PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Spartan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksander Kolov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Spartan
vs
Kolov

198 cm
22
210 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
19
218 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Likes ground

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, John Spartan!
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, Aleksander Kolov!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Ivan Kurochkin and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spartan lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Kolov slips a jab and a cross from Spartan.
Spartan rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kolov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kolov misses with a takedown attempt - Spartan sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Kolov scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Spartan has one foot on Kolov's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Spartan swats away the attempt to clinch by Kolov.
Kolov fails with a takedown attempt.
Spartan swats away the attempt to clinch by Kolov.
Kolov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Spartan's waist but Spartan gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kolov off to one side.
John Spartan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aleksander Kolov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spartan throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kolov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Spartan throws a series of punches but Kolov avoids them all with ease.
Spartan misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
John Spartan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Spartan scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Spartan throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kolov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Spartan lands a jab-cross combination.
Kolov is looking to clinch.
Kolov slips a jab and a cross from Spartan.
Kolov wants to clinch up but Spartan keeps it at a distance.
Spartan lands a body shot.
Kolov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

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.
Kolov misses with a wild body shot.
Kolov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Spartan manages to avoid it.
Kolov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Spartan swivels and escapes.
Spartan blocks the body kick.
Kolov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Spartan counters with a three punch combo that has Kolov backing up. Kolov nods at Spartan to acknowledge the strikes.
Spartan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kolov manages to avoid it.
A combination from Spartan does no damage.
Spartan lands a jab-cross combination.
Spartan misses with a two punch combination.
Kolov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Spartan's waist but Spartan gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kolov off to one side.
Spartan lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Kolov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Spartan is fending him off so far but Kolov persists. Nope, Spartan circles away and we're back to standing.
Spartan stuffs the takedown attempt from Kolov. Kolov gets slowly back to his feet.
Kolov looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spartan works Kolov's body with a nice hook.
Spartan misses with the combination.
Kolov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Spartan.
Kolov shoots for a takedown but Spartan saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Spartan throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kolov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kolov shoots and misses
and Spartan counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Spartan scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kolov doesn't seem bothered though.
Kolov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Spartan misses with a series of wild punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spartan throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Spartan lands a head shot.
Kolov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Spartan counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Spartan ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Spartan is looking to wear down Kolov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Spartan throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kolov.
Kolov shoots for a double leg takedown but Spartan sprawls well. He's pushed Kolov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Spartan scores with a one two! Kolov had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Kolov darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Spartan gets back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Spartan dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

A punch combination from Spartan misses.
Spartan misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
No luck for Kolov with that takedown attempt.
Kolov shoots in and drives through. Spartan sprawls well.
Spartan throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kolov.
Kolov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Kolov shoots for a double leg takedown but Spartan sprawls well. He's pushed Kolov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
John Spartan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aleksander Kolov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kolov tries to clinch but Spartan moves away
and Spartan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Spartan throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kolov.
Good exchange - Spartan coming out on top.
Kolov is breathing heavily.
Spartan throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kolov tries to clinch
and Spartan counters with a two punch combo.
Spartan swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Spartan looks to land a combination but Kolov avoids it well.
Spartan lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Spartan.
Spartan tries to bum rush Kolov with a series of wild strikes but Kolov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Spartan stuns Kolov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Kolov wants to clinch but Spartan slips to the side
and Spartan counters with a right hand to the body.
Kolov looks for a takedown but Spartan sprawls well.
Spartan misses with a series of wild punches.
Kolov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left and a right from Spartan both land. Nice combination.
Spartan throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Spartan scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Spartan misses with a double jab.
Spartan moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Spartan lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Kolov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Spartan uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kolov has time to react.
Spartan will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kolov misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spartan throws a nice looking combination but Kolov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Spartan throws a right hand that Kolov ducks under and follows up with a left that Kolov also avoids with ease.
No joy there for Spartan, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Spartan is working the combinations to good effect here.
Spartan checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Spartan scores with a nice strike.
Spartan throws a right hand that Kolov ducks under and follows up with a left that Kolov also avoids with ease.
Spartan misses with a double jab

and Kolov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Spartan keeping control of the position.
Spartan has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kolov is working away from the top position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spartan is trying is best to control the position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kolov stops Spartan from getting back to his feet.
Spartan manages to get to full guard.
Spartan looking for a sweep. Not yet Spartan, not yet.
Kolov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kolov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Spartan has Kolov pulled in close to control his posture.
Kolov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Spartan wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Spartan dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Kolov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kolov tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Spartan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Spartan darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Kolov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Kolov shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Spartan but Spartan pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Spartan ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spartan lands a jab-cross combination.
Spartan scores with a one two! Kolov had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Spartan misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Spartan!
Kolov closes the distance but Spartan moves to the side
and Spartan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kolov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Spartan.
Aleksander Kolov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Spartan thuds a left hand into Kolov's body.
Spartan misses with a wild combination.
Kolov has his takedown stuffed
and Spartan counters with a one-two to the body.
John Spartan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aleksander Kolov.
Spartan's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Spartan duly obliges.

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.
Spartan misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Spartan checks a leg kick.
Kolov closes the distance but Spartan moves to the side
and Spartan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Spartan throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kolov.
Spartan swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

so Kolov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Spartan wants to sweep but no luck.

Kolov stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Kolov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Spartan lands with a nice combination. Kolov backs away looking to recover.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spartan swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Spartan misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kolov tries to clinch
and Spartan counters with a series of strikes. Kolov will be more careful next time no doubt.
John Spartan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kolov closes the distance and clinches up with Spartan, looking for a takedown. Kolov pushes Spartan against the cage but Spartan circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kolov shoots for a double leg takedown but Spartan sprawls well. He's pushed Kolov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Spartan avoids the head kick by Kolov.
Spartan looks to land a combination but Kolov avoids it well.
Kolov walks into a stiff left hand from Spartan.
Spartan scores with a hook to the body. Kolov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Spartan swinging wilding here.
Spartan misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kolov tries to clinch up
and Kolov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Spartan comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Kolov swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Spartan counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Kolov takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Spartan scores with a decent looking hook.
John Spartan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kolov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Spartan swivels and escapes.
Spartan keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Aleksander Kolov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Spartan displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Spartan showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Spartan, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Spartan!