PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Michael Cro Cop (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vasechkin Nikolai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vasechkin Nikolai is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Cro Cop
vs
Nikolai

195 cm
25
277 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

200 cm
25
265 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good in bed

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Michael Cro Cop!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Vasechkin Nikolai!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nikolai walks into a left hand.

Nikolai looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Cro Cop!
Nikolai controlling from mount.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Vasechkin Nikolai hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Nikolai pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolai shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cro Cop keeps the fight on the outside.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Cro Cop wants a takedown.
Nikolai is trying to stall.

Nikolai breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Vasechkin Nikolai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cro Cop takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Cro Cop defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Nikolai.
Nikolai swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Nikolai takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nikolai tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Nikolai is defended easily by Cro Cop.
Michael Cro Cop has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vasechkin Nikolai.
No luck for Nikolai with that takedown attempt.
Nikolai throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nikolai avoids the head kick by Cro Cop.
Nikolai feints and then cracks Cro Cop's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Cro Cop down.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Cro Cop.

It looks like Vasechkin Nikolai has been cut.
Nikolai lands a body shot.
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!
Nikolai wants to clinch

and Cro Cop counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Cro Cop.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikolai fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Nikolai jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Cro Cop walks away with a smile on his face. Nikolai gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Nikolai shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Cro Cop as he avoids it easily.
Nikolai is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cro Cop sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Nikolai looks gassed!
Nikolai doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Cro Cop counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nikolai just misses with a punch to the body.

Nikolai rushes Cro Cop and presses him up against the cage.
A short right from Nikolai on the inside.
Cro Cop is trying to break the clinch but Nikolai is controlling him.
Nikolai has had enough of the clinch but Cro Cop keeps him there for the moment.
Nikolai goes for a takedown in the clinch but Cro Cop prevents it.
Nikolai stalling in the clinch but Cro Cop improves position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikolai drops down looking for an ankle pick but Cro Cop pulls his leg out and moves away.
Cro Cop misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cro Cop misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nikolai avoids the head kick by Cro Cop.
Nikolai falls off balance throwing a combination
and Cro Cop counters with a low kick, right behind Nikolai 's knee.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cro Cop misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nikolai wants to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Vasechkin Nikolai will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Vasechkin Nikolai's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nikolai shoots for a takedown but Cro Cop saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nikolai staying out of range there.
Nikolai fails to land the takedown.
Nikolai misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Michael Cro Cop has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vasechkin Nikolai.
Cro Cop is trying hard to land a takedown here. Nikolai sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head kick misses from Cro Cop.
Nikolai fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolai throws a body kick the misses
and Cro Cop makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Nikolai really felt that one!
Nikolai is breathing heavily.
Nikolai ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Cro Cop lands a lovely overhand right.
Cro Cop misses with a hook.
Cro Cop tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nikolai misses the body punch
and Cro Cop counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Nikolai shoots in and drives through. Cro Cop sprawls well.
Cro Cop pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Nikolai closes the distance and clinches up with Cro Cop, looking for a takedown. Nikolai pushes Cro Cop against the cage but Cro Cop circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Michael Cro Cop is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nikolai tries for a takedown but Cro Cop sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikolai tries for a takedown but Cro Cop sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nikolai blocks a head kick by Cro Cop.
Nikolai stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Cro Cop.
Cro Cop throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A head kick misses from Cro Cop.
Cro Cop throws a combination that misses

and Nikolai counters with a takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nikolai happy to just control the position for now.

Nikolai has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Nikolai shoots in for a takedown but Cro Cop shows good takedown defense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cro Cop thumps Nikolai with a low kick.
Nikolai fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cro Cop throws a head kick but Nikolai moves out of range.

Nikolai closes the distance and clinches.
Cro Cop has had enough of the clinch but Nikolai keeps him there for the moment.
Nikolai is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Cro Cop stops a takedown attempt from Nikolai.
Nikolai keeps control of Cro Cop as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Cro Cop is trying to break free.

Nikolai wants the takedown. Cro Cop is fighting it off but Nikolai persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Cro Cop's guard against the cage.
Nikolai looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cro Cop wants to stand but Nikolai is controlling the position.
Nikolai pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cro Cop is keeping the position for now.
Nikolai engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Vasechkin Nikolai hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Nikolai fails to land the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Vasechkin Nikolai will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Vasechkin Nikolai's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Cro Cop throws a head kick that misses.
A right-left combo lands from Nikolai.
Cro Cop pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Michael Cro Cop is winning the standup battle so far.
Nikolai fails to land the takedown.
Cro Cop stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cro Cop wants it to stay on the feet.
Nikolai throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cro Cop's waist but Cro Cop gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Nikolai off to one side.
Michael Cro Cop has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vasechkin Nikolai.
Nikolai blocks a head kick by Cro Cop.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nikolai uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cro Cop.
Nikolai scores with a nice head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikolai shoots in but Cro Cop avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Nikolai lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Cro Cop gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Nikolai to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Nikolai pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cro Cop is keeping the position for now.
Nikolai wants to get up but he can't break Cro Cop's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Nikolai wants to pass the guard but Cro Cop is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikolai controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Vasechkin Nikolai has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Cro Cop tries to bum rush Nikolai with a series of wild strikes but Nikolai uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nikolai fails with a takedown attempt.
Nikolai looks to throw a body kick
and Cro Cop counters with a two punch combo.
Nikolai dives in and grabs Cro Cop's left leg, looking for a takedown. Cro Cop pushes down on Nikolai's head and hops out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cro Cop blocks the body kick.
Cro Cop throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Nikolai scores with a takedown into Cro Cop's guard.
Nikolai seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Vasechkin Nikolai wasn't active enough on the ground.

Nikolai closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Michael Cro Cop has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vasechkin Nikolai has got the better of the ground game so far.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Vasechkin Nikolai is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Cro Cop wants to get back to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vasechkin Nikolai comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nikolai 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vasechkin Nikolai!