PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fedor kalitonov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolai Valuev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

kalitonov
vs
Valuev

222 cm
22
259 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

213 cm
22
219 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent knees
Powerful

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Fedor kalitonov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolai Valuev!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Fedor Mirinova and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
kalitonov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Valuev tries to avoid it but kalitonov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Valuev to the ground. Valuev escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Valuev darts in and clinches kalitonov up against the cage.
kalitonov tries to pull guard but Valuev holds him up against the cage and eventually kalitonov drops back down to his feet.
Valuev connects with a knee to the head.
kalitonov is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Valuev gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fedor kalitonov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Valuev landing knees to the body.
kalitonov is breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Valuev unloads a knee to the mid-section. kalitonov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Valuev with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Valuev landing knees to the body.
Valuev connects with a nasty looking knee right to kalitonov's face.

It looks like Fedor kalitonov has been cut.
Knees to the body from Valuev.
Valuev landing knees to the body.
Valuev connects with a knee to the head.
Valuev landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Valuev.
Valuev lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Valuev landing knees to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Valuev.
Valuev crunches a lovely knee into kalitonov's ribcage.
Valuev landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Valuev landing knees to the head.
kalitonov takes a knee right on the jaw!
Valuev landing knees to the body.
Valuev landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Valuev with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
kalitonov tries for a takedown. No joy.
kalitonov is looking to control Valuev's arms but Valuev gets an underhook and turns him. Now kalitonov has his back to the cage.
Valuev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but kalitonov blocks it with crossed arms.
kalitonov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Knees in the clinch landing for Valuev.
Valuev tries a knee to the head but kalitonov blocks it.
Valuev using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Knees to the body from Valuev.
kalitonov missing with knees to the body.
kalitonov takes a knee right on the jaw!
Valuev tries a knee to the head but kalitonov blocks it.
Valuev lands a knee to the body.
kalitonov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Valuev just stands there and leans against the cage.
kalitonov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Valuev is keeping busy.
Valuev connects with a nasty looking knee right to kalitonov's face.
kalitonov is trying to break the clinch but Valuev has him pressed against the cage.
Valuev landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
kalitonov takes a knee right on the jaw!
Valuev unloads a knee to the mid-section. kalitonov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Valuev landing knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
kalitonov managing to block the knees to the body from Valuev.
Knees in the clinch landing for Valuev.
Valuev tries to land knees in the clinch but kalitonov avoids the damage to the body.
kalitonov trying to land knees to the body.
Valuev scores with a knee to the head.
Valuev tries to land a knee to the head but kalitonov blocks with his arms.
kalitonov really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Valuev connects with a knee to the head.
Valuev lands a nice knee to the body.
kalitonov avoiding damage as Valuev throws knees to the body.
kalitonov jumps guard but Valuev stands there with kalitonov around his waist. kalitonov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Valuev with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Valuev landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Valuev tries to land a knee to the head but kalitonov blocks with his arms.
kalitonov stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Valuev tries a knee to the head but kalitonov blocks it.
Valuev lands a nice knee to the body.
A knee to the head by Valuev.
Valuev connects with a knee to the head.
Valuev tries a knee to the head but kalitonov blocks it.

kalitonov jumps guard and drags Valuev to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
kalitonov has his hands on Valuev's head, controlling the position.
kalitonov is trying to keep Valuev in close.
Valuev controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's four 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.
kalitonov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Valuev dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Fedor kalitonov's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

kalitonov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
kalitonov throws a sloppy head kick and Valuev moves out of range easily.
kalitonov misses with a takedown attempt - Valuev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Valuev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Valuev gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valuev lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Valuev lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Valuev unloads a knee to the mid-section. kalitonov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Valuev unloads a knee to the mid-section. kalitonov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Valuev landing knees to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Valuev.
Valuev with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valuev scores with a knee to the head.
kalitonov jumps guard but Valuev stands there with kalitonov around his waist. kalitonov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
kalitonov wants to break the clinch but can't.
Valuev lands a knee to the body.
kalitonov fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fedor kalitonov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
kalitonov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Valuev lands a knee to the head.
Valuev with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Valuev has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

kalitonov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Valuev tries to clinch but kalitonov moves out of range.
kalitonov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nikolai Valuev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Valuev gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Valuev landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
kalitonov wants a takedown.
kalitonov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Valuev just stands there and leans against the cage.
kalitonov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Valuev just stands there and leans against the cage.
Valuev unloads a knee to the mid-section. kalitonov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valuev lands a knee to the head.
kalitonov tries for a takedown. No joy.
Valuev unloads a knee to the mid-section. kalitonov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Valuev scores with a knee to the head.
Valuev prevents a takedown attempt there.
kalitonov can't break the clinch.
kalitonov has Valuev pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Valuev manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Valuev landing knees to the head.
kalitonov stalling in the clinch but Valuev improves position.
Valuev tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nikolai Valuev seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Valuev lands a knee to the body.
Valuev using the Thai plumb to throw knees but kalitonov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Valuev landing knees to the body.
Valuev connects with a knee to the head.
Valuev landing knees to the body.
Valuev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but kalitonov blocks it with crossed arms.
Valuev using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
kalitonov trying to land knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Valuev.
Valuev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but kalitonov blocks it with crossed arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Valuev scores a nice knee to the body.
kalitonov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Valuev lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Valuev landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
kalitonov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Valuev tries a knee to the head but kalitonov blocks it.
Valuev tries a knee to the head but kalitonov blocks it.
kalitonov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Valuev with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Valuev.
Valuev connects with a knee to the head.
kalitonov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
kalitonov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Valuev walks away with a smile on his face. kalitonov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

kalitonov has Valuev up against the cage in a clinch.
Valuev lands a nice knee to the body.
Valuev tries a knee to the head but kalitonov blocks it.
kalitonov avoiding damage as Valuev throws knees to the body.

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.
kalitonov goes for a takedown attempt but Valuev pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
kalitonov tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Valuev moves into the clinch.
Valuev lands a knee to the body.
kalitonov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Valuev using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

kalitonov manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
kalitonov striking off his back but it's not causing Valuev any problems.

kalitonov is working an open guard so Valuev takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
kalitonov tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Valuev moves into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Valuev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Fedor kalitonov's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Valuev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
kalitonov wants to clinch but Valuev slips to the side

and Valuev counters by moving into the clinch.
Valuev tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
kalitonov fails to pull guard.
kalitonov can't break the clinch.
kalitonov trying to land knees to the body.
kalitonov jumps guard but Valuev stands there with kalitonov around his waist. kalitonov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
kalitonov tries to score a body lock takedown but Valuev shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fedor kalitonov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Valuev connects with a knee to the head.
Valuev unloads a knee to the mid-section. kalitonov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Valuev crunches a lovely knee into kalitonov's ribcage.
Valuev landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Valuev throws a knee to the head but misses.
Valuev looking to throw knees to the head but kalitonov is blocking nicely.
kalitonov wants to get back to striking at distance but Valuev won't allow it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
kalitonov wants to get back to striking at distance but Valuev won't allow it.
Valuev scores with a knee to the head.
Valuev connects with a knee to the head.
kalitonov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Valuev.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valuev stops a takedown attempt from kalitonov.
kalitonov tries to stall but Valuev uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Valuev lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Valuev prevents kalitonov from breaking the clinch.
Valuev landing knees to the head.
Valuev using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Valuev tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Valuev unloads a knee to the mid-section. kalitonov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Valuev with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Knees to the body from Valuev.
Valuev landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Valuev prevents kalitonov from breaking the clinch.
kalitonov jumps guard but Valuev stands there with kalitonov around his waist. kalitonov gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Valuev using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
kalitonov tries to pull guard but Valuev holds him up against the cage and eventually kalitonov drops back down to his feet.
Valuev unloads a knee to the mid-section. kalitonov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
kalitonov tries to pull guard but Valuev won't allow it.
Valuev landing some nice looking knees to the body.
kalitonov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Valuev walks away with a smile on his face. kalitonov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Valuev keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nikolai Valuev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valuev tries to clinch but kalitonov is having none of it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Valuev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
kalitonov clinches but Valuev breaks the clinch

and Valuev counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Valuev.
kalitonov is trying to break free.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Valuev using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valuev using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
kalitonov looking to stall.
Valuev scores with a knee to the head.
Valuev unloads a knee to the mid-section. kalitonov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
kalitonov can't break the clinch.
A knee to the head by Valuev.
A knee to the head by Valuev.
kalitonov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Valuev tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's four 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.
Valuev lands a knee to the head.
Valuev tries a knee to the head but kalitonov blocks it.
Valuev landing knees to the body.
kalitonov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Valuev with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Valuev unloads a knee to the mid-section. kalitonov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Knees to the body from Valuev.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Valuev connects with a nasty looking knee right to kalitonov's face.
Fedor kalitonov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Knees in the clinch landing for Valuev.
Valuev unloads a knee to the mid-section. kalitonov lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolai Valuev comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Valuev 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 26:30
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 26:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolai Valuev!