PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Maxim Menshikov (ranked 584 p4p, 1927 weight class) and Ricky Rawse (ranked 20 p4p, 62 weight class). Maxim Menshikov had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Menshikov
vs
Rawse

189 cm
36
275
23 - 16 - 0

193 cm
32
269
16 - 14 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Maxim Menshikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ricky Rawse!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Cecil Peabody and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rawse misses with a double jab
letting Menshikov counter with a right hand.
Menshikov ducks under a wild hook from Rawse.
Menshikov scores with a body shot.
Rawse misses with a hook. Menshikov ducked under it nicely.
Rawse looks to score with a jab to the body but Menshikov is just out of range.
Menshikov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Menshikov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Menshikov went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Menshikov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rawse throws out the jab.
A little feinted left hand from Menshikov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Menshikov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
The fighters circling - Menshikov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rawse misses with a hook
and Menshikov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Menshikov. Rawse does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rawse misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Menshikov.
Rawse throws a poor cross that misses

and Menshikov moves into the clinch.
Menshikov lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Ricky Rawse has been cut.
Menshikov stalls.
Rawse wants to break free but Menshikov has control.
A frustrated look appears on Rawse's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Menshikov just leaning against Rawse, taking a breather.
Menshikov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Rawse is trying to break the clinch but Menshikov is controlling him.
Menshikov lands with a right to the head.
Rawse blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rawse is trying to break the clinch but Menshikov is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Menshikov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Menshikov has Rawse pressed against the cage, preventing Rawse from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Rawse is trying to break the clinch but Menshikov has him pressed against the cage.
Rawse takes an elbow to the forehead.
Menshikov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Menshikov lands with a light punch inside.
Rawse tries to break the clinch but Menshikov is controlling the position.
Menshikov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rawse has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Menshikov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Menshikov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A big right from Rawse misses.
Rawse swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Menshikov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menshikov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Menshikov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rawse on the side of the head.
Menshikov tries to clinch up.
Menshikov batters Rawse with a massive right followed by a huge left! Rawse is out on his feet looking like a zombie as Menshikov lands a final crushing right hand to drop Rawse to the mat with a gruesome thud! Menshikov is running around like a mad man after that fight and for good reason!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:23 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Maxim Menshikov!
Maxim Menshikov seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.