PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vova Klimov (ranked 1044 p4p, 144 weight class) and Thatcher Halverson (ranked 875 p4p, 122 weight class). Halverson has chosen Enter Sandman as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Thatcher Halverson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Klimov
vs
Halverson

181 cm
28
203 lbs
19 - 12 - 0

196 cm
28
200 lbs
18 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

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 19 - 12 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vova Klimov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Thatcher Halverson!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Roosa Järviläinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Halverson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Klimov throws out the jab.
Klimov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Halverson blocks a jab.
A countering left hand to the body from Halverson misses.

Halverson darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Klimov controlling the position for now.
Klimov might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Klimov is trying to stand.
Halverson thows a huge punch but Klimov dodges it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Klimov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Halverson.
Halverson thows a huge punch but Klimov dodges it nicely.
Klimov pushes Halverson off looking to stand but Halverson dives back in and keeps control.
Halverson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
My spies in IC&E Academy inform me that Halverson has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Klimov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Halverson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Klimov looks like he's trying to stand up.

Halverson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Klimov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Halverson.
Halverson throwing shots but Klimov is blocking nicely.
Halverson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Klimov is looking for a sweep. Halverson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Klimov trying to control but Halverson postures up.
Klimov tries to roll over but Halverson keeps him under control.
Halverson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Klimov defending well though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Klimov makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Klimov throws a lazy right hand but Halverson sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Klimov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Halverson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Klimov throws a looping overhand right but Halverson ducks down to avoid it.
Halverson is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Klimov with a body shot.
Klimov looks to land a right hand but Halverson moved out of range.
Klimov with a nice cross.
Jab from Halverson.
Halverson moves out of range of the strikes.
Nice body punch from Klimov.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Halverson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Klimov manages to avoid it.
Klimov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Klimov throws an overhand right that lands on Halverson's shoulder, as Halverson tries to avoid the shot.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Halverson checks a leg kick.
Halverson let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Klimov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Klimov moves away from the strike by Halverson.
Halverson defending well as Klimov loads up on a big left hand.
A cross from Klimov lands.
Halverson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Klimov pinned against the cage. Klimov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Halverson tries to keep at a distance but Klimov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Klimov dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
A short uppercut from Klimov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Halverson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Klimov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Halverson tries to pull guard but Klimov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Vova Klimov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thatcher Halverson.
Klimov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Halverson takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Halverson tries to pull guard but Klimov holds him up against the cage and eventually Halverson drops back down to his feet.
Klimov scores with a shoulder strike.
Halverson misses with a punch to the body.
Halverson is trying to stall.
Halverson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Klimov to keep the fight standing.
Klimov lands a body shot in the clinch.
Halverson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Klimov smiles and moves away.
Klimov looks to land a left hand but Halverson moved out of range nicely.
Halverson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Klimov moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vova Klimov 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.

A looping hook to the body misses from Halverson. Klimov does a little dance to reset his feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Klimov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Halverson slips under a jab from Klimov.
Halverson doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
A big right from Klimov misses.
Halverson looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Klimov tries to score with a low kick but Halverson moves his leg out of the way.
Klimov lands with a hook. Halverson tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Klimov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Halverson can do to turn this around?
Klimov throws the left hand but Halverson avoids the punch easily.

Halverson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Klimov prevents Halverson from breaking the clinch.
Klimov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Klimov throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Halversons head.

Halverson manages to pull guard.

Klimov stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Klimov misses.
Halverson throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Klimov stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Klimov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Halverson just misses with a punch to the body.
Halverson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Klimov.

Halverson tries to keep at a distance but Klimov has taken the fight into the clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Klimov takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Halverson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Klimov misses with a knee strike.
A shot in the inside from Klimov.
Halverson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Klimov lands a right hand that snaps the head of Halverson backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Klimov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Klimov has Halverson pushed against the cage.
Klimov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Klimov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Halverson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Halverson gets control of Klimov's arms and successfully pulls guard. Halverson will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Halverson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Klimov defends well.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Halverson looking for a sweep. Not yet Halverson, not yet.
Halverson trying to control the position.

Klimov decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Halverson, up you get!
Halverson throws a body punch but Klimov moves out of range.
Vova Klimov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Halverson misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halverson shoots in looking for a takedown. Klimov tries to sprawl out of it but Halverson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Klimov manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A counter left hand to the body from Klimov misses its target.
Klimov throws a lazy uppercut
and Halverson counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A big right from Klimov misses.
Halverson moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Halverson misses the shot to the body.
Halverson scores with a nice right hand.

Klimov moves into the clinch.

Halverson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Klimov gets a clinch.
Halverson wants a takedown but no success here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Klimov on the inside.
Halverson misses with some punches.
Halverson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Vova Klimov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thatcher Halverson.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Klimov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Klimov scores with a shot to the side of Halverson's head.
Klimov cracks Halverson with a nice body shot.
Halverson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Halverson jumps guard.

Klimov stands up and waves to Halverson to follow him.
Halverson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Klimov looks to land a right hand but Halverson moved out of range.
Klimov's jab looks to have found its range, popping Halverson under the eye.
Klimov throws the left hand but Halverson avoids the punch easily.
Klimov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Halverson.
Halverson tries for a takedown but Klimov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vova Klimov dominated that second round.
That's time! Klimov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Halverson misses with an uppercut.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Halverson.
Halverson misses with a body shot
and Klimov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Klimov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Halverson was well out of range. Poor timing from Klimov.
Klimov misses with a series of wild punches.
Halverson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Halverson walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Klimov throws a poor cross that misses

and Halverson counters with a single leg into guard. Klimov didn't expect that.

Klimov is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
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!
Klimov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Klimov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Halverson takes a shot to the head.
Halverson is trying to pull guard but Klimov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Klimov.
Halverson fails to pull guard.

Halverson decides to pull guard.
Halverson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Klimov is one step ahead there.
Klimov trying to stand up but can't free himself from Halverson's guard.
Klimov controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Klimov stands up and waves to Halverson to follow him.
Halverson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Klimov throws a right hand that misses
and Halverson counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Klimov throws a hook but Halverson avoids it easily.
Halverson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Klimov.
Klimov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Klimov throws out a loose jab but Halverson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Halverson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Klimov throws a body shot but no joy.
Klimov checks the leg kick nicely there.
Halverson throws a body shot but no joy.
Klimov tries to clinch there but Halverson circles away.
Halverson throws a big counter head kick but Klimov avoids it with no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halverson throws a body punch but Klimov moves out of range.
Halverson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Halverson feints the counter takedown.
Klimov wants to clinch up but Halverson keeps it at a distance.
Halverson only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Klimov connects with a single shot there.
Halverson is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Klimov rather than just go for the knockout.
Klimov lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Nice defenses there by Halverson.
Klimov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Halverson moves out of range of the strikes.
Klimov connects with a good right hand that stumbles Halverson. Halverson circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Halverson staying out of range there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Klimov pushes Halverson up against the cage in a clinch.
Halverson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Klimov to keep the fight standing.
Vova Klimov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thatcher Halverson.
Halverson blocking some punches.
Halverson blocking some punches.
Klimov lands a body punch.
Halverson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Klimov lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Halverson tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Klimov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Klimov lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Halverson backwards.
Halverson's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Klimov tries a knee to the head but Halverson blocks it.
Klimov lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Halverson.
Klimov throws an elbow that misses.
Vova Klimov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Klimov lands with a short shot to the head.
Klimov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Thatcher Halverson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Halverson is rocked!
Klimov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vova Klimov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Klimov, 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vova Klimov!
After winning the bout, Vova Klimov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
The defeated Thatcher Halverson had this to say: 'I shall rise to the top again! Thanks to the promoter for making the fight and opportunity. Also thanks to my opponent for stepping up and taking the fight.'.