PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Max Lacroix (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Igor Kusilutka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Igor Kusilutka has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Lacroix
vs
Kusilutka

186 cm
25
176 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

189 cm
23
185 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Soul Supremacy Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Max Lacroix!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Igor Kusilutka!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Albert Achterberg and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lacroix stuffs the takedown.
An inside leg kick lands from Lacroix.
Kusilutka shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Lacroix but Lacroix pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kusilutka takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nice takedown defense from Lacroix. No joy for Kusilutka on that attempt.
Lacroix thinks about countering with a body kick.
Max Lacroix has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Igor Kusilutka.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lacroix changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kusilutka takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Lacroix waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kusilutka.
Kusilutka is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kusilutka takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kusilutka moves away from the strike by Lacroix.
Kusilutka is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Kusilutka shoots and misses
and Lacroix counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Lacroix buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Lacroix fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kusilutka has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Kusilutka uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lacroix.
Kusilutka is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Kusilutka darts in looking for a takedown but Lacroix gets double underhooks and turns Kusilutka into the cage.
Kusilutka ducks under a wild hook from Lacroix.
Kusilutka has a takedown stuffed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kusilutka darts in looking for a takedown but Lacroix gets double underhooks and turns Kusilutka into the cage.
Lacroix is looking to counter punch.

Kusilutka scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
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!
Lacroix regains half guard.
Kusilutka missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Kusilutka seems to be working for a kimura but Lacroix defends the submission attempt.
Lacroix desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Lacroix trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kusilutka throwing shots but Lacroix is blocking nicely.

Kusilutka is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Lacroix defends it well.
Kusilutka thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Lacroix makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Lacroix.
Lacroix utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kusilutka with a nice head shot there.
Kusilutka tries to free his leg and advance position but Lacroix is retaining full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Lacroix is trying to control the position but Kusilutka postures up.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Kusilutka with a flurry of punches that miss.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Lacroix throws a lazy right hand but Kusilutka sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Kusilutka decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Lacroix blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kusilutka.

Kusilutka is looking for a kimura but Lacroix is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kusilutka to get the leverage.
Lacroix won't allow Kusilutka to pass to mount.
Lacroix blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kusilutka.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kusilutka throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Lacroix is defending against the submission attempts here by Kusilutka.
Kusilutka thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Lacroix's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Lacroix dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Lacroix looks to score with a jab to the body but Kusilutka is just out of range.
Kusilutka is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Igor Kusilutka is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lacroix scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Lacroix keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kusilutka shoots for a takedown but Lacroix saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Lacroix swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Lacroix getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Lacroix is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kusilutka can do to turn this around?
A shot to the liver by Lacroix. Beautiful body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kusilutka fails to land the takedown.
Max Lacroix has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Igor Kusilutka.
Lacroix misses with a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lacroix just misses with a punch to the body.
Lacroix moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Lacroix throws a hook but Kusilutka avoids it easily.
Kusilutka on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
A nice inside leg kick there by Lacroix. That's going to slow Kusilutka down.
Kusilutka tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Lacroix defends well and Kusilutka ends up having to push Lacroix into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Kusilutka tries to clinch
and Lacroix counters with a right hand to the body.

Kusilutka closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kusilutka lands in his opponent's guard.
Kusilutka postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kusilutka postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lacroix looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kusilutka is one step ahead there.
Kusilutka throws a big right hand that misses.

Kusilutka drops back, looking for a kneebar! Lacroix looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Lacroix looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Lacroix!

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lacroix trying to control the position but Kusilutka is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kusilutka struggling a bit here.
Kusilutka is looking to regain half guard here but Lacroix keeps moving and retains side control.
Lacroix is looking to take a break and control but Kusilutka is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kusilutka is looking for a sweep.
Kusilutka has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Lacroix is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Kusilutka's shoulder. That is not cool.
Lacroix trying to control the position but Kusilutka is working away.
Kusilutka is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Igor Kusilutka has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kusilutka is looking to improve his position.
Kusilutka is doing well to control the position and prevent Lacroix from advancing to side control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Lacroix dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Lacroix looks to throw the jab but Kusilutka is out of range.
Lacroix tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lacroix defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kusilutka.
Kusilutka moves away from the strike by Lacroix.
Max Lacroix is winning the standup battle so far.
Lacroix finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
And Kusilutka tries to counter it with a takedown but Lacroix pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Kusilutka dives in and grabs Lacroix's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lacroix pushes down on Kusilutka's head and hops out.
Max Lacroix seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Lacroix gets caught flat footed, as Kusilutka shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kusilutka throws a big right hand that misses.
Lacroix pulls Kusilutka in to control the position.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lacroix working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kusilutka.
Kusilutka with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kusilutka tries to free his leg and advance position but Lacroix is retaining full guard.
Lacroix bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kusilutka's guard.

Lacroix sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Lacroix avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Kusilutka has his foot on Lacroix's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lacroix works his way back into a safe position though.
Kusilutka is trying to keep Lacroix in close.
Lacroix trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kusilutka is looking to sweep but instead, Lacroix has passed into half guard.
Lacroix slows the pace down in half guard.
Lacroix thows a huge punch but Kusilutka dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kusilutka punching from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Lacroix punishes Kusilutka's body with a nice straight punch.
Igor Kusilutka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kusilutka uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lacroix.
A solid leg kick lands there for Lacroix.
Kusilutka shoots for a takedown but Lacroix saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Max Lacroix has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Igor Kusilutka.
Lacroix lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Max Lacroix is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

It looks like Igor Kusilutka has been cut.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kusilutka or perhaps it was just good defense by Lacroix, which made it look bad.
A quick step to the side and Lacroix tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lacroix throws a front kick aimed at Kusilutka's knee but Kusilutka avoids it well.
Lacroix throws out a powerful jab.
Kusilutka changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Lacroix tries to avoid it but Kusilutka manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Lacroix to the ground. Lacroix escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Lacroix lands with a cross.
Lacroix misses with a head kick.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lacroix connects with a jab.
Kusilutka slips a jab from Lacroix.
Lacroix displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kusilutka.

And that's the end of the fight!
Max Lacroix showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Lacroix, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Max Lacroix!
After winning the bout, Max Lacroix thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.