PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ethan Davidson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nicolai Petrov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Petrov is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Soviet Connection by Michael Hunter. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Davidson
vs
Petrov

222 cm
24
193 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

184 cm
25
187 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Ethan Davidson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Nicolai Petrov!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Chris Edwards and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Petrov scores with a nice head shot.
Petrov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Davidson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Petrov tries to clinch there but Davidson circles away.
Petrov misses with a takedown attempt - Davidson sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Petrov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Davidson, pushing him back against the cage.
Petrov is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Petrov is stalling here.
Petrov wants to get back to striking at distance but Davidson won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Davidson is working for takedown but Petrov is calmly controlling the position for now.
Petrov misses with a knee strike.
Davidson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ethan Davidson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Petrov's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

Petrov drags the fight down to the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Davidson gets to his feet - Petrov follows without any prompting.

Petrov pushes Davidson up against the cage in a clinch.
Davidson is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Petrov is defending well.
Petrov is trying to break free.

Petrov breaks the clinch.
Petrov wants to clinch.

Petrov moves into the clinch successfully.
Petrov tries to circle away but Davidson has him pinned against the cage.

Petrov jumps guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petrov wants to stand and escape but Davidson is having none of it.
Davidson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Davidson throws a big elbow that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Davidson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Petrov is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Davidson defends well.
Petrov striking off his back, scoring a few points.
Davidson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Petrov's guard.

Petrov manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Davidson tries to clinch up.
Petrov swinging wildly here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Davidson gets tackled into the cage by Petrov. Petrov maintains the clinch.

Davidson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Petrov moves into the clinch.
Davidson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Petrov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Davidson is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Petrov tries to land knees in the clinch but Davidson avoids the damage to the body.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Davidson jumps guard but Petrov turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Petrov wants a takedown.

Petrov pulls guard effortlessly.
Davidson scoring with punches to the head and body.

Davidson stands and steps away. Petrov gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Davidson rushes Petrov and presses him up against the cage.
Davidson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Petrov wants to break free but Davidson has control.
Davidson tries to pull guard but Petrov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Petrov prevents the takedown attempt.
Davidson can't get the takedown.
Davidson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Petrov fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Petrov has Davidson up against the cage in a clinch.
Petrov is trying to break free.
A body shot lands from Petrov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicolai Petrov dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Davidson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Petrov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Petrov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Davidson avoids a punch combination nicely.
A quick step to the side and Davidson tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

Petrov gets a clinch.
Davidson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Petrov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Davidson.
Petrov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Petrov wants to break free but Davidson has control.

Davidson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Davidson is looking to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Petrov darts in and clinches Davidson up against the cage.
Davidson wants to get back to striking at distance but Petrov won't allow it.
Petrov tries to pull guard but Davidson holds him up against the cage and eventually Petrov drops back down to his feet.
Davidson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Petrov after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ethan Davidson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Petrov has Davidson pressed against the cage.
Davidson wants to take the fight to the mat but Petrov manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Petrov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Davidson.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Petrov is trying to break the clinch but Davidson has him pressed against the cage.

Petrov pulls guard.

Petrov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Davidson defends it easily.
Petrov pulls Davidson in close to prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Petrov scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Petrov gets a clinch.
Petrov slowing the pace effectively.
Davidson wants to take the fight to the mat but Petrov manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Petrov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Davidson's brow.
Davidson is looking to break free of the clinch but Petrov has double underhooks.
Petrov tries to pull guard but Davidson forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Davidson pulls guard successfully.
Petrov forces his way into half guard.
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!
Nice strikes from Petrov there.
Davidson really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Davidson trying to hold on to Petrov's head to control him but Petrov postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Davidson looks like he's trying to stand up.
Petrov is keen to just control but Davidson is a slippery customer.
Petrov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Petrov controlling the action here.
Davidson blocking the ground and pound attempt from Petrov.
Petrov is thwarting Davidson's attempts to control the position.
Petrov is trying to control the action in half guard but Davidson is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Davidson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

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.
Petrov controlling the action here.
Davidson is trying to maintain the position but Petrov is very close to passing his half guard.

Petrov stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Davidson to get to his feet.

Petrov forces Davidson back against the cage and clinches.
Petrov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Davidson.
Davidson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Petrov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Petrov has Davidson up against the cage in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nicolai Petrov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Petrov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Davidson circles away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Petrov is working Davidson over against the cage.
Davidson is trying to drag Petrov to the mat but Petrov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Petrov wants to get back to striking at distance but Davidson won't allow it.
Davidson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Davidson 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 Ethan Davidson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Petrov decides to pull guard.
Davidson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Petrov's guard.

Petrov has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Davidson has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petrov wants to get back to striking at distance but Davidson won't allow it.
Petrov gets underhooks to prevent Davidson's takedown attempt.
Davidson is trying to break free.

Davidson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Petrov closes the distance and clinches.
Petrov tries to break the clinch but Davidson is controlling the position.

Petrov pulls guard successfully.
Nicolai Petrov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Petrov has a closed guard, preventing Davidson from standing up.

Petrov is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Davidson presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Davidson tries to circle away but Petrov has him pinned against the cage.
Petrov looking for a takedown.
A frustrated look appears on Petrov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Davidson goes for a takedown attempt but Petrov pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Petrov throws a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Petrov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Davidson wants a takedown but no success here.
Petrov misses with a knee to the head.

Petrov pulls guard effortlessly.
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!
Davidson is looking to stand up but Petrov won't let him.

Petrov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Petrov manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Davidson avoiding damage as Petrov throws knees to the body.
Davidson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Davidson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A short right from Petrov.
Davidson tries for a takedown. No joy.
Petrov tries to score a body lock takedown but Davidson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Petrov taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Petrov misses with a knee to the head.
A frustrated look appears on Davidson's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Petrov taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Petrov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Davidson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Petrov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Petrov.

Petrov closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Davidson tries for a takedown but Petrov manages to get underhooks.
Petrov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Davidson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Nice body punch from Petrov - that landed with a thud.
Petrov has Davidson pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Davidson manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Davidson is trying to pull guard but Petrov has him pressed against the cage.
Petrov is trying to break the clinch but Davidson has him pressed against the cage.
Davidson managing to block the knees to the body from Petrov.
Petrov tries to break free but Davidson pushes him back against the cage.

Petrov drags the fight down to the ground.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Petrov is working an open guard so Davidson takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Ethan Davidson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nicolai Petrov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Petrov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nicolai Petrov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Petrov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 James Atkins scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nicolai Petrov!
Nicolai Petrov took some time post fight to say the following; ' I'll rip your fucking heart out!'.