PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sergey Gribov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Leandro Podogo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Gribov
vs
Podogo

182 cm
19
180 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

171 cm
19
180 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sergey Gribov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Leandro Podogo!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Valeri Chadov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gribov drives through with a takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gribov controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Podogo is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gribov defends well.
Gribov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Gribov trying to control but Podogo is working from the bottom.
Podogo has momentary wrist control but Gribov slips an elbow through the middle.

Gribov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Gribov trying to control but Podogo is working from the bottom.
Gribov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Podogo working for a triangle but Gribov defends it easily.
Gribov looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Podogo had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Gribov defends it easily.

Gribov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Gribov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Gribov passes into half guard.
Gribov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Gribov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Gribov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Podogo actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gribov drops an elbow to the side of Podogo's head.
Gribov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Gribov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Podogo defends it well.

Podogo actively working from the bottom here.

Gribov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Podogo defends it well.
Gribov is trying to control. Podogo wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Podogo gets full guard.

Podogo looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Podogo working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gribov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gribov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Podogo is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gribov defends well.
Podogo keeping moving, preventing Gribov from controlling successfully.

Gribov drops back looking for a leg! Podogo is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Podogo manages to kick Gribov off! Gribov jumps back into Podogo's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gribov trying to control but Podogo is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gribov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gribov trying to control but Podogo is working from the bottom.

Gribov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Gribov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Gribov trying to control but Podogo is working from the bottom.

Podogo has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gribov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Gribov trying to control the position from guard on top but Podogo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Leandro Podogo will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Gribov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Podogo throws a body kick that misses.
Podogo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Gribov.
Gribov checks the leg kick.
Podogo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Podogo throws out a leg kick but Gribov moves out of range and Podogo only half commits.

Gribov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Podogo has his foot on Gribov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gribov works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gribov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Gribov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Podogo is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Podogo has his foot on Gribov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Gribov works his way back into a safe position though.

Podogo is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gribov is aware though and is defending well.
Gribov wants to pass the guard but Podogo is keeping the position.
Leandro Podogo has got the better of the ground game so far.
Gribov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Podogo looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gribov trying to control the position from guard on top but Podogo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Podogo has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Gribov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Gribov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Gribov slips nicely into half guard.

Podogo looking for submissions off his back.

Gribov is trying to work for a kimura but Podogo is defending well.
Podogo is refusing to be controlled, as Gribov sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Podogo looking for submissions off his back.

Podogo actively working from the bottom here.

Gribov is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Podogo has managed to free his arm - good work.
Podogo is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Podogo actively working from the bottom here.

That's four 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.
Gribov wants to control but Podogo is keeping him busy.
Podogo blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gribov.

Podogo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gribov pulls his head out easily.
Podogo is breathing heavily.

Gribov is working for a submission of some sort.
Gribov slows the pace down in half guard.
Gribov trying to control the action but Podogo is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Podogo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Leandro Podogo will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Gribov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Podogo manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Podogo is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gribov is aware though and is defending well.
Podogo keeping moving, preventing Gribov from controlling successfully.
Gribov is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Podogo is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Podogo looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Gribov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Gribov trying to control the position from guard on top but Podogo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gribov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Podogo works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Gribov is sitting in close to Podogo's body. Podogo has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Gribov is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Gribov is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Podogo.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:40 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Leandro Podogo! Leandro Podogo retains his welterweight title!