PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Samsonov (ranked 187 p4p, 546 weight class) and Erik Friedrichsen (ranked 28 p4p, 65 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Samsonov
vs
Friedrichsen

202 cm
26
270
15 - 2 - 0

200 cm
27
286
13 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)
Altitude Clothing

Conviction
© Trap House

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 15 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ivan Samsonov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Erik Friedrichsen!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Friedrichsen throws an overhand right that lands on Samsonov's shoulder, as Samsonov tries to avoid the shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Friedrichsen misses the target.
Friedrichsen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Samsonov.
Friedrichsen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Samsonov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Friedrichsen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Samsonov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Samsonov seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
A telegraphed right hand from Friedrichsen misses the target.
Friedrichsen avoids the head kick by Samsonov.
Friedrichsen only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Friedrichsen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Friedrichsen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Samsonov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Friedrichsen throws a hook to the side of Samsonov's head but Samsonov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Samsonov misses with a head kick.
Friedrichsen missing with a left hand there. Samsonov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Samsonov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Erik Friedrichsen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A swing and a miss from Friedrichsen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A decent looking cross lands there for Friedrichsen.
Samsonov stuns Friedrichsen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Friedrichsen throws a body shot but no joy.
Friedrichsen throws a right hand that misses
and Friedrichsen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

It looks like Erik Friedrichsen has been cut.
Friedrichsen fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Friedrichsen throws a right hand that misses
and Samsonov counters with a stiff right hand.
A big right from Samsonov misses.
Friedrichsen digs a good body shot into Samsonov's ribs.
Friedrichsen scoring well with a low kick there.
Friedrichsen misses with a wild body shot.
Friedrichsen throws a jab when Samsonov was well out of range.
It looked like Samsonov wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Friedrichsen misses with a shot to the body
letting Samsonov counter with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Samsonov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That has opened up Erik Friedrichsen's cut even more.
Friedrichsen ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Friedrichsen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Samsonov.
Friedrichsen punishes Samsonov's body with a nice straight punch.
Friedrichsen misses with a leg kick
and Samsonov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Friedrichsen jabs at Samsonov's body.
Friedrichsen misses with a wild body shot.
Friedrichsen will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Samsonov tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Samsonov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Friedrichsen.
Samsonov avoids the body shot from Friedrichsen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samsonov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Friedrichsen misses with a body punch
enabling Samsonov to counter with a crisp jab.
Samsonov misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Friedrichsen counters with a nice uppercut.
Friedrichsen moves out of range of the strikes.
Samsonov needs to keep his hands up - Friedrichsen had a free shot at his head there.
A big left from Samsonov misses.
Friedrichsen paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Friedrichsen throws a solid leg kick but Samsonov takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Friedrichsen.
Samsonov slips a straight right by Friedrichsen.
Samsonov checks a low kick from Friedrichsen.
Samsonov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Friedrichsen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Samsonov manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Friedrichsen turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Samsonov walks into a stiff left hand from Friedrichsen.
Friedrichsen is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Samsonov rather than just go for the knockout.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Friedrichsen swings widly with a right hand
and Samsonov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Samsonov drops Friedrichsen with a beautiful combination! Friedrichsen stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Samsonov is looking for the KO!

Friedrichsen is rocked!
Samsonov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Friedrichsen is still on wobbly legs! Can Samsonov finish him?
Friedrichsen looks winded!
Friedrichsen is aggressively charging in as Samsonov backs up avoiding any damage. Samsonov tosses out a jab and Friedrichsen runs right into it face first! Friedrichsen is out cold! Samsonov dropped down on all fours and is barking in Friedrichsen's face like a pit bull in celebration until the ref was finally able to pull him away!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:32 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Ivan Samsonov!
Ivan Samsonov seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
Erik Friedrichsen was interviewed post fight and said 'I am young. This is merely a slight delay'.