PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Evander Boston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Semen Dolgov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Boston
vs
Dolgov

184 cm
21
202 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

193 cm
29
203 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Dangerous GnP
Decent boxing
Determined

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 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Evander Boston!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Semen Dolgov!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Dean Styles and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dolgov misses with a hook to the body
and Boston counters with a one-two to the body.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Dolgov.
Boston can't get the takedown.

Boston is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Dolgov can't fight it off and eventually Boston manages to take the fight to the floor. Dolgov looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Dolgov has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Cozad MMA Helsinki. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Dolgov working a defensive guard here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Boston stopping the sweep attempt from Dolgov.
Dolgov is looking to stand up but Boston isn't so interested in that idea.
Boston trying to control the position from guard on top but Dolgov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boston scoring with punches to the head and body.
Boston trying to control the position from guard on top but Dolgov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dolgov is looking to stand up but Boston isn't so interested in that idea.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Dolgov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Dolgov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Boston lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Boston tries to free his leg and advance position but Dolgov is retaining full guard.
Boston won't allow Dolgov to sweep him here.

Dolgov working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Boston has passed into half guard!
Dolgov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boston is looking to advance position but Dolgov won't allow it.
Boston is looking to take a break and control but Dolgov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Dolgov has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Boston is working away from the top position though.
Dolgov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
We've been hearing that Boston has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Dolgov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Dolgov keeping full guard, as Boston tries to pass.
Boston postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boston scoring with punches to the head and body.
Dolgov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Boston.
Boston postures up.
Boston pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Dolgov is keeping the position for now.
Dolgov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Dolgov stops Boston from getting back to his feet.
Boston is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Boston avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Dolgov.
Boston regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Dolgov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boston being controlled here, momentarily.
Dolgov advances position into side control!
Boston manages to work his way to half guard, despite Dolgov's best efforts.
Boston is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Dolgov scores with a couple of nice shots.
Dolgov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Dolgov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Boston doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Dolgov.
Dolgov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Boston with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evander Boston dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Boston misses with a takedown attempt
and Dolgov counters with a series of strikes. Boston will be more careful next time no doubt.
Dolgov lands a jab to the head.
Boston is looking to clinch but Dolgov is avoiding it.
Dolgov throws a jab when Boston was well out of range.
As Dolgov tries to get set, Boston tries to push him back and clinch up but Dolgov manages to avoid the attempt.

Boston clinches up against the cage.

Dolgov has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Boston uses from the top position.

Dolgov looking for a guillotine here but Boston defends easily.
Boston throwing strikes from guard but Dolgov blocks nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Boston postures up in Dolgov's guard and throws a big left but Dolgov blocks it.

Dolgov scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Boston wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dolgov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Dolgov lands a jab to the head.
Boston fails with an attempt to clinch.
Dolgov is looking to chop away at Boston's legs.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Boston, right into the meat.

Dolgov shoots in and gets a takedown into Boston's guard.
Dolgov works over Boston with some ground and pound from guard.

Boston is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Dolgov is aware though and is defending well.
Dolgov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Boston swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Boston looking for a guillotine here but Dolgov defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dolgov stands up over Boston, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Dolgov controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Dolgov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Dolgov chips away with some ground and pound.
Boston is trying to keep Dolgov in close.
Dolgov lands a couple of digs.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Dolgov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dolgov lands a couple of digs.
Boston tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Boston has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Dolgov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Boston throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Dolgov wants to control from the top but Boston keeps moving.
Dolgov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Dolgov landing some decent shots from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Dolgov landing with the ground and pound.
Dolgov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Dolgov won't allow Boston to get back to his feet.
Dolgov scoring with some ground and pound.
Dolgov wants to control from the top but Boston keeps moving.
Semen Dolgov has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Dolgov lands a couple of digs.
Dolgov connects with a couple of short punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Semen Dolgov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Dolgov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Dolgov misses with a series of wild punches.
Boston drops down looking for a counter takedown but Dolgov sprawls and moves away.
Boston takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Dolgov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Boston circles away.
It looked like Boston wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Dolgov lands with a right hand.

Dolgov closes the distance and clinches.
Dolgov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Dolgov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Boston pulls his leg out and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Boston tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dolgov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Dolgov keeps the fight on the outside.
Boston bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Boston rushes Dolgov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dolgov is working for takedown but Boston is calmly controlling the position for now.
Evander Boston has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Semen Dolgov.
Dolgov wants to take the fight to the mat but Boston manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Boston is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Dolgov pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Dolgov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Boston walks away with a smile on his face. Dolgov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Boston doesn't manage to clinch there - Dolgov circles away.
Boston tries to clinch there but Dolgov circles away.
Semen Dolgov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Dolgov swats away the attempt to clinch by Boston.
Boston tries to clinch there but Dolgov circles away.
Boston closes the distance but Dolgov moves to the side
and Dolgov counters with a nice uppercut.
Boston avoids the body shot from Dolgov.
Boston tries to close the distance and clinch but Dolgov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Boston is looking to clinch but Dolgov is avoiding it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Boston tries to clinch but Dolgov moves out of range.
It seemed like Dolgov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Dolgov misses with a two punch combination.
Boston fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Dolgov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Dolgov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Boston on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Boston is looking to clinch but Dolgov is avoiding it.
Boston shoots for a double leg takedown but Dolgov sprawls well. He's pushed Boston's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Dolgov throws a series of punches but Boston avoids them all with ease.
Dolgov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Dolgov tries to bum rush Boston with a series of wild strikes but Boston uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Boston is looking to counter punch.
Dolgov lunges at Boston with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Boston's hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Boston is looking to clinch but Dolgov is avoiding it.
Boston tries to clinch up
and Dolgov counters with a three punch combo that has Boston backing up. Boston nods at Dolgov to acknowledge the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dolgov wants to land a leg kick but Boston is out of range.
Boston is looking to counter the offense by Dolgov and move into the clinch.
Dolgov fails to land the takedown.
Semen Dolgov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Boston smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Nice jab there from Boston.
The fight stays on the outside here - Boston looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Boston tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Dolgov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
The fighters circling - Dolgov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Dolgov displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Dolgov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Boston is fending him off so far but Dolgov persists. Nope, Boston circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dolgov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Boston's head.
No luck for Boston with that takedown attempt.
Boston shoots in for a takedown but Dolgov shows good takedown defense.
Dolgov feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Boston's calf.
Nice shot by Dolgov.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Boston closes the distance looking to clinch
and Boston takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The fight stays on the outside here - Boston looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Boston checks a leg kick.
Boston dodges the punch combination from Dolgov.

And that's the end of the fight!
Semen Dolgov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Dolgov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 28:29
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Semen Dolgov!
An out of breath Semen Dolgov thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.