PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Francis Pushkar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Orlando Sackett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sackett has chosen Whoomp There it is as his entrance music. Francis Pushkar has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Pushkar
vs
Sackett

225 cm
26
273 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

190 cm
31
261 lbs
19 - 20 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good elbows
Determined

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 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Francis Pushkar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 20 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Orlando Sackett!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Thiago Cunha and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sackett slips under a jab from Pushkar.
Pushkar moves into range and connects with a jab.
Sackett moves in looking to clinch but Pushkar pushes him off.
Pushkar wants to clinch up but Sackett keeps it at a distance.
Pushkar sizes up Sackett with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
A head kick misses from Pushkar.
Pushkar fails with an attempt to clinch.
Pushkar misses with a looping right.
Sackett ducks under a wild hook from Pushkar.
Pushkar shoots in looking for a takedown but Sackett manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Pushkar's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Pushkar connects with a nice looking jab.
A slow jab from Pushkar misses its intended target.
Sackett misses with a takedown
and Pushkar counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Pushkar gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sackett prevents a body shot from Pushkar.

Pushkar breaks from the clinch.
Sackett shoots in for a double leg but Pushkar sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Pushkar!
Sackett takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Pushkar works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Pushkar is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
A left lands for Pushkar.
Pushkar throws a lazy right hand but Sackett sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sackett slips a jab from Pushkar.
Pushkar with a hook.
Sackett takes a swing at Pushkar's ribcage but misses.
Pushkar throws a shot from downtown. Sackett moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pushkar keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Pushkar fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Sackett fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Francis Pushkar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Orlando Sackett.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Pushkar shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Sackett not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Pushkar trying to control the position from guard on top but Sackett is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pushkar has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Pushkar stopping the sweep attempt from Sackett.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Pushkar 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.
Sackett not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sackett keeping moving, preventing Pushkar from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sackett is trying to control the position but Pushkar postures up.
Sackett might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Pushkar kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Pushkar trying to control the position from guard on top but Sackett is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Pushkar darts in and clinches Sackett up against the cage.
Sackett is trying to push Pushkar away but Pushkar has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Pushkar tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Sackett smiles and moves away.
Pushkar stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Pushkar throws a head kick but Sackett moves out of range.
Pushkar throws a poor cross that misses

and Sackett counters with a takedown into side control.
Pushkar on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Pushkar tries to get out of the position.
Pushkar regains half guard.
Sackett sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Pushkar defending well though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pushkar wants to improve his position but Sackett is controlling well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pushkar is looking to control Sackett's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Pushkar avoid being mounted?
Sackett missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Pushkar taking some punishment here, with Sackett in his half guard.
Pushkar really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Pushkar wants to get back to full guard.

Pushkar looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Pushkar wants to control but Sackett is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Pushkar is looking for a sweep. Sackett is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sackett throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Francis Pushkar dominated that round.
That's time! Pushkar's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Pushkar throws a shot to the body.
Pushkar lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

Pushkar gets a double leg takedown into Sackett's guard.
Pushkar looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Pushkar wants to control from the top but Sackett keeps moving.
Pushkar trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Pushkar drops back looking for a leg! Sackett is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Sackett manages to kick Pushkar off! Pushkar jumps back into Sackett's guard.
Sackett is trying to keep Pushkar in close.
Francis Pushkar overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sackett is on top in guard.
Sackett missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sackett preventing the sweep.

Pushkar is looking for a triangle but Sackett pushes his legs off easily.

Pushkar working for a triangle but Sackett defends it easily.

Pushkar working for a triangle but Sackett defends it easily.
Sackett working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sackett works over Pushkar with some ground and pound from guard.
Pushkar wants to sweep here but Sackett controlling him for the moment.
Pushkar controls Sackett momentarily but Sackett frees himself.
Sackett won't allow Pushkar to sweep him here.
Sackett lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Pushkar not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sackett lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sackett in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Pushkar working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sackett.
Sackett throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Pushkar works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Pushkar is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Pushkar looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sackett throws a strike but Pushkar rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Pushkar not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Pushkar trying to control the position from guard on top but Sackett is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sackett is controlling Pushkar's posture.
Pushkar sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Sackett looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Sackett is adopting a defensive guard.

We're going to have a standup here because Francis Pushkar wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Pushkar throws a good cross that connects.
Francis Pushkar is winning the standup battle so far.
A telegraphed right hand from Pushkar misses the target.
Francis Pushkar seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pushkar tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Sackett takes one to the side of the head.
Sackett takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Sackett tries to clinch but Pushkar moves out of range.
Pushkar tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Sackett manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nice cross by Pushkar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pushkar connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Sackett's hands.
A jab from Pushkar does it's job there.
Sackett misses with a kick to the body.

Sackett tries to sprawl but Pushkar drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Sackett blocking the ground and pound attempt from Pushkar.
Pushkar prevents Sackett from improving his position.
Sackett has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pushkar seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sackett does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Pushkar is looking for a kimura but Sackett is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Pushkar to get the leverage.
Pushkar is controlling the pace.
Sackett preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pushkar trying to control the action but Sackett is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Francis Pushkar dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Sackett keeps the fight on the outside.
Sackett keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A jab from Pushkar misses.
Sackett throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Pushkar throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sackett's waist but Sackett gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Pushkar off to one side.
Pushkar throws a big shot that misses.
Sackett takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Pushkar connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sackett. Sackett circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Sackett is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Pushkar's half guard.
Pushkar is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sackett's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sackett's back!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pushkar is trying to stick to Sackett's back but Sackett is turning into Pushkar. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Pushkar's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Sackett.
Pushkar controlling Sackett's posture.

Pushkar has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Sackett can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Sackett postures up and lands a big shot to Pushkar's brow.
Sackett lands a couple of digs.
Pushkar is trying to control the position but Sackett postures up.

Sackett avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sackett in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Pushkar controls Sackett momentarily but Sackett frees himself.
Sackett with a nice head shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sackett loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sackett throws a big right hand that misses.
Pushkar controls Sackett momentarily but Sackett frees himself.
Sackett trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sackett scoring with some ground and pound.
Sackett throwing strikes from guard but Pushkar blocks nicely.
Sackett with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Pushkar is trying to control the position but Sackett postures up.
Pushkar tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Pushkar is working hard here to advance position.
Pushkar working a defensive guard here.
Sackett missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Pushkar looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Pushkar is trying to keep Sackett in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pushkar utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Sackett is in close to Pushkar's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Sackett makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Pushkar not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sackett postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Pushkar is on top in guard.

Pushkar 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.
Sackett looking for a sweep. Not yet Sackett, not yet.
Pushkar sitting in guard, not really doing much.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Sackett holds on and takes a little breather.
Sackett is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Orlando Sackett has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sackett is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Pushkar has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Sackett is working away from the top position though.
Sackett throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Pushkar keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Pushkar tries to get to full guard but Sackett has control of the leg.
Pushkar is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sackett's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sackett's back!

Pushkar working for a choke but Sackett is defending well.
Sackett manages to reverse the position and now he's in Pushkar's guard. Nice work there by Sackett.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Pushkar working for a triangle but Sackett defends it easily.
Sackett scoring with some ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Orlando Sackett comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Pushkar has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 29:28
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 29:28
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Francis Pushkar!