PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Filip Suligoj (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Valerii Larichkin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Valerii Larichkin has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Suligoj
vs
Larichkin

180 cm
18
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
19
200 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Prefers standup

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Filip Suligoj!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Valerii Larichkin!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Larichkin shoots in looking for a takedown. Suligoj tries to sprawl out of it but Larichkin keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Suligoj manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Suligoj throws a nice head kick!

It looks like Valerii Larichkin has been cut.

Suligoj closes the distance and clinches.
Larichkin has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Suligoj avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Suligoj stalling.
Suligoj scores a nice knee to the body.
Suligoj could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Larichkin looks gassed!
Suligoj unloads a knee to the mid-section. Larichkin lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Suligoj has picked Larichkin up - he's going for a ride! Suligoj dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Suligoj tries to stand but can't do so whilst Larichkin controls his leg.
Larichkin pushes Suligoj off looking to stand but Suligoj dives back in and keeps control.

Suligoj stands up out of the half guard.
Suligoj lands a nice looking kick to the body. Larichkin takes a step back to recover.
Suligoj throws a leg kick which misses Larichkin's front leg but catches the back leg as Larichkin tries to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Suligoj closes the distance and clinches.
Suligoj crunches a lovely knee into Larichkin's ribcage.
Suligoj crunches a lovely knee into Larichkin's ribcage.

Suligoj tightens his grip and picks Larichkin up, before dumping him to the ground. Larichkin manages to land in guard.
Larichkin wants to stand but Suligoj is controlling the position.
Larichkin wants to sweep here but Suligoj controlling him for the moment.
Larichkin is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Suligoj tries to stand but Larichkin is controlling from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Larichkin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Suligoj is one step ahead there.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Nice sprawl there from Suligoj as Larichkin shoots in.
Filip Suligoj has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Valerii Larichkin.
Larichkin shoots for a double leg takedown but Suligoj sprawls well. He's pushed Larichkin's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Larichkin takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Suligoj working Larichkin over with knees to the body.

Suligoj escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Suligoj dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Larichkin. That did some damage!
Valerii Larichkin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Larichkin closes the distance looking to clinch
and Suligoj counters with a body kick that stops Larichkin in his tracks momentarily.
Larichkin gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Suligoj counters with a nice low kick that buckles Larichkin's knee momentarily.
Suligoj lands a head kick. Larichkin smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Suligoj avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Suligoj tries to clinch there but Larichkin circles away.
Larichkin shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Suligoj counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Larichkin has his takedown stuffed
and Suligoj counters with a nice body kick.
Larichkin has his takedown stuffed
and Suligoj counters with a head kick.
Larichkin closes the distance looking to clinch

and Suligoj counters by clinching up.
Suligoj with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Suligoj unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Larichkin has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Suligoj avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Suligoj lands a good knee to the midsection. Larichkin won't want to take too many of those.
Suligoj lands a good knee to the midsection. Larichkin won't want to take too many of those.
Knees in the clinch landing for Suligoj.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Larichkin drops down looking for an ankle pick but Suligoj pulls his leg out and moves away.
Suligoj buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Filip Suligoj dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Valerii Larichkin's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Larichkin has his takedown stuffed

and Suligoj holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Suligoj working Larichkin over with knees to the body.
Suligoj crunches a lovely knee into Larichkin's ribcage.
Larichkin tries to pull guard but Suligoj won't allow it.
Suligoj landing some nice looking knees to the body.

Suligoj's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Suligoj throws a nice looking combination but Larichkin bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Suligoj clinches up with Larichkin and pushes him back against the cage.
Larichkin is trying desperately to land a takedown but Suligoj is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Larichkin.
Larichkin drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Filip Suligoj has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Valerii Larichkin.
Larichkin takes a knee right on the jaw!
Suligoj putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Larichkin in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Suligoj prevents the takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Knees to the body from Suligoj.
Larichkin wants a takedown but no success here.

Suligoj breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Larichkin misses with a takedown attempt
and Suligoj counters with a nice leg kick.
Larichkin tries for a takedown but Suligoj circles away easily
and Suligoj counters with a head kick. That will keep Larichkin thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larichkin throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

Suligoj has closed the distance and engaged Larichkin in a clinch.
Come on Suligoj - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Suligoj landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Larichkin jumps guard but Suligoj stands there with Larichkin around his waist. Larichkin gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Larichkin.

Suligoj breaks the clinch.
Larichkin with a poor takedown
and Suligoj counters with an outside leg kick.
Suligoj lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Larichkin tries for a takedown but Suligoj circles away easily

and Suligoj counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Suligoj pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Suligoj throws a front kick that sends Larichkin stumbling back into the cage.

Suligoj closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Suligoj has Larichkin pushed against the cage.
Larichkin tries for a takedown but Suligoj manages to get underhooks.
Suligoj changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Larichkin fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Larichkin wants to clinch but Suligoj slips to the side

and Suligoj counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Suligoj working Larichkin over with knees to the body.
Larichkin tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Suligoj smiles and moves away.
Larichkin blocks a head kick by Suligoj.
Larichkin shoots and misses
and Suligoj counters with a leg kick.
Larichkin tries to land a body kick
and Suligoj counters with a nice body kick.

Suligoj moves into the clinch successfully.

Suligoj's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Larichkin misses with a takedown
and Larichkin takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Suligoj closes the distance and pushes Larichkin back into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Suligoj using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Suligoj landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Suligoj obliges.
Suligoj connects with a nasty looking knee right to Larichkin's face.
Larichkin has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Larichkin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Suligoj decides to pull guard.
Suligoj is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Larichkin is controlling him.

Larichkin drops back, looking for a kneebar! Suligoj looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Suligoj looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Suligoj!
Larichkin manages to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Suligoj tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Larichkin wants to get back to full guard.
Suligoj tries to stand and escape but Larichkin is controlling the position.

Suligoj decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Larichkin fails with the takedown
and Suligoj counters with a flying knee. Nice.

Suligoj has taken the fight to the clinch.
Suligoj lands a knee to the body.
Suligoj gets underhooks to prevent Larichkin's takedown attempt.
Suligoj connects with a nasty looking knee right to Larichkin's face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Filip Suligoj dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Valerii Larichkin's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Suligoj thows a body kick. Larichkin tries to catch it but that hurt him.

Suligoj has closed the distance and engaged Larichkin in a clinch.
Suligoj lands a nice knee to the body.

Suligoj breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Larichkin takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Suligoj lands with a thumping leg kick.
Larichkin fails with the takedown
and Suligoj counters with a good low kick that Larichkin was not able to check.
Suligoj throws a leg kick which misses Larichkin's front leg but catches the back leg as Larichkin tries to avoid it.
Suligoj is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Larichkin can do to turn this around?
Larichkin tries for a takedown but Suligoj circles away easily
and Suligoj counters with a three punch combo that has Larichkin backing up. Larichkin nods at Suligoj to acknowledge the strikes.
Suligoj avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

Larichkin tries to keep at a distance but Suligoj has taken the fight into the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Suligoj working Larichkin over with knees to the body.
Larichkin has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Suligoj.
Suligoj landing knees to the body.
Larichkin fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Filip Suligoj has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Valerii Larichkin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Suligoj working Larichkin over with knees to the body.
Larichkin goes for a takedown in the clinch but Suligoj prevents it.
Suligoj using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Suligoj utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Suligoj landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Larichkin tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Suligoj smiles and moves away.
Larichkin misses with a leg kick
and Suligoj counters with a nice body kick.
Suligoj pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Larichkin fails with the takedown
and Suligoj makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Larichkin really felt that one!
Larichkin doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Suligoj counters with a head kick.
Suligoj throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Larichkin.
Filip Suligoj is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Larichkin with a lazy takedown attempt

and Suligoj counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Suligoj landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Suligoj lands a nice knee to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Larichkin fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Suligoj obliges.
Suligoj is stalling here.
Larichkin has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Suligoj avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Suligoj putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Larichkin in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Suligoj unloads a knee to the mid-section. Larichkin lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Suligoj's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Larichkin with a poor takedown

and Suligoj counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Suligoj.
Larichkin takes a knee to the side of the body.
Larichkin can't get the takedown.
Suligoj connects with a knee to the head.
Larichkin gets underhooks to prevent Suligoj's takedown attempt.
Suligoj working Larichkin over with knees to the body.
Suligoj lands a nice knee to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Suligoj obliges.

Suligoj breaks the clinch.

Suligoj clinches up with Larichkin and pushes him back against the cage.

Suligoj escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Larichkin misses with a takedown attempt

and Suligoj counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Suligoj.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Suligoj using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Larichkin taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Suligoj with a knee to the head.
Suligoj lands a nice knee to the body.
Suligoj lands a good knee to the midsection. Larichkin won't want to take too many of those.
Suligoj with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Suligoj breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Larichkin shoots and misses
and Suligoj counters with a head kick.
Larichkin misses with a takedown attempt
and Suligoj counters with a head kick. That will keep Larichkin thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

Suligoj moves into the clinch.
Suligoj just leaning against Larichkin, taking a breather.
Larichkin is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Suligoj pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Suligoj escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Suligoj tries to clinch there but Larichkin circles away.

Suligoj closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Suligoj lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Suligoj is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Suligoj seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Suligoj gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Larichkin stops a takedown attempt from Suligoj.
Larichkin throws an elbow but it misses.
Suligoj crunches a lovely knee into Larichkin's ribcage.
Larichkin has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Suligoj gets control of Larichkin's arms and successfully pulls guard. Suligoj will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Larichkin trying to control but Suligoj is working from the bottom.
Larichkin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Larichkin wants to stand but Suligoj is controlling his posture from full guard.
Valerii Larichkin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Filip Suligoj is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Suligoj avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Filip Suligoj showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Suligoj 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:26
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:26
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Filip Suligoj!