PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Gary Mead (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Igor Kusilutka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Mead
vs
Kusilutka

181 cm
29
184 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

189 cm
26
185 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

V-Mask Clothing (10%)
Spartan Nutrition

V-Mask Clothing (10%)

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 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Gary Mead!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Igor Kusilutka!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Vladimir Khabensky and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Decent striking displayed by Mead there.
Mead throws a right hand that Kusilutka ducks under and follows up with a left that Kusilutka also avoids with ease.
Kusilutka feints the counter takedown.
We've been hearing reports that Mead has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Mead misses with a series of wild punches.
Kusilutka dives in and grabs Mead's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mead pushes down on Kusilutka's head and hops out.
As Kusilutka looks to move away, Mead throws a big counter combo bu Kusilutka just gets out of the way.
Mead tries to bum rush Kusilutka with a series of wild strikes but Kusilutka uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Kusilutka feints and as Mead raises his hands in defense, Kusilutka changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Mead wants to stand but Kusilutka is controlling the position.
Mead utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Mead is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Kusilutka drops down looking for an ankle pick but Mead pulls his leg out and moves away.
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!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Mead.
Kusilutka checks the leg kick.
Mead buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kusilutka fails with a takedown attempt.
Gary Mead has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Igor Kusilutka.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kusilutka tries for a takedown but Mead sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mead throws a series of punches but Kusilutka moves out of range.
Mead swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mead defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kusilutka.
Kusilutka dives in for a single leg takedown but Mead sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Mead with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Gary Mead is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kusilutka steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Mead. That one must have hurt.

Kusilutka gets the takedown into side control.

Kusilutka is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Mead is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Mead is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kusilutka scoring with punches from side control.
Kusilutka working the ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kusilutka working the ground and pound but Mead is defending the strikes.

Kusilutka tries for a kimura but Mead is defending well.

Kusilutka tries for a kimura but Mead is defending well.
Mead is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Kusilutka working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Mead sneaks out the side door and pushes Kusilutka away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mead throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Kusilutka decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Mead's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kusilutka accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kusilutka works over Mead with some ground and pound from guard.
Kusilutka prevents Mead from getting back to his feet.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Mead manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Mead is trying to push Kusilutka away but Kusilutka has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kusilutka jumps guard but Mead turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Mead wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kusilutka has him pressed against the cage.
Kusilutka is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Mead gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Kusilutka manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Mead gets to his feet - Kusilutka follows without any prompting.
Mead swinging wildly here.

Kusilutka feints and as Mead raises his hands in defense, Kusilutka changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Mead pushes Kusilutka off and gets back to his feet.
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!
Nice sprawl there from Mead as Kusilutka shoots in.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kusilutka shoots in for a takedown but Mead shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Mead scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kusilutka tries to clinch there but Mead circles away.
Mead appears to be looking for a big counter.
Mead throws a nice outside leg kick.
Mead cracks Kusilutka with a right hand to the side of the head.
Kusilutka fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mead avoids it really well and circles away.
Mead appears to be looking for a big counter.
Kusilutka is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mead sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A lazy left from Mead finds it's target.
Mead fails to land with a series of punches.
Mead connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Mead falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kusilutka counters with a three punch combo that has Mead backing up. Mead nods at Kusilutka to acknowledge the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gary Mead dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kusilutka misses with a takedown attempt - Mead sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Mead throws a series of punches but Kusilutka avoids them all with ease.
Kusilutka feints the counter takedown.
Mead ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kusilutka moves away.
Kusilutka feints the counter takedown.
Kusilutka takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kusilutka shoots in for a double leg but Mead sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mead misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mead leaves Kusilutka with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Gary Mead has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Igor Kusilutka.
Mead moves into range and connects with a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kusilutka shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kusilutka showed some decent athleticism there.

Kusilutka is working for an americana but Mead has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Kusilutka was thinking about the submission.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mead wants to stand up but Kusilutka is controlling him.

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

Mead stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Mead throws a right and a left that both miss.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kusilutka.
Kusilutka shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mead as he jumps to the side.
Mead swinging wildly here.
Kusilutka avoids the head kick by Mead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kusilutka misses with a takedown attempt
and Mead counters with a stiff right hand.
Mead keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kusilutka shoots and misses
and Mead counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Kusilutka is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Kusilutka is breathing heavily.
Mead misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A chopping leg kick lands by Mead.
Mead works over Kusilutka's head and body with a nice combination.
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!
Mead throws a nice outside leg kick.
Mead is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kusilutka can do to turn this around?
Kusilutka is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mead sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Mead throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kusilutka shoots for a double leg takedown but Mead sprawls well. He's pushed Kusilutka's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Kusilutka scores with a takedown into Mead's guard.
Mead wants to stand up but Kusilutka is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kusilutka drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Mead dives on top into guard.
Mead wants to get up but he can't break Kusilutka's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Kusilutka is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kusilutka looking for a sweep. Not yet Kusilutka, not yet.

Kusilutka throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Mead decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Kusilutka closes the distance and clinches up with Mead, looking for a takedown. Kusilutka pushes Mead against the cage but Mead circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Gary Mead seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kusilutka is defended easily by Mead.
Sloppy strikes from Mead. Those never looked like landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kusilutka gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Mead throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Mead throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mead throws a sloppy head kick and Kusilutka moves out of range easily.
Kusilutka tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Mead swivels and escapes.
Mead fires out a quick counter leg kick but Kusilutka just manages to avoid it.
Kusilutka takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kusilutka shoots in looking for a takedown. Mead tries to sprawl out of it but Kusilutka keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Mead manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Mead misses with a series of wild punches.
Kusilutka steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Mead.
Kusilutka moves out of range of the body kick.
Mead slips a jab and a cross from Kusilutka.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gary Mead dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Kusilutka takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kusilutka blocks a head kick by Mead.
Kusilutka dodges the punch combination from Mead.
Kusilutka doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Mead counters with a slapping leg kick.
Mead scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Kusilutka dodges the punch combination from Mead.
Mead throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kusilutka.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kusilutka throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mead's waist but Mead gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kusilutka off to one side.
Mead throws a right hand that Kusilutka ducks under and follows up with a left that Kusilutka also avoids with ease.
Kusilutka tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Mead swivels and escapes.
Gary Mead has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Igor Kusilutka.
Mead lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kusilutka circles away quickly and effectively.
Kusilutka takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mead stuns Kusilutka with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Kusilutka fails with the takedown.
Kusilutka blocks a head kick by Mead.
Kusilutka tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
No joy there for Mead, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kusilutka tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Mead swivels and escapes.
Mead throws a right and a left that Kusilutka avoids nicely.
Mead throws a series of punches but Kusilutka moves out of range.
Mead will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kusilutka closes the distance and clinches up with Mead, looking for a takedown. Kusilutka pushes Mead against the cage but Mead circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kusilutka takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
A nice inside leg kick there by Mead. That's going to slow Kusilutka down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mead rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kusilutka moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Mead misses with a series of wild punches.
Gary Mead is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mead stuffs the takedown attempt from Kusilutka. Kusilutka gets slowly back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A decent looking cross lands there for Mead.
Mead tries to bum rush Kusilutka with a series of wild strikes but Kusilutka uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
No joy there for Mead, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kusilutka with the counter takedown but Mead avoids it easily.
Kusilutka shoots in looking for a takedown but Mead manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kusilutka's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Mead went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Mead lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Kusilutka backs up against the cage.
Mead misses with a looping left.
Kusilutka feints the counter takedown.
Mead throws a hook to the side of Kusilutka's head but Kusilutka sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kusilutka throws a front kick aimed at Mead's knee but Mead avoids it well.
Mead will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kusilutka dives in for a single leg takedown but Mead sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Mead looks to land a body kick but Kusilutka moved away.
Kusilutka avoids a punch combination nicely.
Igor Kusilutka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
No joy there for Mead, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kusilutka's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Mead leaves Kusilutka with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Gary Mead is winning the standup battle so far.
Kusilutka closes this distance looking for a takedown but Mead circles away.
Mead looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Mead lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kusilutka looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mead is fending him off so far but Kusilutka persists. Nope, Mead circles away and we're back to standing.
Mead slaps away a takedown attempt from Kusilutka, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Gary Mead is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mead misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kusilutka shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mead as he avoids it easily.
As Kusilutka looks to move away, Mead throws a big counter combo bu Kusilutka just gets out of the way.
Mead misses with the combination.
Mead lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kusilutka avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kusilutka tries for a takedown but Mead circles away easily
letting Mead counter with a right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gary Mead showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mead, 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:26
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:26
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gary Mead!
Gary Mead gave a mention to Spartan Nutrition in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).