PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mannix McGuiness (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dusan Kikovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McGuiness comes to the cage accompanied by Bare in the Basin - Gaelic Storm. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

McGuiness
vs
Kikovic

175 cm
28
145 lbs
11 - 10 - 0

168 cm
25
143 lbs
13 - 7 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Raptorz Inc.
Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mannix McGuiness!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 1, fighting out of New York, Dusan Kikovic!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, William Peck and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McGuiness keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kikovic.
Kikovic moves in looking to clinch but McGuiness pushes him off.
Dusan Kikovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kikovic throws a right hand that misses
and McGuiness counters with a two punch combo.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from McGuiness.
McGuiness throws an overhand right that lands on Kikovic's shoulder, as Kikovic tries to avoid the shot.
McGuiness is looking to clinch but Kikovic is avoiding it.
McGuiness takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kikovic.
Kikovic displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as McGuiness throws out the jab.
We've been informed that Kikovic has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
McGuiness just misses with a punch to the body.
McGuiness is looking to clinch but Kikovic is avoiding it.
McGuiness swats away the attempt to clinch by Kikovic.
McGuiness looks to land a body kick but Kikovic moved away.
McGuiness moves out of range of the body kick.
Kikovic tries to close the distance and clinch but McGuiness swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
McGuiness swats away the attempt to clinch by Kikovic.
Kikovic throws a solid leg kick but McGuiness takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kikovic.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGuiness just misses with a punch to the body.
A head kick misses from McGuiness.
Kikovic connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A big left from Kikovic misses.
Kikovic dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
McGuiness takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
McGuiness tries to clinch up.
Kikovic throws a sloppy head kick
and McGuiness cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
McGuiness displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kikovic throws out the jab.
McGuiness misses with a body shot.
McGuiness takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Kikovic steps to the side to avoid the strikes from McGuiness.
Kikovic lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kikovic fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
McGuiness throws a head kick that Kikovic semi-blocks.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Kikovic.
Kikovic throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and McGuiness works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGuiness is refusing to be controlled, as Kikovic sits in half guard.
Kikovic not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kikovic prevents McGuiness from improving his position.
McGuiness trying to hold on to Kikovic's head to control him but Kikovic postures up.
Kikovic misses with a head shot. McGuiness uses the momentum to regain guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kikovic throwing strikes but missing.
McGuiness keeping moving, preventing Kikovic from controlling successfully.
Kikovic might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control McGuiness haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Kikovic trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kikovic working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McGuiness has momentary wrist control but Kikovic slips an elbow through the middle.
Kikovic wants to control from the top but McGuiness keeps moving.
Kikovic throws a big elbow that misses.
McGuiness keeping moving, preventing Kikovic from controlling successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Dusan Kikovic.
Kikovic throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dusan Kikovic dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kikovic throws a wild body kick that McGuiness sees coming a mile off.

Kikovic shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Kikovic is trying to work for a kimura but McGuiness is defending well.
Kikovic is trying to control. McGuiness wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Kikovic wants to get back to his feet.
McGuiness wants to control but Kikovic is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
It looks like Kikovic is going to stand back up.

Kikovic is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
McGuiness has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kikovic is working away from the top position though.
Kikovic wants to control but McGuiness is keeping him busy.
Kikovic stalling away here and it's allowed McGuiness to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kikovic preventing the sweep.
Dusan Kikovic has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kikovic working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kikovic trying to control the position from guard on top but McGuiness is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kikovic controlling from the top position.
Kikovic throws an elbow that misses. McGuiness uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kikovic's guard. Nice move by McGuiness!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McGuiness being controlled here momentarily.

Dusan Kikovic has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Kikovic swings for the body but McGuiness moves out of range.
Kikovic tries for a takedown but McGuiness sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Dusan Kikovic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A looping hook to the body misses from McGuiness. Kikovic does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kikovic throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kikovic will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kikovic on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Kikovic uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from McGuiness.
McGuiness tries to clinch there but Kikovic circles away.
Kikovic shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. McGuiness defends it nicely.
McGuiness throws a good cross that connects.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

McGuiness rushes Kikovic and presses him up against the cage.
McGuiness struggles to land a body shot inside as Kikovic controls his hands.
McGuiness fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kikovic just leaning against McGuiness, taking a breather.
McGuiness lands with a short punch from the clinch.
McGuiness misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kikovic pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
McGuiness swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short right from McGuiness on the inside.
McGuiness blocking some punches.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McGuiness softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kikovic blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kikovic swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kikovic trying to control the position but instead, McGuiness has worked for underhooks and has pushed Kikovic into the cage.
A short uppercut from McGuiness.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dusan Kikovic 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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

McGuiness jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
McGuiness takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Kikovic swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kikovic moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
McGuiness tries a low kick but Kikovic avoids it.
McGuiness tries a head kick but it misses.
McGuiness avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
McGuiness takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
McGuiness connects with a crisp jab.

McGuiness gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Kikovic to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Kikovic wants to control from the top but McGuiness keeps moving.
McGuiness tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McGuiness keeping moving, preventing Kikovic from controlling successfully.
McGuiness wants to sweep here but Kikovic controlling him for the moment.
Kikovic with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Kikovic trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kikovic passes McGuiness's left leg - he's now in half guard.
McGuiness is staying active underneath Kikovic, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McGuiness tries to get to full guard but Kikovic has control of the leg.
McGuiness moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Kikovic trying to control but McGuiness is working from the bottom.
Mannix McGuiness has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Dusan Kikovic has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
McGuiness throws a hook to the side of Kikovic's head but Kikovic sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kikovic lands a right hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kikovic shoots in but McGuiness avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A slow jab from McGuiness misses its intended target.
A jab from Kikovic misses.
Kikovic keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

Kikovic gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kikovic throws a head punch that misses.
Kikovic drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kikovic blocking some punches.
Kikovic throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kikovic lands a body punch.
McGuiness misses with a short punch on the inside.
McGuiness swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kikovic works on McGuiness's body with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Kikovic stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
McGuiness lands a shot to the body.
McGuiness lands a shoulder strike.
Kikovic wants a takedown but no success here.
Mannix McGuiness has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dusan Kikovic.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McGuiness blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kikovic throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kikovic scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kikovic swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kikovic misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kikovic tries to break free but McGuiness pushes him back against the cage.
McGuiness lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kikovic backwards.
McGuiness working aggressively here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McGuiness tries to throw a body punch but Kikovic avoids it by throwing McGuiness back against the cage.
Kikovic tries for a takedown but McGuiness manages to get underhooks.
Kikovic blocks an uppercut.
Kikovic lands a right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dusan Kikovic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kikovic has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Peck scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dusan Kikovic!
After the fight, Dusan Kikovic was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.