PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Maxim Banajev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and OG Kush (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Banajev kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Arcana - Autumnal. 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.

Banajev
vs
Kush

180 cm
22
218 lbs
5 - 2 - 2

192 cm
22
215 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

[CBK] AJFC Smashwear clothing
Balco Boys - Hilo

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 5 - 2 - 2, fighting out of St Petersburg, Maxim Banajev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, OG Kush!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Valeri Chadov and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Banajev tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kush swivels and escapes.
Kush keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Banajev shoots in looking for a takedown. Kush tries to sprawl out of it but Banajev keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kush manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maxim Banajev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Banajev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Banajev shoots in looking for a takedown but Kush manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Banajev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kush leaves Banajev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Kush enables Banajev to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Kush manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Banajev postures up.
Kush is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banajev slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Banajev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two 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.
Banajev controls from within his opponent's guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Maxim Banajev has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Banajev closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kush circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kush tries to bum rush Banajev with a series of wild strikes but Banajev uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Banajev shoots in but no luck this time.
Banajev misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Banajev fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kush lands a head shot.
Banajev takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Banajev 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Banajev slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Banajev prevents Kush from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kush is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Kush prevents Banajev from standing back up.
Banajev might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Maxim Banajev will probably get the nod.
That's time! Banajev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Banajev closes the distance and clinches up with Kush, looking for a takedown. Banajev pushes Kush against the cage but Kush circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Banajev fails with a takedown attempt.
Banajev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kush but Kush pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maxim Banajev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Banajev shoots for a double leg takedown but Kush sprawls well. He's pushed Banajev's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Banajev shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kush but Kush pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Maxim Banajev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kush scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Banajev doesn't seem bothered though.
Maxim Banajev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kush lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Banajev at a distance.
Kush lands a glancing blow to the side of Banajev's head.
The crowd cheers as Kush lands an impressive looking overhand right. Banajev doesn't seem phased though.
Banajev has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Kush is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Kush lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kush leaves Banajev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kush connects with a right hand. Banajev shakes it off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banajev closes the distance and clinches up with Kush, looking for a takedown. Banajev pushes Kush against the cage but Kush circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kush connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Kush sizes up Banajev with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Banajev.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Banajev.
Banajev gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Banajev shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kush pinned against the cage. Kush gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A lazy left from Kush finds it's target.
Banajev shoots in but Kush avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kush with a hook.
Kush getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Kush connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Banajev momentarily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kush connects with a good right hand that stumbles Banajev. Banajev circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Banajev closes the distance and clinches up with Kush, looking for a takedown. Banajev pushes Kush against the cage but Kush circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kush looks to land a combination. Banajev sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Kush lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
OG Kush is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Banajev has a takedown stuffed.
Banajev on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A left and a right from Kush both land. Nice combination.
Kush darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Kush lands with a shot to the body.
Banajev takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kush has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kush smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Jab from Kush.
Kush lands with a straight right. Banajev didn't see that one coming.
Kush uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kush connects with a nice looking jab.
Kush throws a combination. Banajev tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Kush lands a right hook to the body.
A jab from Kush does it's job there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
No luck for Banajev with that takedown attempt.
Kush works over Banajev's head and body with a nice combination.
Banajev takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Kush digs a good hook to Banajev's body.
OG Kush seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kush lands a jab to the nose.
Kush has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A shot to the liver by Kush. Beautiful body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banajev takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Kush lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Kush scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kush closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Banajev shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kush as he jumps to the side.
Kush scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Kush lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Kush.
Nice straight punches there by Kush. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kush.
Kush slaps away a takedown attempt from Banajev, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kush lands a head shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kush throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Kush lands a really nice looking cross but Banajev seems unphased.
Banajev looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Banajev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kush defends it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

OG Kush showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Banajev on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kush slaps away a takedown attempt from Banajev, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Banajev shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kush pinned against the cage. Kush gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Banajev shoots in for a takedown but Kush shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Maxim Banajev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Banajev fails with a takedown attempt.
Kush getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Banajev takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kush scores with a punch to the head.
Banajev changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kush tries to avoid it but Banajev manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kush to the ground. Kush escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kush scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banajev fails to land the takedown.
Banajev closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kush connects with a jab.
Banajev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kush scores with a hook to the body. Banajev takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A jab lands there for Kush.
Banajev fails to land the takedown.
Kush works over Banajev's head and body with a nice combination.
Banajev on the wrong end of a nice jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice takedown defense from Kush. No joy for Banajev on that attempt.
Kush cracks Banajev with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Banajev gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banajev fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kush avoids it really well and circles away.
Kush connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kush dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Banajev on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Kush cracks Banajev with an open hand slap.
Kush throws a good cross that connects.
Kush lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Kush enables Banajev to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Kush manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Kush is looking to stand up but Banajev isn't so interested in that idea.
Kush wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banajev trying to control but Kush is working from the bottom.
Kush can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Banajev controls the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Banajev's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

We're going to have a standup here because Maxim Banajev wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Banajev fails with a takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Banajev looks for a takedown but Kush sprawls well.
Kush works Banajev's body with a nice hook.

And that's the end of the fight!
OG Kush comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kush 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:29
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... OG Kush!