PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Israel Carlson (ranked 23583 p4p, 2283 weight class) and Alla Pugacheva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Carlson comes to the cage accompanied by Bonecracker/ Shocore. 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.

Carlson
vs
Pugacheva

179 cm
24
168
0 - 0 - 1

179 cm
38
168
14 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Big heart

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Israel Carlson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alla Pugacheva!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Chris Downing and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pugacheva takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Pugacheva throws a big shot that misses.
Pugacheva misses with a straight right.
We've been hearing reports that Carlson has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Carlson cracks a nice hook into Pugacheva's ribs.
Pugacheva misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Carlson.
Pugacheva cracks Carlson with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Carlson blocks a head kick by Pugacheva.

Carlson closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Pugacheva manages to work his way to half guard, despite Carlson's best efforts.
Carlson is keen to just control but Pugacheva is a slippery customer.

Pugacheva is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Carlson pulls his head out easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Carlson content to control rather than advance.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Carlson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Carlson prevents Pugacheva from improving his position.
Carlson controlling the action here.
Carlson working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carlson wants to control but Pugacheva is keeping him busy.
Pugacheva blocking the ground and pound attempt from Carlson.
Pugacheva keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Pugacheva is looking to control Carlson's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Pugacheva avoid being mounted?
Carlson is looking to take a break and control but Pugacheva is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Pugacheva keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Carlson lands a nice short elbow.
Pugacheva is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pugacheva trying to control but Carlson postures up.
Carlson drops an elbow to the side of Pugacheva's head.
Pugacheva taking some punishment here, with Carlson in his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pugacheva taking some punishment here, with Carlson in his half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Pugacheva manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Pugacheva looking to hit a scissor sweep but Carlson is one step ahead there.
Carlson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Carlson trying to control but Pugacheva is working from the bottom.
Pugacheva has momentary wrist control but Carlson slips an elbow through the middle.
Pugacheva is trying to control the position but Carlson postures up.
Carlson preventing the sweep.
Pugacheva is pulling down on Carlson's head to control his posture.
Pugacheva lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Carlson keeping full guard, as Pugacheva tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carlson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Carlson has his foot on Pugacheva's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Pugacheva works his way back into a safe position though.
Carlson tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Carlson is looking for a triangle but Pugacheva pushes his legs off easily.
Carlson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Pugacheva throwing strikes from guard but Carlson blocks nicely.
Carlson keeping moving, preventing Pugacheva from controlling successfully.
Pugacheva might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Carlson haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Carlson has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's four 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.
Carlson keeping moving, preventing Pugacheva from controlling successfully.
Pugacheva pushes down on Carlson's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Carlson is trying to control but can't.
Pugacheva is pressing down on Carlson's thigh, looking to free his foot. Carlson is holding on for now.
Carlson gets full guard.
Pugacheva throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Carlson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Pugacheva defends it easily.
Carlson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pugacheva pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Carlson is keeping the position for now.

Pugacheva 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.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Israel Carlson dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Carlson scores with a punch to the head.
Pugacheva cracks Carlson with a good jab.

Carlson drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Carlson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Carlson stopping the sweep attempt from Pugacheva.
Carlson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Carlson is pushing down on Pugacheva's leg trying to pass to half guard. Pugacheva is fighting to maintain full guard but Carlson has managed to sneak the leg through.
Pugacheva is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Carlson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Pugacheva can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pugacheva is controlling Carlson's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Carlson slows the pace down in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carlson trying to control the action but Pugacheva is working from the bottom.
Pugacheva wants to improve his position but Carlson is controlling well.
Israel Carlson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Pugacheva is staying active underneath Carlson, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Carlson is thwarting Pugacheva's attempts to control the position.
Pugacheva works his way to full guard. Good work.
Carlson wants to pass the guard but Pugacheva is keeping the position.

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.
Pugacheva pulls Carlson in to control the position.
Carlson preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Carlson working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Carlson trying to control but Pugacheva is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Carlson lunges at Pugacheva with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Pugacheva's hand.
Pugacheva plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Carlson.
Carlson shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Carlson lands with a thumping leg kick.
A big left from Pugacheva misses.
Carlson punishes Pugacheva's body with a nice straight punch.
Pugacheva throws a head kick but Carlson moves out of range.
It looked like Carlson wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Carlson moves out of range of the strikes.
Carlson thumps Pugacheva with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carlson doesn't manage to clinch there - Pugacheva circles away.
Pugacheva throws a body punch but Carlson moves out of range.
Carlson throws a hook but Pugacheva avoids it easily.
Carlson slips a straight right by Pugacheva.
Pugacheva misses with a looping right.
Carlson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Pugacheva throws a right hand that Carlson ducks under and follows up with a left that Carlson also avoids with ease.
Pugacheva uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Carlson.
Alla Pugacheva seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A lazy left from Pugacheva finds it's target.
Pugacheva throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Carlson throws the left hand but Pugacheva avoids the punch easily.
Pugacheva checks a leg kick.
A head kick misses from Carlson.
Pugacheva throws a shot from downtown. Carlson moves away and avoids it.
Alla Pugacheva seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Pugacheva moves away from the strike by Carlson.
Pugacheva misses with a looping left.
Carlson throws a good cross that connects.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pugacheva walks into a left hand.
Pugacheva blocks the body kick.
Carlson tries to clinch but Pugacheva moves out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A jab from Pugacheva misses.
Carlson was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Carlson gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Carlson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Good leg kick by Carlson.
Pugacheva shoots in for a takedown but Carlson shows good takedown defense.
Carlson swings for the body but Pugacheva moves out of range.
Pugacheva ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Pugacheva rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Carlson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Carlson tries to clinch up.
Carlson throws a chopping leg kick but Pugacheva manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Carlson misses with a low kick.
Pugacheva uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Carlson.
Pugacheva thows a left - swing and a miss!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Israel Carlson 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!

Carlson staying out of range there.
Carlson throws a leg kick that is checked
and Pugacheva counters with a nice uppercut.
Good shot there by Pugacheva.

Pugacheva lands a big head kick that sends Carlson tumbling to the mat! Pugacheva takes a step backwards and waves Carlson back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Carlson is rocked!
A chopping leg kick lands by Carlson.
Oh Carlson is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Carlson throws a leg kick which misses Pugacheva's front leg but catches the back leg as Pugacheva tries to avoid it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pugacheva misses with a looping left.
Carlson seems to have got his legs back now.
Pugacheva scores with the left hand. Carlson knows he should have avoided that one.
Pugacheva's corner calls for a 1-2. Pugacheva obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Pugacheva avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Pugacheva swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Carlson is looking to counter punch.
Pugacheva misses with a head kick.
Pugacheva tries a head kick but it misses.
Pugacheva throws a sloppy head kick and Carlson moves out of range easily.
Pugacheva scores with a jab to the head.
Carlson is looking to clinch.
Carlson bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Pugacheva's head backwards.
Nice defenses there by Pugacheva.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carlson misses with a series of wild punches.
Pugacheva cracks Carlson with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Pugacheva throws a lazy head kick
and Carlson makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Pugacheva really felt that one!
Pugacheva looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Pugacheva delivers a nice body kick.

Carlson instigates a clinch.
Carlson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Pugacheva.
A shot in the inside from Carlson.
Pugacheva is stalling here.

Carlson turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Carlson manages to end up in side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Carlson landing a few strikes.
Pugacheva prevents Carlson from improving position.
Pugacheva is trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carlson wants to control but Pugacheva is keeping him busy.
Carlson working the head and body with strikes.
Pugacheva is working to avoid the ground and pound but Carlson connects with a decent elbow.
Carlson lands a few punches from side control.
Carlson working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Pugacheva tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Carlson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Pugacheva takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

Carlson is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Pugacheva is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Pugacheva can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Carlson thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Carlson tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Carlson lands a decent elbow from side control.
Pugacheva tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Carlson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
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Carlson trying to control the position but Pugacheva is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Pugacheva regains half guard.
Pugacheva is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Carlson scores with a couple of nice shots.
Pugacheva trying to hold on to Carlson's head to control him but Carlson postures up.
Pugacheva wants to improve his position but Carlson is controlling well.
Carlson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pugacheva keeps working.
Israel Carlson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Carlson sitting and controlling from the half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Alla Pugacheva.
I think Carlson 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Israel Carlson!