PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexei Smirnov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Henrik Messinger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smirnov kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Oy To Ne Vecher. Henrik Messinger will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Smirnov
vs
Messinger

182 cm
21
217 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

196 cm
19
205 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Big Bear Nutrition 160Q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexei Smirnov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Henrik Messinger!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Paul Tew and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smirnov drops his hands momentarily and Messinger takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Messinger slips under a jab from Smirnov.
Messinger comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Henrik Messinger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Messinger uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Smirnov.
Smirnov shoots in for a takedown but Messinger shows good takedown defense.
Smirnov dives in and grabs Messinger's left leg, looking for a takedown. Messinger pushes down on Smirnov's head and hops out.
Messinger throws out a counter right but Smirnov avoids it with no problem.
Messinger jabs at Smirnov's body.
Messinger scores with a nice right hand.
Messinger throws a leg kick

and Smirnov counters with a single leg into guard. Messinger didn't expect that.
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!
Smirnov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Smirnov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Smirnov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Smirnov throwing strikes from guard but Messinger blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smirnov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smirnov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Smirnov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Smirnov throwing strikes from guard but Messinger blocks nicely.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smirnov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Smirnov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Messinger works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Smirnov with a nice head shot there.
Smirnov throws a strike but Messinger rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Smirnov wants to stand and escape but Messinger is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Messinger preventing the sweep.
Messinger must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Smirnov is working hard here to advance position.
Smirnov is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Messinger is controlling him.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Messinger lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Smirnov at a distance.
Messinger lands the left hand.
Messinger lunges at Smirnov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Smirnov's hand.
Smirnov throws a poor cross that misses
and Messinger counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smirnov takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Smirnov on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Nice uppercut lands for Messinger. That snapped Smirnov's head back.
Messinger has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Smirnov is landing a low percentage of strikes.
A chopping leg kick lands by Messinger.
Messinger with a jab.
Messinger lands with a straight right. Smirnov didn't see that one coming.

Smirnov is rocked!
Messinger drops Smirnov with a naaaaasty hook - Smirnov is in real trouble here! Messinger dives in to side control and pounds out his opponent for a TKO victory! The crowd goes nuts!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:46 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Henrik Messinger!
Henrik Messinger decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.