PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Artem Lesenkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Erwin Hartmann (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lesenkov kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Hollywood Undead - Young . 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.

Lesenkov
vs
Hartmann

169 cm
27
210 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

190 cm
21
212 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Artem Lesenkov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Erwin Hartmann!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Radbod Blank and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hartmann plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Lesenkov throws a lazy uppercut
and Hartmann counters with a nice kick to the body.
Artem Lesenkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lesenkov throws the left hand but Hartmann avoids the punch easily.
Lesenkov closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Hartmann digs a good body shot into Lesenkov's ribs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lesenkov misses with a body shot.
Lesenkov misses the jab.
Lesenkov cracks Hartmann with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Lesenkov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lesenkov misses with an uppercut. Hartmann saw that one coming.
Lesenkov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Hartmann to score with a decent uppercut.
Lesenkov misses with a hook.
The fighters circling - Hartmann throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Lesenkov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Lesenkov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Hartmann to score with a decent uppercut.
Lesenkov throws a right hand that Hartmann ducks under and follows up with a left that Hartmann also avoids with ease.
Lesenkov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hartmann.
Lesenkov lands a glancing blow to the side of Hartmann's head.
Lesenkov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hartmann. Hartmann obviously looking to wear him down.
Lesenkov is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hartmann tries to clinch but Lesenkov is having none of it.
Hartmann blocks a jab.
Lesenkov fails with a takedown attempt.
Erwin Hartmann is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lesenkov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Lesenkov!
Lesenkov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hartmann fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lesenkov manages to avoid it.
Hartmann misses with a double jab
and Lesenkov counters with a nice uppercut.
Hartmann misses the shot to the body.
Lesenkov tries for a takedown but Hartmann sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Lesenkov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hartmann swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Hartmann rushes Lesenkov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hartmann landing knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lesenkov tries to circle away but Hartmann has him pinned against the cage.
Lesenkov tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hartmann just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Artem Lesenkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hartmann keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Lesenkov's efforts to push away.
Lesenkov wants a takedown but no success here.
Hartmann is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Hartmann working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Lesenkov is trying to force a seperation but Hartmann has the dominant position.
Hartmann is pushing Lesenkov up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Hartmann misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hartmann content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Hartmann misses with a punch to the body.
Hartmann connects with a nasty looking knee right to Lesenkov's face.

It looks like Artem Lesenkov has been cut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lesenkov wants a takedown but no success here.
Lesenkov prevents a body shot from Hartmann.
Lesenkov tries to circle away but Hartmann has him pinned against the cage.
Lesenkov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Hartmann after a bit of a struggle.
Lesenkov takes an elbow to the temple.
Lesenkov blocks a body shot from Hartmann.
Lesenkov is trying to push Hartmann away but Hartmann has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Hartmann lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Hartmann takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Lesenkov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Lesenkov blocks a body shot from Hartmann.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hartmann misses with a knee strike.
Hartmann is looking to control Lesenkov's arms but Lesenkov gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hartmann has his back to the cage.
Lesenkov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Hartmann leaning his opponent against the cage.

Lesenkov breaks the clinch.
Lesenkov misses with a wild combination.
Hartmann misses with a wild combination.
Lesenkov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hartmann misses the shot to the body.
Lesenkov throws a series of strikes that have Hartmann backpedaling.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lesenkov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Hartmann checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Hartmann on the wrong end of a nice jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erwin Hartmann dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Artem Lesenkov's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A slow jab from Lesenkov misses its intended target.
Hartmann throws a front kick that sends Lesenkov stumbling back into the cage.

Hartmann has closed the distance and engaged Lesenkov in a clinch.
Lesenkov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hartmann prevents it.
Hartmann scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Lesenkov tries to break free but Hartmann pushes him back against the cage.
Lesenkov can't break the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Hartmann.
Lesenkov is looking to break free of the clinch but Hartmann has double underhooks.
Hartmann is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A knee to the head by Hartmann.
Hartmann throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Hartmann is stalling here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hartmann digs a right hand underneath Lesenkov's ribcage. Lesenkov let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hartmann lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Lesenkov backwards.
Hartmann cracks Lesenkov with a nice body shot.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hartmann slows down the pace here.
The crowd are getting on Hartmann's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Erwin Hartmann.

Hartmann closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Erwin Hartmann seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Hartmann misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A frustrated look appears on Lesenkov's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Lesenkov wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hartmann effectively controlling the action here.
Lesenkov tries to circle away but Hartmann has him pinned against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Hartmann.
Lesenkov is trying to push Hartmann away but Hartmann has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Hartmann tries to stall but Lesenkov uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Lesenkov is looking to break free of the clinch but Hartmann has double underhooks.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lesenkov's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Lesenkov has had enough of the clinch but Hartmann keeps him there for the moment.
Lesenkov blocks a body shot from Hartmann.
Knees to the body from Hartmann.
The referee is keeping an eye on Hartmann - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Hartmann goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Knees to the body from Hartmann.
Hartmann is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lesenkov looking for a takedown.
Lesenkov being controlled against the cage.
Hartmann connects with a nasty looking knee right to Lesenkov's face.
Hartmann has Lesenkov pressed against the cage, preventing Lesenkov from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Hartmann working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hartmann manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Erwin Hartmann.
Lesenkov scores with a hook to the body. Hartmann takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Erwin Hartmann seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lesenkov looks to land a right hand but Hartmann moved out of range.
Lesenkov closes the distance and clinches up with Hartmann, looking for a takedown. Lesenkov pushes Hartmann against the cage but Hartmann circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Artem Lesenkov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lesenkov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lesenkov.
Artem Lesenkov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hartmann scores with a hook to the body. Lesenkov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hartmann pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Lesenkov back to the cage. Hartmann follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Lesenkov is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

Hartmann instigates a clinch.
Hartmann tries to throw a body punch but Lesenkov avoids it by throwing Hartmann back against the cage.
Lesenkov takes a knee to the side of the body.
Hartmann scores with a shot to the side of Lesenkov's head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Hartmann obliges.
Lesenkov takes a shot to the head.
Hartmann misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hartmann controlling the action here for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erwin Hartmann showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Artem Lesenkov's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Hartmann cracks Lesenkov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Lesenkov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Lesenkov has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Hartmann.
Hartmann throws a series of punches but Lesenkov avoids them all with ease.
Hartmann misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lesenkov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hartmann has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Ohhhhh! A huge head kick from Hartmann! Lesenkov is out on his feet! Hartmann rushes in and throws more strikes. The ref is looking closely - Lesenkov is covering up but the punishment is just too much and the ref steps in to stop the fight! Lesenkov is staring into space, just thankful that the beatdown has ended. Brutal finish.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:37 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Erwin Hartmann!
Erwin Hartmann is the new light heavyweight champion!
A relieved looking Erwin Hartmann thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.