PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Brandon Hale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolai Luzhin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hale comes into the arena with Dead Sara - Weatherman blaring out of the sound system. Luzhin comes into a darkened arena with his song building. The time has come... kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hale
vs
Luzhin

174 cm
33
177 lbs
33 - 13 - 2

181 cm
32
174 lbs
21 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 33 - 13 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Brandon Hale!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nikolai Luzhin!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Sam Margolis and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hale keeps the fight on the outside.
Luzhin moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Luzhin throws a leg kick but Hale moved away.
Hale is looking to counter punch.
Hale throws a hook to the side of Luzhin's head but Luzhin sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hale moves away from the strike by Luzhin.
Hale bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
As Luzhin backs away, Hale returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Hale.
Luzhin tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Luzhin throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Hale on the side of the head.
Hale jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hale takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Luzhin swings for the body but Hale moves out of range.
Luzhin misses with a low kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice defenses there by Luzhin.
Luzhin throws a body punch but Hale moves out of range.
Luzhin moves out of range of the strikes.
Hale takes one on the button.
Luzhin fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
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!
Luzhin lands a jab to the nose.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hale tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Luzhin takes a swing at Hale's ribcage but misses.
Hale looks to land a right hand but Luzhin moved out of range.
Hale throws a shot from downtown. Luzhin moves away and avoids it.
Nice uppercut there from Luzhin.
Luzhin jabs Hale right on the nose. Hale blinks but takes it well.
Hale uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Luzhin.

Luzhin has taken the fight to the clinch.
Luzhin is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hale is defending well for now.
Hale wants to break free but Luzhin has control.
Luzhin is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hale is defending well for now.

Hale breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Luzhin swings widly with a right hand
and Hale counters with a stiff right hand.
Hale circles away from the clinch attempt.
A big left from Hale misses.
Luzhin has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Hale misses with a low kick.
Luzhin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Luzhin only half commits to the counter leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Luzhin thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hale feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Luzhin throws a sloppy head kick and Hale moves out of range easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hale throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Luzhin misses with a kick to the body.
Luzhin ducks under a wild hook from Hale.
Luzhin smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Luzhin on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Hale lands a nice leg kick that just misses Luzhin's sensitive parts.
A jab from Hale misses.
Luzhin checks a leg kick.
Hale scores with a nice strike.
Luzhin moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Hale lands a jab to the head.
Luzhin dips to his left and cracks Hale with an uppercut!
Hale connects with a jab.
Hale throws a nice outside leg kick.
A swing and a miss from Hale.
Hale connects with a good right hand that stumbles Luzhin. Luzhin circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luzhin looks to land a body kick but Hale moved away.
Hale with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A lazy left from Luzhin finds it's target.
The fight stays on the outside here - Luzhin looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Luzhin misses with a looping right.
Luzhin ducks under a wild hook from Hale.
Luzhin throws a series of punches but Hale moves out of range.
Hale throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Luzhin showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hale.
Hale lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Luzhin at a distance.
Hale tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Luzhin was well out of range. Poor timing from Hale.
Hale throws a nice inside leg kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Luzhin, right into the meat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hale avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hale swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Luzhin throws a hook to the side of Hale's head but Hale sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Luzhin stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hale.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Luzhin loads up on a big right hand but Hale slips the punch.
Luzhin lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hale circles away quickly and effectively.
Luzhin comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Luzhin pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hale lands with a nice body punch.
Hale misses with a body shot.
Hale lands with a shot to the body.
Luzhin scores with a leg kick.
Luzhin throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hale circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hale appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
A shot to the liver by Luzhin. Beautiful body shot.
Hale lands a glancing blow to the side of Luzhin's head.
Hale misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Nikolai Luzhin will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Luzhin misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Hale counters with a nice uppercut.
Luzhin scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A clash of legs there as Luzhin blocks the low kick.
Hale slips a jab and a cross from Luzhin.
Luzhin misses with a straight left.
Hale swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Hale tries a head kick but it misses.
A low kick from Luzhin is predictable there

and Hale counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Hale wants to control but Luzhin is keeping him busy.
Luzhin is looking for a sweep. Hale is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hale sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Hale is looking to take a break and control but Luzhin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Luzhin manages to get to full guard.
Hale wants to control from the top but Luzhin keeps moving.
Hale looking to sit in guard and control but Luzhin gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Hale trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Luzhin is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Hale has his hands on Luzhin's head, controlling the position.

Luzhin is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luzhin looking to sit in guard and control but Hale gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Hale is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Luzhin is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Luzhin has escaped and now he's on top!

Luzhin stopping the sweep attempt from Hale.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luzhin wants to control from the top but Hale keeps moving.
Luzhin is pushing down on Hale's leg trying to pass to half guard. Hale is fighting to maintain full guard but Luzhin has managed to sneak the leg through.
Hale is looking to control Luzhin's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hale avoid being mounted?
Hale is staying active underneath Luzhin, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Luzhin wants to pass the guard but Hale is defending well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hale wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nikolai Luzhin will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A punch lands to the side of Luzhin 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Nice defenses there by Luzhin.
Hale checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Hale throws the kick towards the body but Luzhin avoids it.
Hale closes the distance and clinches up with Luzhin, looking for a takedown. Hale pushes Luzhin against the cage but Luzhin circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Luzhin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hale swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Luzhin jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hale avoids a punch combination nicely.
Luzhin uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hale.
A shot to the body from Luzhin misses
and Hale counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Luzhin misses with a wild body shot.
An attempted straight right counter from Hale misses the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Luzhin throws a nice outside leg kick.
Luzhin cracks Hale with a right hand to the side of the head.
Some wild striking there from Luzhin.
Hale misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Luzhin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hale swings for the body but Luzhin moves out of range.
Luzhin throws a right hand that Hale ducks under and follows up with a left that Hale also avoids with ease.
Hale loads up on a big right hand but Luzhin slips the punch.
Hale misses with a left hand
and Hale takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hale takes a kick to the side of the head.
Nikolai Luzhin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Luzhin tries to close the distance and clinch but Hale swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Luzhin throws a looping overhand right but Hale ducks down to avoid it.
A little feinted left hand from Hale on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Luzhin throws a leg kick which misses Hale's front leg but catches the back leg as Hale tries to avoid it.
Hale lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Luzhin is looking to clinch.
Hale misses with a wild body shot.
Hale is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Hale throws a lazy right hand but Luzhin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Luzhin tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hale swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hale with a jab.
The crowd cheers as Hale lands an impressive looking overhand right. Luzhin doesn't seem phased though.
A jab from Hale finds it's way through Luzhin's defenses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hale looks to throw the jab but Luzhin is out of range.
Luzhin lands a head shot.
Hale fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Luzhin checks it well.
Hale scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Luzhin doesn't seem bothered though.
Hale throws a hook but Luzhin blocks it.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hale.
Hale circles away from the clinch attempt.
Luzhin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hale moves away.
Hale looks to score with a jab to the body but Luzhin is just out of range.
Luzhin moves away from the strike by Hale.
Luzhin fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Hale is out of range.
Hale throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Luzhin throws a body punch but Hale moves out of range.
Hale scores with a leg kick.
Hale scores with a nice head shot.
Luzhin lands a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luzhin lunges at Hale with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Hale's hand.
Luzhin is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Hale throws a sloppy body shot
and Luzhin counters with a leg kick.
Hale motions for Luzhin to come forward. Hale throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Luzhin throws a big shot that misses.
Luzhin lunges at Hale with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Hale's hand.
Hale looks to land a left hand but Luzhin moved out of range nicely.
Hale throws a solid leg kick but Luzhin takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Hale.
Hale looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Luzhin scores with a hook to the body. Hale takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Hale swings for the body but Luzhin moves out of range.
Luzhin scores with a leg kick.
Luzhin tries to clinch but Hale is having none of it.
Hale on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Luzhin. Luzhin obviously looking to wear him down.
Hale digs a good hook to Luzhin's body.
Nikolai Luzhin seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hale tests Luzhin's chin there with a solid looking 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!
A big right from Luzhin misses.
Jab, jab by Hale - just one landing.
Luzhin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hale.
Luzhin throws out a leg kick but Hale moves out of range and Luzhin only half commits.
Hale throws a hook but Luzhin avoids it easily.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Luzhin, as that shot connected.
Luzhin throws a big shot that misses.
Hale throws a body shot but no joy.
Hale throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Luzhin.
Hale tests Luzhin's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nice uppercut lands for Luzhin. That snapped Hale's head back.
Luzhin throws a low kick, looking for Hale's leg but Hale calmly moves out of range.
Luzhin dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Hale. That did some damage!
Luzhin swings for the body but Hale moves out of range.
Hale appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Nikolai Luzhin just about did enough to take it.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Jab, jab by Luzhin - just one landing.
Luzhin throws a leg kick

and Hale decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Luzhin's guard.
Luzhin keeping moving, preventing Hale from controlling successfully.

Hale avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Luzhin escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hale gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hale trying to control the position from guard on top but Luzhin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Luzhin looking for subs off his back but Hale has passed one foot through into half guard.
Hale drops an elbow to the side of Luzhin's head.

Luzhin actively working from the bottom here.
Hale perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Luzhin wants to improve his position but Hale is controlling well.
Luzhin trying to control but Hale postures up.

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.
Luzhin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Luzhin is trying to control but can't.
Hale seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Luzhin does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Hale takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Luzhin avoids the head kick by Hale.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hale. Luzhin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hale checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Luzhin does it's job there.
Hale misses with a hook. Luzhin ducked under it nicely.
Luzhin will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Hale tests Luzhin's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hale moves out of range as Luzhin throws a body kick.
Hale has been working on his balance at Hell's Balls NY Hellcademy, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Luzhin.
Luzhin throws out a leg kick but Hale moves out of range and Luzhin only half commits.
Luzhin blocks the body kick.
Hale takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Luzhin tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Hale misses with a looping right.
Luzhin appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Hale tries to land a leg kick but Luzhin saw it coming and moves away.
Hale attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Hale stuns Luzhin with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Hale pivots, looking for a leg kick but Luzhin is out of range and Hale settles back down.
Luzhin swings for the body but Hale moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hale swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Luzhin wants to counter the offense by Hale and move into the clinch position.
Luzhin slips under a jab from Hale.
Luzhin wants to counter the offense by Hale and move into the clinch position.
Hale throws a head kick that misses.
Luzhin wants to counter the offense by Hale and move into the clinch position.
Hale with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Luzhin to score with a decent uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A jab from Hale misses.
Hale misses with a low kick.
Luzhin scores with a hook.
Luzhin with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Luzhin misses the jab.
As Luzhin backs away, Hale returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Luzhin lands with a nice body punch.
Luzhin ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Luzhin scores with a spinning back kick!
Hale fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Hale closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Hale stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Luzhin.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Nikolai Luzhin will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Hale's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Luzhin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hale. Luzhin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Luzhin has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Hale misses with a body shot.
Luzhin tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Hale throws a body punch but Luzhin moves out of range.
A little jabbing left from Luzhin on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Luzhin will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Hale is looking to slow Luzhin down with leg kicks.
Luzhin looks to land a left hand but Hale moved out of range nicely.
Luzhin connects with a single shot there.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Luzhin, as that shot connected.
Hale misses with an attempted mid kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big left from Hale misses.
Luzhin displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hale throws out the jab.
Hale avoids a kick to the body.
Luzhin is looking to land body kicks.
A right-left combo lands from Luzhin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hale takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Hale avoids the body shot from Luzhin.
Hale scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Luzhin doesn't seem bothered though.
Hale blocks a leg kick.
Hale ducks under a wild hook from Luzhin.
Luzhin ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hale misses with a double jab.
Hale throws a leg kick but Luzhin sees it coming and moves out of range.
Hale connects with a looping right hand.
A slapping leg kick lands for Luzhin.
Luzhin rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hale moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Luzhin throws a body punch but Hale moves out of range.
Luzhin takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Hale throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hale is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Luzhin.
Hale throws a right hand that Luzhin ducks under and follows up with a left that Luzhin also avoids with ease.
Hale fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Luzhin.
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!
Hale avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hale missing with a left hand there. Luzhin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Luzhin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hale was well out of range. Poor timing from Luzhin.
Hale feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Luzhin with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Hale throws a solid leg kick but Luzhin takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Hale.
Hale jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Luzhin fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Hale checks it well.
Luzhin swings widly with a right hand
and Hale connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Luzhin darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Luzhin lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hale circles away quickly and effectively.
Luzhin has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Hale throws a jab when Luzhin was well out of range.
Luzhin cracks the inside of Hale's front leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Hale.
Hale throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Brandon Hale has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Luzhin fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
No joy there for Luzhin, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hale ducks under a wild hook from Luzhin.
Hale changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Luzhin finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Luzhin lands a front kick.
A jab lands there for Luzhin.
A looping hook to the body misses from Luzhin. Hale does a little dance to reset his feet.
Luzhin lands with a good body shot.
Luzhin throws a low kick but Hale avoids it.
Hale misses with a low kick.
Luzhin connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Hale momentarily.

Luzhin moves into the clinch successfully.
Luzhin lands a shoulder strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luzhin misses with a knee strike.
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!
Hale makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Luzhin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hale avoids it.
Luzhin lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hale lands a right hand.
Hale lands a shot to the body.
Luzhin is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

Hale escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hale lands with a good body shot.
Luzhin connects with a single shot there.
Luzhin takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Luzhin throws a body punch but Hale moves out of range.
Hale misses with a series of wild punches.
Hale throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Luzhin tries to counter by closing the distance.
Luzhin scores with the left hand. Hale knows he should have avoided that one.
Luzhin scores with a crisp jab that stopped Hale in his tracks.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolai Luzhin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Luzhin 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge William Gold scores the fight 45:50
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 45:50
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 48:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolai Luzhin!
Nikolai Luzhin is the new welterweight champion!
In his post fight interview, Nikolai Luzhin started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.