PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Usikov (ranked 384 p4p, 46 weight class) and Goban Declan (ranked 403 p4p, 50 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Usikov
vs
Declan

175 cm
34
195 lbs
14 - 10 - 0

187 cm
34
190 lbs
24 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

FORCEE
Arcticus University: London

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 14 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Usikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Goban Declan!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Gregory Folan and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Declan.
Declan throws a hook but Usikov avoids it easily.
Usikov lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Declan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Usikov.
Usikov tries a head kick but it misses.
Usikov throws a low kick but Declan moves out of range easily.
Alexander Usikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Usikov scores with a nice right hand.
An inside leg kick from Usikov misses.
Declan lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Usikov throws a leg kick
and Declan counters with a left to the body.
Usikov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Declan throws out a counter right but Usikov avoids it with no problem.
Declan throws a push kick but Usikov slaps the foot to one side.
Declan misses with a kick to the body.
Declan scores with a spinning back kick!
Declan throws a push kick but Usikov slaps the foot to one side.
Usikov tries to clinch but Declan moves out of range.
Declan follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Usikov thuds his shin into the meat of Declan's side.
Declan misses with an uppercut. Usikov saw that one coming.
Usikov tries to land a leg kick but Declan saw it coming and moves away.
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!
Nice body punch from Declan.
Declan walks into a straight right hand from Usikov.
Declan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Usikov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Usikov lands a glancing blow to the side of Declan's head.
Declan checks a leg kick.
Good work by Usikov as he checks the leg kick.
Declan is looking to land body kicks.
Declan swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Usikov rushes Declan and presses him up against the cage.
I was talking to Usikov's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
With the fighters up against the cage, Declan throws an elbow but misses.
Usikov misses with a knee strike.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Declan throws an elbow but it misses.
Nice body punch from Declan.
Declan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Usikov tries a knee to the head but Declan blocks it.
Usikov tries a knee to the head but Declan blocks it.
Declan scores with a hook to the body.
Declan lands a body punch in the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Usikov.
Declan throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Usikovs head.
Declan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Usikov's elbow.
Declan misses with an elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Usikov blocks an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Usikov leaning against his opponent.
Usikov dodges an elbow strike from Declan.
Declan is working Usikov over against the cage.

Declan breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Usikov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Declan.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Usikov, right into the meat.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Declan swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Usikov moves out of range of the body kick.
Declan looks to score with a jab to the body but Usikov is just out of range.
Declan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Usikov is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Declan.
Declan throws a wild body kick that Usikov sees coming a mile off.
Declan lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

Usikov forces Declan back against the cage and clinches.
Declan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Declan takes a knee to the side of the body.
Declan misses with an elbow strike.
Usikov takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Alexander Usikov has been cut.
Declan misses with a punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Usikov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Declan's efforts to push away.
Declan pushes off an throws an elbow but Usikov leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Declan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Declan managing to block the knees to the body from Usikov.
Declan pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Usikov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Usikov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Usikov misses with a knee strike.
Declan scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Declan wants to break the clinch but can't.
Declan working aggressively here.
Usikov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Declan lands a body punch in the clinch.
Usikov blocking some punches.
Usikov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Usikov misses with a knee strike.
Declan lands an elbow just above Usikov 's eye.
A short body shot lands from Declan as the two fighters clinch.
Usikov is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Usikov looking to throw knees to the head but Declan is blocking nicely.
Usikov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Declan is defending well for now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Declan tries to work over Usikov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Usikov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Declan misses with a hook to the ribs.
Usikov blocks an elbow strike from Declan.
Usikov misses with a knee to the head.
Declan pushes off an throws an elbow but Usikov leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Usikov blocks the elbow strike.
Declan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Usikov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Declan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Usikov trying to land knees to the body.
Usikov looking to throw knees to the head but Declan is blocking nicely.
Declan throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Declan throws an elbow that misses.
Declan pushes off an throws an elbow but Usikov leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Declan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Usikov tries to land knees in the clinch but Declan avoids the damage to the body.
Declan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Goban Declan dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alexander Usikov's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Declan shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Declan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Usikov throws out a powerful jab.

Usikov clinches.
Declan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Usikov's elbow.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Declan in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Usikov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Declan blocks it with crossed arms.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Usikov.
Declan misses with a short punch on the inside.
Usikov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Usikov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Usikov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Usikov scores with a shot to the side of Declan's head.
With the fighters up against the cage, Declan throws an elbow but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Declan throws a head punch that misses.
Declan lands an uppercut.
Declan misses with an elbow strike.
Usikov trying to land knees to the body.
Usikov tries to land a knee to the head but Declan blocks with his arms.
Goban Declan seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Usikov avoids the elbow strike from Declan, against the cage.
Usikov misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Declan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Usikov's elbow.
Declan throws a punch but it's blocked by Usikov.
Declan works on Usikov's body with a couple of short punches.
Usikov tries to land knees in the clinch but Declan avoids the damage to the body.
Usikov looking to throw knees to the head but Declan is blocking nicely.
Usikov scores with a hook to the body.
Usikov blocks an elbow strike.
Usikov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Declan lands with a right to the head.
Usikov misses with a knee strike.
Declan lands a body punch in the clinch.
Usikov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Declan.
Declan misses with a hook to the ribs.
Declan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Still in the clinch, Usikov scores with a nice short uppercut.
Usikov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Declan's efforts to push away.
Usikov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Declan throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Declan pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Usikov avoids a wild elbow strike from Declan.
Declan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Usikov trying to land knees to the body.
Usikov misses with a knee to the head.
Declan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Declan lands a shoulder strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Declan scores with a nice hook to the head.
Usikov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Usikov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Declan lands a body punch in the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Declan lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Good body shot from Declan.
Declan struggles to land a body shot inside as Usikov controls his hands.
Usikov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Usikov avoids a wild elbow strike from Declan.
A right hand to the body from Declan.

Declan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Declan looks to land a right hand but Usikov moved out of range.
Usikov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Declan manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Declan blocks a jab.
Usikov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Declan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Usikov.
Declan thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Usikov if he has to take too many more of those.
Declan turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Goban Declan seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Declan throws a head kick that half lands.
Declan misses with an attempted mid kick.
Usikov misses the shot to the body.
A big left from Declan misses.
Declan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Usikov throws the left hand but Declan avoids the punch easily.
Usikov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Declan.
Usikov tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Declan manages to circle out of the way.
Declan scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Declan throws a body shot but no joy.
Declan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Usikov throws a head kick that half lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Declan looks to score with a jab to the body but Usikov is just out of range.
Good leg kick by Declan there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Usikov takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Usikov pivots, looking for a leg kick but Declan is out of range and Usikov settles back down.
A big right from Declan misses.
Usikov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Declan manages to avoid it.
Declan takes a swing at Usikov's ribcage but misses.
Jab, jab by Declan - just one landing.
Usikov checks the leg kick.
Declan misses with a hook. Usikov ducked under it nicely.
Usikov lands a nice looking body kick.
Declan throws an overhand right that lands on Usikov's shoulder, as Usikov tries to avoid the shot.
Usikov misses the shot to the body.
Declan looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Declan looks to score with a jab to the body but Usikov is just out of range.
Usikov doesn't manage to clinch there - Declan circles away.
Declan changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Declan fakes the leg kick and cracks Usikov in the body.
Usikov is looking to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Goban Declan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Alexander Usikov's cut.
That's time! Usikov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Usikov throws a lazy head kick
and Declan counters with a head kick. That will keep Usikov thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
An inside leg kick from Usikov misses.
Usikov lands a nice shot that snaps Declan's head back.
Declan lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Usikov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Declan scores with a spinning back kick!
Declan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Usikov.
Declan throws out a loose jab but Usikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Declan is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Usikov rather than just go for the knockout.
Usikov throws out a loose jab but Declan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Usikov misses with an uppercut.
Usikov keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Nice cross by Usikov.
Usikov takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Declan tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Usikov is able to avoid easily.
Declan tries to land a leg kick but Usikov saw it coming and moves away.
Usikov tries to counter by clinching up but Declan breaks away and moves out of range.
Declan has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Usikov tries to clinch there but Declan circles away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Declan throws a combination. Usikov tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Declan bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Usikov's head backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Declan darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Declan changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Usikov ducks under a wild hook from Declan.
Usikov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Declan works Usikov's body with a nice hook.
Declan ducks under a wild hook from Usikov.
Usikov misses with a double jab.
Declan misses with a straight right.
Declan throws a hook but Usikov avoids it easily.
Declan throws a low kick, looking for Usikov's leg but Usikov calmly moves out of range.
Usikov doesn't manage to clinch there - Declan circles away.
Declan now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Usikov scores with a kick to the body.
A slow jab from Usikov misses its intended target.
Declan tries to score with a low kick but Usikov moves his leg out of the way.
Usikov throws a head kick that misses.
Declan looks to score with a jab to the body but Usikov is just out of range.
Declan tries to score with a low kick but Usikov moves his leg out of the way.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Declan fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Usikov.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Usikov throws a lazy right hand but Declan sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Usikov wants to clinch
and Declan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Usikov shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Usikov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Nice body punch from Declan.
Usikov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Declan checks a low kick from Usikov.
Declan unleashes a big counter combination but Usikov bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Usikov checks a low kick from Declan.
Usikov is looking to counter the offense by Declan and move into the clinch.
Declan smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Usikov takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Declan throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Usikov throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Usikov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Declan lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Usikov with a nice cross.
Usikov moves out of range as Declan strikes.
Usikov lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Declan lands with a shot to the body.
Usikov jabs Declan right on the nose. Declan blinks but takes it well.
Usikov wants to clinch up but Declan keeps it at a distance.
Declan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Usikov.
Usikov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Usikov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Declan! But no joy.
Usikov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Declan at a distance.
Goban Declan is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Declan waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Usikov.
Usikov is looking to counter the offense by Declan and move into the clinch.
Declan throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A slow jab from Declan misses its intended target.
Usikov looks to clinch
and Declan counters with a body kick.
Declan checks a leg kick.
Usikov missing with a left hand there. Declan was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Declan bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

Usikov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Declan, pushing him back against the cage.
Alexander Usikov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Usikov misses with a knee to the head.
Usikov looking to throw knees to the head but Declan is blocking nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A short right from Declan on the inside.
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!
Declan looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Usikov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Usikov tries a knee to the head but Declan blocks it.
Usikov will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Usikov tries to land a knee to the head but Declan blocks with his arms.
Usikov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Declan's elbow.
Usikov looking to throw knees to the head but Declan is blocking nicely.
Usikov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Usikov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

And that's the end of the fight!
Goban Declan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Declan 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Goban Declan!
Goban Declan really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that FORCEE logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.