PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Maxim Menshikov (ranked 1698 p4p, 719 weight class) and Frank Kurschmann (ranked 75 p4p, 33 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Frank Kurschmann was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Menshikov
vs
Kurschmann

189 cm
41
275
31 - 24 - 0

190 cm
25
275
10 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Very strong

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Fast

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 31 - 24 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Maxim Menshikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Frank Kurschmann!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Bruno Hogan and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Menshikov thuds his right hand into Kurschmann's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

It looks like Frank Kurschmann has been cut.
Menshikov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kurschmann momentarily.
Menshikov misses with a looping left.
Menshikov throws a body shot but no joy.
Kurschmann tries to clinch but Menshikov moves out of range.
Menshikov swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Kurschmann takes one to the side of the head.

That has opened up Frank Kurschmann's cut even more.
Menshikov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kurschmann moves out of range of the strikes.
Kurschmann avoids the body shot from Menshikov.

Kurschmann moves into the clinch.
Kurschmann taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Menshikov trying to land knees to the body.
Menshikov lands with a left to the head.
Menshikov scores with a shot to the side of Kurschmann's head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Menshikov misses with a punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menshikov trying to stall but Kurschmann improves his position.
Menshikov misses with some punches.

Menshikov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kurschmann closes the distance looking to clinch
and Menshikov counters with a stiff right hand.

Kurschmann has Menshikov up against the cage in a clinch.

Menshikov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Menshikov misses with a looping right.
Menshikov misses the jab.
Menshikov throws an overhand right that lands on Kurschmann's shoulder, as Kurschmann tries to avoid the shot.
Menshikov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Menshikov swings for the body but Kurschmann moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kurschmann moves into the clinch.
Menshikov is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Menshikov lands a left hand.
Kurschmann blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kurschmann blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Menshikov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Menshikov misses with a punch on the inside.
Menshikov working aggressively here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Menshikov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Still in the clinch, Menshikov scores with a nice short uppercut.

The cut above Frank Kurschmann's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Menshikov misses with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menshikov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Menshikov is trying to stall.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Menshikov.
Menshikov is trying to break the clinch but Kurschmann is controlling him.
Menshikov prevents a body shot from Kurschmann.
Menshikov misses with the head strike.
Kurschmann presses Menshikov against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Menshikov pushes off an throws an elbow but Kurschmann leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Kurschmann's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Menshikov throws a head punch that misses.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Kurschmann takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Menshikov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Menshikov looks to score with a jab to the body but Kurschmann is just out of range.
Menshikov tries to bum rush Kurschmann with a series of wild strikes but Kurschmann uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Menshikov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kurschmann tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Menshikov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Menshikov misses with a hook

and Kurschmann counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Menshikov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kurschmann avoids the elbow strike from Menshikov, against the cage.
Kurschmann dodges an elbow strike from Menshikov.
Menshikov looking to slow down the pace here.
Menshikov tries to land a knee to the head but Kurschmann blocks with his arms.
Kurschmann takes an elbow to the temple.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Menshikov throws a punch but it's blocked by Kurschmann.
Menshikov is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Menshikov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kurschmann is struggling to control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Maxim Menshikov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Frank Kurschmann's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kurschmann forces Menshikov back against the cage and clinches.
Menshikov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Menshikov scores with a shoulder strike.
Menshikov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kurschmann keeps control of Menshikov as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Menshikov misses with some punches.
With the fighters up against the cage, Menshikov throws an elbow but misses.
Menshikov throws a head punch that misses.
Menshikov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kurschmann is defending well for now.
Kurschmann prevents Menshikov from breaking the clinch.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Kurschmann 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kurschmann.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kurschmann blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Menshikov misses with some punches.
Menshikov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Menshikov fails to land.
Menshikov just leaning against Kurschmann, taking a breather.
Kurschmann landing knees to the body.
Menshikov stalling in the clinch but Kurschmann improves position.
Kurschmann displaying some good clinch control by pressing Menshikov up against the cage.
Menshikov manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Menshikov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Kurschmann working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Menshikov wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kurschmann lands a body shot in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Menshikov.
Kurschmann dodges an elbow strike from Menshikov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Menshikov pushes off an throws an elbow but Kurschmann leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Kurschmann blocks the elbow strike.
Menshikov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kurschmann slowing the pace effectively.
Menshikov lands a shoulder strike.

Frank Kurschmann's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
Menshikov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kurschmann's defenses.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Frank Kurschmann's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:33 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Maxim Menshikov!
A victorious Maxim Menshikov thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.