PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dima Safronov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jovan Percic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Safronov
vs
Percic

186 cm
22
217 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

188 cm
25
215 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dima Safronov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jovan Percic!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Stewart Dunkirk and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Percic thuds his right hand into Safronov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

It looks like Dima Safronov has been cut.
Jovan Percic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Percic jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A punch combination from Percic misses.
Percic throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Percic throws a nice looking combination but Safronov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Percic fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Safronov on the side of the head.
Percic misses with a right hand
and Safronov counters with a good low kick that Percic was not able to check.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Percic connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Percic throws a low kick but it's checked well by Safronov.
Percic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Safronov.
Percic looks to score with a jab to the body but Safronov is just out of range.
Safronov moves away from the strike by Percic.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Safronov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Percic pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Percic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Safronov moves out of range as Percic strikes.

Safronov drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Safronov passes into half guard.
Safronov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Safronov winds up and cracks Percic with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Percic gets full guard.
Safronov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Safronov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Percic is keeping the position for now.
Safronov wants to control from the top but Percic keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Percic working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Safronov.
Percic controlling Safronov's posture.
Percic not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Safronov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Safronov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Percic pulls Safronov in close to prevent any damage.

Jovan Percic has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Safronov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Percic.
Percic with a jab.
Safronov slips a jab and a cross from Percic.
Percic throws a looping overhand right but Safronov ducks down to avoid it.
Percic scores with the left hand. Safronov knows he should have avoided that one.
Percic throws a series of punches but Safronov moves out of range.
Safronov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Percic tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Safronov was well out of range. Poor timing from Percic.
Nice takedown defense from Percic. No joy for Safronov on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dima Safronov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Percic throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Safronov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Safronov avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Percic takes a swing at Safronov's ribcage but misses.
Percic throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Percic thows a left - swing and a miss!
Safronov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Safronov shoots and misses
and Percic counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Dima Safronov's cut is getting worse.
No joy there for Percic, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Percic throws a nice looking combination but Safronov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Percic swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Safronov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Percic.
A telegraphed right hand from Percic misses the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jovan Percic dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Dima Safronov's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Safronov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Percic swats away the attempt to clinch by Safronov.
Safronov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Percic.
Percic misses with the combination.
Percic throws a body punch but Safronov moves out of range.

Safronov throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Percic was covering up waiting for the punch and Safronov finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Percic wants to sweep but no luck.
Safronov wants to control from the top but Percic keeps moving.
Safronov 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Safronov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Percic keeping moving, preventing Safronov from controlling successfully.
Percic utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Safronov works over Percic with some ground and pound from guard.
Safronov landing with the ground and pound.
Percic keeping full guard, as Safronov tries to pass.
Safronov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Safronov trying to control the position from guard on top but Percic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Safronov throws a big right hand that misses.
Safronov trying to control the position from guard on top but Percic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Safronov throws a big elbow that misses.
Percic is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Safronov makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Percic misses with a head kick.
Safronov takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Percic lands with an uppercut that bounces Safronov off the cage and back into range.
Safronov shoots in for a double leg but Percic sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Safronov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Percic sprawls well initially but Safronov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Safronov scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Safronov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Safronov is nestled in close to Percic, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Percic is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Safronov wants to take a breather but Percic is having none of it.
Percic avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Safronov.
Safronov trying to control from Percic's half guard. Percic has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Safronov passes into half guard.
Percic blocking the ground and pound attempt from Safronov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Safronov trying to control from half guard but Percic is working away.
Safronov lands with a punch from half guard.
Percic is looking to improve his position.
Safronov moves into full mount! Percic won't be happy about that!
Safronov postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Percic looks a forlorn figure.

It looks like Jovan Percic has been cut.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Percic is bucking up trying to escape but Safronov cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Safronov cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dima Safronov dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Safronov has managed to clinch.
Percic has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Safronov is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Percic's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Jovan Percic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Jab, jab by Percic - just one landing.
Safronov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Percic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Safronov manages to avoid it.
Safronov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Percic.
Percic throws a right and a left that both miss.
Safronov ducks under a wild hook from Percic.
Safronov tries for a takedown but Percic circles away easily
and Percic counters with a left and a right that stings Safronov.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Percic throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Safronov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Safronov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Percic throws a big shot that misses.
Percic throws a hook but Safronov avoids it easily.
Percic throws a jab when Safronov was well out of range.
A nice inside leg kick there by Percic. That's going to slow Safronov down.
Safronov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dima Safronov. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Safronov scores with a takedown into Percic's guard.
Safronov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Percic is proving hard to escape from.
Percic is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Safronov is pushing down on Percic's leg trying to pass to half guard. Percic is fighting to maintain full guard but Safronov has managed to sneak the leg through.
Safronov is thwarting Percic's attempts to control the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Percic can do anything to dispel that myth.
Safronov is nestled in close to Percic, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Safronov trying to control the action but Percic is working from the bottom.
Safronov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Percic defending well though.
Safronov winds up and cracks Percic with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Safronov thows a huge punch but Percic dodges it nicely.
Percic is not content to let Safronov control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Safronov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Percic is looking to escape.
Safronov drops an elbow to the side of Percic's head.
Percic on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Percic makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Percic.
Percic takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Safronov landing with the ground and pound.
Safronov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Safronov wants to pass the guard but Percic is keeping the position.
Safronov looking to sit in guard and control but Percic gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Percic throws an elbow that misses. Safronov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Percic's guard. Nice move by Safronov!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Safronov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Percic swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Safronov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Safronov passes into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Safronov slips a nice elbow through Percic's hands, connecting with Percic's forehead.
Safronov is looking to stall here but Percic recovers full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dima Safronov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Safronov 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 George Francis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dima Safronov!
Dima Safronov seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.