PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ash Ketchum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vasiliy Arkhipov (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.

Ketchum
vs
Arkhipov

197 cm
28
270 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

190 cm
28
251 lbs
12 - 11 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ash Ketchum!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Vasiliy Arkhipov!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ketchum doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Arkhipov counter with a right hand.
Ketchum on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Arkhipov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Arkhipov thuds a left hand into Ketchum's body.
Arkhipov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Ketchum counters with a single leg into guard. Arkhipov didn't expect that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ketchum trying to control but Arkhipov is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Arkhipov is looking to stand up but Ketchum isn't so interested in that idea.
Ketchum looking to sit in guard and control but Arkhipov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Ketchum seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arkhipov preventing the sweep.

Ketchum throws his legs up looking for a submission but Arkhipov uses it to pass to side control.
Arkhipov trying to control the action but Ketchum is working from the bottom.
Ketchum taking punishment in the form of punches.
Arkhipov wants to control but Ketchum is keeping him busy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
You can see the frustration on Ketchum's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Ketchum tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ketchum is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Arkhipov asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Ketchum is trying to get back to half guard.
Arkhipov taking a break here but Ketchum is having none of it and regains half guard.
Ketchum won't allow Arkhipov to pass to mount.
Arkhipov is thwarting Ketchum's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ketchum flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Ketchum manages to get to full guard.
Ketchum avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Arkhipov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Ketchum regains full guard. Nicely done.

Ketchum throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Arkhipov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ketchum controls Arkhipov momentarily but Arkhipov frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ketchum had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Arkhipov defends it easily.

Ketchum working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Arkhipov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Arkhipov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Ketchum is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Arkhipov defends well.
Arkhipov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Ketchum looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ketchum is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Vasiliy Arkhipov will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Arkhipov lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

It looks like Ash Ketchum has been cut.
Ketchum dodges the punch combination from Arkhipov.
Ketchum fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Arkhipov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Ketchum swats away the attempt to clinch by Arkhipov.
A big left from Ketchum misses.
Arkhipov avoids the body shot from Ketchum.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Arkhipov. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Arkhipov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ketchum with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling Arkhipov to counter with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ketchum throws a jab but it's blocked by Arkhipov.
Ketchum misses with a left hand
and Arkhipov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ketchum thinking.
Ketchum uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Arkhipov.
The crowd cheers as Arkhipov lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ketchum doesn't seem phased though.
Arkhipov throws a combination. Ketchum tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Arkhipov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Arkhipov throws a lazy uppercut
and Ketchum counters with a nice uppercut.
Ketchum keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Arkhipov missing with a left hand there. Ketchum was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ketchum shoots and misses
and Arkhipov counters with a left and a right that stings Ketchum.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ketchum has his takedown stuffed
enabling Arkhipov to counter with a crisp jab.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ash Ketchum. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Arkhipov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ketchum connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Arkhipov misses with a straight left.
Arkhipov lands a really nice looking cross but Ketchum seems unphased.
Ketchum with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Arkhipov counter with a right hand.
Arkhipov keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Ketchum misses with a lunging right hand
and Arkhipov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A looping hook to the body misses from Arkhipov. Ketchum does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ketchum lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Arkhipov misses.
Vasiliy Arkhipov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Arkhipov has taken the fight to the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Ketchum lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Arkhipov.

Ketchum gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Ketchum postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Arkhipov looking to control.
Ketchum working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Arkhipov is breathing heavily.
Arkhipov looking for a sweep. Not yet Arkhipov, not yet.
Ketchum loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Ketchum drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Arkhipov dives on top into guard.
Arkhipov is looking to stand up but Ketchum won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ketchum has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Arkhipov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Ketchum will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Ketchum lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Arkhipov!
The referee warns Arkhipov that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

Ketchum goes for an armbar but Arkhipov turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Arkhipov.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Ketchum working for a triangle but Arkhipov defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vasiliy Arkhipov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ash Ketchum's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Arkhipov works the jab nicely.
Ketchum gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Arkhipov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Ketchum tries for a takedown but Arkhipov circles away easily
and Arkhipov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Arkhipov throws a left and a right that both miss
and Ketchum counters with a straight right hand.
Arkhipov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ketchum moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arkhipov lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Arkhipov connects with a single shot there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ketchum has his takedown stuffed
and Arkhipov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ash Ketchum. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Arkhipov scores with a nice right hand.
A punch combination from Arkhipov misses.
Arkhipov scores with a jab to the body.
Arkhipov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ketchum fails with the takedown

and Arkhipov moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arkhipov lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Arkhipov has Ketchum pushed against the cage.
Ketchum tries to score a body lock takedown but Arkhipov shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Come on Arkhipov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Arkhipov lands a left hand.
Arkhipov taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Arkhipov prevents the takedown attempt.
Arkhipov lands a nice uppercut.
A short uppercut from Arkhipov.
Nice body punch from Arkhipov.
Arkhipov pushes Ketchum back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Ash Ketchum's cut is getting worse.
Arkhipov lands a nice uppercut.
A short right from Arkhipov.
Arkhipov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Arkhipov stalling against the cage.
A short right from Arkhipov.
Ketchum's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ketchum looking to stall.
Ketchum misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arkhipov prevents a takedown attempt there.
Arkhipov scores with a shot to the side of Ketchum's head.
Ketchum letting Arkhipov take a breather here.
Ketchum tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ketchum can't get the takedown.
The referee is keeping an eye on Arkhipov - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Arkhipov looking to slow down the pace here.
Ash Ketchum has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ketchum drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Arkhipov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Ketchum or not.
The referee calls for Arkhipov to work.
Ketchum has had enough of the clinch but Arkhipov keeps him there for the moment.
Arkhipov is trying to maintain a safe position but Ketchum gets an underhook and turns Arkhipov into the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Vasiliy Arkhipov.
Arkhipov works over Ketchum's head and body with a nice combination.
Vasiliy Arkhipov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ketchum misses with a hook
and Arkhipov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nice shot lands for Arkhipov.
Nice uppercut there from Arkhipov.
Ketchum fails with the takedown
and Arkhipov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Arkhipov connects with the punch.
Ketchum throws a lazy uppercut
and Arkhipov counters with a one-two to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Arkhipov scores with a hook.
Ketchum rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Arkhipov counter with a right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vasiliy Arkhipov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Arkhipov 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 26:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 26:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vasiliy Arkhipov!