PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Stanislav Saprykin (ranked 4387 p4p, 514 weight class) and Marcus Aurelios (ranked 4523 p4p, 527 weight class). Marcus Aurelios is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Saprykin
vs
Aurelios

175 cm
25
180 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
25
170 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Self confident

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Stanislav Saprykin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Marcus Aurelios!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Sandra Marshall and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aurelios with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Saprykin to score with a decent uppercut.
Aurelios is looking to land body kicks.
Saprykin slips a jab and a cross from Aurelios.
Aurelios takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Aurelios throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Saprykin ducks under a wild hook from Aurelios.
A decent looking cross lands there for Saprykin.
Saprykin sizes up Aurelios with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Saprykin misses with a two punch combination.
Aurelios dodges the punch combination from Saprykin.
Stanislav Saprykin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice body punch from Saprykin.
Saprykin connects with a good right hand that stumbles Aurelios. Aurelios circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Saprykin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Aurelios manages to avoid it.
Saprykin waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Aurelios.
Aurelios misses with a wild body shot.
Saprykin throws a big counter combination but Aurelios scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
A punch lands to the side of Aurelios 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Saprykin getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saprykin keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Saprykin ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Saprykin scores with a crisp jab that stopped Aurelios in his tracks.
Aurelios ducks under a wild hook from Saprykin.
Aurelios uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Saprykin.
Saprykin fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Aurelios on the side of the head.
Aurelios fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Saprykin as Aurelios shoots in.
A head kick misses from Aurelios.
Aurelios moves forwards but Saprykin connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Saprykin is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Nice uppercut lands for Saprykin. That snapped Aurelios's head back.
Saprykin throws a series of punches but Aurelios moves out of range.
Stanislav Saprykin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Aurelios with a lazy takedown attempt
and Saprykin counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Stanislav Saprykin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marcus Aurelios.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Aurelios with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Saprykin to score with a decent uppercut.
Saprykin is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saprykin scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

Aurelios is rocked!
Aurelios swinging wildly here.
Aurelios swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Aurelios avoids a punch combination nicely.
Aurelios drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Saprykin defends it well.
Aurelios shoots in for a double leg but Saprykin sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Saprykin with a jab.
Saprykin digs a good hook to Aurelios's body.
Saprykin bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Aurelios tries to clinch but Saprykin moves out of range.
Saprykin throws a jab when Aurelios was well out of range.
Saprykin scores with a shot to the body.
Saprykin darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Aurelios is looking to clinch.

Oooh a lovely combination from Saprykin sends Aurelios down but not out. Saprykin dives into side control looking to finish.
Aurelios is still in real trouble! Can Saprykin finish him?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saprykin working the strikes but Aurelios uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Aurelios avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Saprykin.
Aurelios missing with punches from the bottom.
Aurelios seems to have recovered his senses.
Aurelios is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Saprykin's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Saprykin's back!

Aurelios patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Saprykin manages to reverse the position and now he's in Aurelios's guard. Nice work there by Saprykin.
Aurelios manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Saprykin manages to get himself to full guard.

Saprykin wants to get back to his feet but Aurelios is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Aurelios decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saprykin lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Aurelios shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
A swing and a miss from Saprykin.
Aurelios takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Saprykin lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Aurelios circles away quickly and effectively.
Aurelios takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Saprykin scores with a sloppy right hand. Aurelios should have avoided that one.
Saprykin changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Saprykin catches Aurelios with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Saprykin misses with a series of wild punches.
Saprykin lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Aurelios at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stanislav Saprykin dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Saprykin lands a jab-cross combination.
Aurelios has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Saprykin finds it's way round the side to connect with Aurelios's head.
A head kick misses from Aurelios.
Stanislav Saprykin is winning the standup battle so far.
Aurelios has a takedown stuffed.
Saprykin lands a jab-cross combination.
Aurelios tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Saprykin defends well and Aurelios ends up having to push Saprykin into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Saprykin lunges at Aurelios with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Aurelios's hand.
Aurelios dodges the punch combination from Saprykin.
Aurelios gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Saprykin.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Aurelios looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Stanislav Saprykin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marcus Aurelios.
Nice body punch from Saprykin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aurelios shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Saprykin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Aurelios can do to turn this around?
Saprykin lands with a shot to the body.
Saprykin scores with a three punch combo!
Aurelios shoots in and drives through. Saprykin sprawls well.
Aurelios takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Saprykin lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Saprykin scores with a shot to the body.
Aurelios has his takedown stuffed
and Saprykin connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Aurelios is trying desperately to land a takedown but Saprykin is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Aurelios.
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!
Saprykin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Aurelios wants to counter the offense by Saprykin and move into the clinch position.
Saprykin throws a good cross that connects.
Saprykin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Aurelios manages to avoid it.
Horrible takedown attempt by Aurelios or perhaps it was just good defense by Saprykin, which made it look bad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab lands there for Saprykin.
Aurelios throws a push kick but Saprykin slaps the foot to one side.
Saprykin is looking for a counter combo.
Saprykin cracks Aurelios with a good jab.
Aurelios tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Saprykin swivels and escapes.
Aurelios swinging wildly here.
A jab from Saprykin does it's job there.

Aurelios shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Aurelios showed some decent athleticism there.

Saprykin has one foot on Aurelios's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
A nice combination there by Saprykin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aurelios doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Saprykin lands a jab to Aurelios's midsection.
Saprykin tries to bum rush Aurelios with a series of wild strikes but Aurelios uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Saprykin leaves Aurelios with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Saprykin scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Aurelios fails with a takedown attempt.
Aurelios is breathing heavily.
Saprykin scores with a hook to the body. Aurelios takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Saprykin lands a jab.
Aurelios has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Saprykin connects with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Aurelios or perhaps it was just good defense by Saprykin, which made it look bad.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saprykin lands a head shot.
Saprykin misses with a body shot.
Saprykin digs a good hook to Aurelios's body.
Saprykin connects with the punch.
Saprykin moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Aurelios takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Marcus Aurelios is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sloppy strikes from Saprykin. Those never looked like landing.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Saprykin lands a nice shot to the body.
Saprykin throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Aurelios slips a straight right by Saprykin.
Aurelios takes one on the chin but seems OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stanislav Saprykin dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A jab-cross combination lands for Saprykin and sends Aurelios crashing to the mat! Saprykin follows him down to the mat - Aurelios regains half guard but he's not out of trouble yet!
Aurelios regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Saprykin.
Aurelios utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Saprykin with a flurry of punches that miss.
Saprykin knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Aurelios on the ground.
Aurelios pulls Saprykin in close to prevent any damage.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Aurelios can do anything to dispel that myth.
Saprykin trying to control the position from guard on top but Aurelios is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Saprykin postures up in Aurelios's guard and throws a big left but Aurelios blocks it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Saprykin throws a strike but Aurelios rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Saprykin is looking to sweep but instead, Aurelios has passed into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aurelios stops Saprykin from getting back to his feet.
Aurelios sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Saprykin wants to stand back up but Aurelios manages to pass into side control.
Aurelios controlling the position from side mount.

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.
Saprykin is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Aurelios's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Stanislav Saprykin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aurelios lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Aurelios gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Saprykin works Aurelios's body with a nice hook.
Good standup being displayed there by Saprykin as he connects with a hook.
Saprykin misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Saprykin will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saprykin misses with a wild body shot.
Aurelios tries for a takedown but Saprykin sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Saprykin misses the target.
Aurelios is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Saprykin throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Aurelios throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Saprykin's waist but Saprykin gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Aurelios off to one side.
Aurelios shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Saprykin defends it nicely.
It looked like Saprykin was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Stanislav Saprykin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marcus Aurelios.
Aurelios takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Saprykin throws a good cross that connects.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Aurelios throws a right and a left that Saprykin avoids nicely.
Saprykin connects with a body shot.
Saprykin scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Marcus Aurelios has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Aurelios misses with a series of wild punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stanislav Saprykin showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Saprykin, 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 Michael Johnstone scores the fight 30:26
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 30:26
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stanislav Saprykin!
In his post fight interview, Stanislav Saprykin started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.