PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ister Band (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and George Wood (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wood is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Like Weeds by His Hero Is Gone. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Band
vs
Wood

184 cm
28
205 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

185 cm
28
216 lbs
14 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ister Band!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, George Wood!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wood tests Band's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Wood with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Wood misses with a body shot.
Wood paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Wood throws a looping overhand right but Band ducks down to avoid it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Band.
Wood sizes up Band with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Band fails with a takedown attempt.
Wood misses the jab.
George Wood seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wood leaves Band with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ister Band. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wood comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Band shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Band was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Wood is trying desperately to improve position.
Wood manages to regain half guard whilst avoiding the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Band missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Band not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Band is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wood keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Band looks to land a strike but Wood avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Band has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Band postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Wood working a defensive guard here.
Wood is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Let's hope that Wood 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by George Wood.
Wood takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Band darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Wood is trying to control but can't.
Band stops Wood from getting back to his feet.
Band thows a huge punch but Wood dodges it nicely.

Band is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Wood defends it well.
Band is thwarting Wood's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wood wants to get back to his feet.
Wood tries to roll over but Band keeps him under control.

Band is trying to work for a kimura but Wood is defending well.
Band working over Wood with some ground and pound. Wood looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Band is looking for a kimura but Wood is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Band to get the leverage.
Wood works his way to full guard. Good work.
Wood controlling the position.
Band wants to pass the guard but Wood is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Band throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Band missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Band trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Band throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Wood controlling the position.
Wood working a defensive guard here.

Band drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Wood manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Band has Wood in his guard.
Wood pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Band is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Wood dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Wood looks to score with a jab to the body but Band is just out of range.
Wood wants to clinch up but Band keeps it at a distance.
Band looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Wood is fending him off so far but Band persists. Nope, Wood circles away and we're back to standing.
Wood connects with a good right hand that stumbles Band. Band circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Band shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Wood as he avoids it easily.
Band shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ister Band. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wood digs a good hook to Band's body.
Wood misses with a wild body shot.
Wood swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Wood stuffs the takedown.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Band is defended easily by Wood.
Band takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Band uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Wood.
Jab from Wood.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Band avoids a punch combination nicely.
Band shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Wood sprawls well. Wood wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Band gets slowly back to his feet.
Wood connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Band shoots in for a takedown but Wood shows good takedown defense.
Wood defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Band.
Band tries for a takedown but Wood sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Wood throws a hook but Band avoids it easily.
Wood connects with the punch.
Band slips a jab from Wood.
Wood looks to land a right hand but Band moved out of range.
Band has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Band there as he acknowledges the shot.
Wood fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Wood lands a slapping body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Band looks for a takedown but Wood sprawls well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Wood misses its intended target.
George Wood seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Wood with a jab.
Band displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Wood throws out the jab.
Band keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Wood.
A decent looking cross lands there for Wood.
Wood leaves Band with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A jab from Wood does it's job there.
George Wood is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Band keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Wood 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.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Band looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Wood stuffs the takedown.
Band tries to move into range but Wood moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Wood swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Band.
Band staying out of range there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wood lands a glancing blow to the side of Band's head.
Wood feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Bands jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Wood connects with a single shot there.
Wood works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Wood does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Band closes this distance looking for a takedown but Wood circles away.
Wood fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Band manages to avoid it.
Band misses with a takedown attempt - Wood sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Band gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Wood.

Band drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Wood sneaks back into half guard.
Wood is positioning himself well to prevent Band advancing to mount.

Band is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Wood is just riding it out for now. Band eventually gives up the hold.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wood has his hands clasped together around Band's back. He's all about the action.
Wood trying to control but Band postures up.
Band missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Wood pushes Band off and gets back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Wood connects with a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Wood showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. And we move into the final round!

Wood lands an overhand right.
Wood defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Band.
Wood scores with a sloppy right hand. Band should have avoided that one.
Wood throws a hook to the side of Band's head but Band sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Wood misses with a body shot.
Band misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Band has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Wood finds it's way round the side to connect with Band's head.
Wood cracks a nice hook into Band's ribs.
Wood moves into range and connects with a jab.
Wood fails with an attempt to clinch.
Band takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Wood throws a looping overhand right but Band ducks down to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Wood. Band does a little dance to reset his feet.
Wood lands a jab to the head.
Wood tests Band's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Band avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wood scores with a nice head shot.
Band slips under a jab.
Band fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ister Band. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wood lands a head shot.
Wood misses with a looping left.
Wood ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Band moves away.
Band shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Wood stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Wood wants it to stay on the feet.
Wood scores with a jab to the head.
Wood misses with a wild body shot.
Wood misses with a wild body shot.
Wood throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Band needs to keep his hands up - Wood had a free shot at his head there.
Wood thows a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Band avoids the body shot from Wood.
Wood lands a jab to the nose.
A punch combination from Wood misses.
Band takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Wood throws a big shot that misses.
Band takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Wood thuds his right hand into Band's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Band moves away from the strike by Wood.
Wood closes the distance and lands a one-two.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Wood connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Band momentarily.
Band shoots in for a takedown but Wood shows good takedown defense.
Wood ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Band moves away.
Band tries for a takedown but Wood sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Band takes a jab right on the kisser.
Wood dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Wood throws a hook but Band avoids it easily.
Wood waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Band.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wood lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Band keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Wood has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Wood throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Band staying out of range there.
Band takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Wood sizes up Band with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Wood changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Band slips under a jab from Wood.
Wood connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Wood lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Band looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Wood fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Band shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Wood as he jumps to the side.
Wood moves in looking to clinch but Band pushes him off.
Wood's jab looks to have found its range, popping Band under the eye.
Band takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Wood throws a looping overhand right but Band ducks down to avoid it.
Band doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Wood swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Wood fails with an attempt to clinch.
Wood jabs at Band's body.
Wood lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Band circles away quickly and effectively.
Wood looks to score with a jab to the body but Band is just out of range.
Wood tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Band was well out of range. Poor timing from Wood.
Ister Band has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Band shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Wood as he jumps to the side.
Band shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Wood misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Band.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Band shoots in looking for a takedown. Wood tries to sprawl out of it but Band keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Wood manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Wood swings for the body but Band moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
George Wood comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Wood winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 26:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 26:30
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... George Wood!