PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Haleb Sukayev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Cage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Sukayev
vs
Cage

195 cm
25
252 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

190 cm
23
270 lbs
12 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Sun-Tzu

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Haleb Sukayev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Johnny Cage!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Nard Betker and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sukayev pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Cage back to the cage. Sukayev follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

It looks like Johnny Cage has been cut.
Cage chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A combination from Sukayev does no damage.
And Cage responds with a good body kick, but Sukayev manages to step out the way in time.
Cage throws a head kick that half lands.
Cage has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Sukayev misses with an uppercut.
A big right from Sukayev misses.
Cage lands a head kick. Sukayev smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
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!
Cage lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sukayev circles away quickly and effectively.
Sukayev on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Sukayev jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Sukayev shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Cage's guard.
Sukayev postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Sukayev stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cage swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Sukayev's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Sukayev trying to control but Cage is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sukayev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sukayev distracts Cage with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Sukayev trying to control the position from guard on top but Cage is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sukayev throws a big elbow that misses.
Sukayev postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sukayev connects with a couple of short punches.
Sukayev seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Sukayev working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Cage can do anything to dispel that myth.

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.
Sukayev throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Sukayev misses with a looping left.
Sukayev on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Cage misses with an uppercut. Sukayev saw that one coming.
A little feinted left hand from Sukayev on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Cage avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A punch combination from Cage misses.
Sukayev tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Cage is able to avoid easily.
Sukayev fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
It seemed like Cage was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Cage looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Cage just misses with a punch to the body.
It looked like Sukayev was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Sukayev throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cage sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sukayev tries to bum rush Cage with a series of wild strikes but Cage uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cage throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sukayev lands a nice looking body shot.
Sukayev slips under a jab from Cage.
Sukayev tries to bum rush Cage with a series of wild strikes but Cage uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sukayev's jab looks to have found its range, popping Cage under the eye.
Johnny Cage is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sukayev lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Cage defending well as Sukayev loads up on a big left hand.
Cage tries a quick counter leg kick but Sukayev is wise to it.
Sukayev throws a combination that misses
enabling Cage to counter with a crisp jab.
Sukayev stalks Cage and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Cage's face. Cage staggers backwards, shaken.
Cage bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cage swinging wildly here.
Sukayev throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Cage! But no joy.
Cage scores with a one two! Sukayev had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Sukayev throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cage.
Cage pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cage connects with a nice looking jab.
Sukayev shoots in and drives through. Cage sprawls well.
Cage scores with a nice strike.
Cage throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sukayev stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Cage is looking to chop away at Sukayev's legs.
It looked like Sukayev wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Nice takedown defense from Cage. No joy for Sukayev on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Haleb Sukayev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sukayev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Cage sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sukayev somewhat.
Sukayev throws a right hand that misses
and Cage counters with a nice uppercut.
A solid body kick from Cage.
Cage misses with the combination.
Sukayev takes one to the chin there.
Cage connects with a body shot that sends Sukayev's belly button to the back.
Cage misses with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Johnny Cage will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Johnny Cage's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Cage scores with a head kick.
Sukayev with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Cage to score with a decent uppercut.
Sukayev changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A swing and a miss from Cage.
Sukayev throws the left hand but Cage avoids the punch easily.
Haleb Sukayev is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cage connects with a good right hand that stumbles Sukayev. Sukayev circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Cage lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
No joy there for Cage, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Johnny Cage seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sukayev misses the shot to the body.
Cage takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Sukayev swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Sukayev takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sukayev pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sukayev takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Sukayev throws a wild body kick that Cage sees coming a mile off.
Sukayev misses with a jab, cross combination.
That kick from Cage tenderised Sukayev's leg. Sukayev is trying to keep his angry face on.
Sukayev throws a looping overhand right but Cage ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cage lands a nice shot to the body.
Cage swinging wildly here.
Cage throws a front kick that sends Sukayev stumbling back into the cage.
Cage lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Sukayev circles away quickly and effectively.
It looked like Sukayev wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Sukayev throws a poor cross that misses
and Cage counters with a left and a right that stings Sukayev.
Sukayev misses with the combination.
Sukayev looks to land a combination. Cage sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Cage closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Nice uppercut lands for Cage. That snapped Sukayev's head back.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sukayev takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Sukayev lands with a right hand.
Sukayev misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cage 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.
Cage lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Sukayev backs up against the cage.
Sukayev missing with a left hand there. Cage was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Cage lands a nice shot that snaps Sukayev's head back.
Sukayev throws a lazy right hand but Cage sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Sukayev takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Nice cross by Sukayev.
Sukayev misses with an uppercut
and Cage counters with an inside leg kick.
Sukayev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sukayev misses with a few strikes there.
Sukayev moves out of range of the body kick.
Cage scores with a nice head shot.
A jab from Sukayev does it's job there.
Cage fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Sukayev.
Cage tests Sukayev's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Cage blocks a low kick nicely.
Sukayev scores with a jab to the head.
Sukayev looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sukayev looks to land a right hand but Cage moved out of range.
Sukayev gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Cage throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
A slapping body kick lands there for Cage.
Cage tries to move into range but Sukayev moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Cage fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sukayev has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Sukayev looks to land a right hand but Cage moved out of range.
Sukayev shoots in looking for a takedown. Cage tries to sprawl out of it but Sukayev keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Cage manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Cage throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Cage throws a nice looking combination but Sukayev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cage has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sukayev fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sukayev misses with a series of wild punches.
Sukayev avoids a punch combination nicely.
As Cage looks to move away, Sukayev throws a big counter combo bu Cage just gets out of the way.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cage slips a jab and a cross from Sukayev.
Sukayev is trying hard to land a takedown here. Cage sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Sukayev tries to bum rush Cage with a series of wild strikes but Cage uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A big left from Cage misses.
Cage dips to his left and cracks Sukayev with an uppercut!
Cage lands a head shot.
Cage connects with a crisp jab.
Cage moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sukayev fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Haleb Sukayev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sukayev takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Cage showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Johnny Cage's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Cage cracks Sukayev with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Cage fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Sukayev on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Cage tries to move into range but Sukayev moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Sukayev throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Cage counters with a big head kick but Sukayev shrugs it off.
Cage ducks under a wild hook from Sukayev.
Cage tries a quick counter leg kick but Sukayev is wise to it.
Cage lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Cage showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Sukayev.
Sukayev misses with a body shot.
Cage throws a lazy right hand but Sukayev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
It looked like Sukayev was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cage chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Cage darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A combination from Sukayev does no damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cage lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Cage throws a right hand that Sukayev ducks under and follows up with a left that Sukayev also avoids with ease.
Sukayev misses with a straight right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Sukayev.
Sukayev will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Cage throws a series of punches but Sukayev moves out of range.
Cage moves out of range of the strikes.
A big right from Sukayev misses.
Cage lands a leg kick that knocks Sukayev off balance momentarily.
Cage on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Sukayev closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Cage lands a slapping body shot.
Cage's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Sukayev connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Cage scrambles back to his feet.
Cage dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Sukayev. That did some damage!
Sukayev tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cage connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Sukayev's hands.
Sukayev jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sukayev showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Cage.
Cage misses with a straight right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sukayev jabs Cage to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Sukayev ducks under a wild hook from Cage.
Sukayev blocks a jab.
Cage with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Sukayev to score with a decent uppercut.
Cage defending well as Sukayev loads up on a big left hand.
A punch combination from Cage misses.
Sukayev looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Cage follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Sukayev is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Cage lands a leg kick that knocks Sukayev off balance momentarily.
Sukayev looks to land a left hand but Cage moved out of range nicely.
Cage lands with a slapping head kick.
Sukayev throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sukayev throws a hook but Cage blocks it.
Cage throws a combination. Sukayev tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sukayev takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Cage throws a solid leg kick but Sukayev takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Cage.
Sukayev lands a nice looking body shot.
Sukayev moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Cage throws a leg kick which misses Sukayev's front leg but catches the back leg as Sukayev tries to avoid it.
Cage takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Sukayev looks for a takedown but Cage sprawls well.
Cage appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Nice cross by Cage.
An inside leg kick lands from Cage.
Sukayev swinging wildly here.
Cage thumps Sukayev with a low kick.
Haleb Sukayev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cage lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sukayev throws an off balance right hand
and Cage counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Sukayev gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Cage fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sukayev looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Sukayev catches Cage with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Sukayev throws a right and a left that both miss.
Cage scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A slow jab from Sukayev misses its intended target.
Sukayev shoots in for a takedown but Cage shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Haleb Sukayev. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cage scores with a hook.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cage cracks the inside of Sukayev's front leg.
Cage lands a nice looking body shot.
Sukayev loads up on a big right hand but Cage slips the punch.
Sukayev is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johnny Cage comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Cage winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 27:30
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johnny Cage!
A victorious Johnny Cage thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.