PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mikhail Bezrukov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Buddy Elf (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Bezrukov
vs
Elf

196 cm
25
267 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

204 cm
25
265 lbs
4 - 3 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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, Mikhail Bezrukov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Buddy Elf!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Elf dives in and grabs Bezrukov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bezrukov pushes down on Elf's head and hops out.
Bezrukov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Elf with the counter takedown but Bezrukov avoids it easily.
Bezrukov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Elf slips under a jab.
Bezrukov misses with a hook.
Elf feints the counter takedown.

Elf looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Bezrukov!

Bezrukov explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Elf keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bezrukov just misses with a punch to the body.
Bezrukov slaps away a takedown attempt from Elf, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Bezrukov changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Elf takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Bezrukov moves into the clinch.

Bezrukov breaks from the clinch.
Elf misses with a takedown attempt

and Bezrukov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Bezrukov.
Mikhail Bezrukov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Buddy Elf.
Bezrukov stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Elf gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Bezrukov.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Elf.

Elf works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Bezrukov is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Elf presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bezrukov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Nice body punch from Bezrukov.
Bezrukov is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Elf wants to stall.
Bezrukov digs a right hand underneath Elf's ribcage. Elf let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A nice left hand lands by Bezrukov.

Bezrukov gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Bezrukov being controlled here momentarily.
Bezrukov is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bezrukov throwing strikes from guard but Elf blocks nicely.
Bezrukov wants to control from the top but Elf keeps moving.
Bezrukov connects with a couple of short punches.
Bezrukov sitting in guard here, content to control.
Elf keeping moving, preventing Bezrukov from controlling successfully.
Elf is trying to control the position but Bezrukov postures up.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

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.
Bezrukov not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Elf ducks right into an uppercut from Bezrukov.
Elf goes for a double leg but Bezrukov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Bezrukov continues to drive forward.
It looked like Bezrukov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

Bezrukov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Bezrukov breaks from the clinch.
Bezrukov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Elf fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Bezrukov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Bezrukov is looking to counter punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Bezrukov dominated that round.
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.

Bezrukov scores with a body shot.
Elf keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bezrukov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Elf.
Bezrukov misses with a body shot.
Bezrukov stuffs the takedown attempt from Elf. Elf gets slowly back to his feet.
Bezrukov feinted with a counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bezrukov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Elf manages to avoid it.
Bezrukov slaps away a takedown attempt from Elf, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Elf fails with a takedown attempt.
Bezrukov tries to counter with a takedown but Elf is quick to defend against it.
Mikhail Bezrukov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Buddy Elf.
Elf shoots for a takedown but Bezrukov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
As Elf looks to move away, Bezrukov throws a big counter combo but Elf just gets out of the way.
Elf tries for a takedown but Bezrukov circles away easily

and Bezrukov holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Elf swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Bezrukov stalling.
Bezrukov effectively controlling the action here.
Bezrukov seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
Bezrukov can't find room to land a body shot as Elf controls the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bezrukov throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Elf wants a takedown.
Elf is breathing heavily.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Elf obliges.

Elf breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bezrukov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Elf. Elf circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Nice takedown defense from Bezrukov. No joy for Elf on that attempt.
Bezrukov lands with a shot to the body.
Elf closes the distance and clinches up with Bezrukov, looking for a takedown. Elf pushes Bezrukov against the cage but Bezrukov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Bezrukov throws a series of strikes that have Elf backpedaling.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Elf wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bezrukov connects with a jab.
Elf fails with a takedown attempt.
It looked like Bezrukov was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Elf.
Bezrukov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bezrukov misses with a hook

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
and Elf counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Elf.

Bezrukov has his feet on Elf's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Buddy Elf is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bezrukov looks to throw the jab but Elf is out of range.

Bezrukov has managed to clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bezrukov lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Bezrukov leaning against his opponent.
Bezrukov works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Bezrukov lands a right hand.
Bezrukov stalling.
Bezrukov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Elf's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Bezrukov lands a shot to the body.
Elf is trying to break free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Bezrukov dominated that second round.
That's time! Bezrukov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Bezrukov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Elf shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bezrukov as he avoids it easily.
Bezrukov lands with a shot to the body.
Elf fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Bezrukov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Elf feints the counter takedown.

Bezrukov darts in and clinches Elf up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bezrukov slowing the pace effectively.
Elf can't break the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Bezrukov.

Bezrukov has clasped his hands together around Elf's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Bezrukov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Elf can do to turn this around?
Elf takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bezrukov scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Elf to see if he's OK.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bezrukov in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bezrukov is chipping away with strikes.
Mikhail Bezrukov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bezrukov scoring with punches and elbows.
Bezrukov working the head with strikes.
Bezrukov in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Elf taking punishment in the form of punches.
Bezrukov lands a few punches from side control.
Elf is trying to escape the position but Bezrukov is controlling the position.
Bezrukov scoring with punches from side control.
Elf taking a bit of punishment here - Bezrukov scoring with strikes.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bezrukov creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Bezrukov is chipping away with strikes.
Bezrukov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Bezrukov lands some shots froms side control.
Bezrukov works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bezrukov working the ground and pound.
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!
Bezrukov in side control lands a decent elbow.
Bezrukov working the ground and pound.

Elf is rocked!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bezrukov landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Elf is still in real trouble! Can Bezrukov finish him?
Elf takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Bezrukov controlling from side mount.
Elf seems to have recovered his senses.
Bezrukov is looking to take a break and control but Elf is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bezrukov lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Mikhail Bezrukov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Elf on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Bezrukov scores with a couple of short elbows.
Bezrukov trying to control the position but Elf is working away.
Bezrukov working the ground and pound.
Bezrukov scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Elf to see if he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bezrukov creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Bezrukov landing a few strikes.
Bezrukov in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Bezrukov 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.
Bezrukov working the ground and pound.
A big shot lands for Bezrukov! That's hurt Elf! Will he recover? Bezrukov fires away with more strikes and the referee has to step in to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mikhail Bezrukov!