PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tony Hibbert (ranked 403 p4p, 48 weight class) and Evgeni Lomachenko (ranked 228 p4p, 31 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Hibbert
vs
Lomachenko

172 cm
22
160 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

168 cm
29
152 lbs
14 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Fast

THE END 32

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tony Hibbert!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Evgeni Lomachenko!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lomachenko is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hibbert sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Hibbert keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Hibbert throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hibbert cracks Lomachenko with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Lomachenko on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Lomachenko staying out of range there.
Hibbert throws a hook but Lomachenko avoids it easily.
Lomachenko shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hibbert moves out of range as Lomachenko strikes.
Hibbert is looking for a counter combo.
Lomachenko throws a hook to the side of Hibbert's head but Hibbert sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hibbert delivers a nice body kick.
Lomachenko has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Lomachenko jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Hibbert looks to throw the jab but Lomachenko is out of range.
Hibbert moves out of range of the strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lomachenko on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hibbert. Hibbert obviously looking to wear him down.
Hibbert swings for the body but Lomachenko moves out of range.
Hibbert misses with a few strikes there.
Nice body punch from Lomachenko.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Hibbert!
Lomachenko dodges the punch combination from Hibbert.
Lomachenko chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hibbert can pounce on him.
Lomachenko ducks under a wild hook from Hibbert.
Lomachenko uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hibbert.
Hibbert leaves Lomachenko with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Tony Hibbert has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Evgeni Lomachenko.
Some wild striking there from Hibbert.
Lomachenko throws an overhand right that lands on Hibbert's shoulder, as Hibbert tries to avoid the shot.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lomachenko.

Lomachenko closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lomachenko drops an elbow to the side of Hibbert's head.
Lomachenko lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hibbert is looking to improve his position.
Lomachenko winds up and cracks Hibbert with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Hibbert keeping hold of Lomachenko's head, controlling as best he can.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

Lomachenko is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Hibbert is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lomachenko is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Hibbert is trying to control but can't.
Lomachenko lands with a punch from half guard.
Hibbert wants to get back to full guard.
Hibbert keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Lomachenko is thwarting Hibbert's attempts to control the position.
Hibbert avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Lomachenko.
Hibbert is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Lomachenko is looking for a kimura but Hibbert is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Lomachenko to get the leverage.
Lomachenko working Hibbert over with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hibbert is trying to control but can't.
Hibbert is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Lomachenko's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Lomachenko's back!
Lomachenko tries to roll but Hibbert sticks to his back.
Hibbert trying to control.
Hibbert biding his time, controlling Lomachenko.
Lomachenko tries to break free.
Lomachenko tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Hibbert tries to control but Lomachenko wriggling away.
Lomachenko is trying desperately to improve position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Hibbert dominated that round.
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.

Hibbert paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Lomachenko shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hibbert thuds his right hand into Lomachenko's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Lomachenko gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Hibbert moves into the clinch.
Lomachenko wants a takedown but no success here.
Tony Hibbert has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Evgeni Lomachenko.
Hibbert makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Lomachenko goes for a takedown attempt but Hibbert pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Lomachenko slips under a jab.
Lomachenko throws a hook but Hibbert blocks it.
Lomachenko takes one to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hibbert misses the jab.
Hibbert moves out of range of the strikes.
Hibbert cracks Lomachenko with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Hibbert misses with a jab, cross combination.
Lomachenko is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Hibbert is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lomachenko can do to turn this around?
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
An inside leg kick lands from Hibbert.
Nice uppercut lands for Hibbert. That snapped Lomachenko's head back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Lomachenko misses its intended target.
As Lomachenko looks to move away, Hibbert throws a big counter combo but Lomachenko just gets out of the way.
Hibbert lands with a straight right. Lomachenko didn't see that one coming.
Good standup being displayed there by Hibbert as he connects with a hook.
Hibbert lands a leg kick that knocks Lomachenko off balance momentarily.
Hibbert ducks under a wild hook from Lomachenko.
Hibbert misses with an uppercut.
Lomachenko throws a hook but Hibbert blocks it.
Lomachenko throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Hibbert counters with a nice uppercut.
Hibbert cracks Lomachenko with a good jab.
Hibbert looks to throw the jab but Lomachenko is out of range.
Hibbert misses with a double jab.
Lomachenko might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Lomachenko misses the shot to the body.
Lomachenko shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lomachenko misses with a straight right.
No joy there for Hibbert, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lomachenko tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hibbert swivels and escapes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lomachenko takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Lomachenko throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hibbert's waist but Hibbert gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lomachenko off to one side.
Lomachenko misses with a lunging right hand
and Hibbert counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Lomachenko throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Nice straight punches there by Hibbert. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Hibbert.
A solid body kick from Hibbert.
Lomachenko slips a jab from Hibbert.
Hibbert lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Hibbert tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lomachenko's jab looks to have found its range, popping Hibbert under the eye.
Lomachenko closes the distance and clinches up with Hibbert, looking for a takedown. Lomachenko pushes Hibbert against the cage but Hibbert circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hibbert dips to his left and cracks Lomachenko with an uppercut!
Hibbert takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Lomachenko displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hibbert throws out the jab.
Lomachenko misses with a hook
and Hibbert counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Lomachenko thinking.
Lomachenko misses with a looping left.
As Lomachenko tries to get set, Hibbert tries to push him back and clinch up but Lomachenko manages to avoid the attempt.
Tony Hibbert is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Lomachenko.
Hibbert swinging wildly here.
Hibbert takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Hibbert stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hibbert wants it to stay on the feet.
Hibbert feints a jab promting Lomachenko to slip. Hibbert then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Lomachenko slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Lomachenko bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Hibbert's head backwards.
Lomachenko is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hibbert.
Tony Hibbert is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lomachenko connects with a looping right hand.
Lomachenko dives in for a single leg takedown but Hibbert sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Hibbert missing with a left hand there. Lomachenko was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lomachenko feints the counter takedown.
Good exchange - Hibbert coming out on top.
Hibbert defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lomachenko.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lomachenko defending well as Hibbert loads up on a big left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hibbert connects with a jab.
Lomachenko looks to throw the jab but Hibbert is out of range.
As Lomachenko tries to get set, Hibbert tries to push him back and clinch up but Lomachenko manages to avoid the attempt.
Lomachenko looks to land a left hand but Hibbert moved out of range nicely.
Nice uppercut lands for Lomachenko. That snapped Hibbert's head back.
Lomachenko misses the jab.
Nice uppercut lands for Lomachenko. That snapped Hibbert's head back.
Hibbert throws a hook but Lomachenko blocks it.
Hibbert lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Hibbert throws a nice looking combination but Lomachenko bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
And Lomachenko tries to counter it with a takedown but Hibbert pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Hibbert misses with a hook. Lomachenko ducked under it nicely.
Hibbert lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Lomachenko circles away quickly and effectively.
Hibbert leaves Lomachenko with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hibbert uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Lomachenko.
Lomachenko throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Hibbert stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Lomachenko shoots in for a takedown but Hibbert shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Hibbert dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Lomachenko missing with a left hand there. Hibbert was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hibbert was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Hibbert misses the jab.
Lomachenko sizes up Hibbert with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Hibbert throws a series of punches but Lomachenko avoids them all with ease.
Hibbert waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lomachenko.
Lomachenko swings for the body but Hibbert moves out of range.
Lomachenko lands a jab.
Hibbert uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lomachenko.
Lomachenko bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hibbert swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Lomachenko misses with a lunging right hand
and Hibbert counters with a nice body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hibbert avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Lomachenko misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lomachenko.
Lomachenko slips under a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lomachenko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tony Hibbert is winning the standup battle so far.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lomachenko.
Tony Hibbert has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Evgeni Lomachenko.
Lomachenko misses with a hook.
Hibbert swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Lomachenko scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Nice takedown defense from Hibbert. No joy for Lomachenko on that attempt.
Hibbert appears to be looking for a big counter.
Lomachenko throws an off balance right hand
and Hibbert counters with a straight right hand.
Lomachenko stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hibbert.
Lomachenko avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hibbert tries to bum rush Lomachenko with a series of wild strikes but Lomachenko uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Lomachenko steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hibbert.
Lomachenko keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hibbert.
Lomachenko scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Hibbert.
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!

Lomachenko throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Hibbert tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Lomachenko is in Hibbert's guard.
Hibbert utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Lomachenko is in close to Hibbert's body, working some short punches and elbows.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Lomachenko accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hibbert working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Lomachenko.
Lomachenko in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hibbert looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Hibbert controls Lomachenko momentarily but Lomachenko frees himself.
Hibbert wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Hibbert has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hibbert looking to control.
Lomachenko scoring with some ground and pound.
Lomachenko throwing strikes but missing.
Hibbert has Lomachenko pulled in close to control his posture.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lomachenko is looking to work some ground and pound but Hibbert has wrist control.
Hibbert is pulling down on Lomachenko's head. It's preventing any offense from Lomachenko, at least for the moment.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hibbert blocks a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hibbert stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Hibbert fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Lomachenko looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Hibbert tests Lomachenko's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hibbert misses with a straight left.
Hibbert misses with a low kick.

Lomachenko scores with a takedown into Hibbert's guard.
Lomachenko scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Lomachenko postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Lomachenko throws a big elbow that misses.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Hibbert holds on and takes a little breather.
Evgeni Lomachenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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 Tony Hibbert.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hibbert, 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tony Hibbert!