PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rasul Dolaev (ranked 3222 p4p, 0 weight class) and Charles Loiseau (ranked 5519 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Dolaev
vs
Loiseau

178 cm
25
158 lbs
3 - 4 - 1

177 cm
25
157 lbs
1 - 7 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 1, fighting out of New York, Rasul Dolaev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Charles Loiseau!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Jorge Garcia and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dolaev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Dolaev shoots for a takedown but Loiseau saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
As Dolaev backs off Loiseau throws a huge counter combo but Dolaev manages to avoid it all.

Dolaev forces Loiseau back against the cage and clinches.
Dolaev struggles to land a body shot inside as Loiseau controls his hands.
Dolaev is trying to pull guard but Loiseau has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rasul Dolaev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Loiseau is trying to pull guard but Dolaev has him pressed against the cage.
Dolaev is trying to pull guard but Loiseau has him pressed against the cage.
Dolaev is pressed up against the cage. Loiseau has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Dolaev down to the mat. Dolaev avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Dolaev has Loiseau up against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dolaev changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Loiseau fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Loiseau misses with a jab, cross combination.
Loiseau throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dolaev dives in for a single leg takedown but Loiseau sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Dolaev is breathing heavily.

Dolaev closes the distance and clinches.
Dolaev's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Loiseau drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Dolaev gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Loiseau keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Dolaev's efforts to push away.
Loiseau wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Dolaev has him pressed against the cage.
Loiseau tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Dolaev smiles and moves away.
Dolaev pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Dolaev with a poor takedown
and Loiseau counters with a big head kick but Dolaev shrugs it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dolaev shoots in for a takedown but Loiseau shows good takedown defense.
Loiseau doesn't manage to clinch there - Dolaev circles away.
Loiseau looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Dolaev is fending him off so far but Loiseau persists. Nope, Dolaev circles away and we're back to standing.
Loiseau plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Dolaev dives in for a single leg takedown but Loiseau sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Dolaev is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Loiseau throws a counter combo.
Loiseau shoots in but no luck this time.
Dolaev fails with the takedown.
Dolaev takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dolaev keeps the fight on the outside.
Loiseau throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Dolaev stuffs the takedown.
Dolaev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Loiseau as he jumps to the side.
Dolaev sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Loiseau lands a jab-cross combination.
Loiseau shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Dolaev but Dolaev pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Dolaev tries to counter by clinching up but Loiseau breaks away and moves out of range.
Loiseau fails with an attempt to clinch.
Dolaev shoots in but no luck this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters circling a little - Loiseau finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Nice sprawl there from Dolaev as Loiseau shoots in.
Loiseau changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Dolaev tries to avoid it but Loiseau manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Dolaev to the ground. Dolaev escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Loiseau fails with an attempt to clinch.
Dolaev misses with an attempted mid kick.
Loiseau closes the distance and clinches up with Dolaev, looking for a takedown. Loiseau pushes Dolaev against the cage but Dolaev circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Loiseau stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Loiseau wants it to stay on the feet.

Loiseau moves into the clinch.

Loiseau breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Loiseau closes this distance looking for a takedown but Dolaev circles away.
Loiseau fails to land the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Charles Loiseau dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Dolaev changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Loiseau looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Dolaev trying to control the action but Loiseau is working from the bottom.
Loiseau is looking to regain half guard here but Dolaev keeps moving and retains side control.

Dolaev decides to stand up, so the ref orders Loiseau to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck for Dolaev with that takedown attempt.
Loiseau with the counter takedown but Dolaev avoids it easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Loiseau tries to score a power double leg takedown but Dolaev sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Loiseau somewhat.
Rasul Dolaev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Loiseau defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Dolaev.
Loiseau changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Dolaev tries to avoid it but Loiseau manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Dolaev to the ground. Dolaev escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Loiseau darts in looking for a takedown but Dolaev gets double underhooks and turns Loiseau into the cage.
Rasul Dolaev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Charles Loiseau.
Dolaev defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Loiseau.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Loiseau.
Dolaev misses with a takedown attempt - Loiseau sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Loiseau throws out a counter right but Dolaev avoids it with no problem.

Dolaev drives through with a takedown into Loiseau's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Loiseau is working an open guard so Dolaev takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Loiseau.

Dolaev has taken the fight to the clinch.
Dolaev is trying to break the clinch but Loiseau is controlling him.
Dolaev throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Loiseau blocks it with crossed arms.
A bit of stalling here from Dolaev.
Dolaev prevents the takedown attempt.
Loiseau wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Loiseau looking for a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dolaev misses with a knee strike.
Dolaev tries to break the clinch but Loiseau is controlling the position.
Loiseau being controlled against the cage.
Loiseau using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Dolaev has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Dolaev tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Dolaev wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Dolaev tries to pull guard but Loiseau forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Loiseau working hard to break the clinch.
Loiseau jumps guard but Dolaev stands there with Loiseau around his waist. Loiseau gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Dolaev tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Loiseau smiles and moves away.
Loiseau misses with a takedown attempt - Dolaev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Dolaev is looking to counter the offense by Loiseau and move into the clinch.
Dolaev looks to land a combination but Loiseau avoids it well.
Loiseau misses with a takedown attempt

and Dolaev counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Dolaev.
Dolaev is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Loiseau to keep the fight standing.
Loiseau wants to break free but Dolaev has control.
Loiseau tries to score a body lock takedown but Dolaev shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Dolaev manages to break the clinch.
Loiseau fails with an attempt to clinch.

Dolaev moves into range and clinches up with Loiseau.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rasul Dolaev dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Dolaev will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Loiseau unleashes a big counter combination but Dolaev bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Loiseau tries to score a power double leg takedown but Dolaev sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Loiseau somewhat.
Charles Loiseau seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Dolaev tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Loiseau is trying to counter with his kicks.
Dolaev displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Loiseau.
Loiseau tries for a takedown but Dolaev sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rasul Dolaev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Charles Loiseau.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dolaev shoots in but no luck this time.
Loiseau is looking for the big counter here.

Dolaev drives through and clinches with Loiseau against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Loiseau jumps guard but Dolaev stands there with Loiseau around his waist. Loiseau gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Loiseau has Dolaev pressed against the cage, preventing Dolaev from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dolaev tries for a takedown but Loiseau manages to get underhooks.
Loiseau can't find room to land a body shot as Dolaev controls the action.
Rasul Dolaev has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A frustrated look appears on Loiseau's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Dolaev tries to break free but Loiseau pushes him back against the cage.

Dolaev jumps guard.
Loiseau trying to control but Dolaev is working from the bottom.
Dolaev managing to control the position.
Dolaev not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Loiseau is pushing down on Dolaev's leg trying to pass to half guard. Dolaev is fighting to maintain full guard but Loiseau has managed to sneak the leg through.

Loiseau is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Loiseau is trying to control. Dolaev wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Dolaev kicks off Loiseau and gets to his feet.
Dolaev tries to clinch up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Loiseau shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Dolaev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Loiseau is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Loiseau cracks Dolaev with a good jab.
Loiseau shoots in for a takedown but Dolaev shows good takedown defense.
Dolaev slaps away a takedown attempt from Loiseau, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Loiseau fails in his attempt to clinch.
As Loiseau looks to move away, Dolaev throws a big counter combo but Loiseau just gets out of the way.
No luck for Dolaev with that takedown attempt.
Dolaev shoots for a takedown but Loiseau saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Dolaev takes a kick to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Loiseau shoots for a double leg takedown but Dolaev sprawls well. He's pushed Loiseau's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Loiseau misses with a takedown attempt - Dolaev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Dolaev throws a sloppy head kick and Loiseau moves out of range easily.
Loiseau tries to counter with a clinch but Dolaev shakes him off and moves away.
Loiseau with a poor takedown

and Dolaev moves into the clinch.
Loiseau trying to stall but Dolaev improves his position.
Loiseau is trying to pull guard but Dolaev has him pressed against the cage.
Loiseau tries to pull guard but Dolaev won't allow it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Dolaev has Loiseau pressed against the cage, preventing Loiseau from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Stalling in the clinch from Dolaev.
Loiseau is trying to drag Dolaev to the mat but Dolaev just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rasul Dolaev showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Dolaev 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 John Roberts scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rasul Dolaev!