PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Janos Bajnai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Murad Tsekunov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Murad Tsekunov acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Bajnai
vs
Tsekunov

178 cm
20
152 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

172 cm
26
142 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Big heart

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Janos Bajnai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Murad Tsekunov!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tsekunov swings for the body but Bajnai moves out of range.
Bajnai misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Tsekunov darts in and clinches Bajnai up against the cage.
Bajnai misses with some punches.
Tsekunov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tsekunov blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Tsekunov jumps into guard, dragging Bajnai to the mat.
Tsekunov pulls Bajnai in close to his closed guard and prevents Bajnai from doing any damage or advancing position.
Bajnai preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsekunov keeping moving, preventing Bajnai from controlling successfully.

Bajnai is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Tsekunov is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Tsekunov has escaped and now he's on top!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Bajnai has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tsekunov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Tsekunov is looking to stand up but Bajnai won't let him.
Tsekunov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bajnai. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Bajnai moves out of range as Tsekunov strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bajnai throws a jab but it's blocked by Tsekunov.

Tsekunov clinches up against the cage.
Tsekunov wants to take the fight to the mat but Bajnai manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Tsekunov keeps control of Bajnai as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Bajnai tries to work over Tsekunov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tsekunov blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Tsekunov gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Bajnai regains guard.
Tsekunov tries to stand but Bajnai is controlling from the bottom.

Bajnai is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Tsekunov is looking to stand up but Bajnai won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bajnai escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Tsekunov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Bajnai had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tsekunov defends it easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bajnai has a closed guard, preventing Tsekunov from standing up.
Bajnai looking to control.
Tsekunov tries to stand but Bajnai is controlling from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Murad Tsekunov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Tsekunov blocks a jab.

Tsekunov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bajnai, pushing him back against the cage.
Tsekunov effectively controlling the action here.
Tsekunov looking for a takedown.

Tsekunov has picked Bajnai up - he's going for a ride! Tsekunov dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Tsekunov has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Bajnai works to full guard.
Bajnai tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bajnai has a closed guard, preventing Tsekunov from standing up.

Bajnai is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Tsekunov would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bajnai looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Tsekunov wants to get up but he can't break Bajnai's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Tsekunov gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Tsekunov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bajnai was well out of range. Poor timing from Tsekunov.
Janos Bajnai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No joy there for Bajnai, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bajnai tries to bum rush Tsekunov with a series of wild strikes but Tsekunov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Bajnai lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Tsekunov gets a clinch.
Bajnai working hard to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bajnai has had enough of the clinch but Tsekunov keeps him there for the moment.

Tsekunov is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Bajnai can't fight it off and eventually Tsekunov manages to take the fight to the floor. Bajnai looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tsekunov wanted to stand there but Bajnai had control of the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tsekunov is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Tsekunov is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tsekunov decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Tsekunov moves into the clinch successfully.
Bajnai has had enough of the clinch but Tsekunov keeps him there for the moment.
Bajnai is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Tsekunov blocks an uppercut.
Tsekunov has Bajnai pressed against the cage, preventing Bajnai from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Tsekunov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Bajnai lands a right hand that snaps the head of Tsekunov backwards.
Bajnai is trying to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tsekunov jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Bajnai walks away with a smile on his face. Tsekunov gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Janos Bajnai has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Murad Tsekunov.
Tsekunov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Tsekunov throws a jab but it's blocked by Bajnai.
Bajnai throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tsekunov.
Bajnai fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Tsekunov throws a body shot but no joy.

Tsekunov clinches up with Bajnai and pushes him back against the cage.

Tsekunov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Tsekunov moves into range and clinches up with Bajnai.

Tsekunov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Tsekunov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Bajnai has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Tsekunov gets a trip takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Murad Tsekunov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Tsekunov misses with a straight left.
Tsekunov wants to slow Bajnai down by chopping away at his legs.
Bajnai misses with an uppercut.
Tsekunov looks to land a right hand but Bajnai moved out of range.

Tsekunov rushes Bajnai and presses him up against the cage.
Tsekunov has Bajnai pressed against the cage, preventing Bajnai from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Bajnai working hard to break the clinch.
Tsekunov effectively controlling the action here.
Bajnai wants to break free but Tsekunov has control.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tsekunov.
Tsekunov blocking some punches.
Bajnai is looking to break free of the clinch but Tsekunov has double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bajnai fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bajnai working hard to break the clinch.
Bajnai wants to break the clinch but can't.

Tsekunov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bajnai throws a combination that misses
and Tsekunov counters with a right hand to the body.
Bajnai scores with the left hand. Tsekunov knows he should have avoided that one.
Tsekunov throws a leg kick but Bajnai checks it.
Janos Bajnai is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A telegraphed right hand from Bajnai misses the target.
Bajnai takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Bajnai defending well as Tsekunov loads up on a big left hand.
Bajnai defending well as Tsekunov loads up on a big left hand.
Bajnai lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Bajnai throws a nice looking combination but Tsekunov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Tsekunov looks to score with a jab to the body but Bajnai is just out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tsekunov tries to clinch but Bajnai moves out of range.
Bajnai throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A big right from Tsekunov misses.

Tsekunov clinches with his opponent.
Murad Tsekunov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Tsekunov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Tsekunov closes the distance and clinches.

Tsekunov gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Bajnai regains guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bajnai has a closed guard, preventing Tsekunov from standing up.
Tsekunov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Bajnai looking for a guillotine here but Tsekunov defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsekunov wants to get up but he can't break Bajnai's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Bajnai throws his legs up looking for a submission but Tsekunov uses it to pass to side control.
Tsekunov tries to stand but Bajnai is controlling his head.
Bajnai manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Bajnai is trying to control the action in half guard but Tsekunov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Bajnai is really struggling to control Tsekunov but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bajnai throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Bajnai is trying to control the action in half guard but Tsekunov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Murad Tsekunov has got the better of the ground game so far.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Janos Bajnai just wasn't active enough.
Tsekunov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bajnai was well out of range. Poor timing from Tsekunov.
Bajnai waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tsekunov.
Bajnai throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bajnai keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tsekunov missing with a left hand there. Bajnai was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Tsekunov closes the distance and pushes Bajnai back into the cage.

Tsekunov has picked Bajnai up - he's going for a ride! Tsekunov dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Murad Tsekunov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tsekunov 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Murad Tsekunov!