PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Vladimir Sputnik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Peter Tosh (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tosh is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Stepping Razor. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Sputnik
vs
Tosh

179 cm
22
181 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

184 cm
23
183 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
World class boxer
Very quick

ADCC Champion
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Vladimir Sputnik!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Peter Tosh!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Nard Betker and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tosh is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sputnik.
Vladimir Sputnik seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Good shot there by Sputnik.
Tosh throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sputnik moves into range and connects with a jab.
Tosh avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sputnik throws an overhand right that lands on Tosh's shoulder, as Tosh tries to avoid the shot.
Tosh just misses with a punch to the body.
Sputnik throws a jab when Tosh was well out of range.
Tosh ducks under a wild hook from Sputnik.
Tosh slips a straight right by Sputnik.
Sputnik misses with a body shot.
Sputnik takes a swing at Tosh's ribcage but misses.
A solid leg kick lands there for Tosh.
Tosh jabs Sputnik to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Sputnik lands a slapping body shot.
Sputnik lands with a nice body punch.
Some wild striking there from Sputnik.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Sputnik, as that shot connected.

Tosh darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Tosh is looking for a kimura but Sputnik is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Tosh to get the leverage.

Tosh is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sputnik is just riding it out for now. Tosh eventually gives up the hold.
Sputnik wants to control but Tosh is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tosh throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Tosh tries to pass the half guard into mount. Sputnik knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Tosh connects with a nice short shot to Sputnik's temple.
Tosh missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Still in half guard, Tosh seems content to control.
Tosh is keen to just control but Sputnik is a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sputnik avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Tosh.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tosh seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sputnik does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Peter Tosh wasn't active enough on the ground.
Sputnik loads up on a big right hand but Tosh slips the punch.
Sputnik misses with a double jab

and Tosh moves into the clinch.
Sputnik working hard to break the clinch.

Tosh has hold of one of Sputnik's legs. Sputnik is fighting the takedown attempt but Tosh gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Tosh trying to control the position from guard on top but Sputnik is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tosh might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Sputnik kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tosh wants to pass the guard but Sputnik is keeping the position.
Tosh's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Peter Tosh has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Tosh closes the distance and pushes Sputnik back into the cage.

Tosh's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Tosh shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Sputnik's guard.
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!
Tosh wants to control from the top but Sputnik keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sputnik working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tosh.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Peter Tosh dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Sputnik scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Sputnik throws a jab when Tosh was well out of range.

Tosh instigates a clinch.
Sputnik tries to stall but Tosh uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Sputnik tries to break free but Tosh pushes him back against the cage.

Tosh's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tosh fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Sputnik on the side of the head.
Tosh looks to land a body kick but Sputnik moved away.

Tosh drives through with a takedown into guard.
Tosh stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sputnik swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tosh thows a big elbow that misses.
Tosh stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Sputnik swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tosh passes Sputnik's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Tosh is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Sputnik!

Tosh goes for an armbar but Sputnik turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Sputnik.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tosh thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Tosh has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Sputnik is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Tosh.
Tosh tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Sputnik presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tosh sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Tosh controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Tosh is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Tosh wants to improve his position but Sputnik is controlling well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A combination from Sputnik does no damage.

Tosh closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Peter Tosh showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Sputnik looks to throw the jab but Tosh is out of range.
A big right from Tosh misses.

Tosh closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Sputnik did well to prevent Tosh getting side control.
Sputnik is refusing to be controlled, as Tosh sits in half guard.
Tosh is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Sputnik reverses the position - he's now on top in Tosh's guard.
Tosh 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tosh is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Tosh looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Tosh controlling Sputnik's posture.
Tosh wants to sweep but no luck.
Vladimir Sputnik has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Sputnik misses with a looping right.
Tosh thuds his right hand into Sputnik's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Tosh is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Sputnik's half guard.
Tosh missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Tosh passes the guard and advances to mount!
Tosh misses with a head shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tosh working the ground and pound effectively.
Sputnik is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

Tosh looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Tosh fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tosh goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Sputnik is on top in guard.

Tosh throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tosh looking for a sweep. Not yet Tosh, not yet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Peter Tosh comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Tosh 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 27:30
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 27:30
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Peter Tosh!