|
|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Clive Hicks (ranked 945 p4p, 705 weight class) and Alexander Korolev (ranked 126 p4p, 89 weight class). Korolev comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Holding Out For A Hero (EuroMash) kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! 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 Alexander Korolev was going to win. Let's see if he was right.
 |
|
 |
| 170 cm
27
170
7 - 3 - 2 |
|
180 cm
33
176
23 - 17 - 0 |
Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine |
|
Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin |
|
| |
|
Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 2, fighting out of New York, Clive Hicks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Alexander Korolev!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Alan Glass and Wesley Smith.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Korolev will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A slapping leg kick lands for Korolev.
Korolev thumps Hicks with a low kick.
Korolev throws a chopping leg kick but Hicks manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Hicks moves out of range of the leg kick from Korolev.
Hicks tries to counter with a takedown but Korolev is quick to defend against it.
Korolev dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Hicks. That did some damage!
Korolev shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Hicks misses with a straight right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hicks swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Korolev. Hicks does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hicks scores with a body shot.
Korolev moves out of range of the strikes.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Hicks darts in looking for a takedown but Korolev gets double underhooks and turns Hicks into the cage.
Korolev makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hicks tries to work over Korolev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Korolev wants to stall.
Korolev struggles to land a body shot inside as Hicks controls his hands.
Hicks tries for a takedown but Korolev manages to get underhooks.
Korolev swings wildly with an uppercut but Hicks uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hicks tries a body shot but Korolev blocks it.
Korolev misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hicks wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hicks works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Hicks tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Korolev's elbow.
Hicks looking to slow down the pace here.
A frustrated look appears on Hicks's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Hicks misses with a body punch.
Hicks misses with a hook from the clinch.
Korolev makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Korolev misses with a punch to the body.
Korolev lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hicks's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Korolev lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hicks backwards.
Korolev misses with a body punch.
Korolev lands a shoulder strike.
Hicks throws a punch but it's blocked by Korolev.
Hicks is trying to stall.
Korolev scores with a shot to the side of Hicks's 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!
Hicks lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hicks working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hicks's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Hicks lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Korolev backwards.
Hicks has clasped his hands together around Korolev's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hicks misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Hicks trying to control the position but Korolev is working away.
The ground and pound from Hicks seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Korolev sneaks back into half guard.
Korolev keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Hicks not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hicks looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Hicks thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Korolev's head.
Hicks throwing shots but Korolev is blocking nicely.
Hicks working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Korolev has hold of Hicks's hands but Hicks slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Hicks missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hicks is nestled in close to Korolev, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hicks sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Korolev defending well though.
Hicks thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Korolev's head.
Hicks sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Korolev defending well though.
Korolev on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Hicks thows a huge punch but Korolev dodges it nicely.
Korolev avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hicks.
Korolev avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hicks.
Hicks is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Hicks wants to control but Korolev is keeping him busy.
Hicks scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Hicks missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Korolev moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hicks postures up in Korolev's guard and throws a big left but Korolev blocks it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Clive Hicks will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Korolev tries a head kick but it misses.
Hicks gets the takedown into side control.
Korolev throws Hicks to one side and escapes!
Hicks looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Korolev fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Korolev takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Korolev misses with a kick to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Korolev throws a leg kick but Hicks sees it coming and moves out of range.
Korolev takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Korolev's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Hicks connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Korolev scrambles back to his feet.
Korolev throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hicks swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Korolev keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hicks.
Korolev avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Korolev.
Hicks keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Hicks drops down looking for a counter takedown but Korolev sprawls and moves away.
Korolev looks to score with a jab to the body but Hicks is just out of range.
Korolev misses with a low kick.
Korolev walks into a jab.
Hicks fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Korolev avoids it really well and circles away.
Hicks scores with a punch to the head.
Korolev attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Korolev staying out of range there.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Korolev thows a body kick. Hicks tries to catch it but that hurt him.
A clash of legs there as Hicks blocks the low kick.
Hicks gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
It looks like Clive Hicks has been cut.
Korolev throws a body shot but no joy.
Hicks fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Alexander Korolev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Korolev connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Hicks checks a leg kick.
Hicks drops down looking for a counter takedown but Korolev sprawls and moves away.
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!
Korolev misses with an attempted mid kick.
Hicks drops down looking for a counter takedown but Korolev sprawls and moves away.
A head kick from Korolev lands but Hicks takes it in his stride.
Korolev throws a leg kick
and Hicks decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Korolev's guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Korolev keeping full guard, as Hicks tries to pass.
Hicks missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hicks controlling from the top position.
Hicks scoring with some ground and pound.
Korolev preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hicks working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Hicks is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Hicks trying to control but Korolev is working from the bottom.
Hicks throws a big elbow that misses.
Korolev controls Hicks momentarily but Hicks frees himself.
Hicks stands up over Korolev, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Korolev is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Hicks postures up and lands a big shot to Korolev's brow.
Hicks cracks Korolev with a solid left hand.
Hicks lands a couple of digs.
Korolev is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hicks works over Korolev with some ground and pound from guard.
Korolev keeping moving, preventing Hicks from controlling successfully.
Hicks throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hicks stands up over Korolev, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hicks stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Korolev swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that Clive Hicks will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Clive Hicks's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!
Korolev slips a jab from Hicks.
Alexander Korolev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A low kick lands for Korolev.
Korolev on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Korolev pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hicks is out of range and Korolev settles back down.
Korolev misses with a body kick.
Hicks looks to score with a jab to the body but Korolev is just out of range.
Korolev wants to land a leg kick but Hicks is out of range.
Korolev misses with a wild body shot.
Korolev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hicks manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Korolev feints a jab promting Hicks to slip. Korolev then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Hicks slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Korolev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Alexander Korolev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hicks blocks a head kick by Korolev.
Hicks uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Korolev.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Korolev tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Korolev throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hicks drops down looking for a counter takedown but Korolev sprawls and moves away.
Korolev takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Hicks scores with a jab to the body.
Hicks throws a body punch but Korolev moves out of range.
And Korolev responds with a good body kick, but Hicks manages to step out the way in time.
Korolev throws a leg kick
and Hicks counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hicks.
Hicks is looking to work some ground and pound but Korolev has wrist control.
Korolev has momentary wrist control but Hicks slips an elbow through the middle.
Hicks lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Korolev seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Hicks with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Hicks is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Clive Hicks is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Korolev is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Korolev working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hicks.
Hicks trying to control but Korolev is working from the bottom.
Korolev avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hicks passes Korolev's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Korolev makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Hicks lands a glancing blow to the side of Korolev's head.
Korolev scores with a hook to the body. Hicks takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Korolev turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Hicks thuds a left hand into Korolev's body.
Hicks fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Korolev sprawls well initially but Hicks persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Korolev taking some punishment here, with Hicks in his half guard.
Hicks controlling the action here.
Hicks is trying to control the action in half guard but Korolev is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Korolev keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Korolev looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Hicks is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hicks wants to lay and pray for a moment but Korolev keeps working.
Still in half guard, Hicks seems content to control.
Korolev is refusing to be controlled, as Hicks sits in half guard.
Hicks misses with a head shot. Korolev uses the momentum to regain guard.
Hicks landing with the ground and pound.
Hicks stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Korolev swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hicks postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
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 Clive Hicks.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hicks, 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:28
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 29:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:28
In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Clive Hicks!
A less than humble Clive Hicks misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
|
S |
C |
G |
|
energy
A | B |
|
hype
A | B |
|
pop
A | B |
|
mgr
A | B |
|
FIGHT
RATING
52% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
