PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Lincoln Morissette (ranked 1975 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rasul Dolaev (ranked 2447 p4p, 0 weight class). Rasul Dolaev has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Morissette
vs
Dolaev

179 cm
25
157 lbs
6 - 15 - 0

178 cm
25
158 lbs
5 - 4 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 15 - 0, fighting out of New York, Lincoln Morissette!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 1, fighting out of New York, Rasul Dolaev!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Dean Styles and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Morissette misses with the combination.
Dolaev is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Morissette swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Dolaev moves into the clinch.
Morissette tries to circle away but Dolaev has him pinned against the cage.
Morissette wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Morissette can't break the clinch.
Dolaev keeps control of Morissette as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Dolaev lands a hook to the side of the head.
Morissette has had enough of the clinch but Dolaev keeps him there for the moment.
Dolaev keeps control of Morissette as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Morissette wants to break free but Dolaev has control.
Morissette wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Dolaev is trying to trip Morissette. He has hold of a leg but Morissette is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Dolaev persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dolaev engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Let's hope that Dolaev 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.
Morissette wants to stand up but Dolaev is controlling him.
Dolaev must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dolaev stands up and waves to Morissette to follow him.
Morissette looks to land a combination but Dolaev avoids it well.
Dolaev is trying to counter with his kicks.
Morissette keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Dolaev clinches with his opponent.
Morissette prevents a takedown attempt there.
Dolaev prevents Morissette from breaking the clinch.
Dolaev changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Morissette fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Lincoln Morissette has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rasul Dolaev.
Dolaev fails with a takedown attempt.

Morissette tries to keep at a distance but Dolaev has taken the fight into the clinch.
Morissette working hard to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morissette has had enough of the clinch but Dolaev keeps him there for the moment.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Dolaev just misses with a elbow thrown towards Morissette's brow.
Morissette has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Morissette is trying to break the clinch but Dolaev is controlling him.
Dolaev taking a breather.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Dolaev continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Morissette is trying to force a seperation but Dolaev has the dominant position.
Dolaev is trying to pull guard but Morissette turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Morissette wants to break the clinch but can't.
Morissette has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Morissette wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Dolaev has him pressed against the cage.
Dolaev looking for a takedown.
Morissette wants to break free but Dolaev has control.

Dolaev pulls guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Morissette stands up and waves to Dolaev to follow him.
Morissette falls off balance throwing a combination
and Dolaev counters with a left and a right that stings Morissette.
Morissette swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Dolaev counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Dolaev.
Morissette working hard to break the clinch.
Dolaev has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Morissette is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Morissette looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Dolaev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Morissette misses with a double jab.
Morissette is breathing heavily.
Morissette misses with a few strikes there.
Morissette misses with a double jab
and Dolaev counters with a stiff right hand.
Dolaev slips a jab and a cross from Morissette.
Morissette sets himself, and Dolaev steps forward looking for the clinch! Morissette avoids it this time.
Dolaev slips a jab and a cross from Morissette.
Dolaev shoots for a takedown but Morissette saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Dolaev drives through and clinches with Morissette against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Dolaev creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A frustrated look appears on Morissette's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Morissette can't break the clinch.
Morissette looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Morissette wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Dolaev has him pressed against the cage.
Morissette looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Dolaev breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Dolaev closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Dolaev jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Morissette walks away with a smile on his face. Dolaev gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Morissette misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Dolaev fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Morissette swinging wildly here.
It seemed like Dolaev was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Morissette misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Morissette rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dolaev moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Morissette slaps away a takedown attempt from Dolaev, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Morissette leaves Dolaev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Dolaev has a takedown stuffed.
Morissette is looking for a counter combo.
Lincoln Morissette has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rasul Dolaev.

Dolaev pushes Morissette up against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Dolaev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Morissette rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dolaev moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Dolaev works Morissette's body with a nice hook.

Dolaev closes the distance and clinches.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Morissette is trying to break the clinch but Dolaev is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morissette tries to break the clinch but Dolaev is controlling the position.

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

Morissette gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Dolaev to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Morissette manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Morissette throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Dolaev counter with a right hand.
Dolaev misses with a takedown attempt - Morissette sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lincoln Morissette is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Morissette throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Dolaev swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Morissette looks to land a combination but Dolaev avoids it well.
Lincoln Morissette is winning the standup battle so far.

Dolaev has managed to clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Morissette looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Morissette wants to break free but Dolaev has control.
Dolaev trying to land knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morissette prevents a takedown attempt there.
Dolaev tries to score a body lock takedown but Morissette shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Dolaev has Morissette pressed against the cage, preventing Morissette from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Dolaev drags the fight down to the ground.

Morissette stands up from Dolaev's guard - Morissette perhaps looking for a knockout.
Morissette throws a series of punches but Dolaev moves out of range.
Morissette throws a series of punches but Dolaev moves out of range.
A punch combination from Morissette misses.
Morissette throws a series of punches but Dolaev moves out of range.

Dolaev throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Morissette tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Dolaev is in Morissette's guard.
Dolaev stays in close to Morissette's body and controls the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Dolaev accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Morissette has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Dolaev is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dolaev prevents Morissette from breaking the clinch.
Dolaev is trying to pull guard but Morissette turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Dolaev ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Dolaev no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Dolaev is working an open guard so Morissette takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Dolaev clinches up against the cage.
Dolaev is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Morissette gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Morissette tries to break free but Dolaev pushes him back against the cage.

Dolaev pulls Morissette into guard.
Dolaev really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Morissette. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Morissette stands and steps away. Dolaev gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Lincoln Morissette seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Morissette swinging wildly here.
Dolaev drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Morissette defends it well.
Morissette misses with a jab, cross combination.
A combination from Morissette does no damage.
Nice sprawl there from Morissette as Dolaev shoots in.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morissette throws a right hand that Dolaev ducks under and follows up with a left that Dolaev also avoids with ease.
Morissette misses with a few strikes there.
Dolaev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Morissette misses with a double jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Dolaev clinches up with Morissette and pushes him back against the cage.
Dolaev tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Morissette avoids it.
Morissette looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Morissette wants to get back to striking at distance but Dolaev won't allow it.
Dolaev stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Dolaev is working for takedown but Morissette is calmly controlling the position for now.
Dolaev prevents Morissette from breaking the clinch.
Morissette wants to break the clinch but can't.
Dolaev is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Morissette is defending well for now.
Dolaev prevents Morissette from breaking the clinch.

Dolaev pulls guard successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Lincoln Morissette will probably get the nod.
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!

Morissette misses with the combination.
A punch combination from Morissette misses.
Dolaev goes for a double leg but Morissette avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Morissette continues to drive forward.
Dolaev shoots in but Morissette avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sloppy strikes from Morissette. Those never looked like landing.
Morissette throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Dolaev fails with the takedown.
Lincoln Morissette has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rasul Dolaev.

Dolaev pushes Morissette up against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Morissette avoids a wild elbow strike from Dolaev.
Morissette is trying to break the clinch but Dolaev has him pressed against the cage.
Dolaev wants to take the fight to the mat but Morissette manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Morissette is trying to force a seperation but Dolaev has the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morissette is trying to break the clinch but Dolaev has him pressed against the cage.
Dolaev wants a takedown.
Dolaev has Morissette pressed against the cage, preventing Morissette from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Dolaev wants to take the fight to the mat but Morissette manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Morissette has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Dolaev effectively controlling the action here.
Rasul Dolaev seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Morissette has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Morissette has had enough of the clinch but Dolaev keeps him there for the moment.
Morissette wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Dolaev has him pressed against the cage.

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

Morissette gets tackled into the cage by Dolaev. Dolaev maintains the clinch.
Morissette tries to break the clinch but Dolaev is controlling the position.
Morissette is looking to break free of the clinch but Dolaev has double underhooks.

That's two 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.
Morissette wants to break free but Dolaev has control.
Dolaev avoiding damage.
Dolaev is working for takedown but Morissette is calmly controlling the position for now.
Morissette is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Dolaev has Morissette pressed against the cage, preventing Morissette from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A frustrated look appears on Morissette's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Morissette's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Morissette is trying to break the clinch but Dolaev is controlling him.
Morissette is looking to break free of the clinch but Dolaev has double underhooks.
Morissette working hard to break the clinch.
Morissette wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Dolaev has him pressed against the cage.
Dolaev wants a takedown.
Morissette can't break the clinch.

Dolaev pulls guard effortlessly.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dolaev is pulling down on Morissette's head to control his posture.

Morissette got a little sloppy there for a moment and Dolaev has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Morissette has managed to get both his arms back between Dolaev's legs - danger averted.
Dolaev wants to get back to his feet but Morissette is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Morissette gets to his feet. Dolaev looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Morissette rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dolaev moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Morissette misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Morissette slaps away a takedown attempt from Dolaev, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Morissette is looking for a counter combo.
No joy there for Morissette, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Morissette fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Dolaev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Morissette as he jumps to the side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Morissette.
Morissette swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
And Dolaev tries to counter it with a takedown but Morissette pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Nice sprawl there from Morissette as Dolaev shoots in.
Morissette looks to land a combination but Dolaev avoids it well.
Dolaev shoots for a takedown but Morissette saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Morissette swinging wildly here.
Morissette tries to bum rush Dolaev with a series of wild strikes but Dolaev uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Morissette slaps away a takedown attempt from Dolaev, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Morissette throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Dolaev fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lincoln Morissette showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Morissette has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lincoln Morissette!