PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jake Butler (ranked 1375 p4p, 174 weight class) and Alexander Usikov (ranked 638 p4p, 90 weight class). Jake Butler has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Butler
vs
Usikov

188 cm
34
200 lbs
15 - 7 - 0

175 cm
34
195 lbs
14 - 11 - 0

Great wrestler
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 15 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jake Butler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 11 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Usikov!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Alec Ball and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Usikov scores with a head kick. Butler tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Butler steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Usikov. That one must have hurt.
Butler doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Usikov counter with a right hand.
Usikov moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Butler tries to clinch
and Usikov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Butler tries to clinch up
enabling Usikov to counter with a crisp jab.
Butler closes the distance looking to clinch
and Usikov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Butler throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Usikov was covering up waiting for the punch and Butler finishes the takedown easily into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Butler throws a strike but Usikov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Usikov told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Butler holds on and takes a little breather.

Butler throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Butler wants to improve his position but instead Usikov has moved into half guard.
Usikov is thwarting Butler's attempts to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Usikov wants to pass the guard but Butler is defending well.
Butler manages to get to full guard.
Butler preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Butler wants to sweep but no luck.

Butler has an active guard here but Usikov has managed to pass into half guard.
Butler is trying to get back to full guard.
Butler is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Woods, so we'll see if he gets out of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Usikov stands up and beckons Butler to join him on the feet.
Butler tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Usikov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Butler fails in his attempt to clinch.
Butler tries to close the distance and clinch but Usikov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Butler wants to clinch but Usikov slips to the side
enabling Usikov to counter with a crisp jab.
Butler misses with a takedown
and Usikov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Butler rushes Usikov and presses him up against the cage.
Usikov prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jake Butler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Butler is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Usikov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Usikov looking to throw knees to the head but Butler is blocking nicely.

Usikov breaks from the clinch.
Butler with a lazy takedown attempt
and Butler takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Butler looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Butler trying to control from half guard but Usikov is working away.
Butler will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Usikov is looking to escape.

Usikov is defending against the submission attempts here by Butler.
Butler landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Butler throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Butler lands strikes from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Usikov dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Nice defenses there by Butler.
Usikov is looking to slow Butler down with leg kicks.
Usikov swats away the attempt to clinch by Butler.
Butler defending well as Usikov loads up on a big left hand.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Usikov, right into the meat.
Butler has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Usikov finds it's way round the side to connect with Butler's head.
Butler doesn't manage to clinch there - Usikov circles away.
Butler is looking to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Butler looks to clinch
and Usikov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Butler gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Usikov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nice shot by Usikov.
Jake Butler seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butler wants to clinch
and Usikov counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Butler wants to clinch
and Usikov counters with a straight right hand.

Butler rushes Usikov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Butler goes for a takedown in the clinch but Usikov prevents it.
Butler can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jake Butler. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Butler has clasped his hands together around Usikov's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Butler has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Butler in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Butler in side control, throwing shots but Usikov defends.
Usikov can't do much from the bottom here.
Usikov might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Butler haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Usikov is trying to improve his position.
Butler tries to score with some ground and pound. Usikov controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Butler landing a few strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Butler working the ground and pound but Usikov is defending the strikes.
Usikov is trying to get back to half guard.
You can see the frustration on Usikov's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Usikov taking a bit of punishment here - Butler scoring with strikes.

Usikov explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Butler on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Usikov misses with an uppercut. Butler saw that one coming.
Usikov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Butler tries to clinch but Usikov is having none of it.
Usikov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Butler moves away from the strike by Usikov.
Usikov uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Butler has time to react.
Usikov circles away from the clinch attempt
and Usikov counters with a nice body shot.
Butler fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Butler tries for a takedown but Usikov circles away easily
and Usikov counters with a nice low kick that buckles Butler's knee momentarily.
Butler moves to clinch but Usikov breaks away
and Usikov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Usikov scores with a decent looking hook.
Butler takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Butler tries to clinch up but Usikov circles away and keeps his distance.
Butler tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Usikov misses with an uppercut. Butler saw that one coming.
Butler tries to clinch up
and Butler takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
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!
Butler closes the distance looking to clinch
and Usikov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Usikov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Butler moves to clinch but Usikov breaks away
and Usikov counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Butler needs to keep his hands up - Usikov had a free shot at his head there.
Butler darts in trying to clinch
and Usikov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Usikov throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Usikov throws a jab when Butler was well out of range.
As Usikov tries to get set, Butler tries to push him back and clinch up but Usikov manages to avoid the attempt.
Usikov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Butler rushes Usikov and presses him up against the cage.
Usikov stops a takedown attempt from Butler.
Usikov landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Usikov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Usikov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Usikov connects with a knee to the head.

It looks like Jake Butler has been cut.
Usikov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Butler looking for a takedown.

Usikov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Usikov scores with a sloppy right hand. Butler should have avoided that one.
Usikov lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Butler moves to clinch but Usikov breaks away
and Usikov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Usikov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Butler doesn't manage to clinch there - Usikov circles away.
Alexander Usikov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Butler looks to clinch
and Usikov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Butler shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Usikov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jake Butler. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Butler displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Usikov throws out the jab.
Butler looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Butler fails in his attempt to clinch.
Alexander Usikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Usikov throws a right hand that Butler ducks under and follows up with a left that Butler also avoids with ease.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Usikov throws a hook but Butler avoids it easily.
Butler tries to clinch
and Usikov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Butler fails with the takedown.
Usikov steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Butler looks to clinch
and Usikov counters with a stiff right hand.
A nice inside leg kick there by Usikov. That's going to slow Butler down.
Butler wants to clinch
and Usikov counters with a nice body kick.
Alexander Usikov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Usikov thumps Butler with a low kick.
A swing and a miss from Usikov.
Usikov lands with an uppercut that bounces Butler off the cage and back into range.
Usikov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Butler tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Usikov counters with a nice leg kick.
Jake Butler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Butler takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Butler closes the distance but Usikov moves to the side
and Usikov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Butler tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Usikov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Usikov appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Usikov.
Usikov scoring well with a low kick there.
Butler is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Butler tries to clinch
and Usikov counters with a good low kick that Butler was not able to check.
Butler fails in his attempt to clinch.
Usikov circles away from the clinch attempt
and Usikov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Butler misses with a takedown
enabling Usikov to counter with a crisp jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Butler wants to clinch up but Usikov keeps it at a distance.
Usikov steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Usikov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Butler feinted with a counter takedown.
Butler waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Usikov.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Usikov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Usikov 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 William Peck scores the fight 26:30
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 26:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Usikov!
A very excited looking Alexander Usikov rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.