PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Tim Lincekum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matel Huchkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lincekum comes to the cage accompanied by BYOB. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Lincekum
vs
Huchkov

160 cm
22
136 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

170 cm
27
143 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

Decent wrestler
Dangerous knees
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tim Lincekum!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Matel Huchkov!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Stewart Dunkirk and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lincekum throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Huchkov.
Huchkov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Lincekum throws a looping overhand right but Huchkov ducks down to avoid it.
As Lincekum backs off Huchkov throws a huge counter combo but Lincekum manages to avoid it all.

Huchkov rushes Lincekum and presses him up against the cage.

Huchkov manages to break the clinch.
Huchkov goes for a double leg but Lincekum avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Lincekum continues to drive forward.
Lincekum throws out a powerful jab.
Lincekum lands with a right hand.
Lincekum misses with a series of wild punches.
Lincekum throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Huchkov moves out of range as Lincekum strikes.
Huchkov tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Lincekum misses with a looping left.
Huchkov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Huchkov wants to clinch up but Lincekum keeps it at a distance.
Huchkov moves to clinch but Lincekum breaks away
and Lincekum counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Huchkov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Lincekum sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Tim Lincekum is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lincekum throws a right and a left that both miss.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lincekum. Huchkov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Huchkov has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Huchkov slips a jab from Lincekum.
Huchkov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Lincekum defends it well.
Huchkov is looking to clinch but Lincekum is avoiding it.
Huchkov gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A nice combination there by Lincekum.
Lincekum slaps away a takedown attempt from Huchkov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Tim Lincekum has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matel Huchkov.
Lincekum pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Lincekum throws a left and a right that both miss

and Huchkov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Lincekum lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

It looks like Matel Huchkov has been cut.
Huchkov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Lincekum backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Huchkov blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Huchkov fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Huchkov lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Lincekum wants to get back to his feet.

Huchkov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Lincekum is just riding it out for now. Huchkov eventually gives up the hold.
Lincekum is trying to control but can't.
Huchkov looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Lincekum with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Huchkov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Lincekum sees it coming and defends easily.
Lincekum tries to roll over but Huchkov keeps him under control.

Huchkov is working for a kimura but Lincekum is defending it quite comfortably.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Huchkov is looking to advance position but Lincekum won't allow it.
Huchkov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Huchkov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Huchkov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Lincekum trying to hold on to Huchkov's head to control him but Huchkov postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Huchkov is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Lincekum is just riding it out for now. Huchkov eventually gives up the hold.

Huchkov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Huchkov is looking to take a break and control but Lincekum is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Huchkov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Huchkov lands a nice short elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tim Lincekum dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Matel Huchkov's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Lincekum misses with a two punch combination.

Lincekum tries to keep at a distance but Huchkov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Lincekum is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Huchkov is defending well for now.

Huchkov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Huchkov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Huchkov changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Huchkov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lincekum swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Huchkov cracks Lincekum with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Lincekum throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Huchkov counters with a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lincekum swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Huchkov tries to clinch but Lincekum moves out of range.
Huchkov dodges the punch combination from Lincekum.
Huchkov drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Lincekum defends it well.
Huchkov wants to clinch up but Lincekum keeps it at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Huchkov moves away from the strike by Lincekum.
Huchkov feints the counter takedown.
Nice body punch from Lincekum.
Huchkov slips a jab and a cross from Lincekum.

Huchkov clinches up against the cage.
Lincekum missing with knees to the body.
Huchkov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lincekum misses with a knee to the head.
Lincekum lands a damaging elbow.
Lincekum looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Lincekum is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Huchkov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Lincekum lands a knee to the head.
A body shot lands from Lincekum.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Huchkov leaning his opponent against the cage.

Huchkov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lincekum circles away from the clinch attempt
letting Lincekum counter with a right hand.
Huchkov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lincekum swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Huchkov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Huchkov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Lincekum pulls his leg out and moves away.
Tim Lincekum has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matel Huchkov.
A punch combination from Lincekum misses.
Lincekum looks to land a left hand but Huchkov moved out of range nicely.
Lincekum is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
A telegraphed right hand from Lincekum misses the target.
Horrible takedown attempt by Huchkov or perhaps it was just good defense by Lincekum, which made it look bad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lincekum throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Huchkov wants to counter the offense by Lincekum and move into the clinch position.
Lincekum scores with a decent looking hook.
Lincekum throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Huchkov moves away from the strike by Lincekum.
Lincekum throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lincekum tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Huchkov was well out of range. Poor timing from Lincekum.
Lincekum looks to throw the jab but Huchkov is out of range.
Huchkov is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.

Huchkov closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Lincekum's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Huchkov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Lincekum's head.
Huchkov pushes down on Lincekum's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Lincekum is trying to maintain the position but Huchkov is very close to passing his half guard.
Lincekum is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Huchkov controlling the action here.

Huchkov is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Huchkov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Huchkov tries to pass to full mount but Lincekum defends it.
Lincekum knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Huchkov on the ground.

Huchkov is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Lincekum doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Huchkov.
Lincekum controlling the position well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tim Lincekum dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Matel Huchkov's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Huchkov wants to clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lincekum. Huchkov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lincekum misses with the combination.
Tim Lincekum seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lincekum. Huchkov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Lincekum misses with a double jab
and Huchkov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lincekum misses with a hook. Huchkov ducked under it nicely.
Lincekum swings for the body but Huchkov moves out of range.
Huchkov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Lincekum swivels and escapes.
Lincekum swinging wildly here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lincekum looks to land a combination but Huchkov avoids it well.
Huchkov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lincekum throws a combination that misses
and Huchkov counters with a three punch combo that has Lincekum backing up. Lincekum nods at Huchkov to acknowledge the strikes.
Huchkov tries to clinch
and Lincekum counters with a straight right hand.
Lincekum throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Huchkov counter with a right hand.
Huchkov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Lincekum ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Huchkov moves away.
Huchkov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lincekum swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lincekum misses with a wild combination.
Huchkov defending well as Lincekum loads up on a big left hand.
Huchkov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lincekum jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Huchkov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Huchkov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lincekum as he jumps to the side.
Tim Lincekum has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matel Huchkov.
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!
Lincekum throws a hook but Huchkov blocks it.
Lincekum throws a left and a right that both miss

and Huchkov counters with a single leg into guard. Lincekum didn't expect that.
Huchkov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Lincekum is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Huchkov can do to turn this around?
Lincekum is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Lincekum is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Huchkov is looking to work some ground and pound but Lincekum has wrist control.
Huchkov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Matel Huchkov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Huchkov distracts Lincekum with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Huchkov scoring with some ground and pound.
Huchkov throws a big elbow that misses.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Lincekum holds on and takes a little breather.
Huchkov trying to control the position from guard on top but Lincekum is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Huchkov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Lincekum wants to sweep here but Huchkov controlling him for the moment.
Huchkov wants to control from the top but Lincekum keeps moving.
Huchkov slips nicely into half guard.
Lincekum tries to roll over but Huchkov keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lincekum controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Lincekum works his way to full guard. Good work.
Matel Huchkov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tim Lincekum is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Huchkov passes Lincekum's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Huchkov is trying to work for a kimura but Lincekum is defending well.
Lincekum is looking for a sweep. Huchkov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Huchkov seems to be looking for submissions.
Lincekum wants to get back to full guard.
Huchkov tries to stand and escape but Lincekum is controlling the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Matel Huchkov.
I think Lincekum 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tim Lincekum!
An out of breath and clearly excited Tim Lincekum thanked KnockOut for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).