PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Evgeni Lomachenko (ranked 1250 p4p, 141 weight class) and Vasilios Megalos (ranked 935 p4p, 108 weight class). Evgeni Lomachenko could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Vasilios Megalos's chin.

Lomachenko
vs
Megalos

168 cm
35
144 lbs
22 - 23 - 1

170 cm
29
149 lbs
19 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Vegan Gains

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 23 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Evgeni Lomachenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Vasilios Megalos!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Shigeki Fujiwara and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Megalos changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Lomachenko shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Megalos as he avoids it easily.
Lomachenko takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Megalos closes the distance and pushes Lomachenko back into the cage.
A short right from Megalos on the inside.
A short right from Megalos.
Lomachenko blocking some punches.
Lomachenko goes for a takedown in the clinch but Megalos prevents it.
Lomachenko drops down looking for an ankle pick but Megalos pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Evgeni Lomachenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Megalos lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Lomachenko throws a lazy uppercut
and Megalos connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Megalos keeps Lomachenko at a distance using the push kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Megalos takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Lomachenko looks to throw the jab but Megalos is out of range.
Megalos lets loose with a powerful body kick. Lomachenko will feel that in the morning.
Lomachenko slips under a jab from Megalos.
Lomachenko throws a lazy right hand but Megalos sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Megalos just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lomachenko ducks under a wild hook from Megalos.
Lomachenko shoots for a takedown but Megalos saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Lomachenko misses the shot to the body.
Megalos throws a big shot that misses.
Vasilios Megalos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Megalos slips under a jab.
Nice jab there from Megalos.
Lomachenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Megalos moves away.
Megalos thumps Lomachenko with a low kick.
Megalos throws an overhand right that lands on Lomachenko's shoulder, as Lomachenko tries to avoid the shot.
An inside leg kick lands from Megalos.

Lomachenko decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Megalos moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Megalos preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Megalos has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at IMMA Gym of Elite ASS. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Megalos utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Lomachenko scoring with some ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Megalos wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lomachenko scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Lomachenko pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Megalos is keeping the position for now.
Lomachenko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lomachenko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Megalos looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lomachenko is one step ahead there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lomachenko accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Lomachenko has gone for a leg lock! Megalos slips out almost immediately though and dives into Lomachenko's guard.

Megalos got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lomachenko has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Megalos has managed to get both his arms back between Lomachenko's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lomachenko looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Megalos seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Lomachenko working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Megalos has passed into half guard!
Megalos is pressing down on Lomachenko's thigh, looking to free his foot. Lomachenko is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Megalos takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Lomachenko is looking to improve his position.
Megalos seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Lomachenko looking for submissions off his back.
Megalos is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vasilios Megalos dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Lomachenko connects with a right hand. Megalos shakes it off.
Lomachenko moves out of range of the body kick from Megalos.
Megalos throws a body kick that misses.
Megalos takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Megalos lands a body shot.
Lomachenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Megalos.
Lomachenko takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Lomachenko swings for the body but Megalos moves out of range.
Lomachenko looks for a takedown but Megalos sprawls well.
Lomachenko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Megalos scores with a nice right hand.
Megalos throws a hook to the side of Lomachenko's head but Lomachenko sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Megalos has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lomachenko moves out of range of the strikes.
Lomachenko moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A nice inside leg kick there by Megalos. That's going to slow Lomachenko down.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Megalos lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lomachenko misses with a straight right.
Lomachenko takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Megalos lands with a shot to the body.
Megalos explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Vasilios Megalos is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Megalos misses with a body shot.
Megalos throws a body punch but Lomachenko moves out of range.
Lomachenko drops down looking for a counter takedown but Megalos sprawls and moves away.
Megalos throws a right hand that Lomachenko ducks under and follows up with a left that Lomachenko also avoids with ease.
Lomachenko connects with a crisp jab.
Lomachenko gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Megalos counters with a nice uppercut.
Lomachenko throws a big shot that misses.
Megalos looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Lomachenko takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Megalos takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Megalos scores with a jab. Lomachenko acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
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!
Megalos throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lomachenko cracks Megalos with a good jab.

Megalos has taken the fight to the clinch.
Lomachenko jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Megalos walks away with a smile on his face. Lomachenko gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Evgeni Lomachenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lomachenko on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Lomachenko drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Megalos misses with a hook. Lomachenko ducked under it nicely.
Lomachenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Megalos manages to avoid it.
Megalos appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Megalos slaps away a takedown attempt from Lomachenko, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Lomachenko is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Megalos.
Vasilios Megalos seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Megalos keeps Lomachenko at a distance using the push kick.
Megalos fakes the leg kick and cracks Lomachenko in the body.
Megalos goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Megalos lunges at Lomachenko with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Lomachenko's hand.
Megalos throws a hook but Lomachenko avoids it easily.
Lomachenko tries to score a power double leg takedown but Megalos sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Lomachenko somewhat.
Lomachenko ducks under a wild hook from Megalos.
Lomachenko moves out of range of the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lomachenko bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Lomachenko shoots in and drives through. Megalos sprawls well.
Megalos swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Lomachenko slips a jab from Megalos.
Lomachenko 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.
Megalos defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lomachenko.
Megalos throws out a loose jab but Lomachenko uses good head movement to avoid it.
Megalos scores with a nice strike.
Lomachenko will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Lomachenko goes for a double leg but Megalos avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Megalos continues to drive forward.
Megalos connects with a solid leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Megalos. That's going to slow Lomachenko down.
Megalos misses with a wild body shot.
Lomachenko takes a swing at Megalos's ribcage but misses.
Megalos closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Lomachenko has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Lomachenko there as he acknowledges the shot.
Megalos throws a front kick that sends Lomachenko stumbling back into the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lomachenko on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lomachenko 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.
Lomachenko uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Megalos.
Good shot there by Megalos.
Megalos misses with a hook.
Megalos defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lomachenko.
Megalos looks to land a right hand but Lomachenko moved out of range.
Nice jab there from Lomachenko.
Lomachenko will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Megalos fails to land with a series of punches.
Lomachenko fails with the takedown.
Megalos throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Megalos throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A good leg kick by Megalos.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Megalos instigates a clinch.
Lomachenko is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Megalos can't find room to land a body shot as Lomachenko controls the action.
Lomachenko goes for a takedown attempt but Megalos pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lomachenko. Megalos does a little dance to reset his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vasilios Megalos 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!

A slapping leg kick lands for Megalos.
Megalos throws the kick towards the body but Lomachenko avoids it.
Lomachenko feinted with a counter takedown.
Megalos connects with a leg kick. Lomachenko looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Megalos displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lomachenko throws out the jab.
Megalos scores with a nice strike.
Megalos thumps Lomachenko with a low kick.
Megalos misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Megalos comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Megalos slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Megalos misses with a low kick as Lomachenko jumps back.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lomachenko is defended easily by Megalos.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Megalos scores with a kick to the body.
Megalos delivers a nice body kick.
Megalos throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lomachenko fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Megalos avoids it really well and circles away.
Lomachenko throws a lazy right hand but Megalos sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Megalos displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lomachenko.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Evgeni Lomachenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lomachenko connects with a looping right hand.
Megalos throws a leg kick that is checked

and Lomachenko counters with a single leg into guard. Megalos didn't expect that.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Megalos manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Megalos.
Lomachenko working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
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!
Lomachenko is trying to drag Megalos to the mat but Megalos just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lomachenko prevents a body shot from Megalos.
Lomachenko swings wildly with an uppercut but Megalos uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Megalos scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Megalos misses with a hook to the ribs.
Megalos struggles to land a body shot inside as Lomachenko controls his hands.
Nice body punch from Megalos - that landed with a thud.
Megalos is leaning against Lomachenko and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Lomachenko is trying to pull guard but Megalos has him pressed against the cage.
Lomachenko has had enough of the clinch but Megalos keeps him there for the moment.
Megalos working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Megalos scores with a hook to the body.
Megalos working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Good body shot from Megalos.
Megalos stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Good body shot from Megalos.
Megalos is working Lomachenko over against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Megalos.
A right handed body shot lands from Megalos.
Megalos lands a left hand.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Megalos.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Megalos lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Megalos cracks Lomachenko with a nice body shot.
Good body shot from Megalos.
Megalos gets through Lomachenko's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Megalos lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Megalos scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Megalos cracks Lomachenko with a nice body shot.

Megalos breaks from the clinch.
Megalos connects with a nice looking jab.
Megalos scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Lomachenko misses with an uppercut.
Megalos lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Megalos smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Megalos dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Lomachenko. That did some damage!
Megalos lands a nice shot to the body.
Crunch! Megalos slams his shin into Lomachenko's torso.
Megalos throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lomachenko half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lomachenko stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Megalos.
Megalos connects with a right hand. Lomachenko shakes it off.
A slow jab from Lomachenko misses its intended target.
Jab from Megalos.
Megalos throws a wild body kick that Lomachenko sees coming a mile off.
Megalos lands a jab to the head.
Megalos dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Megalos throws a lazy right hand but Lomachenko sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Lomachenko cracks Megalos with a right hand to the side of the head.
Megalos displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lomachenko throws out the jab.
Lomachenko avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Megalos avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Megalos is looking to score with low kicks.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Megalos misses with an attempted mid kick.
Megalos staying out of range there.
Megalos was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Evgeni Lomachenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lomachenko gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Lomachenko takes a body punch but keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vasilios Megalos comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Megalos has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vasilios Megalos!