PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between David Haggstrom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Murad Tsekunov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Haggstrom
vs
Tsekunov

183 cm
25
154 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

172 cm
26
142 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Good chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, David Haggstrom!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Murad Tsekunov!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Illya Tyunina and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tsekunov tries to close the distance and clinch but Haggstrom swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tsekunov throws a hook to the side of Haggstrom's head but Haggstrom sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tsekunov tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Haggstrom counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Haggstrom is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Haggstrom wants to work for an arm triangle but Tsekunov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Haggstrom is trying to control the action in half guard but Tsekunov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haggstrom frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Haggstrom throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Haggstrom trying to control but Tsekunov is having none of it.
Tsekunov tries to hold on but Haggstrom postures up.
Haggstrom with a couple of short strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tsekunov looks out of his depth in this position - he's holding on tight.
Tsekunov is in all sorts of trouble here.
Tsekunov has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Haggstrom's lack of action.
Haggstrom not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Haggstrom throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Tsekunov tries to get to full guard but Haggstrom has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsekunov holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Haggstrom is trying to work for a kimura but Tsekunov is defending well.

Haggstrom is looking for a kimura here.

Haggstrom seems to be looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Haggstrom is working for a kimura from half guard. He's really concentrating on the hold and it's allowed Tsekunov to slip a leg under and get back to full guard.
Haggstrom will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Haggstrom wants to pass the guard but Tsekunov is keeping the position.
Haggstrom wants to control from the top but Tsekunov keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Haggstrom dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Haggstrom misses with a takedown attempt - Tsekunov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Tsekunov drives through and clinches with Haggstrom against the cage.
Tsekunov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Haggstrom's efforts to push away.
Haggstrom is pressed up against the cage. Tsekunov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Haggstrom down to the mat. Haggstrom avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Haggstrom keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tsekunov.
Tsekunov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tsekunov tries to clinch but Haggstrom is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsekunov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tsekunov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tsekunov misses with a hook.
Tsekunov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Tsekunov moves into the clinch.
Haggstrom is trying to drag Tsekunov to the mat but Tsekunov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Tsekunov tries to score a body lock takedown but Haggstrom shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haggstrom can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for David Haggstrom. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Haggstrom stops a takedown attempt from Tsekunov.
Tsekunov stalls.

Tsekunov turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsekunov wants to stand but Haggstrom has his arm trapped.
David Haggstrom overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Haggstrom is looking for a sweep.
Tsekunov wants to stand but Haggstrom has his arm trapped.
Tsekunov is breathing heavily.
You can see the frustration on Haggstrom's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Haggstrom manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tsekunov wants to get back to full guard.
Tsekunov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Haggstrom showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Haggstrom chips away with some ground and pound.
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!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Haggstrom passes Tsekunov's left leg - he's now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Murad Tsekunov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Tsekunov throws a body punch but Haggstrom moves out of range.
Murad Tsekunov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Haggstrom uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Tsekunov.
Tsekunov misses with a looping right.
Tsekunov tries to clinch there but Haggstrom circles away.
Haggstrom uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tsekunov.
Tsekunov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Tsekunov clinches.
Haggstrom has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Tsekunov is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Haggstrom is trying to drag Tsekunov to the mat but Tsekunov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tsekunov has hold of one of Haggstrom's legs. Haggstrom is fighting the takedown attempt but Tsekunov gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Tsekunov wants to stand but Haggstrom is controlling his posture from full guard.

Haggstrom had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tsekunov defends it easily.

Haggstrom is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Haggstrom has a closed guard, preventing Tsekunov from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Haggstrom is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tsekunov wants to stand but Haggstrom has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Tsekunov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haggstrom trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Haggstrom working for a triangle but Tsekunov defends it easily.
Tsekunov wants to stand and escape but instead Haggstrom has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Tsekunov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Haggstrom loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haggstrom trying to control but Tsekunov is working from the bottom.

Haggstrom postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Tsekunov is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Haggstrom, into his guard.
Haggstrom with a couple of shots from the bottom there - nothing Tsekunov can't handle though.
Tsekunov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Haggstrom has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tsekunov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Haggstrom holds on and takes a little breather.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to David Haggstrom.
I think Haggstrom 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... David Haggstrom!