PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Ivan Saganov (ranked 6106 p4p, 5950 weight class) and Rich Richardson (ranked 592 p4p, 584 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Saganov
vs
Richardson

202 cm
18
250
1 - 2 - 0

190 cm
25
249
0 - 2 - 0

Excellent boxer
Cuts easily

Excellent MT
Determined

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ivan Saganov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rich Richardson!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Bart Greer and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saganov scores with a nice strike.
Richardson dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Saganov. That did some damage!
Saganov throws a combination that misses
and Richardson makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Richardson throws a nice outside leg kick.
A combination from Saganov does no damage.
We've been informed that Richardson has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Ivan Saganov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Saganov misses with a combination
and Richardson counters with a leg kick.
Richardson fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Saganov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Richardson looks to land a combination but Saganov avoids it well.
Saganov dodges the punch combination from Richardson.
Richardson takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

It looks like Ivan Saganov has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Saganov tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Richardson counters with a slapping leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richardson misses with a looping right.
Richardson connects with a solid leg kick.
Richardson circles away from the clinch attempt
and Richardson counters with a slapping leg kick.
Saganov definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Richardson throws a hook to the side of Saganov's head but Saganov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Richardson connects with a single shot there.
Saganov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Richardson.
Good leg kick by Richardson.
Richardson works Saganov's body with a nice hook.
Rich Richardson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A looping hook to the body misses from Saganov. Richardson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Richardson tries a quick counter leg kick but Saganov is wise to it.
Saganov needs to keep his hands up - Richardson had a free shot at his head there.
Richardson cracks Saganov with an open hand slap.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Richardson lands a nice leg kick that just misses Saganov's sensitive parts.
Saganov looks to throw a body kick
and Richardson counters with a low kick, right behind Saganov 's knee.
Richardson connects with an inside leg kick.
Richardson looks to land a left hand but Saganov moved out of range nicely.
Saganov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Richardson counters with a leg kick.
Saganov misses with the combination.
Richardson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Saganov was well out of range. Poor timing from Richardson.
Saganov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Richardson throws a right hand that Saganov ducks under and follows up with a left that Saganov also avoids with ease.
Richardson connects with a crisp jab.
Saganov tries to clinch up
and Richardson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Ivan Saganov's cut is getting worse.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richardson lands with a thumping leg kick.

Richardson scores a flash knockdown with a right hook that drops Saganov to his hands and knees! The ref pushes Richardson away as he looks to land an illegal blow. Saganov got an extra few seconds to recover there, which could have made all the differences as he stumbles back to his feet. The referee looks into his eyes and decides to allow the bout to continue. Can he survive?!
Richardson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Saganov.
Saganov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Saganov throws a combination that misses
and Richardson counters with a good low kick that Saganov was not able to check.
Saganov is breathing heavily.
Saganov tries to get into range but Richardson steps to the side and lands a beautiful hook that drops Saganov! He's faceplanted into the mat, ass in the air... he's out cold! That's an image he won't want to show his grandkids when he gets older! Richardson scores the big KO victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:49 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Rich Richardson!
After winning the bout, Rich Richardson thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.