PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sergei Morlikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tommy Thatser (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Morlikov
vs
Thatser

195 cm
22
260 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

172 cm
22
210 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite 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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sergei Morlikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tommy Thatser!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Frank Dennis and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Thatser looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Thatser swinging wilding here.
Thatser tries to clinch up but Morlikov circles away and keeps his distance.
Thatser is looking to clinch.
Morlikov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Morlikov scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Thatser swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Morlikov counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Morlikov defending well as Thatser loads up on a big left hand.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Morlikov looks to land a combination but Thatser avoids it well.
Morlikov shoots in and drives through. Thatser sprawls well.
Thatser tries to clinch but Morlikov moves away
and Morlikov counters with a one-two to the body.
Thatser darts in trying to clinch
enabling Morlikov to counter with a crisp jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Morlikov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
No joy there for Morlikov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Thatser tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Morlikov counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Thatser!
Thatser is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Thatser holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Morlikov tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morlikov punching from mount but Thatser doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Morlikov can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Thatser is looking to escape.
Thatser is looking to improve his position but Morlikov isn't that keen on the idea.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Poor strikes thrown by Morlikov there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Thatser blocking the ground and pound.
Morlikov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Morlikov sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Thatser bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Morlikov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Morlikov keeping moving, preventing Thatser from controlling successfully.
Thatser must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Thatser stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Morlikov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Thatser looks gassed!
Thatser won't allow Morlikov to sweep him here.
Thatser trying to control but Morlikov is working from the bottom.
Morlikov throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Morlikov manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morlikov looking to control but Thatser is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Thatser can do anything to dispel that myth.
Thatser is working to get back to half guard.

Morlikov has control of Thatser's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Thatser regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Morlikov throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Morlikov punching from mount but Thatser doing a good job of avoiding damage.
The referee warns Thatser that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Thatser avoids a series of strikes thrown by Morlikov.
Thatser blocking the ground and pound.
Morlikov 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.
Thatser is looking to get to half guard.
Morlikov throws some wild stikes that Thatser manages to avoid easily.
Thatser really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Morlikov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Morlikov looking to ground and pound but Thatser is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sergei Morlikov dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

A nice combination there by Morlikov.
Thatser wants to clinch
and Morlikov counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Morlikov throws a nice looking combination but Thatser bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Thatser clinches but Morlikov breaks the clinch
and Morlikov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Morlikov fails to land with a series of punches.
No luck for Morlikov with that takedown attempt.
Thatser looks to clinch
and Morlikov counters with a three punch combo that has Thatser backing up. Thatser nods at Morlikov to acknowledge the strikes.
Thatser tries to clinch but Morlikov moves away
and Morlikov counters with a series of strikes. Thatser will be more careful next time no doubt.
Thatser tries to clinch up
and Morlikov counters with a straight right hand.
Thatser wants to clinch up but Morlikov keeps it at a distance.
Thatser looks to clinch
and Morlikov counters with a nice uppercut.
A punch combination from Morlikov misses.
Morlikov misses the jab.
Sergei Morlikov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Morlikov swats away the attempt to clinch by Thatser.
Thatser tries to bum rush Morlikov with a series of wild strikes but Morlikov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morlikov swats away the attempt to clinch by Thatser.
Thatser is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Thatser displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Morlikov throws out the jab.
Thatser throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Morlikov counters with a left and a right that stings Thatser.
Thatser closes the distance looking to clinch
and Morlikov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Thatser tries to clinch there but Morlikov circles away.
Tommy Thatser is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Thatser tries to clinch but Morlikov moves out of range.
Morlikov circles away from the clinch attempt
and Morlikov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Morlikov is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Thatser.
Thatser slips a jab and a cross from Morlikov.
Thatser wants to clinch up but Morlikov keeps it at a distance.
Morlikov looks to land a combination but Thatser avoids it well.
Thatser tries to close the distance and clinch but Morlikov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Thatser tries to clinch
and Morlikov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Thatser tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Morlikov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Morlikov misses with a double jab.
Morlikov lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Thatser backs up against the ropes.
Morlikov is working the combinations to good effect here.
Morlikov circles away from the clinch attempt
and Morlikov counters with a nice uppercut.
Morlikov is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Thatser is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Morlikov is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Thatser darts in trying to clinch
and Morlikov counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Thatser looks to clinch
and Morlikov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Morlikov throws a series of punches but Thatser moves out of range.
Thatser tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Morlikov counters with a straight right hand.
Thatser throws a combination that misses
and Morlikov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Thatser looks to clinch
and Morlikov makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thatser rushes Morlikov and pushes him back against the ropes in a clinch.
Morlikov takes an elbow to the forehead.

Morlikov breaks from the clinch.
Thatser clinches but Morlikov breaks the clinch
and Morlikov counters with a three punch combo that has Thatser backing up. Thatser nods at Morlikov to acknowledge the strikes.
Thatser takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Thatser tries to clinch
and Thatser takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Thatser stuffs the takedown attempt from Morlikov. Morlikov gets slowly back to his feet.
Morlikov lands with a nice combination. Thatser backs away looking to recover.
Morlikov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Morlikov fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergei Morlikov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thatser throws a series of punches but Morlikov avoids them all with ease.
Thatser tries to clinch but Morlikov moves away
and Morlikov counters with a stiff right hand.
Morlikov lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Morlikov scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Horrible takedown by Morlikov or perhaps it was just good defense by Thatser which made him look bad.
Thatser tries to grapple but his opponent circles
letting Morlikov counter with a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morlikov shoots for a double leg takedown but Thatser sprawls well. He's pushed Morlikov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Thatser darts in and clinches Morlikov up against the ropes.
Morlikov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Thatser fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Morlikov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Thatser tries to clinch up
and Morlikov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Thatser is looking to clinch but Morlikov is avoiding it.
Thatser darts in trying to clinch
and Morlikov counters with a nice uppercut.
Sergei Morlikov is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thatser lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Thatser.
Thatser wants to clinch
and Morlikov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Thatser closes the distance but Morlikov moves to the side
enabling Morlikov to counter with a crisp jab.
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 Sergei Morlikov will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Thatser tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Morlikov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Thatser tries to clinch up
and Morlikov counters with a straight right hand.
Thatser clinches but Morlikov breaks the clinch
and Morlikov counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Morlikov fails to land with a series of punches.
Morlikov scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Morlikov uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Thatser has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Thatser clinches but Morlikov breaks the clinch
and Morlikov counters with a stiff right hand.
Thatser throws a sloppy body shot
and Morlikov counters with a straight right hand.
Decent striking displayed by Thatser there.
Morlikov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Morlikov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Thatser looks to clinch
and Morlikov counters with a two punch combo.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thatser tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Morlikov swinging wilding here.
Thatser wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morlikov keeps the fight on the outside.
Morlikov keeps the fight on the outside.
Morlikov circles away from the clinch attempt
and Morlikov counters with a left and a right that stings Thatser.
Thatser tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Morlikov counters with a one-two to the body.
Thatser throws a right and a left that both miss.
Thatser tries to clinch up
and Morlikov counters with a straight right hand.
Thatser closes the distance but Morlikov moves to the side
and Morlikov counters with a one-two to the body.
Morlikov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Thatser closes the distance but Morlikov moves to the side
and Morlikov counters with a one-two to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Thatser tries to clinch but Morlikov moves away
and Morlikov counters with a one-two to the body.
Morlikov lands a nice shot that snaps Thatser's head back.
Thatser tries to clinch up
and Morlikov counters with a nice uppercut.
Thatser tries to clinch
and Morlikov counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Morlikov fails to land with a series of punches.
Morlikov shoots for a double leg takedown but Thatser sprawls well. He's pushed Morlikov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergei Morlikov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Morlikov circles away from the clinch attempt
and Morlikov counters with a left and a right that stings Thatser.
Thatser closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Morlikov misses with a few strikes there.
Thatser tries to clinch up
and Morlikov counters with a nice uppercut.
Thatser scores with a crisp jab that stopped Morlikov in his tracks.
Morlikov fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Thatser is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morlikov throws a nice looking combination but Thatser bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Thatser tries to clinch but Morlikov moves away
and Thatser takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Morlikov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Thatser circles away.
Thatser checks the leg kick nicely there.
Thatser tries to clinch
and Morlikov counters with a nice uppercut.
Morlikov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Thatser is fending him off so far but Morlikov persists. Nope, Thatser circles away and we're back to standing.
Morlikov lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Morlikov.
Thatser looks to clinch
and Morlikov counters with a two punch combo.
A punch combination from Morlikov misses.
Morlikov shoots for a double leg takedown but Thatser sprawls well. He's pushed Morlikov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A lazy left from Morlikov finds it's target.
Thatser swings for the body but Morlikov moves out of range.
Morlikov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Thatser clinches but Morlikov breaks the clinch
and Morlikov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Morlikov scores with a decent looking hook.
Morlikov throws a right and a left that Thatser avoids nicely.
A punch combination from Thatser misses.

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.
Morlikov misses with the combination.
Morlikov closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Morlikov throws a series of punches but Thatser avoids them all with ease.
Thatser tries to grapple but his opponent circles
letting Morlikov counter with a right hand.
Morlikov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Thatser darts in trying to clinch
and Morlikov counters with a one-two to the body.
Morlikov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Morlikov throws a series of punches but Thatser moves out of range.
Tommy Thatser has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Morlikov throws a series of strikes that have Thatser backpedaling.
Morlikov checks a low kick from Thatser.
Morlikov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Thatser is looking to clinch but Morlikov is avoiding it.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Morlikov!

And that's the end of the fight!
Sergei Morlikov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Morlikov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sergei Morlikov!