PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Harry Kalizhnikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pete Mercury (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Harry Kalizhnikov had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Kalizhnikov
vs
Mercury

175 cm
24
183 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

168 cm
25
188 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Harry Kalizhnikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Pete Mercury!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Chris Saunders and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kalizhnikov cracks the inside of Mercury's front leg.
Kalizhnikov throws a hook but Mercury blocks it.
Kalizhnikov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kalizhnikov takes one to the side of the head.
Kalizhnikov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mercury.
Mercury keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Mercury blocks a jab.
Mercury misses with a straight right.
Mercury shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kalizhnikov as he avoids it easily.
Mercury throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kalizhnikov on the side of the head.
Mercury misses with a low kick.
Kalizhnikov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kalizhnikov scores with a decent looking hook.
Kalizhnikov walks into a stiff left hand from Mercury.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kalizhnikov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Mercury checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Mercury steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kalizhnikov.
Kalizhnikov misses with a looping left.
Kalizhnikov needs to keep his hands up - Mercury had a free shot at his head there.
Mercury lands a glancing blow to the side of Kalizhnikov's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercury lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Kalizhnikov blocks a jab.
Kalizhnikov cracks Mercury with a right hand to the side of the head.
Mercury shoots in looking for a takedown but Kalizhnikov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Mercury's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kalizhnikov misses with a straight right.
Kalizhnikov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Mercury lands a glancing blow to the side of Kalizhnikov's head.
Kalizhnikov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kalizhnikov looks to land a left hand but Mercury moved out of range nicely.
Mercury lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Kalizhnikov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Harry Kalizhnikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kalizhnikov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kalizhnikov moves out of range of the strikes.
Kalizhnikov takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Kalizhnikov misses with an uppercut. Mercury saw that one coming.
Mercury misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kalizhnikov moves forwards but Mercury connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mercury throws a series of strikes that have Kalizhnikov backpedaling.
Kalizhnikov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Mercury swinging wildly here.
Kalizhnikov with a nice cross.
Mercury might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Kalizhnikov slips a jab and a cross from Mercury.
A jab lands there for Mercury.
Kalizhnikov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mercury.
Mercury lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kalizhnikov circles away quickly and effectively.
Some wild striking there from Kalizhnikov.
Kalizhnikov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Mercury is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Kalizhnikov had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Kalizhnikov cracks Mercury with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Mercury fails with the takedown.
Harry Kalizhnikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pete Mercury.
Mercury looks gassed!
Nice defenses there by Kalizhnikov.
A low kick from Mercury misses
and Kalizhnikov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercury is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kalizhnikov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Good exchange - Mercury coming out on top.
Kalizhnikov ducks under a wild hook from Mercury.
Mercury closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Mercury's corner calls for a 1-2. Mercury obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Kalizhnikov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kalizhnikov scores with a sloppy right hand. Mercury should have avoided that one.
Kalizhnikov throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
No joy there for Kalizhnikov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kalizhnikov throws a jab but it's blocked by Mercury.
Mercury lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Mercury takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mercury steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kalizhnikov.
Mercury lunges at Kalizhnikov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kalizhnikov's hand.
Mercury scores with a body shot.
Mercury shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kalizhnikov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Mercury's sensitive parts.
Kalizhnikov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Mercury counters with a straight right hand.
Mercury displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kalizhnikov throws out the jab.
Danga de danga de dang - Kalizhnikov scores with a four punch combination!
Mercury is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kalizhnikov wants to land a leg kick but Mercury is out of range.
A jab lands there for Kalizhnikov.
A combination from Mercury does no damage.
Kalizhnikov throws a solid leg kick but Mercury takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kalizhnikov.
Kalizhnikov takes one to the chin there.
Kalizhnikov's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Mercury connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kalizhnikov scrambles back to his feet.
Sloppy strikes from Kalizhnikov. Those never looked like landing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mercury shoots in looking for a takedown but Kalizhnikov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Mercury's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kalizhnikov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Mercury looks to land a left hand but Kalizhnikov moved out of range nicely.
Kalizhnikov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mercury.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harry Kalizhnikov dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kalizhnikov tries to score with a low kick but Mercury moves his leg out of the way.
Kalizhnikov throws a poor cross that misses
and Mercury counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Harry Kalizhnikov is winning the standup battle so far.
Mercury scores with a body shot.
Mercury looks to score with a jab to the body but Kalizhnikov is just out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kalizhnikov checks a leg kick.
Kalizhnikov gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Kalizhnikov throws a body punch but Mercury moves out of range.
Kalizhnikov ducks right into an uppercut from Mercury.
Mercury will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mercury throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kalizhnikov checks a leg kick.
Nice takedown defense from Kalizhnikov. No joy for Mercury on that attempt.
Mercury walks into a left hand.
Kalizhnikov swinging wildly here.
Mercury throws a shot from downtown. Kalizhnikov moves away and avoids it.
A bone on bone clash there as Kalizhnikov blocks the leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercury throws a hook to the side of Kalizhnikov's head but Kalizhnikov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mercury defending well as Kalizhnikov loads up on a big left hand.
Kalizhnikov lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Left hook, right uppercut from Mercury.
Kalizhnikov throws a front kick aimed at Mercury's knee but Mercury avoids it well.
Mercury is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kalizhnikov.
Mercury uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kalizhnikov has time to react.
Kalizhnikov takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Mercury fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Mercury scores with a nice strike.
Kalizhnikov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Mercury to score with a decent uppercut.
Kalizhnikov looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Mercury throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Mercury is breathing heavily.
Mercury connects with a right hand. Kalizhnikov shakes it off.
Kalizhnikov misses with a double jab.
Kalizhnikov throws a shot from downtown. Mercury moves away and avoids it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kalizhnikov throws a lazy uppercut
and Mercury counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab lands there for Mercury.
Mercury with a hook.
A decent looking cross lands there for Mercury.
Mercury tests Kalizhnikov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Mercury connects with a looping right hand.
Mercury cracks Kalizhnikov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Danga de danga de dang - Mercury scores with a four punch combination!
Mercury pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Kalizhnikov back to the cage. Mercury follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Mercury's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kalizhnikov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Mercury scrambles back to his feet.
Mercury tries to score with a low kick but Kalizhnikov moves his leg out of the way.
Kalizhnikov cracks the inside of Mercury's front leg.
A swing and a miss from Mercury.
Kalizhnikov misses with a wild body shot.
Mercury lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kalizhnikov circles away quickly and effectively.
Kalizhnikov lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalizhnikov misses with a few strikes there.
Sloppy strikes from Kalizhnikov. Those never looked like landing.
Kalizhnikov misses with a right hand
and Mercury counters with a three punch combo that has Kalizhnikov backing up. Kalizhnikov nods at Mercury to acknowledge the strikes.
Kalizhnikov loads up on a big right hand but Mercury slips the punch.
Mercury tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kalizhnikov was well out of range. Poor timing from Mercury.
Mercury lands with a hook. Kalizhnikov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A jab from Mercury misses.
Mercury misses with a left hand
and Kalizhnikov counters with a nice low kick that buckles Mercury's knee momentarily.
Kalizhnikov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Kalizhnikov takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Kalizhnikov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kalizhnikov lands a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kalizhnikov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Kalizhnikov lands with an overhand left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mercury moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Mercury takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kalizhnikov ducks under a wild hook from Mercury.
Kalizhnikov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Mercury's sensitive parts.
Kalizhnikov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Mercury misses with a two punch combination.
Kalizhnikov connects with a crisp jab.
Kalizhnikov connects with an inside leg kick.
Kalizhnikov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kalizhnikov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
No joy there for Kalizhnikov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kalizhnikov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Mercury lands an overhand right.
Mercury's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kalizhnikov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Harry Kalizhnikov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Kalizhnikov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Kalizhnikov catches Mercury with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Mercury looks to land a combination but Kalizhnikov avoids it well.
Kalizhnikov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kalizhnikov.
A big right from Kalizhnikov misses.
Mercury throws a hook to the side of Kalizhnikov's head but Kalizhnikov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kalizhnikov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mercury's jab looks to have found its range, popping Kalizhnikov under the eye.
Kalizhnikov cracks Mercury with a good jab.
Mercury throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kalizhnikov throws a hook but Mercury avoids it easily.
Mercury is trying desperately to land a takedown but Kalizhnikov is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Mercury.
Mercury scores with a jab to the head.
Kalizhnikov loads up on a big right hand but Mercury slips the punch.
Kalizhnikov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kalizhnikov looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Mercury takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercury displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kalizhnikov. Mercury does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kalizhnikov lands a head shot.
Kalizhnikov lands a nice shot that snaps Mercury's head back.
Kalizhnikov looks to land a left hand but Mercury moved out of range nicely.
Kalizhnikov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mercury lands a jab.
Mercury throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mercury lands a glancing blow to the side of Kalizhnikov's head.
Kalizhnikov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Mercury's sensitive parts.
Harry Kalizhnikov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mercury throws a shot to the body.
Mercury tests Kalizhnikov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Mercury takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mercury displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kalizhnikov throws out the jab.
Kalizhnikov dodges the punch combination from Mercury.
Kalizhnikov lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kalizhnikov lands with a nice combination. Mercury backs away looking to recover.
Mercury slips under a jab.
Nice defenses there by Kalizhnikov.
Kalizhnikov misses with the combination.
Mercury scores with a jab.
Mercury lands a jab-cross combination.
Mercury ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Kalizhnikov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Mercury takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Kalizhnikov throws a jab when Mercury was well out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalizhnikov thumps Mercury with a low kick.
Mercury lands with a straight right. Kalizhnikov didn't see that one coming.
Kalizhnikov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kalizhnikov dodges the punch combination from Mercury.
The crowd cheers as Mercury lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kalizhnikov doesn't seem phased though.
Mercury lands a head shot.
Kalizhnikov lands with a cross.
Mercury shoots in for a takedown but Kalizhnikov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Mercury has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kalizhnikov.
Kalizhnikov slaps away a takedown attempt from Mercury, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kalizhnikov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Mercury swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kalizhnikov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kalizhnikov feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Mercurys jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Kalizhnikov lunges at Mercury with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Mercury's hand.
Mercury takes a swing at Kalizhnikov's ribcage but misses.
Kalizhnikov connects with a body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mercury fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kalizhnikov manages to avoid it.
Kalizhnikov feints a jab promting Mercury to slip. Kalizhnikov then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Mercury slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Kalizhnikov misses with a hook.
Harry Kalizhnikov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kalizhnikov doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Kalizhnikov's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Mercury connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kalizhnikov scrambles back to his feet.
Mercury fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kalizhnikov on the side of the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kalizhnikov blocks a leg kick.
Kalizhnikov misses with a double jab.
Pete Mercury has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mercury swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kalizhnikov moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Harry Kalizhnikov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kalizhnikov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Roger Salmon scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Harry Kalizhnikov!
A relieved looking Harry Kalizhnikov thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.