PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Radev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenny McCormick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McCormick is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Slot - They killed Kenny. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Radev
vs
McCormick

184 cm
24
190 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

186 cm
25
192 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear
KO Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nikolai Radev!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kenny McCormick!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A lazy body kick from McCormick

and Radev counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for McCormick!
McCormick manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Radev winds up and cracks McCormick with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
McCormick trying to control but Radev postures up.
McCormick is looking for a sweep. Radev is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Radev missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. McCormick manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Radev trying to control but McCormick is working from the bottom.
Radev is stalling in the full guard.
McCormick keeping moving, preventing Radev from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Radev's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Radev throwing strikes but missing.
McCormick not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Nikolai Radev wasn't doing enough on the ground.
McCormick lands a lovely overhand right.
McCormick tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Radev is able to avoid easily.
McCormick throws a body kick that misses.
McCormick cracks Radev with an open hand slap.
Radev looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Radev looks to land a right hand but McCormick moved out of range.

Radev drives through and clinches with McCormick against the cage.
Radev misses with a short punch on the inside.
I was talking to Radev's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Radev's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Radev prevents a body shot from McCormick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Radev misses with some punches.
Radev blocking some punches.
Radev lands a body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
McCormick can't find room to land a body shot as Radev controls the action.

Radev has McCormick pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Radev pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending McCormick tumbling to the mat - Radev dives into McCormick's guard.
McCormick can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Radev controls the pace.
McCormick is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Radev throws a big right hand that misses.
Radev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Radev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Radev 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Radev throws a big right hand that misses.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as McCormick holds on and takes a little breather.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Kenny McCormick wasn't active enough on the ground.
McCormick looks to land a body kick but Radev moved away.
Radev lands a nice looking body shot.
McCormick lands a head shot.
Radev throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling McCormick to counter with a crisp jab.
Radev fails with a takedown attempt.
Radev avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCormick uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Radev.
Kenny McCormick seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by McCormick.
Radev ducks under a wild hook from McCormick.
Radev walks into a stiff left hand from McCormick.
McCormick pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
McCormick misses with a low kick.
McCormick lands with a thumping leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McCormick throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Radev steps to the side to avoid the strikes from McCormick.
McCormick blocks a leg kick.
Radev blocks a low kick nicely.
A nice leg kick lands there from McCormick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
McCormick paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Radev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McCormick getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
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 Nikolai Radev will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

McCormick throws a head kick but Radev moves out of range.
Radev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Radev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McCormick cracks Radev with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Radev tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Radev blocks a jab.
A solid leg kick lands there for Radev.
McCormick throws a leg kick

so Radev counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
McCormick is pulling down on Radev's head. It's preventing any offense from Radev, at least for the moment.
McCormick looking to hit a scissor sweep but Radev is one step ahead there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

McCormick wriggles free and stands up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCormick jabbing away but nothing is landing.

McCormick closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
McCormick doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
McCormick prevents a takedown attempt there.
Radev displaying some good clinch control by pressing McCormick up against the cage.
Radev blocking some punches.
Radev working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
McCormick misses with a hook to the ribs.
McCormick swings away with an uppercut that misses.
McCormick misses with a short punch on the inside.
Radev throws a blind hook that connects with the side of McCormicks head.
McCormick working aggressively here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Radev throws a punch but it's blocked by McCormick.
Radev lands with a left to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Radev.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Radev blocks a body shot from McCormick.
Radev tries for a takedown. No joy.
Radev tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McCormick's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Radev lands a left hand.
McCormick blocks a body shot from Radev.
McCormick throws a punch but it's blocked by Radev.
McCormick is looking to control Radev's arms but Radev gets an underhook and turns him. Now McCormick has his back to the cage.
McCormick misses with a hook from the clinch.
McCormick scores with a hook to the body.
McCormick lands an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCormick stalling in the clinch but Radev improves position.
McCormick misses with a shot to the kidneys.
McCormick has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Radev seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if McCormick can turn it around.
McCormick missing with knees to the body.
Radev misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nikolai Radev has scored more points in the clinch so far.
McCormick tries a body shot but Radev blocks it.
Radev prevents a body shot from McCormick.

McCormick breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
McCormick misses with a body kick.
McCormick takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
McCormick slips under a jab from Radev.
McCormick throws a body punch but Radev moves out of range.
McCormick keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Radev.
McCormick swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McCormick throws a hook to the side of Radev's head but Radev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Radev stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from McCormick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Radev.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Radev connects with a right hand. McCormick shakes it off.
Radev moves out of range of the body kick.
Kenny McCormick seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McCormick moves forwards but Radev connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Radev avoids a kick to the body.
McCormick bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Radev's head.
McCormick connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Radev momentarily.
Radev slips a jab from McCormick.

Radev shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. McCormick manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Radev postures up in McCormick's guard and throws a big left but McCormick blocks it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
McCormick keeping moving, preventing Radev from controlling successfully.
Radev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Nikolai Radev will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

McCormick fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Radev, pushing him back against the cage.
Radev tries for a takedown. No joy.
Radev lands with a light punch inside.
Radev is trying to drag McCormick to the mat but McCormick just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Radev wants to take the fight to the mat but McCormick manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikolai Radev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McCormick doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
McCormick stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Radev lands a right hand that snaps the head of McCormick backwards.
McCormick fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
McCormick lands a body shot in the clinch.
Radev tries for a takedown but McCormick manages to get underhooks.
A body shot lands from McCormick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

McCormick's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
McCormick connects with a solid leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Radev fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
McCormick lands with a straight right. Radev didn't see that one coming.
Kenny McCormick is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McCormick scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
McCormick cracks Radev with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Radev goes for a double leg but McCormick avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as McCormick continues to drive forward.
Radev misses with a punch on the inside.
McCormick swings wildly with an uppercut but Radev uses good head movement to avoid it.
A shot in the inside from McCormick.
Radev misses with a hook from the clinch.
McCormick is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Radev blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
McCormick throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Radev blocks it with crossed arms.
McCormick misses with a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Radev.
McCormick doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Radev lands on the inside with an uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Radev scores with a shoulder strike.
McCormick stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
McCormick goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
McCormick pushes off an throws an elbow but Radev leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Radev throws a head punch that misses.
Radev lands a left hand.
McCormick can't break the clinch.
Radev misses with a body punch.
Radev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Radev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Radev misses with a hook from the clinch.
McCormick misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Radev tries a body shot but McCormick blocks it.
McCormick tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Radev throws a head punch that misses.
McCormick taking a breather.
McCormick is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Radev gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
McCormick has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Radev is working away from the top position though.
Radev is pressing down on McCormick's thigh, looking to free his foot. McCormick is holding on for now.
McCormick blocking the ground and pound attempt from Radev.
Radev trying to control the action but McCormick is working from the bottom.
McCormick tries to kick Radev off but Radev keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCormick is holding on to half guard well.
Radev is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Radev misses with a head shot. McCormick uses the momentum to regain guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Radev wants to control from the top but McCormick keeps moving.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Radev postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Kenny McCormick just about did enough to take it.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Radev misses with a body shot.
Radev darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
McCormick swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Radev decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in McCormick's guard.
Radev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
McCormick is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Radev trying to control but McCormick is working from the bottom.
McCormick 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Radev is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
McCormick keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Radev.
McCormick thumps Radev with a low kick.
McCormick looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A jab lands there for McCormick.
McCormick takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Radev drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Radev is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Radev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Radev postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Radev is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCormick keeping full guard, as Radev tries to pass.
Radev stopping the sweep attempt from McCormick.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Radev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Radev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
McCormick working a defensive guard here.

McCormick is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Radev is aware though and is defending well.
Nikolai Radev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McCormick is trying to control the position but Radev postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Radev trying to control but McCormick is working from the bottom.
Radev throws a big elbow that misses.
Radev wants to get up but he can't break McCormick's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Radev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
McCormick keeping moving, preventing Radev from controlling successfully.
Radev connects with a couple of short punches.

McCormick is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Radev defends well.
McCormick keeping moving, preventing Radev from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Radev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McCormick works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
McCormick avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
McCormick tries to land a sweep but no joy.
McCormick looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
McCormick is trying to keep Radev in close.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Radev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolai Radev had his way with Kenny McCormick in that round.
That's time! Radev's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

McCormick attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
McCormick misses with a shot to the body

and Radev counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
McCormick is not content to let Radev control the position.
McCormick is trying to maintain the position but Radev is very close to passing his half guard.
Radev wants to control but McCormick is keeping him busy.
McCormick controlling the position for now.

Kenny McCormick has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
McCormick throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Radev throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
McCormick fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Radev is out of range.
McCormick jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
McCormick tries to clinch there but Radev circles away.
Radev on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by McCormick. McCormick obviously looking to wear him down.
McCormick scores with a push kick.
A low kick from McCormick misses

and Radev counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Radev.
McCormick looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Radev with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Radev in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McCormick looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Radev puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Radev is just content to waste time from the top position. McCormick takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Radev loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kenny McCormick has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCormick controlling the position.
McCormick's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Radev missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Radev controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
McCormick keeping moving, preventing Radev from controlling successfully.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
McCormick pivots, looking for a leg kick but Radev is out of range and McCormick settles back down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCormick throws a half hearted mid kick.
Radev slips a straight right by McCormick.
McCormick on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Radev misses with a hook. McCormick ducked under it nicely.
Radev takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
McCormick lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Radev throws an ugly left hook that misses
and McCormick counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
McCormick goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
McCormick misses with an uppercut.
McCormick throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Radev moves out of range of the body kick from McCormick.
Radev tries to land a front kick but McCormick steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
McCormick stuffs the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Radev throws a body punch but McCormick moves out of range.
McCormick takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
McCormick misses with a looping right.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Radev punishes McCormick's body with a nice straight punch.
McCormick turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Radev tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. McCormick manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nikolai Radev is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A head kick from Radev lands but McCormick takes it in his stride.
McCormick turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
McCormick throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Radev decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in McCormick's guard.
McCormick is trying to control the position but Radev postures up.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

McCormick looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
McCormick is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
McCormick trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikolai Radev showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Radev 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 49:46
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 49:46
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikolai Radev!
Nikolai Radev is the new middleweight champion!
Nikolai Radev thanked the fans post fight for their support.