PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Usikov (ranked 996 p4p, 138 weight class) and Joost Van Buren (ranked 497 p4p, 74 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Usikov
vs
Van Buren

175 cm
39
195 lbs
21 - 21 - 0

188 cm
32
206 lbs
23 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 21 - 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 23 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joost Van Buren!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Usikov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Usikov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Van Buren scores with the left hand. Usikov knows he should have avoided that one.
A looping hook to the body misses from Van Buren. Usikov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Alexander Usikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Van Buren jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Van Buren misses with an uppercut. Usikov saw that one coming.
Van Buren misses with a right hand
and Usikov counters with a three punch combo that has Van Buren backing up. Van Buren nods at Usikov to acknowledge the strikes.
A telegraphed right hand from Van Buren misses the target.

Usikov clinches up against the cage.
The referee calls for Van Buren to work.
Van Buren misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Usikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Usikov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Van Buren blocks it with crossed arms.
Usikov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Van Buren avoids it.
Van Buren swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Usikov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
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!
Usikov lands a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A body shot lands from Van Buren.
Van Buren tries to work over Usikov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Van Buren taking a breather.

Van Buren breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Usikov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
An inside leg kick lands from Usikov.
Van Buren misses with an uppercut. Usikov saw that one coming.
Van Buren walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Usikov cracks a nice hook into Van Buren's ribs.
Usikov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Van Buren throws out a counter right but Usikov avoids it with no problem.
Usikov misses with a low kick as Van Buren jumps back.
A big left from Van Buren misses.

Usikov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Buren tries a body shot but Usikov blocks it.
Usikov tries to land knees in the clinch but Van Buren avoids the damage to the body.
Usikov lands a damaging elbow.

It looks like Joost Van Buren has been cut.
Usikov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Van Buren escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Usikov throws a push kick but Van Buren slaps the foot to one side.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Usikov.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Van Buren uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Usikov.
Van Buren throws a hook to the side of Usikov's head but Usikov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
It looked like Usikov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Usikov scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Van Buren throws a chopping leg kick but Usikov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Donk. Van Buren catches Usikov right on the button with a cross.

It looks like Alexander Usikov has been cut.
Usikov is looking to slow Van Buren down with leg kicks.
Usikov throws a jab when Van Buren was well out of range.
Van Buren circles away from the clinch attempt.
Usikov throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Usikov is looking to clinch but Van Buren is avoiding it.
Usikov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Van Buren.
Van Buren ducks under a wild hook from Usikov.
Van Buren has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Usikov, right into the meat.
Usikov scores with a nice head shot.
Usikov throws an off balance right hand
and Usikov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Usikov misses the shot to the body.
Van Buren misses with a hook.
Van Buren throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Van Buren, as that shot connected.
Van Buren misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Usikov.
Van Buren wants to land a leg kick but Usikov is out of range.
Usikov wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Van Buren lands a big head kick that sends Usikov tumbling to the mat! Van Buren takes a step backwards and waves Usikov back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Usikov is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Usikov misses with a hook.
Usikov wants to clinch.
Usikov misses with a straight right.
Usikov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Van Buren scores with the left hand. Usikov knows he should have avoided that one.
Usikov is looking to clinch.
A slapping body kick lands there for Usikov.
Van Buren looks to throw a body kick
and Usikov counters with a nice low kick that buckles Van Buren's knee momentarily.
Usikov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Van Buren pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Usikov appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Alexander Usikov will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Van Buren misses with a head kick.
Usikov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Usikov tries to clinch up but Van Buren circles away and keeps his distance.
Van Buren lands a jab.
Van Buren will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Usikov swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Usikov darts in and clinches Van Buren up against the cage.
Usikov lands a nice elbow.
Usikov tries a knee to the head but Van Buren blocks it.
A hook to the body from Van Buren.
Usikov presses Van Buren against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Usikov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Usikov lands an elbow that stopped Van Buren in his tracks for a moment.
Van Buren taking a breather.
Usikov lands an elbow just above Van Buren 's eye.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Usikov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Van Buren blocks it with crossed arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Buren fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
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.
Usikov with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Van Buren breaks from the clinch.
Van Buren loads up on a big right hand but Usikov slips the punch.
Van Buren throws an overhand right that lands on Usikov's shoulder, as Usikov tries to avoid the shot.
Usikov bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Van Buren's head backwards.
Usikov avoids the head kick by Van Buren.
Van Buren on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Usikov. Usikov obviously looking to wear him down.
Van Buren 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.
Van Buren misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
An inside leg kick from Usikov misses.
Usikov cracks Van Buren with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Usikov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Usikov clinches with his opponent.
Usikov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Van Buren blocks it with crossed arms.
Van Buren swings wildly with an uppercut but Usikov uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Buren softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Van Buren controlling the action here for a moment.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Usikov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Van Buren's brow.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Van Buren.

Van Buren breaks the clinch.
Van Buren blocks a head kick by Usikov.
Van Buren appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Usikov slips a straight right by Van Buren.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Van Buren misses with a hook. Usikov ducked under it nicely.
A chopping leg kick lands by Usikov.
Usikov takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Usikov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Van Buren.
Usikov appears to be looking for a big counter.
Usikov is looking to clinch.
Van Buren throws a big counter head kick but Usikov avoids it with no problem.
Usikov tries to clinch but Van Buren is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Usikov shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Van Buren eats them both and turns towards Usikov to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
A big left from Van Buren misses.
Van Buren avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Van Buren thinks about the counter body kick.
Usikov motions for Van Buren to come forward. Usikov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Usikov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Usikov fails with an attempt to clinch.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Usikov here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Usikov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Usikov looks to land a left hand but Van Buren moved out of range nicely.
Usikov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Van Buren looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Usikov throws a head kick that misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Van Buren. Usikov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Van Buren lands with a hook. Usikov tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Usikov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Van Buren 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Van Buren throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Usikov.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Usikov tries to clinch there but Van Buren circles away.
Joost Van Buren seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Van Buren lands a nice shot that snaps Usikov's head back.
Van Buren shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Usikov eats them both and turns towards Van Buren to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

Alexander Usikov's cut is getting worse.
Usikov tries to clinch up but Van Buren circles away and keeps his distance.
Van Buren is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Usikov scoring well with a low kick there.
Usikov tries to clinch up.
Usikov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Usikov connects with a solid leg kick.
Usikov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Usikov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Van Buren.
A head kick misses from Van Buren.
Usikov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Joost Van Buren will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Van Buren misses with a hook.
Usikov avoids a kick to the body.
Van Buren takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Van Buren closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Van Buren throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Usikov moves out of range as Van Buren strikes.
Van Buren waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Usikov.
Usikov lunges at Van Buren with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Van Buren's hand.
Van Buren throws the left hand but Usikov avoids the punch easily.
Usikov ducks under a wild hook from Van Buren.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Usikov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Van Buren circles away quickly and effectively.
Van Buren tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Van Buren avoids the head kick by Usikov.
Van Buren doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Van Buren fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Usikov.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Usikov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Buren lunges at Usikov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Usikov's hand.
Usikov moves out of range of the body kick from Van Buren.
Van Buren circles away from the clinch attempt.
A nice leg kick lands there from Usikov.
Van Buren scores with a nice right hand.
Van Buren throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Usikov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Usikov tests Van Buren's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Van Buren throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Van Buren darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Van Buren scores with a jab. Usikov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
The fight stays on the outside here - Usikov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Buren throws the left hand but Usikov avoids the punch easily.
It looked like Usikov was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Van Buren keeps the fight on the outside.
Van Buren lands a lovely overhand right.
Alexander Usikov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Van Buren keeps the fight on the outside.
Van Buren is looking for the big counter here.
Van Buren throws a sloppy head kick and Usikov moves out of range easily.
Usikov throws a leg kick but Van Buren moved away.
Usikov tries a head kick but it misses.
Usikov moves in looking to clinch but Van Buren pushes him off.
Usikov moves out of range as Van Buren strikes.
Usikov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Van Buren manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Usikov misses with the combination.
Usikov scores with the left hand. Van Buren knows he should have avoided that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Buren tries to land a front kick but Usikov steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Usikov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Van Buren manages to avoid it.

Usikov moves into the clinch successfully.
Van Buren works on Usikov's body with a couple of short punches.
Van Buren has Usikov pushed against the cage.

Van Buren's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Van Buren lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Usikov circles away quickly and effectively.
A solid leg kick lands there for Usikov.
A big right from Van Buren misses.
Van Buren tries a head kick but it misses.
Van Buren's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Usikov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nice uppercut there from Van Buren.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Van Buren, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A combination from Usikov does no damage.
A clash of legs there as Usikov blocks the low kick.

Van Buren gets tackled into the cage by Usikov. Usikov maintains the clinch.
Van Buren working aggressively here.
Van Buren struggles to land a body shot inside as Usikov controls his hands.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Usikov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Usikov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Van Buren tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Usikov lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Usikov misses with a knee strike.
Van Buren tries to break free but Usikov pushes him back against the cage.
Usikov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Usikov lands an elbow that stopped Van Buren in his tracks for a moment.
Usikov tries to land a knee to the head but Van Buren blocks with his arms.
Alexander Usikov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Van Buren softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joost Van Buren comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Van Buren has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 29:29
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!