PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mikhail Rasnimov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marat Blagenov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rasnimov comes to the cage accompanied by Roy Jones Jr- Go Hard Or Go Home. Blagenov has chosen Krasnoe derevo-Drova as his entrance music. Blagenov has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Rasnimov
vs
Blagenov

188 cm
25
199 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid 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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mikhail Rasnimov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Marat Blagenov!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Ivan Kurochkin and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Blagenov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Rasnimov fails to land with a series of punches.
Rasnimov stuffs the takedown.
Rasnimov throws a head kick that misses.
Rasnimov misses with a series of wild punches.
Rasnimov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rasnimov throws a head kick that misses.
Rasnimov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Blagenov drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Rasnimov is trying to get back to half guard.
Rasnimov avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Blagenov.
Blagenov is trying to ground and pound but Rasnimov uses the momentary lack of control by Blagenov to regain half guard.
Blagenov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rasnimov is looking to escape.
Rasnimov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Blagenov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Blagenov is thwarting Rasnimov's attempts to control the position.
Rasnimov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Blagenov.
Blagenov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Blagenov working the head and body with strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rasnimov is looking for a sweep. Blagenov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Blagenov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blagenov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Blagenov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Rasnimov is breathing heavily.
Blagenov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rasnimov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Blagenov.
Rasnimov is looking to improve his position.
Nice strikes from Blagenov there.
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. Blagenov connects with a nice short shot to Rasnimov's temple.
Ground and pound from Blagenov.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Blagenov thows a huge punch but Rasnimov dodges it nicely.
Blagenov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Blagenov throwing shots but Rasnimov is blocking nicely.
Blagenov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rasnimov's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blagenov thows a huge punch but Rasnimov dodges it nicely.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Blagenov lands a nice short elbow.
Blagenov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Blagenov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Blagenov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Blagenov lands strikes from half guard.
Blagenov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Rasnimov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Blagenov scores with a couple of nice shots.
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. Blagenov connects with a nice short shot to Rasnimov's temple.
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. Blagenov connects with a nice short shot to Rasnimov's temple.
Blagenov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Blagenov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rasnimov defending well though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Blagenov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Blagenov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rasnimov's head.
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. Blagenov connects with a nice short shot to Rasnimov's temple.
Blagenov throwing shots but Rasnimov is blocking nicely.
Blagenov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Blagenov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Blagenov working Rasnimov over with strikes.
Blagenov throws a strike but Rasnimov avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Blagenov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Blagenov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Blagenov landing with the ground and pound.
Blagenov is looking to work some ground and pound but Rasnimov has wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marat Blagenov dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Blagenov pushes Rasnimov up against the cage in a clinch.
Blagenov is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rasnimov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Rasnimov manages to break the clinch.
Rasnimov wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Rasnimov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Rasnimov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rasnimov looks to land a combination. Blagenov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Blagenov shoots in and drives through. Rasnimov sprawls well.
Rasnimov lands a high kick!
Blagenov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Mikhail Rasnimov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A head kick misses from Rasnimov.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rasnimov throws a sloppy head kick and Blagenov moves out of range easily.
Rasnimov lands a high kick!
Blagenov shoots in but no luck this time.
Mikhail Rasnimov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marat Blagenov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rasnimov lands a head kick!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rasnimov throws a head kick that half lands.
Blagenov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rasnimov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Blagenov somewhat.
Blagenov moves to clinch but Rasnimov breaks away
and Rasnimov counters with a nice uppercut.
Marat Blagenov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice takedown defense from Rasnimov. No joy for Blagenov on that attempt.
Horrible takedown by Blagenov or perhaps it was just good defense by Rasnimov which made him look bad.
Rasnimov throws a sloppy head kick and Blagenov moves out of range easily.
Rasnimov pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Blagenov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Rasnimov did well to prevent Blagenov getting side control.
Blagenov throwing shots but Rasnimov is blocking nicely.
Blagenov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blagenov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Blagenov thows a huge punch but Rasnimov dodges it nicely.
Blagenov working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Blagenov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Blagenov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rasnimov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Blagenov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Blagenov's back!

Blagenov defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Rasnimov's arms.

Rasnimov is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Blagenov knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Blagenov for a finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blagenov has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

Blagenov showing good submission defense here.
Blagenov has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Blagenov is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Rasnimov throws strikes from the back but Blagenov rolls nicely and manages to end up in full guard. Nice work by Blagenov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Rasnimov dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Rasnimov lands with a shot to the body.
Rasnimov stuffs the takedown attempt from Blagenov. Blagenov gets slowly back to his feet.
Blagenov tries for a takedown but Rasnimov circles away easily
and Rasnimov counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Rasnimov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rasnimov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jab from Rasnimov.
Blagenov dodges the punch combination from Rasnimov.
Rasnimov throws a right and a left that Blagenov avoids nicely.
Mikhail Rasnimov is winning the standup battle so far.
Rasnimov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Blagenov's sensitive parts.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rasnimov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Blagenov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mikhail Rasnimov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marat Blagenov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blagenov dodges the punch combination from Rasnimov.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rasnimov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Left hook, right uppercut from Rasnimov.
Rasnimov lands a high kick!
Rasnimov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Blagenov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Blagenov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rasnimov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Blagenov somewhat.
Blagenov shoots in but no luck this time.
Blagenov dodges the punch combination from Rasnimov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rasnimov throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Blagenov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Blagenov doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rasnimov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Blagenov avoids a punch combination nicely.

Blagenov shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Rasnimov's guard.
Blagenov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
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!
Blagenov stands up over Rasnimov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Blagenov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rasnimov is keeping the position for now.
Blagenov is looking to advance position but Rasnimov has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rasnimov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Blagenov is looking to escape.
Rasnimov looking to ground and pound but Blagenov is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rasnimov trying to control but Blagenov is having none of it.
Rasnimov is really struggling to control Blagenov but he's trying to hold on to the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rasnimov controlling from the full mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mikhail Rasnimov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rasnimov has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mikhail Rasnimov!