PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexey Potapenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Starker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Starker has chosen Under Milk Wood as his entrance music. On his way into the cage it seems that Alexey Potapenko has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Alexey Potapenko seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Potapenko
vs
Starker

195 cm
32
260 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

190 cm
30
265 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Decent wrestler
Great elbows
Granite chin

RAGS of a RONIN

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexey Potapenko!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Paul Starker!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Potapenko avoids the body shot from Starker.
Potapenko tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Starker manages to circle out of the way.
Starker jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Potapenko closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Starker to the mat! Starker manages to get full guard.
Starker really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Potapenko. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Potapenko throwing strikes from guard but Starker blocks nicely.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Starker can do anything to dispel that myth.
Potapenko missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Starker told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Potapenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Starker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Potapenko 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Potapenko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Potapenko chips away with some ground and pound.
Potapenko is looking to work some ground and pound but Starker has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Potapenko sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Potapenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Starker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Starker seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Starker keeping moving, preventing Potapenko from controlling successfully.
Starker wants to stand and escape but Potapenko is having none of it.
Potapenko passes into half guard.
Starker keeping control of the position.

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.
Starker regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Potapenko.
Starker avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Potapenko tries to free his leg and advance position but Starker is retaining full guard.
Potapenko throwing strikes but missing.
Potapenko slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Potapenko tries to score with some ground and pound. Starker controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Potapenko working the head and body with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Potapenko is looking to take a break and control but Starker is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ground and pound from Potapenko seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Starker defending against the ground and pound.
Potapenko grinds an elbow into Starker's temple.
Potapenko tries to move into full mount but can't pass Starker's legs.
Starker tries to improve position but can't.
Starker takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Potapenko misses with the ground and pound.

Potapenko is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Starker has escaped the position, nice work there.
Potapenko throws an elbow but Starker slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Potapenko grinds an elbow into Starker's temple.
You can see the frustration on Starker's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Potapenko is working Starker over with some ground and pound from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Potapenko lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Starker down.
Potapenko fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Potapenko scores with punches from side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Potapenko lands some shots froms side control.

Potapenko tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Potapenko has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Potapenko scores with punches from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexey Potapenko dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

A jab from Starker misses.
As Starker looks to move away, Potapenko throws a big counter combo but Starker just gets out of the way.
Potapenko tries for a takedown but Starker sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Starker throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Potapenko changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Potapenko looking to score a takedown here. Starker is defending well but Potapenko drives through and ends up in Starker's guard.
Potapenko throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Potapenko is in close to Starker's body, working some short punches and elbows.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Potapenko working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Potapenko works over Starker with some ground and pound from guard.
Potapenko throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Starker works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Starker keeping full guard, as Potapenko tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Potapenko is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Potapenko postures up in Starker's guard and throws a big left but Starker blocks it.
We've been hearing that Potapenko has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Potapenko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Starker is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Potapenko with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Potapenko sitting in guard here, content to control.
Starker is trying to control the position but Potapenko postures up.

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.
Potapenko keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Starker's head.
Potapenko connects with a couple of short punches.
Potapenko wants to control from the top but Starker keeps moving.
Potapenko stands and throws Starker's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Starker is working to avoid the ground and pound but Potapenko connects with a decent elbow.
Potapenko sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Starker is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Potapenko controlling the position from side mount.

Potapenko is trying to get an arm triangle but Starker is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Potapenko in side control, throwing shots but Starker defends.
Potapenko lands an elbow.

Potapenko is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Starker is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Starker tries to buck Potapenko off but Potapenko is having none of it.
Potapenko working away.
Starker parries the strikes from Potapenko easily there. Potapenko is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Starker to escape.

Potapenko is trying to get an arm triangle but Starker is defending well.
Potapenko lands some shots froms side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Starker is looking to regain half guard here but Potapenko keeps moving and retains side control.
Potapenko working the body and head with strikes.
Starker takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Potapenko wants to control but Starker is keeping him busy.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Starker tries to bench press Potapenko off him but Potapenko keeps the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexey Potapenko dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Potapenko shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Starker napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Potapenko throws an elbow but Starker slips to the side and avoids it well.
Alexey Potapenko overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Potapenko trying to control the position but Starker is working away.
Potapenko lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Starker down.
Starker on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Starker takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Potapenko lands a few punches from side control.
Potapenko wants to control but Starker is keeping him busy.
Potapenko is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Starker will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Potapenko scoring with punches and elbows.
Potapenko tries to score with some ground and pound. Starker controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Potapenko in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

Potapenko is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Starker knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Potapenko tries to score with some ground and pound. Starker controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

Potapenko is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Starker is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Paul Starker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Potapenko lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Potapenko working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Potapenko with the ground and pound but Starker regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Potapenko sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Starker defending well though.
Potapenko thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Potapenko thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Potapenko thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Starker avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Potapenko.
Potapenko lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Potapenko trying to control the action but Starker is working from the bottom.
Starker blocking the ground and pound attempt from Potapenko.
Starker tries to get to full guard but Potapenko has control of the leg.
Potapenko looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Starker with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Starker avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Potapenko.
Ground and pound from Potapenko.

Potapenko seems to be working for a kimura but Starker defends the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Starker won't allow Potapenko to pass to mount.
Potapenko is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Starker can do to turn this around?
Potapenko missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Potapenko thows a huge punch but Starker dodges it nicely.
Potapenko working Starker over with strikes.
Potapenko slips a nice elbow through Starker's hands, connecting with Starker's forehead.
Potapenko throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Alexey Potapenko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Potapenko takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Starker takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Potapenko lands a nice short elbow.
Starker on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Potapenko is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexey Potapenko showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Potapenko, 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexey Potapenko!
Alexey Potapenko retains his super heavyweight title!