PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tony McCann (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Krystov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Tony McCann has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

McCann
vs
Krystov

180 cm
24
164 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

179 cm
25
163 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Determined

Blitzkrieg Formula 5000

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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tony McCann!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Krystov!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Aleksandr Martynov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCann misses with a looping left.
McCann throws out a loose jab but Krystov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Krystov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches McCann on the side of the head.
McCann throws a series of punches but Krystov moves out of range.

Krystov clinches up against the cage.
McCann gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Krystov.
Krystov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite McCann's efforts to push away.
McCann wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Krystov has him pressed against the cage.
Krystov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite McCann's efforts to push away.
Krystov changes levels and goes for a takedown here. McCann fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Krystov takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krystov throws a hook but McCann avoids it easily.
McCann swinging wilding here.
McCann throws a jab when Krystov was well out of range.
Tony McCann seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McCann fails to land with a series of punches.
McCann fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Krystov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Krystov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has McCann pinned against the cage. McCann gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Tony McCann has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Krystov.

Krystov closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Krystov tries to score with some ground and pound. McCann controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
McCann parries the strikes from Krystov easily there. Krystov is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable McCann to escape.
Krystov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
McCann tries to buck Krystov off but Krystov is having none of it.
McCann parries the strikes from Krystov easily there. Krystov is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable McCann to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Krystov fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Krystov postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Krystov creates some space and throws a big elbow, but McCann sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Krystov creates some space and throws a big elbow, but McCann sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Krystov is trying hard to land a takedown here. McCann sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
McCann stuffs the takedown attempt from Krystov. Krystov gets slowly back to his feet.
McCann throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

so Krystov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Krystov looks gassed!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Krystov stopping the sweep attempt from McCann.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Krystov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McCann has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Krystov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Krystov sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed McCann's guard.
Krystov passes to full mount!
Krystov trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Krystov with a couple of short strikes.
Krystov punching from mount but McCann doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Krystov is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. McCann can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Krystov trying to control but McCann is having none of it.
Krystov looking to ground and pound but McCann is blocking nicely.
McCann tries to lock up and control but Krystov gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The referee warns McCann that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
McCann tries to hold on but Krystov postures up.
McCann wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Krystov.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Krystov trying to control but McCann is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Krystov dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Krystov looks to land a left hand but McCann moved out of range nicely.
Tony McCann is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McCann throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Krystov counters with a nice uppercut.
Krystov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Krystov thows a body shot but no joy.
Krystov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McCann.
Krystov throws a left and a right that both miss
and McCann counters with a series of strikes. Krystov will be more careful next time no doubt.
McCann falls off balance throwing a combination
and Krystov counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
McCann misses with a shot to the body

so Krystov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Krystov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Krystov throwing strikes but missing.
Krystov wants to pass the guard but McCann is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCann is trying to control the position but Krystov postures up.
Krystov postures up in McCann's guard and throws a big left but McCann blocks it.

McCann working for a triangle but Krystov defends it easily.
Krystov is working McCann over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Krystov wants to control from the top but McCann keeps moving.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Krystov defending well as McCann loads up on a big left hand.
Tony McCann is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
McCann misses with an uppercut.
McCann throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
McCann throws a body punch but Krystov moves out of range.
McCann slips under a jab from Krystov.
McCann will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
McCann lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Nice straight punches there by Krystov. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Krystov.
McCann dodges the punch combination from Krystov.

Krystov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Krystov slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Krystov swings around for an armbar but McCann sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Krystov's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCann stays in close to Krystov's body and controls the position.

Krystov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but McCann can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Krystov is breathing heavily.
McCann won't allow Krystov to sweep him here.
Krystov wants to hit a switch here but McCann passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Krystov there!
McCann trying to control but Krystov is having none of it.
Alexander Krystov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Krystov is trying to escape the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Krystov is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

McCann is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
McCann lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Krystov circles away quickly and effectively.
McCann misses with a combination
and Krystov counters with a three punch combo that has McCann backing up. McCann nods at Krystov to acknowledge the strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Krystov dodges the punch combination from McCann.
Krystov swings away with a body shot that misses
and McCann counters with a straight right hand.
McCann misses with a jab to the body

and Krystov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Krystov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

McCann keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
McCann stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and McCann wants it to stay on the feet.
McCann displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Krystov has his takedown stuffed
and McCann counters with a nice body shot.
Tony McCann has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Krystov.
McCann fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Krystov looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
McCann swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Krystov counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in McCann's guard now.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Krystov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Krystov trying to control but McCann is working from the bottom.
Krystov throws a strike but McCann rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McCann wants to control from the top but Krystov keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krystov keeping full guard, as McCann tries to pass.

McCann has gone for a leg lock! Krystov slips out almost immediately though and dives into McCann's guard.
Krystov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Krystov wants to pass the guard but McCann is keeping the position.
Krystov passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
McCann is looking to reverse the position.

Krystov is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but McCann is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Krystov trying to control the action but McCann is working from the bottom.
McCann gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCann trying to control from the bottom.
Krystov seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but McCann does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Tony McCann has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Krystov tries to pass the half guard into mount. McCann knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
McCann is refusing to be controlled, as Krystov sits in half guard.
McCann wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
McCann is staying active underneath Krystov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
McCann defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Krystov.
Krystov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from McCann.
A combination from McCann does no damage.
Alexander Krystov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
McCann scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Krystov walks into a stiff left hand from McCann.
McCann misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Krystov shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McCann as he avoids it easily.
Krystov has a takedown stuffed.
McCann lands a body shot.
McCann lands a two punch combo.
Tony McCann is winning the standup battle so far.
McCann swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tony McCann showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Krystov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Krystov!