PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jesse Pinkman (ranked 6655 p4p, 2660 weight class) and Ilya Kushnevich (ranked 605 p4p, 326 weight class). Pinkman kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is DLZ by TV on the Radio. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Pinkman
vs
Kushnevich

173 cm
21
155
1 - 0 - 0

179 cm
21
160
3 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Granite chin

Conviction
Conquer

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jesse Pinkman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ilya Kushnevich!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, William Gold and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pinkman throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kushnevich lands with a thumping leg kick.
Pinkman shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kushnevich defends it nicely.
Kushnevich drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Pinkman defends it well.
Pinkman just misses with a punch to the body.
Kushnevich keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kushnevich throws a half hearted mid kick.
Pinkman throws a sloppy body shot
letting Kushnevich counter with a right hand.
A cross from Pinkman lands.
Pinkman cracks Kushnevich with an open hand slap.
Kushnevich misses with a body kick.
Pinkman throws a hook but Kushnevich blocks it.

Pinkman gets a double leg takedown into Kushnevich's guard.
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!
Pinkman stopping the sweep attempt from Kushnevich.
Kushnevich working a defensive guard but Pinkman manages to pass into side control anyway.
Pinkman trying to control the action but Kushnevich is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kushnevich manages to get back to half guard.
Kushnevich wants to get back to full guard.
Kushnevich trying to control but Pinkman postures up.
Kushnevich wants to get back to his feet.
Pinkman trying to control the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Kushnevich trying to hold on to Pinkman's head to control him but Pinkman postures up.
Kushnevich is refusing to be controlled, as Pinkman sits in half guard.
Kushnevich felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kushnevich is trying to get back to full guard.
Kushnevich avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Pinkman.
Pinkman wants to take a breather but Kushnevich is having none of it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Pinkman looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pinkman lands a nice looking body shot.
Pinkman works Kushnevich's body with a nice hook.
Kushnevich looks for the body kick but Pinkman saw that one coming.
Pinkman tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kushnevich swivels and escapes.
Pinkman throws out a powerful jab.
The crowd cheers as Pinkman lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kushnevich doesn't seem phased though.
Kushnevich takes one on the button.
Kushnevich lands with a nice body punch.
Nice uppercut there from Kushnevich.
Pinkman connects with a right hand. Kushnevich shakes it off.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kushnevich just misses with a punch to the body.
Pinkman appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
A shot to the liver by Pinkman. Beautiful body shot.
Kushnevich stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Kushnevich misses with an attempted mid kick.
Pinkman is looking to counter punch.
Pinkman misses with a straight right.
Pinkman throws a jab when Kushnevich was well out of range.

Pinkman closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kushnevich to the mat! Kushnevich manages to get full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kushnevich trying to control the position.
Pinkman trying to control but Kushnevich is working from the bottom.
Pinkman being controlled here momentarily.
Pinkman trying to control the position from guard on top but Kushnevich is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kushnevich keeping full guard, as Pinkman tries to pass.
Kushnevich pulls Pinkman in close to prevent any damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jesse Pinkman dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kushnevich moves out of range as Pinkman strikes.
Kushnevich throws a jab but it's blocked by Pinkman.
Kushnevich takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Pinkman throws a jab but it's blocked by Kushnevich.
Jesse Pinkman is winning the standup battle so far.
Kushnevich slips a straight right by Pinkman.
Pinkman misses with a straight right.
Pinkman misses with a body shot.
Pinkman throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kushnevich sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kushnevich changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Pinkman swings for the body but Kushnevich moves out of range.
Pinkman throws a shot to the body.
Pinkman swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Kushnevich counters with a good, hard body kick but Pinkman shrugs it off.
Pinkman throws a shot from downtown. Kushnevich moves away and avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Pinkman closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Kushnevich's guard.
Pinkman wants to control from the top but Kushnevich keeps moving.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kushnevich wants to stand and escape but Pinkman is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kushnevich wants to sweep but no luck.
Kushnevich keeping moving, preventing Pinkman from controlling successfully.
Kushnevich looking for a sweep. Not yet Kushnevich, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pinkman trying to control the position from guard on top but Kushnevich is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kushnevich trying to control the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ilya Kushnevich is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kushnevich has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kushnevich there as he acknowledges the shot.
Pinkman scores with a jab. Kushnevich acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Pinkman swings for the body but Kushnevich moves out of range.
It seemed like Kushnevich was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kushnevich circles away from the clinch attempt.
Pinkman swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Pinkman with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Pinkman misses with a looping right.
Pinkman fails in his attempt to clinch.
Pinkman shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kushnevich sprawls well. Kushnevich wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Pinkman gets slowly back to his feet.
Pinkman darts in looking for a takedown but Kushnevich gets double underhooks and turns Pinkman into the cage.

Pinkman pulls guard.
Kushnevich is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Kushnevich wants to control from the top but Pinkman keeps moving.
Kushnevich throwing strikes from guard but Pinkman blocks nicely.
Kushnevich is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pinkman is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Pinkman keeping moving, preventing Kushnevich from controlling successfully.

Kushnevich got a little sloppy there for a moment and Pinkman has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kushnevich has managed to get both his arms back between Pinkman's legs - danger averted.

Pinkman is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kushnevich is aware though and is defending well.
Pinkman is trying to keep Kushnevich in close.
Pinkman keeping moving, preventing Kushnevich from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kushnevich postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kushnevich is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Pinkman is adopting a defensive guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kushnevich throws a leg kick but Pinkman checks it.
The fighters circling - Pinkman throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Pinkman misses with a left hand
and Kushnevich counters with a low kick, right behind Pinkman 's knee.

Pinkman throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Kushnevich tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Pinkman is in Kushnevich's guard.
Kushnevich is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Pinkman is controlling him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pinkman throwing strikes but missing.
Kushnevich looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Pinkman puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jesse Pinkman dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Kushnevich throws a leg kick but Pinkman sees it coming and moves out of range.
Pinkman lands a jab to Kushnevich's midsection.

Pinkman shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Kushnevich is trying to defend but Pinkman finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Pinkman is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kushnevich can do to turn this around?
Kushnevich trying to control here.
Pinkman throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Pinkman missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kushnevich is not content to let Pinkman control the position.
Kushnevich looks like he's trying to stand up.
Kushnevich wants to control but Pinkman is keeping busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pinkman seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Kushnevich has recovered full guard.
Pinkman postures up in Kushnevich's guard and throws a big left but Kushnevich blocks it.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kushnevich is on top in guard.

Pinkman trying to keep a closed guard but Kushnevich is proving a slippery customer.
Kushnevich chips away with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pinkman has his hands on Kushnevich's head, controlling the position.
Kushnevich trying to control the position from guard on top but Pinkman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kushnevich landing some decent shots from guard.
Kushnevich postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Jesse Pinkman overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kushnevich postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kushnevich is looking to pass into half guard but Pinkman pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Pinkman is in guard.

Kushnevich keeping moving, preventing Pinkman from controlling successfully.
Pinkman is fighting to break Kushnevich's control of his arms but Kushnevich is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pinkman thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Pinkman lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Kushnevich keeping moving, preventing Pinkman from controlling successfully.
Kushnevich trying to control the position.
Kushnevich wants to sweep here but Pinkman controlling him for the moment.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Kushnevich avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Pinkman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kushnevich swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Pinkman comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Ilya Kushnevich has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pinkman checks a leg kick.
Pinkman dips to his left and cracks Kushnevich with an uppercut!

Kushnevich is looking for a triangle but Pinkman pushes his legs off easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kushnevich looking to control.
Jesse Pinkman is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Kushnevich has an active guard here but Pinkman has managed to pass into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jesse Pinkman showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Pinkman has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jesse Pinkman!
Jesse Pinkman decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.