PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lawrence Muggerud II (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dmitriy Bukharin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bukharin has chosen "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" by Brad Fiedel as his entrance music. 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.

Muggerud II
vs
Bukharin

191 cm
24
265 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

183 cm
23
245 lbs
9 - 6 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Lawrence Muggerud II!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Dmitriy Bukharin!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, William Peck and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bukharin looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Muggerud II!
Bukharin looking to ground and pound but Muggerud II is blocking nicely.
Muggerud II holds on for dear life.

Bukharin wants to finish this one by submission but Muggerud II is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Bukharin.
Bukharin looking to control but Muggerud II is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Bukharin misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.

Bukharin moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Muggerud II has worked his arm free - good work by Muggerud II!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bukharin is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Muggerud II is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Muggerud II parries the strikes from Bukharin easily there. Bukharin is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Muggerud II to escape.

Bukharin tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Bukharin thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Muggerud II is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Bukharin has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Bukharin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Muggerud II keeps working.

Bukharin is trying to get an arm triangle but Muggerud II is defending well.
Muggerud II on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muggerud II is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

Bukharin is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Muggerud II is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Bukharin is looking to take a break and control but Muggerud II is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Muggerud II prevents Bukharin from improving position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Muggerud II is looking for a sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
You can see the frustration on Muggerud II's face as Bukharin controls the position.
Bukharin is trying to ground and pound but Muggerud II uses the momentary lack of control by Bukharin to regain half guard.
Bukharin is trying to control. Muggerud II wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Bukharin wants to work for an arm triangle but Muggerud II is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Bukharin wants to take a breather but Muggerud II is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dmitriy Bukharin dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Muggerud II keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Bukharin closes this distance looking for a takedown but Muggerud II circles away.
Bukharin fails with the takedown.
Lawrence Muggerud II has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dmitriy Bukharin.
Bukharin shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Muggerud II defends it nicely.
Bukharin closes the distance and clinches up with Muggerud II, looking for a takedown. Bukharin pushes Muggerud II against the cage but Muggerud II circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bukharin shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Muggerud II sprawls well. Muggerud II wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bukharin gets slowly back to his feet.
Bukharin is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muggerud II throws a right hand that Bukharin ducks under and follows up with a left that Bukharin also avoids with ease.
Bukharin shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Muggerud II defends it nicely.
Dmitriy Bukharin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Muggerud II digs a good hook to Bukharin's body.
Muggerud II keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Bukharin shoots in and drives through. Muggerud II sprawls well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muggerud II rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bukharin moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bukharin shoots for a takedown but Muggerud II saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Bukharin showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Muggerud II.
Bukharin is looking to clinch but Muggerud II is avoiding it.
Bukharin will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Bukharin tries to close the distance and clinch but Muggerud II swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Muggerud II defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bukharin.
Bukharin shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Muggerud II defends it nicely.
Lawrence Muggerud II is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Muggerud II scores with a hook to the body. Bukharin takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muggerud II lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Bukharin circles away quickly and effectively.
No luck for Bukharin with that takedown attempt.
Muggerud II leaves Bukharin with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Muggerud II lands with a good body shot.
Bukharin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Muggerud II as he jumps to the side.
Muggerud II connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Muggerud II does no damage.
Bukharin shoots in looking for a takedown. Muggerud II tries to sprawl out of it but Bukharin keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Muggerud II manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Bukharin on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Muggerud II fails to land with a series of punches.
Bukharin shoots in for a double leg but Muggerud II sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Bukharin gets the takedown into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lawrence Muggerud II dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Muggerud II connects with a single shot there.
Bukharin looks for a takedown but Muggerud II sprawls well.
Bukharin fails with an attempt to clinch.
Bukharin fails to land the takedown.
Muggerud II lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Bukharin at a distance.
Muggerud II looks to land a combination but Bukharin avoids it well.
Muggerud II scores with a jab to the body.
Muggerud II dips to his left and cracks Bukharin with an uppercut!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muggerud II dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Muggerud II leaves Bukharin with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Lawrence Muggerud II has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dmitriy Bukharin.
Nice jab there from Muggerud II.
Muggerud II throws a right and a left that Bukharin avoids nicely.
Muggerud II displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Bukharin.
A left and a right from Muggerud II both land. Nice combination.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Muggerud II!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muggerud II keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bukharin takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Muggerud II stuffs the takedown attempt from Bukharin. Bukharin gets slowly back to his feet.
Muggerud II throws a series of punches but Bukharin moves out of range.
Bukharin misses with a double jab
and Muggerud II counters with a straight right hand.
Muggerud II is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bukharin shoots for a double leg takedown but Muggerud II sprawls well. He's pushed Bukharin's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A left and a right from Muggerud II both land. Nice combination.
Bukharin shoots for a double leg takedown but Muggerud II sprawls well. He's pushed Bukharin's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Muggerud II scores with a body shot.
Lawrence Muggerud II is winning the standup battle so far.
Muggerud II fails to land with a series of punches.
Muggerud II throws a right and a left that Bukharin avoids nicely.
Lawrence Muggerud II is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bukharin is defended easily by Muggerud II.
Bukharin fails to land the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Muggerud II lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Bukharin at a distance.
Bukharin fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Bukharin misses with a takedown attempt - Muggerud II sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Muggerud II lands a jab-cross combination.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Muggerud II throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Bukharin tries for a takedown but Muggerud II circles away easily
and Muggerud II counters with a left to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lawrence Muggerud II clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bukharin shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Muggerud II but Muggerud II pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Muggerud II scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Bukharin closes this distance looking for a takedown but Muggerud II circles away.
Muggerud II throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Bukharin closes the distance and clinches up with Muggerud II, looking for a takedown. Bukharin pushes Muggerud II against the cage but Muggerud II circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Lawrence Muggerud II has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dmitriy Bukharin.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bukharin with a poor takedown
and Muggerud II counters with a one-two to the body.
Nice uppercut lands for Muggerud II. That snapped Bukharin's head back.
Muggerud II scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muggerud II lands a jab-cross combination.
Muggerud II is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bukharin can do to turn this around?
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Bukharin takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A left and a right from Muggerud II both land. Nice combination.
Bukharin tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bukharin fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Muggerud II avoids it really well and circles away.
Bukharin shoots in but Muggerud II avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Muggerud II misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bukharin shoots in and drives through. Muggerud II sprawls well.
Muggerud II stalks Bukharin and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Bukharin's face. Bukharin staggers backwards, shaken.
Bukharin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Muggerud II as he jumps to the side.
Bukharin dives in and grabs Muggerud II's left leg, looking for a takedown. Muggerud II pushes down on Bukharin's head and hops out.
Bukharin shoots in for a takedown but Muggerud II shows good takedown defense.
Bukharin is trying hard to land a takedown here. Muggerud II sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Bukharin gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bukharin shoots in for a takedown but Muggerud II shows good takedown defense.
Muggerud II dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Muggerud II lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Bukharin circles away quickly and effectively.
Muggerud II stuffs the takedown attempt from Bukharin. Bukharin gets slowly back to his feet.
Muggerud II misses with a two punch combination.
Some wild striking there from Muggerud II.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bukharin.

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.
Muggerud II stuns Bukharin with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Bukharin tries to clinch but Muggerud II moves out of range.
Bukharin shoots in for a takedown but Muggerud II shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bukharin looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Muggerud II scores with a hook to the body. Bukharin takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Muggerud II avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lawrence Muggerud II had his way with Dmitriy Bukharin in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Muggerud II throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bukharin shoots in for a double leg but Muggerud II sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Bukharin tries to close the distance and clinch up but Muggerud II swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Bukharin fails with a takedown attempt.
Bukharin shoots in but Muggerud II avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Lawrence Muggerud II has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dmitriy Bukharin.
Bukharin misses with a takedown attempt
and Muggerud II counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Muggerud II misses with the combination.
Bukharin shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Muggerud II defends it nicely.
Bukharin is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bukharin is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Muggerud II.
Muggerud II misses with a wild body shot.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bukharin.
Left hook, right uppercut from Muggerud II.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bukharin is defended easily by Muggerud II.
Muggerud II throws a right hand that Bukharin ducks under and follows up with a left that Bukharin also avoids with ease.
Lawrence Muggerud II is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bukharin wants to clinch.
Bukharin misses with a takedown
and Muggerud II counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Muggerud II looks to land a combination. Bukharin sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Bukharin shoots in looking for a takedown. Muggerud II tries to sprawl out of it but Bukharin keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Muggerud II manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Muggerud II lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Bukharin at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bukharin fails with the takedown.
Bukharin fails with the takedown.
A left and a right from Muggerud II both land. Nice combination.
Bukharin is trying hard to land a takedown here. Muggerud II sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Muggerud II lands with a straight right. Bukharin didn't see that one coming.
Muggerud II throws a right and a left that Bukharin avoids nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bukharin shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A shot to the liver by Muggerud II. Beautiful body shot.
Dmitriy Bukharin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bukharin shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting Muggerud II counter with a right hand.
Bukharin shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Muggerud II lunges at Bukharin with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Bukharin's hand.
Bukharin tries to score a power double leg takedown but Muggerud II sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bukharin somewhat.
Muggerud II lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Bukharin backs up against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lawrence Muggerud II showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Muggerud II 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 49:43
Judge William Peck scores the fight 49:43
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 49:43

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lawrence Muggerud II!
Lawrence Muggerud II is the new heavyweight champion!