PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Slava Tikhonov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Robert Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Tikhonov
vs
Gracie

180 cm
22
177 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

195 cm
18
180 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

BADGER MILK!
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Demonic Drugs

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Slava Tikhonov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Robert Gracie!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tikhonov thows a left - swing and a miss!

Tikhonov looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Tikhonov is working for a kimura but Gracie is defending it quite comfortably.

Tikhonov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Gracie keeping control of the position.
Tikhonov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Gracie wants to improve his position but Tikhonov is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikhonov is thwarting Gracie's attempts to control the position.

Tikhonov seems to be looking for submissions.
Tikhonov throwing shots but Gracie is blocking nicely.

Tikhonov is working for a kimura but Gracie is defending it quite comfortably.
Gracie moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Gracie looking for a guillotine here but Tikhonov defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Tikhonov won't allow Gracie to sweep him here.
Tikhonov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Tikhonov has gone for a leg lock! Gracie slips out almost immediately though and dives into Tikhonov's guard.
Gracie is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Tikhonov is trying to control the position but Gracie postures up.

Tikhonov working for submissions but it's allowed Gracie to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tikhonov tries to get to full guard but Gracie has control of the leg.
Gracie controlling the action here.

Gracie is looking for a kimura but Tikhonov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gracie to get the leverage.
Tikhonov is not content to let Gracie control the position.
Gracie is thwarting Tikhonov's attempts to control the position.

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.
Tikhonov is looking for a sweep. Gracie is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tikhonov wants to control but Gracie is keeping busy.
Tikhonov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Tikhonov scores a takedown into full mount!
Tikhonov thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Tikhonov moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Gracie has worked his arm free - good work by Gracie!
Gracie is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Slava Tikhonov will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Gracie misses with a takedown attempt

and Tikhonov counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Gracie's guard now.
Gracie looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Tikhonov trying to control the position from guard on top but Gracie is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tikhonov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gracie is keeping the position for now.
Tikhonov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Tikhonov drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Gracie dives on top into guard.

Tikhonov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tikhonov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tikhonov wants to hit a switch here but Gracie passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Tikhonov there!
Gracie avoids the attempt from Tikhonov to control.
Tikhonov really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tikhonov flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Tikhonov is looking to get to half guard.
Tikhonov is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie tries to control but Tikhonov wriggling away.

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.
BOOM! Gracie connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Gracie tries to control but Tikhonov wriggling away.
Tikhonov is looking to improve his position but Gracie isn't that keen on the idea.
Gracie looking to ground and pound but Tikhonov is blocking nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tikhonov is looking to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Slava Tikhonov dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Tikhonov tries for a takedown but Gracie sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A telegraphed right hand from Tikhonov misses the target.
Tikhonov fails with a takedown attempt.
Tikhonov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Tikhonov scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Gracie looking for a sweep but Tikhonov has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Gracie tries to reverse the position but Tikhonov maintains control.

Tikhonov goes for an armbar but Gracie turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Gracie.
Gracie wants to stand but Tikhonov has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tikhonov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Gracie gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Tikhonov throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Gracie escapes and throws Tikhonov's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Gracie trying to control the position but Tikhonov is working away.

Gracie is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Tikhonov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Gracie trying to control the action but Tikhonov is working from the bottom.
Tikhonov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Tikhonov regains half guard.

Gracie is working for a submission of some sort.

Tikhonov actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tikhonov is pressing down on Gracie's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Tikhonov is trying to keep Gracie in close.

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

Tikhonov has an active guard here but Gracie has managed to pass into half guard.
Tikhonov is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tikhonov looking for submissions off his back.
Gracie prevents Tikhonov from improving his position.
Tikhonov gets back to full guard.
Robert Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gracie wants to control from the top but Tikhonov keeps moving.
Slava Tikhonov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Gracie missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Slava Tikhonov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tikhonov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Slava Tikhonov!