PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Orakpo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Kuchenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Orakpo
vs
Kuchenko

191 cm
25
272 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

200 cm
23
262 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Marcus Orakpo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ivan Kuchenko!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Illya Tyunina and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuchenko tries to clinch but Orakpo moves out of range.
Orakpo throws a right and a left that Kuchenko avoids nicely.
Orakpo misses with a series of wild punches.
Kuchenko misses with a looping right.
Orakpo stalks Kuchenko and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kuchenko's face. Kuchenko staggers backwards, shaken.
Kuchenko tries to close the distance and clinch but Orakpo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Orakpo throws a nice looking combination but Kuchenko bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A punch combination from Orakpo misses.
Kuchenko tries to clinch up.
No joy there for Orakpo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Orakpo connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kuchenko momentarily.
Orakpo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Orakpo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kuchenko.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Orakpo with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kuchenko showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Orakpo.
Kuchenko is looking to clinch but Orakpo is avoiding it.
Orakpo could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Orakpo keeps the fight on the outside.
Kuchenko slips a jab and a cross from Orakpo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuchenko wants to clinch up but Orakpo keeps it at a distance.
Kuchenko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Orakpo scores with a three punch combo!
Kuchenko fails in his attempt to clinch.

Kuchenko closes the distance and pushes Orakpo back into the ropes.
Kuchenko is stalling here.
Kuchenko goes for a takedown attempt but Orakpo pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Orakpo throws a nice looking combination but Kuchenko bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kuchenko misses with a body kick.
Orakpo keeps the fight on the outside.
Kuchenko slips a jab and a cross from Orakpo.
Kuchenko fails with a takedown attempt.
Kuchenko takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Orakpo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kuchenko takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

Kuchenko moves into the clinch.
Kuchenko misses with the head strike.
Orakpo wants to get back to striking at distance but Kuchenko won't allow it.
Kuchenko pressing his opponent against the ropes.
Orakpo has had enough of the clinch but Kuchenko keeps him there for the moment.

Kuchenko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Orakpo misses with a wild combination.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Orakpo.
Orakpo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kuchenko gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Orakpo.
Kuchenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Orakpo manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Orakpo stalks Kuchenko and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kuchenko's face. Kuchenko staggers backwards, shaken.
Kuchenko wants to clinch up but Orakpo keeps it at a distance.
Kuchenko tries to clinch but Orakpo is having none of it.
Kuchenko tries to clinch up.
Kuchenko wants to clinch up but Orakpo keeps it at a distance.
Orakpo connects with a body shot.
Kuchenko walks into a jab.
Orakpo throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Orakpo scores with a one two! Kuchenko had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Orakpo throws a leg kick but Kuchenko checks it.
Orakpo throws a series of punches but Kuchenko moves out of range.
Kuchenko fails with an attempt to clinch.
Orakpo lands a glancing blow to the side of Kuchenko's head.
Orakpo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kuchenko.
Orakpo lands a nice looking body shot.
Orakpo circles away from the clinch attempt.
A right-left combo lands from Orakpo.
Kuchenko lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

It looks like Marcus Orakpo has been cut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kuchenko tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
The fighters circle momentarily. Orakpo darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Orakpo keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Orakpo throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kuchenko swinging wildly here.
Orakpo lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Kuchenko connects with a looping right hand.
Orakpo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Orakpo punishes Kuchenko's body with a nice straight punch.
Orakpo throws a combination that misses

and Kuchenko counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A frustrated look appears on Orakpo's face as he tries to break the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kuchenko stalling.
Kuchenko scores with a shot to the side of Orakpo's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ivan Kuchenko will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Marcus Orakpo's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

A shot to the liver by Orakpo. Beautiful body shot.
Kuchenko dodges the punch combination from Orakpo.
Orakpo throws a hook to the side of Kuchenko's head but Kuchenko sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Kuchenko has Orakpo up against the ropes in a clinch.
Kuchenko goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Kuchenko breaks from the clinch.
Ivan Kuchenko seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kuchenko tries to clinch there but Orakpo circles away.
No joy there for Orakpo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kuchenko is looking to clinch but Orakpo is avoiding it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Orakpo jabs at Kuchenko's body.
Kuchenko tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Marcus Orakpo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kuchenko avoids the head kick by Orakpo.
Kuchenko tries to clinch but Orakpo moves out of range.
Ivan Kuchenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Orakpo lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

Kuchenko drops Orakpo with a right and a left! Kuchenko comes rushing in but Orakpo regains his composure and manages to keep Kuchenko in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Orakpo keeping moving, preventing Kuchenko from controlling successfully.
Kuchenko wants to pass the guard but Orakpo is keeping the position.

Kuchenko is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Orakpo knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kuchenko on the ground.
Kuchenko is breathing heavily.
Kuchenko missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Orakpo looking for a sweep. Not yet Orakpo, not yet.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kuchenko accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Orakpo is trying to control the position but Kuchenko postures up.
Kuchenko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Orakpo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Orakpo misses with a wild combination.
A combination from Orakpo does no damage.
Orakpo stuns Kuchenko with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Orakpo keeps the fight on the outside.
Kuchenko moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Orakpo with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Orakpo swats away the attempt to clinch by Kuchenko.
Orakpo throws a series of punches but Kuchenko avoids them all with ease.
Kuchenko tries to clinch there but Orakpo circles away.
Kuchenko misses with a series of wild punches.
Kuchenko fails with an attempt to clinch.
Marcus Orakpo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Orakpo fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Orakpo throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kuchenko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Orakpo is looking to wear down Kuchenko with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Kuchenko tries to clinch there but Orakpo circles away.

Kuchenko gets a clinch.
Kuchenko fails to pull guard.
Kuchenko tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
A hook to the body from Kuchenko.
Kuchenko wants to stall.
Kuchenko seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.
Kuchenko keeps control of Orakpo as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Kuchenko breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Orakpo works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Kuchenko takes a swing at Orakpo's ribcage but misses.
Orakpo ducks under a wild hook from Kuchenko.
Orakpo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Orakpo connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kuchenko's hands.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuchenko uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Orakpo.
Kuchenko slips a jab and a cross from Orakpo.
Orakpo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Orakpo swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Kuchenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Marcus Orakpo's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kuchenko takes a swing at Orakpo's ribcage but misses.
Orakpo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Some wild striking there from Orakpo.
Kuchenko is looking to clinch.
Orakpo sizes up Kuchenko with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Orakpo cracks Kuchenko with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the ropes.
Orakpo misses with a series of wild punches.
Kuchenko doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
No joy there for Orakpo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuchenko showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Orakpo.
Kuchenko tries to clinch up but Orakpo circles away and keeps his distance.
Kuchenko avoids the body shot from Orakpo.
Kuchenko changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Orakpo tries to avoid it but Kuchenko manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Orakpo to the ground. Orakpo escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kuchenko fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuchenko with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Orakpo to score with a decent uppercut.
Kuchenko wants to clinch up but Orakpo keeps it at a distance.
Orakpo displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Orakpo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Orakpo looks to score with a jab to the body but Kuchenko is just out of range.
Orakpo finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Orakpo lands a slapping body shot.
Kuchenko moves in looking to clinch but Orakpo pushes him off.
Kuchenko blocks a head kick by Orakpo.
Kuchenko checks a low kick from Orakpo.
Kuchenko tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Orakpo swats away the attempt to clinch by Kuchenko.
Orakpo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Orakpo throws a left and a right that both miss

and Kuchenko counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Kuchenko has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kuchenko has Orakpo pushed against the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Orakpo is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Kuchenko is trying to maintain a safe position but Orakpo gets an underhook and turns Kuchenko into the ropes.
Orakpo wants to break free but Kuchenko has control.
Kuchenko working aggressively here.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Orakpo as Kuchenko tries to tie him up.
Kuchenko jumps guard but Orakpo stands there with Kuchenko around his waist. Kuchenko gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kuchenko jumps guard but Orakpo stands there with Kuchenko around his waist. Kuchenko gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Marcus Orakpo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Kuchenko.
Orakpo has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kuchenko is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Kuchenko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuchenko is trying to drag Orakpo to the mat but Orakpo just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Orakpo as Kuchenko tries to tie him up.
Kuchenko pushes Orakpo back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Orakpo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kuchenko keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Orakpo's efforts to push away.
Kuchenko fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kuchenko controlling the action here for a moment.
Kuchenko looking to slow down the pace here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Kuchenko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A combination from Orakpo does no damage.
Kuchenko tries to clinch up.
Kuchenko paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Kuchenko on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Kuchenko wants to clinch.
Left hook, right uppercut from Orakpo.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kuchenko drops his hands momentarily and Orakpo takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Kuchenko tries to close the distance and clinch up but Orakpo swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Orakpo lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kuchenko at a distance.
Orakpo lands with a right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marcus Orakpo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kuchenko 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight for Ivan Kuchenko!
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight for Ivan Kuchenko!
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight for Ivan Kuchenko!

Ivan Kuchenko wins by unanimous decision!