guard.
Ghotha controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Kharitonov keeping moving, preventing Ghotha from controlling successfully.
Ghotha is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ghotha shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kharitonov but Kharitonov pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Kharitonov has managed to clinch.
Kharitonov scores with a shot to the side of Ghotha's head.
Kharitonov lands a shoulder strike.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kharitonov lands an uppercut.
Kharitonov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kharitonov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A right handed body shot lands from Kharitonov.
Ghotha takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ghotha takes a shot to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Boris Kharitonov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ghotha has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 28:29
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ghoul Ghotha!
Ghoul Ghotha decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.