PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Evgeny Kolesov (ranked 3610 p4p, 2575 weight class) and Ethan Van Vactor (ranked 460 p4p, 369 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Kolesov
vs
Van Vactor

181 cm
24
177
4 - 3 - 0

183 cm
26
173
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Rekt Inevitably

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Evgeny Kolesov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ethan Van Vactor!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Daniel Bishop and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kolesov scores with a sloppy right hand. Van Vactor should have avoided that one.

It looks like Ethan Van Vactor has been cut.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Van Vactor has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Kolesov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kolesov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Van Vactor manages to avoid it.
Van Vactor shoots for a double leg takedown but Kolesov sprawls well. He's pushed Van Vactor's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
We've been told by Kolesov's head coaches at Average Joe’s Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Kolesov lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Van Vactor misses with a takedown
and Kolesov counters with a straight right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kolesov throws a good cross that connects.
Kolesov scores with a nice right hand.

Van Vactor dives in and scores a takedown into Kolesov's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Vactor wants to control from the top but Kolesov keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Van Vactor cracks Kolesov with a solid left hand.
Van Vactor sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Van Vactor has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Van Vactor accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kolesov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Van Vactor showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Van Vactor postures up in Kolesov's guard and throws a big left but Kolesov blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Van Vactor cracks Kolesov with a solid left hand.
Kolesov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kolesov tries to get out of the position.
Van Vactor throws an elbow that misses. Kolesov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Van Vactor's guard. Nice move by Kolesov!

Van Vactor looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kolesov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Van Vactor looking for a sweep. Not yet Van Vactor, not yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kolesov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kolesov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kolesov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Van Vactor looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Van Vactor is looking for a triangle but Kolesov pushes his legs off easily.
Kolesov stopping the sweep attempt from Van Vactor.
Kolesov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Van Vactor is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kolesov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Van Vactor works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Van Vactor throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Van Vactor isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Kolesov stacks Van Vactor on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Kolesov!
Kolesov tries to score with some ground and pound. Van Vactor controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Van Vactor takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Kolesov tries to stand but Van Vactor is controlling his head.
Van Vactor tries to improve position but can't.
Kolesov trying to control the action but Van Vactor is working from the bottom.
Van Vactor manages to work his way to half guard, despite Kolesov's best efforts.
Van Vactor tries to get to full guard but Kolesov has control of the leg.
Van Vactor is staying active underneath Kolesov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Van Vactor looking for submissions off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evgeny Kolesov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ethan Van Vactor's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

A jab from Kolesov finds it's way through Van Vactor's defenses.
Kolesov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Kolesov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kolesov lands a right hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kolesov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Van Vactor's head backwards.
Kolesov throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Kolesov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Van Vactor can do to turn this around?
Kolesov connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Van Vactor's hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Vactor misses with a takedown
and Kolesov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kolesov. Van Vactor does a little dance to reset his feet.
Van Vactor drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Kolesov defends it well.
Kolesov scores with a jab. Van Vactor acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A punch lands to the side of Van Vactor 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Kolesov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kolesov throws a right hand that Van Vactor ducks under and follows up with a left that Van Vactor also avoids with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Vactor misses with a takedown
and Van Vactor takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kolesov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Van Vactor shoots and misses
and Kolesov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Evgeny Kolesov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ethan Van Vactor.
Kolesov scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
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!
Kolesov swings widly with a right hand

and Van Vactor counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Kolesov tries to get to full guard but Van Vactor has control of the leg.

Van Vactor seems to be working for a kimura but Kolesov defends the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Vactor not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Van Vactor working the head and body with strikes.
Kolesov is trying to get back to full guard.
Van Vactor not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Van Vactor takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Van Vactor sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kolesov defending well though.
Van Vactor trying to control the action but Kolesov is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kolesov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Van Vactor missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Van Vactor throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Van Vactor trying to control from Kolesov's half guard. Kolesov has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Kolesov trying to control the position.

Kolesov has his foot on Van Vactor's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Van Vactor works his way back into a safe position though.
Van Vactor lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Van Vactor accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evgeny Kolesov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ethan Van Vactor's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

The fighters circle momentarily. Kolesov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Kolesov scores with a punch to the head.
Kolesov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Van Vactor with the counter takedown but Kolesov avoids it easily.
Van Vactor misses with a takedown attempt
and Kolesov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kolesov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Van Vactor counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Kolesov looking to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Van Vactor slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Van Vactor's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kolesov keeping moving, preventing Van Vactor from controlling successfully.
Kolesov can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Van Vactor controls the pace.
Van Vactor distracts Kolesov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Kolesov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Van Vactor wants to control from the top but Kolesov keeps moving.
Van Vactor tries to free his leg and advance position but Kolesov is retaining full guard.

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.
Van Vactor postures up.
Van Vactor missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Kolesov cracks a nice hook into Van Vactor's ribs.
Kolesov lands a right hook to the body.
Van Vactor's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kolesov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Van Vactor scrambles back to his feet.
Kolesov lands with a good body shot.
A nice combination there by Kolesov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Vactor shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kolesov defends it nicely.
Evgeny Kolesov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kolesov jabs at Van Vactor's body.
Kolesov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Van Vactor is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Kolesov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Kolesov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kolesov.
Kolesov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Van Vactor looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Evgeny Kolesov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kolesov scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Van Vactor gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kolesov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Evgeny Kolesov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ethan Van Vactor.
Van Vactor on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Ethan Van Vactor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kolesov jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Evgeny Kolesov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kolesov, 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 Richard Clark scores the fight for Evgeny Kolesov!
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight for Evgeny Kolesov!
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight for Evgeny Kolesov!

Evgeny Kolesov wins by unanimous decision!