PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bartek Elkoski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ismail Saidov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Saidov is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Shamhan Daldaev - Eto Kavkaz. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Elkoski
vs
Saidov

196 cm
24
205 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

188 cm
42
202 lbs
26 - 21 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Bartek Elkoski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 21 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Ismail Saidov!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Shigeki Fujiwara and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Elkoski closes the distance and clinches.
Saidov is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Elkoski gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Saidov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Elkoski is defending well.

Saidov works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Saidov sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Elkoski is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Saidov is controlling him.
Saidov is stalling in the full guard.
Elkoski wants to get back to his feet but Saidov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saidov is standing up over Elkoski. Elkoski looks to escape but Saidov dives into side control.
Elkoski wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Elkoski wants to get back to his feet but Saidov is dominant here and he's now got Elkoski's back!
Elkoski is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
It looks like Saidov might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Saidov is continuing to stall.
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.
Elkoski is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Elkoski is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Elkoski is trying to stand back up.
Saidov just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Elkoski is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Saidov really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Elkoski.
Elkoski wants to get back to his feet.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Saidov controlling the positon.

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.
Saidov's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
More stalling from Saidov.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Elkoski is trying to get back to his feet but Saidov has full control of the position and if anything, Elkoski has just worked his way into a worse spot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ismail Saidov dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Saidov misses with a wild combination.
Ismail Saidov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saidov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Elkoski.
Elkoski tries to counter with a takedown but Saidov is quick to defend against it.
Saidov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Elkoski lands with a kick to the temple. Saidov shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Saidov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
An inside leg kick from Elkoski misses.

Elkoski moves into range and clinches up with Saidov.
Saidov has Elkoski pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Elkoski manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Elkoski just misses with a elbow thrown towards Saidov's brow.
Elkoski misses with a hook from the clinch.

Saidov turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Saidov manages to end up in side control.
Elkoski is looking to get back to his feet here but Saidov is keeping cool and he's managed to take Elkoski's back.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Saidov has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Elkoski's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Elkoski is trying to get back to his feet but Saidov has full control of the position and if anything, Elkoski has just worked his way into a worse spot.
What can Elkoski do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Elkoski trying to get back to his feet but Saidov is in full control for now.
Saidov biding his time, controlling Elkoski.

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.
Elkoski is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Saidov controlling the positon.
We've been informed that Saidov has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Saidov has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Elkoski trying to get back to his feet but Saidov is in full control for now.
Saidov has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Elkoski's body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Ismail Saidov has got the better of the ground game so far.
The adventures of Saidov the control monster continue. Boring.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Elkoski is trying to get back to his feet but Saidov has full control of the position and if anything, Elkoski has just worked his way into a worse spot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ismail Saidov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Elkoski throws a head kick that misses.
Elkoski tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Saidov blocks a head kick by Elkoski.
Elkoski is looking to clinch but Saidov is avoiding it.
Elkoski cracks Saidov with an open hand slap.
Saidov pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Elkoski back to the cage. Saidov follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

It looks like Bartek Elkoski has been cut.
Saidov misses with a low kick.

Saidov drops Elkoski with a right and a left! Saidov comes rushing in but Elkoski regains his composure and manages to keep Saidov in guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Elkoski is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Saidov dives into side control.
Elkoski is trying to get back to his feet.
Saidov taking a breather here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Elkoski is pushing Saidov's head away, looking to escape. Saidov manages to hold on to the position though.
Saidov takes a little break here. Elkoski wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Elkoski wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Elkoski misses the shot to the body.

Saidov lands a left and a right that sends Elkoski crashing to the canvas! Saidov dives into mount looking to finish!
Saidov controlling the position easily from mount.
Elkoski squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saidov takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Elkoski is trying to stand.
Saidov controlling the position easily from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Elkoski wants to get back to his feet.
Saidov tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Elkoski tries to buck Saidov off but he can't manage it.
Bartek Elkoski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Saidov controlling the position easily from mount.
Elkoski is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ismail Saidov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Saidov 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 26:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ismail Saidov!
After the fight, Ismail Saidov was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.