PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Piotr Mochocki (ranked 5818 p4p, 472 weight class) and Islam Makhacevov (ranked 24451 p4p, 545 weight class). Mochocki's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Kękę - Presja. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Mochocki
vs
Makhacevov

180 cm
23
197 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

178 cm
19
186 lbs
3 - 9 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Knockout power

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Piotr Mochocki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 9 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Islam Makhacevov!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Ryoma Takatsuka and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Makhacevov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Makhacevov showed some decent athleticism there.
Mochocki is looking to escape.
Makhacevov trying to control the pace.
Makhacevov is trying to control the action in half guard but Mochocki is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Makhacevov looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Makhacevov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Mochocki's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makhacevov is trying to control the action in half guard but Mochocki is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Makhacevov wants to pass to mount but Mochocki is defending the position.
Makhacevov trying to control from half guard but Mochocki is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mochocki has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Makhacevov is on him like a limpet, forcing Mochocki back against the ropes.
Makhacevov is looking for a takedown.
Makhacevov tries to score a body lock takedown but Mochocki shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Mochocki prevents the takedown attempt.
Piotr Mochocki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Islam Makhacevov.
Mochocki slows down the pace here.
Makhacevov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Mochocki avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Mochocki.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makhacevov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mochocki fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Piotr Mochocki is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Makhacevov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mochocki sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Makhacevov somewhat.

Mochocki has closed the distance and engaged Makhacevov in a clinch.
Mochocki works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Mochocki escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Mochocki closes the distance and clinches.

Mochocki's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Makhacevov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Makhacevov closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Mochocki to the mat! Mochocki manages to get full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mochocki wriggles free and stands up.

Mochocki gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Mochocki manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Mochocki takes the fight into the clinch.
Mochocki looking to slow down the pace here.
Makhacevov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Mochocki avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Mochocki is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Mochocki's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mochocki moves into the clinch.
Makhacevov wants to take the fight to the mat but Mochocki manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Mochocki's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Mochocki closes the distance and pushes Makhacevov back into the ropes.
Makhacevov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mochocki gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Mochocki's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Makhacevov shoots for a takedown but Mochocki saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Mochocki moves into range and clinches up with Makhacevov.
Mochocki displaying some good clinch control by pressing Makhacevov up against the ropes.
The referee calls for Mochocki to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Mochocki gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Makhacevov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Mochocki is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Makhacevov wants a takedown.
Makhacevov drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mochocki gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Piotr Mochocki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Islam Makhacevov.
Makhacevov is looking for a takedown.

Mochocki's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mochocki has taken the fight to the clinch.
Mochocki is looking to control Makhacevov's arms but Makhacevov gets an underhook and turns him. Now Mochocki has his back to the ropes.

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

Mochocki has Makhacevov up against the ropes in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makhacevov is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Mochocki is defending well.
Mochocki prevents the takedown attempt.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Mochocki lands with a light punch inside.

Mochocki breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Mochocki gets a clinch.
Makhacevov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mochocki fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Makhacevov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Mochocki takes the fight into the clinch.

Mochocki breaks from the clinch.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Makhacevov.
Piotr Mochocki overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mochocki is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Makhacevov trying to control the position but Mochocki is working away.
Mochocki is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Makhacevov trying to control the position but Mochocki is working away.
Mochocki is pushing Makhacevov's head away, looking to escape. Makhacevov manages to hold on to the position though.
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!
Makhacevov wants to control but Mochocki is keeping him busy.
Mochocki is trying to buck Makhacevov off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mochocki is not content to let Makhacevov control the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Mochocki stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mochocki wants it to stay on the feet.
It looked like Mochocki was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

Mochocki darts in and clinches Makhacevov up against the ropes.
Makhacevov is trying to drag Mochocki to the mat but Mochocki just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Mochocki lands a nice uppercut.
I was talking to Mochocki's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.

Mochocki pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Makhacevov shoots in for a takedown but Mochocki shows good takedown defense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Makhacevov with that takedown attempt.
Mochocki throws a big counter combination but Makhacevov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Makhacevov is breathing heavily.

Makhacevov gets a takedown into half guard.
Mochocki wants to get back to his feet.
Mochocki trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Makhacevov throwing shots but Mochocki is blocking nicely.
Nice strikes from Makhacevov there.
Mochocki tries to kick Makhacevov off but Makhacevov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Piotr Mochocki dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Mochocki clinches.

Mochocki breaks from the clinch.

Mochocki takes the fight into the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Mochocki.
Mochocki is pressed up against the ropes. Makhacevov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mochocki down to the mat. Mochocki avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Makhacevov looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Makhacevov prevents Mochocki from getting back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makhacevov trying to control but Mochocki is working from the bottom.
Makhacevov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makhacevov stops Mochocki from standing up.
Makhacevov wants to control from the top but Mochocki keeps moving.
Makhacevov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Mochocki keeping moving, preventing Makhacevov from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Mochocki clinches up against the ropes.
Mochocki taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

That's two 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.

Mochocki breaks the clinch.
Mochocki is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Makhacevov can do to turn this around?

Mochocki tries to sprawl but Makhacevov drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Makhacevov is trying to control the action in half guard but Mochocki is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Mochocki tries to kick Makhacevov off but Makhacevov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Makhacevov wants to control but Mochocki is keeping him busy.
Makhacevov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Nice strikes from Makhacevov there.
Makhacevov perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Makhacevov prevents Mochocki from standing back up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Mochocki instigates a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makhacevov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Mochocki pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Mochocki wants to stall.

Mochocki escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Makhacevov looking to score a takedown here. Mochocki is defending well but Makhacevov drives through and ends up in Mochocki's guard.
Makhacevov won't allow Mochocki to get back to his feet.
Makhacevov wants to pass the guard but Mochocki is keeping the position.
Makhacevov wants to control from the top but Mochocki keeps moving.
Mochocki is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Makhacevov is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mochocki keeping moving, preventing Makhacevov from controlling successfully.
Makhacevov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Makhacevov throws a strike but Mochocki rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Mochocki won't allow Makhacevov to sweep him here.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Makhacevov has a closed guard, preventing Mochocki from standing up.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Makhacevov is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Piotr Mochocki.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mochocki, 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 Josh West scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Piotr Mochocki!
During a confident post fight interview, Piotr Mochocki thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.