PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Maxim Menshikov (ranked 1648 p4p, 168 weight class) and Samuel Morris (ranked 2989 p4p, 280 weight class). Morris has chosen AWOLNATION - Sail as his entrance music. 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 Samuel Morris was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Menshikov
vs
Morris

189 cm
24
275 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

176 cm
23
230 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Urban Fighter

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Maxim Menshikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Samuel Morris!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Valeri Chadov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Menshikov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

It looks like Samuel Morris has been cut.
No luck for Morris with that takedown attempt.
Menshikov looks to score with a jab to the body but Morris is just out of range.
Morris changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Morris slips a straight right by Menshikov.
Morris takes one on the chin but seems OK.
We've been told by Menshikov's head coaches at St Petersburg MMA Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Morris rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Menshikov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Menshikov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Morris was well out of range. Poor timing from Menshikov.
Menshikov just misses with a punch to the body.
Menshikov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Menshikov misses the body punch

and Morris counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Menshikov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Morris is one step ahead there.
Morris trying to control the position from guard on top but Menshikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morris throws a big right hand that misses.
Menshikov is trying to control the position but Morris postures up.
Morris missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Morris scoring with punches to the head and body.
Menshikov keeping full guard, as Morris tries to pass.
Menshikov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Morris manages to get himself to full guard.

Menshikov decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Menshikov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Morris uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Menshikov.
Morris avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Morris feints the counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Menshikov misses.
Morris changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Menshikov throws a body punch but Morris moves out of range.
Morris changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Menshikov throws a body shot but no joy.
Menshikov moves in looking to clinch but Morris pushes him off.
Menshikov lands a really nice looking cross but Morris seems unphased.
Menshikov tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Morris paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Maxim Menshikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Menshikov lands a jab to the head.
Menshikov lands a jab to Morris's midsection.
Menshikov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

That has opened up Samuel Morris's cut even more.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Morris takes one to the chin there.
Menshikov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Maxim Menshikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Menshikov moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menshikov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Menshikov pushes Morris back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Menshikov lands a left hand that snaps the head of Morris backwards.
Menshikov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Morris blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Menshikov manages to break the clinch.
Menshikov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
And Morris tries to counter it with a takedown but Menshikov pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Menshikov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Menshikov stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Morris prevents a body shot from Menshikov.
Menshikov lands a nice shot to the body.
Morris looks winded!
Menshikov tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Morris's elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Menshikov lands a hook that snaps the head of Morris backwards.

Menshikov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Morris shoots for a double leg takedown but Menshikov sprawls well. He's pushed Morris's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Menshikov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

The cut above Samuel Morris's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Menshikov takes a swing at Morris's ribcage but misses.
Menshikov moves in looking to clinch but Morris pushes him off.
Menshikov is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Menshikov scores with a hook to the body. Morris takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Decent striking displayed by Menshikov there.
Morris moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

Samuel Morris's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
Menshikov with a nice cross.

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

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Maxim Menshikov!
Maxim Menshikov decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.