PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Georgi Barnettov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexey Samsonov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Barnettov
vs
Samsonov

190 cm
24
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

191 cm
23
239 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Inexperienced

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Georgi Barnettov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexey Samsonov!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Fedor Mirinova and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Barnettov with that takedown attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Barnettov.
Barnettov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Samsonov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Barnettov somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Georgi Barnettov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Samsonov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nice sprawl there from Samsonov as Barnettov shoots in.
Samsonov fails with a takedown attempt.
Barnettov closes the distance and clinches up with Samsonov, looking for a takedown. Barnettov pushes Samsonov against the cage but Samsonov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Barnettov shoots in looking for a takedown but Samsonov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Barnettov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Samsonov - that will leave a mark!
Barnettov is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Samsonov moves into the clinch successfully.

Samsonov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Samsonov scores with a head kick. Barnettov tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Samsonov throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Barnettov's head.
Barnettov fails to land the takedown.
Samsonov throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Barnettov fails to land the takedown.
Barnettov takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Samsonov throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Barnettov.
Barnettov shoots for a double leg takedown but Samsonov sprawls well. He's pushed Barnettov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Good shot there by Samsonov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Samsonov lands a head kick!
Samsonov shoots for a takedown but Barnettov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A slapping leg kick lands for Samsonov.
Samsonov connects with an inside leg kick.
Samsonov throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Samsonov cracks Barnettov with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Samsonov dives in and grabs Barnettov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Barnettov pushes down on Samsonov's head and hops out.
Samsonov throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Barnettov's head.
Samsonov throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Samsonov misses with a head kick.
Georgi Barnettov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Samsonov lands with a slapping head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnettov takes a kick to the side of the head.
Barnettov fails with the takedown.
Barnettov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Samsonov as he avoids it easily.
A solid leg kick lands there for Samsonov.
Samsonov throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Barnettov.
Horrible takedown by Barnettov or perhaps it was just good defense by Samsonov which made him look bad.

Samsonov rushes Barnettov and presses him up against the cage.

Samsonov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Samsonov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A head kick from Samsonov lands but Barnettov takes it in his stride.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Samsonov slaps away a takedown attempt from Barnettov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Samsonov lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Barnettov backs up against the cage.
Barnettov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Samsonov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Barnettov.

Samsonov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Samsonov ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Samsonov no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barnettov throwing strikes from guard but Samsonov blocks nicely.
Samsonov wants to stand and escape but Barnettov is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexey Samsonov dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Barnettov shoots in but Samsonov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Barnettov. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Barnettov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Barnettov is defended easily by Samsonov.
Barnettov throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Samsonov's waist but Samsonov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Barnettov off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Georgi Barnettov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Samsonov shoots in for a takedown but Barnettov shows good takedown defense.
Samsonov throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Barnettov's head.
Samsonov stuffs the takedown attempt from Barnettov. Barnettov gets slowly back to his feet.
Samsonov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnettov fails with a takedown attempt.
Samsonov lands a head kick!
Samsonov throws a head kick that Barnettov semi-blocks.
Barnettov takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Samsonov scores with a leg kick.
Samsonov throws a head kick that Barnettov semi-blocks.
Barnettov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Samsonov circles away.
Samsonov scores with a spinning back kick!
Both fighters circling a little - Samsonov finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Samsonov fails with a takedown attempt.
Samsonov scores with a head kick. Barnettov tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Samsonov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Samsonov throws a head kick that misses.
Samsonov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
That kick from Samsonov tenderised Barnettov's leg. Barnettov is trying to keep his angry face on.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Samsonov clinches with his opponent.
Barnettov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Samsonov is defending well.
Samsonov working hard to break the clinch.
Barnettov is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Samsonov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Stalling in the clinch from Samsonov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Samsonov manages to break the clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Barnettov.
Samsonov lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Samsonov lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Barnettov shoots for a double leg takedown but Samsonov sprawls well. He's pushed Barnettov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Barnettov takes a kick to the side of the head.

Samsonov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Samsonov is trying to push Barnettov away but Barnettov has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Barnettov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Samsonov pulls his leg out and moves away.
Barnettov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Samsonov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Samsonov lands a jab to the nose.
Samsonov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Barnettov.
Alexey Samsonov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Barnettov dives in and grabs Samsonov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Samsonov pushes down on Barnettov's head and hops out.
Samsonov throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Barnettov's head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Samsonov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Samsonov wants it to stay on the feet.

Samsonov drives through and clinches with Barnettov against the cage.

Samsonov breaks from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexey Samsonov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Barnettov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Samsonov.
Barnettov shoots in looking for a takedown. Samsonov tries to sprawl out of it but Barnettov keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Samsonov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Barnettov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Samsonov pinned against the cage. Samsonov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Barnettov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Samsonov is fending him off so far but Barnettov persists. Nope, Samsonov circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Georgi Barnettov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Samsonov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Samsonov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Barnettov tries to avoid it but Samsonov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Barnettov to the ground. Barnettov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Samsonov throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnettov shoots in for a takedown but Samsonov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Samsonov lands a high kick!
Samsonov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Samsonov goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Barnettov.
Barnettov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Samsonov lands a head kick!

Samsonov moves into the clinch successfully.
Samsonov working hard to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Samsonov.

Samsonov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Samsonov scores with a head kick.
Barnettov fails with the takedown.
Samsonov plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Barnettov dives in and grabs Samsonov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Samsonov pushes down on Barnettov's head and hops out.
Samsonov moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Samsonov lands a head kick. Barnettov smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Samsonov connects with a solid leg kick.
Samsonov scoring well with a low kick there.
Barnettov shoots in for a takedown but Samsonov shows good takedown defense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samsonov lands a head kick!
Samsonov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Barnettov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Samsonov stalks Barnettov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Barnettov's face. Barnettov staggers backwards, shaken.
Barnettov shoots in and drives through. Samsonov sprawls well.
Samsonov goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Nice takedown defense from Samsonov. No joy for Barnettov on that attempt.

Samsonov pushes Barnettov up against the cage in a clinch.
Samsonov has had enough of the clinch but Barnettov keeps him there for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Samsonov tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Barnettov smiles and moves away.

Barnettov gets the takedown into side control.
Barnettov wants to control but Samsonov is keeping him busy.
Barnettov laying and praying for a moment but Samsonov takes advantage and regains half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barnettov throwing shots but Samsonov is blocking nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexey Samsonov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Samsonov 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexey Samsonov!