PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Raul Cervantes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eugeny Marlov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Marlov has chosen Россия Наци as his entrance music. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Cervantes
vs
Marlov

190 cm
20
220 lbs
7 - 5 - 1

195 cm
25
216 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 7 - 5 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Raul Cervantes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Eugeny Marlov!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Valeri Chadov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marlov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cervantes swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Cervantes has taken the fight to the clinch.
Cervantes is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Marlov prevents Cervantes from breaking the clinch.
Cervantes blocking some punches.
Marlov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Marlov.
Marlov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cervantes's efforts to push away.
Marlov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Cervantes avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Marlov tries for a takedown. No joy.
Raul Cervantes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eugeny Marlov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marlov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cervantes's efforts to push away.

Cervantes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Marlov drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Marlov tries to clinch but Cervantes moves away
and Cervantes cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Marlov closes the distance looking to clinch
and Cervantes counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marlov slips a jab from Cervantes.
Marlov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Cervantes swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Marlov tries to close the distance and clinch but Cervantes swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Cervantes gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Marlov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Marlov wants to stand but Cervantes has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Cervantes looking for a sweep. Not yet Cervantes, not yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Marlov tries to free his leg and advance position but Cervantes is retaining full guard.
Cervantes throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Cervantes keeping moving, preventing Marlov from controlling successfully.
Cervantes looking to hit a scissor sweep but Marlov is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cervantes keeping moving, preventing Marlov from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Marlov darts in trying to clinch
and Cervantes connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Marlov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Marlov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Marlov shoots for a double leg takedown but Cervantes sprawls well. He's pushed Marlov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Cervantes works the jab nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cervantes misses with a hook. Marlov ducked under it nicely.
Marlov wants to clinch

and Cervantes moves into the clinch.
Marlov has Cervantes pressed against the cage, preventing Cervantes from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Marlov has Cervantes pressed against the cage, preventing Cervantes from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Cervantes wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Marlov has him pressed against the cage.
Cervantes working hard to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cervantes drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Cervantes breaks the clinch.

Marlov closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Cervantes to the mat! Cervantes manages to get full guard.
Cervantes is trying to keep Marlov in close.
Marlov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Marlov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Marlov landing with the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cervantes is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Marlov tries to free his leg and advance position but Cervantes is retaining full guard.
Marlov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marlov preventing the sweep.
Marlov wants to control from the top but Cervantes keeps moving.
Cervantes being controlled here, momentarily.
Cervantes trying to keep a closed guard but Marlov is proving a slippery customer.
Cervantes keeping moving, preventing Marlov from controlling successfully.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Marlov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Cervantes is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Cervantes stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cervantes wants it to stay on the feet.

Marlov gets a clinch.
Cervantes is struggling to control the position.
Cervantes has a couple of punches blocked by Marlov.
Cervantes wants to get back to striking at distance but Marlov won't allow it.
Cervantes is looking to break free of the clinch but Marlov has double underhooks.
Cervantes misses with a hook to the ribs.
Marlov looking for a takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Cervantes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cervantes tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Marlov paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Cervantes has Marlov up against the cage in a clinch.
Marlov tries to pull guard but Cervantes won't allow it.
Raul Cervantes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eugeny Marlov.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marlov shoots in for a takedown but Cervantes shows good takedown defense.
Marlov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cervantes paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Cervantes stuffs the takedown attempt from Marlov. Marlov gets slowly back to his feet.
The fighters circle momentarily. Cervantes darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Marlov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A hook to the body from Cervantes.
Marlov is breathing heavily.
Cervantes leaning his opponent against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Cervantes as Marlov tries to tie him up.
Marlov fails to pull guard.
Marlov tries to circle away but Cervantes has him pinned against the cage.
Cervantes drops down looking for an ankle pick but Marlov pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cervantes keeps the fight on the outside.
Cervantes shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Marlov pinned against the cage. Marlov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Marlov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Cervantes lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Marlov slips a jab and a cross from Cervantes.
Cervantes lands a really nice looking cross but Marlov seems unphased.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Marlov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Cervantes misses with a few strikes there.
Raul Cervantes is winning the standup battle so far.
Marlov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Marlov looks to clinch
and Cervantes counters with a nice uppercut.
Marlov just misses with a punch to the body.
Marlov closes the distance but Cervantes moves to the side

so Cervantes counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Marlov controls Cervantes momentarily but Cervantes frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marlov keeping moving, preventing Cervantes from controlling successfully.
Marlov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Marlov thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Marlov controls Cervantes momentarily but Cervantes frees himself.
Marlov is striking but Cervantes is not phased and passes to half guard.
Marlov wants to improve his position but Cervantes is controlling well.
Cervantes wants to take a breather but Marlov is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cervantes wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Cervantes tries to close the distance and clinch up but Marlov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Cervantes wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Cervantes smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Cervantes lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Decent striking displayed by Cervantes there.

Cervantes has taken the fight to the clinch.

Cervantes breaks from the clinch.
Cervantes scores with a nice right hand.
Cervantes scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Marlov wants to clinch but Cervantes slips to the side
and Cervantes cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Marlov closes the distance looking to clinch
and Marlov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A jab from Cervantes does it's job there.
Cervantes keeps the fight on the outside.
A jab lands there for Cervantes.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Cervantes uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Cervantes tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Marlov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raul Cervantes dominated that second round.
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!

Marlov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cervantes.
Marlov moves in looking to clinch but Cervantes pushes him off.
Marlov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Marlov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cervantes paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Marlov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cervantes as he avoids it easily.
Cervantes scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Marlov wants to clinch

and Cervantes counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Cervantes lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Marlov or not.
A short left from Cervantes.
Cervantes wants to get back to striking at distance but Marlov won't allow it.
Cervantes wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Cervantes successfully pulls guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cervantes is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cervantes is really struggling to control Marlov but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Marlov throwing strikes from guard but Cervantes blocks nicely.
Marlov sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Marlov trying to control but Cervantes is working from the bottom.
Cervantes is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Marlov can do to turn this around?

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Marlov tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Cervantes counters with a lovely straight right hand!

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.

Marlov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Cervantes is trying to force a seperation but Marlov has the dominant position.
Marlov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Cervantes is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Marlov has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Cervantes tries to circle away but Marlov has him pinned against the cage.

Cervantes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cervantes defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Marlov.
Raul Cervantes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eugeny Marlov.
Cervantes tests Marlov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Cervantes swinging wildly here.
Marlov tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Cervantes counters with a left and a right that stings Marlov.
Cervantes lands with an uppercut that bounces Marlov off the cage and back into rage.
Marlov shoots in but Cervantes avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Cervantes scores with a nice head shot.
Cervantes fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Cervantes wants to get back to striking at distance but Marlov won't allow it.
Cervantes is looking to break free of the clinch but Marlov has double underhooks.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Marlov.
A frustrated look appears on Cervantes's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Cervantes tries to circle away but Marlov has him pinned against the cage.
Cervantes is trying to break the clinch but Marlov is controlling him.
Cervantes is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Cervantes tries to break the clinch but Marlov is controlling the position.
Cervantes tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Marlov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Marlov taking a breather.

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.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Cervantes is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Eugeny Marlov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Marlov has Cervantes pressed against the cage, preventing Cervantes from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Marlov tries for a takedown. No joy.
Cervantes has Marlov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Marlov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Cervantes can't break the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Cervantes's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Marlov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Cervantes circles away from the clinch attempt.
Marlov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cervantes is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Marlov tries to clinch there but Cervantes circles away.
Raul Cervantes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Donk. Cervantes catches Marlov right on the button with a cross.

And that's the end of the fight!
Raul Cervantes showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cervantes, 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:26
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:26
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Raul Cervantes!