PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Limon Portokalov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rick Ross (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rick Ross struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 267.3lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. The key to victory for Limon Portokalov has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Portokalov
vs
Ross

205 cm
23
280 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

190 cm
21
285 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Limon Portokalov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rick Ross!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Felipe Paraventi and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Portokalov misses with a two punch combination.
Ross dodges the punch combination from Portokalov.
Portokalov fails to land with a series of punches.
Portokalov misses with a wild body shot.
Ross tries to score a power double leg takedown but Portokalov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ross somewhat.
Portokalov throws a one two combo.
Portokalov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ross moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ross is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Portokalov.

It looks like Rick Ross has been cut.
Portokalov misses with a two punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Portokalov loads up on a big right hand but Ross slips the punch.
Ross fails with the takedown.
Limon Portokalov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice defenses there by Ross.
Portokalov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Portokalov misses with a few strikes there.
Portokalov just misses with a punch to the body.
Ross slips a jab and a cross from Portokalov.
Portokalov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Limon Portokalov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rick Ross.
Portokalov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Portokalov throws a nice looking combination but Ross bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ross shoots in but Portokalov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Portokalov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Portokalov misses with a few strikes there.
Portokalov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ross.
Ross uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Portokalov.
Portokalov misses with a wild combination.
Ross closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab by Portokalov.
Portokalov lands a jab to Ross's midsection.
Portokalov throws a series of punches but Ross avoids them all with ease.
Portokalov misses with a double jab.
Portokalov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A nice combination there by Portokalov.
Portokalov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ross.
Portokalov misses with a few strikes there.
Ross takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ross takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Portokalov tries to bum rush Ross with a series of wild strikes but Ross uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Ross looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Ross looks gassed!
Portokalov looking to control.
Ross landing some decent shots from guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Portokalov thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ross stands and throws Portokalov's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Portokalov is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Limon Portokalov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rick Ross's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Portokalov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Ross bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Portokalov is looking to regain half guard here but Ross keeps moving and retains side control.

Ross looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Portokalov is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Portokalov on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Portokalov tries to get out of the position.

Ross tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Ross is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Portokalov pushes Ross away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Ross gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Portokalov tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ross wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Portokalov gets back to half guard.
Portokalov is trying to stand back up but Ross is controlling him
Portokalov is refusing to be controlled, as Ross sits in half guard.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ross is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Ross prevents Portokalov from standing back up.

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.

Ross is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Ross takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A punch combination from Portokalov misses.
Ross dodges the punch combination from Portokalov.
Portokalov cracks a nice hook into Ross's ribs.
Limon Portokalov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Portokalov misses with the combination.
Ross avoids a punch combination nicely.
Portokalov is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Ross takes one on the button.
Portokalov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Portokalov misses with an uppercut.
Ross slips a jab from Portokalov.
Ross defending well as Portokalov loads up on a big left hand.
Portokalov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ross sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Portokalov misses with a wild body shot.
Ross ducks under a wild hook from Portokalov.
Portokalov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Portokalov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ross takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Portokalov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Portokalov misses with a series of wild punches.
Portokalov throws a looping overhand right but Ross ducks down to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Limon Portokalov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Rick Ross's cut.
That's time! Portokalov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Ross slips under a jab.
Ross steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Portokalov.
Portokalov misses with an uppercut. Ross saw that one coming.
Ross slips a jab and a cross from Portokalov.
Ross avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ross takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Portokalov lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Ross on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
The crowd cheers as Portokalov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ross doesn't seem phased though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Portokalov throws a series of punches but Ross moves out of range.
Ross takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Portokalov finds it's way through Ross's defenses.
Limon Portokalov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Portokalov throws a series of punches but Ross avoids them all with ease.
Portokalov throws a jab but it's blocked by Ross.
Decent striking displayed by Portokalov there.

Portokalov lands a left and a right that send Ross crashing to the mat, dazed. Portokalov thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Ross is rocked!
Limon Portokalov is winning the standup battle so far.
Portokalov throws a pinpoint strike between Ross's hands that connects right on the jaw and sends Ross crashing to the floor! He's out before he even hits the mat and Portokalov scores a great knockout victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:38 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Limon Portokalov!