PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Skinny McBones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ruslan Antonov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

McBones
vs
Antonov

170 cm
25
134 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

180 cm
23
140 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Skinny McBones!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ruslan Antonov!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Steve Erwin and Darius Henderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Antonov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Antonov lands a nice looking body kick.
Antonov has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Antonov throws a jab when McBones was well out of range.
Antonov with a nice cross.
Antonov lands the left hand.
Antonov checks a low kick from McBones.
McBones stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Antonov.
The crowd cheers as Antonov lands an impressive looking overhand right. McBones doesn't seem phased though.
Antonov misses with a jab to the body

and McBones holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Antonov struggles to land a body shot inside as McBones controls his hands.
Antonov has McBones pressed against the cage.
Antonov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
McBones can't break the clinch.
Antonov has McBones pressed against the cage, preventing McBones from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
McBones wants to break free but Antonov has control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Antonov prevents McBones from breaking the clinch.
McBones wants to break the clinch but can't.
McBones has had enough of the clinch but Antonov keeps him there for the moment.
McBones managing to block the knees to the body from Antonov.
McBones wants to get back to striking at distance but Antonov won't allow it.
Antonov lands an elbow that stopped McBones in his tracks for a moment.
McBones is looking to break free of the clinch but Antonov has double underhooks.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Antonov.
With the fighters up against the cage, Antonov throws an elbow but misses.
Antonov tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McBones wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Antonov has him pressed against the cage.
McBones is trying to break the clinch but Antonov is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McBones is trying to break free.
Antonov keeps control of McBones as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
McBones wants to get back to striking at distance but Antonov won't allow it.
Antonov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Antonov has McBones pressed against the cage, preventing McBones from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
McBones wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Antonov displaying some good clinch control by pressing McBones up against the cage.
McBones tries to circle away but Antonov has him pinned against the cage.
McBones has had enough of the clinch but Antonov keeps him there for the moment.

McBones pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McBones moves out of range as Antonov strikes.
McBones throws a wild body kick that Antonov sees coming a mile off.
Antonov misses with a two punch combination.
Antonov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
McBones throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Antonov looks to land a body kick but McBones moved away.
Antonov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed McBones momentarily.
McBones avoids the body shot from Antonov.
Nice shot lands for Antonov.
That kick from Antonov tenderised McBones's leg. McBones is trying to keep his angry face on.
Antonov scores with a nice head shot.
Antonov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

McBones rushes Antonov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
McBones can't break the clinch.
Antonov misses with a hook to the ribs.
McBones wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McBones managing to block the knees to the body from Antonov.
McBones tries to break free but Antonov pushes him back against the cage.
Antonov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite McBones's efforts to push away.
Antonov tries to land knees in the clinch but McBones avoids the damage to the body.
McBones has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
McBones is trying to break the clinch but Antonov has him pressed against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on McBones's face as he tries to break the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

McBones breaks from the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Antonov blocks a head kick by McBones.
Antonov connects with a looping right hand.
Antonov cracks McBones with a good jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Antonov lands with a good body shot.
Antonov throws a lazy right hand but McBones sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
It looked like McBones wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Antonov blocks a head kick by McBones.
Antonov lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Antonov cracks McBones with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Antonov scores with the left hand. McBones knows he should have avoided that one.
McBones takes a swing at Antonov's ribcage but misses.
McBones moves out of range of the strikes.
Skinny McBones is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
McBones scores with a jab to the body.
Antonov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ruslan Antonov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
McBones throws a sloppy head kick and Antonov moves out of range easily.
McBones shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
McBones has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Antonov.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Antonov. McBones does a little dance to reset his feet.
McBones swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Antonov tries to land a front kick but McBones steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A head kick misses from McBones.
Antonov lands with a cross.
Antonov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
McBones misses with the combination.
Antonov now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Antonov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Antonov clobbers McBones with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

McBones clinches.
Antonov using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
McBones prevents a body shot from Antonov.
McBones looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Antonov scores a nice knee to the body.

McBones breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Antonov tests McBones's chin there with a solid looking shot.
McBones takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Antonov works the jab nicely.
McBones swinging wildly here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McBones wants to clinch up but Antonov keeps it at a distance.
McBones misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Antonov.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Antonov! But no joy.
Antonov avoids the body shot from McBones.
McBones walks forward, straight into a front kick from Antonov.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Antonov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Antonov throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Antonov scores with a nice right hand.
Antonov misses with a jab, cross combination.
McBones throws a series of punches but Antonov avoids them all with ease.
Antonov scores with the left hand. McBones knows he should have avoided that one.
Antonov lands a jab.
Antonov feints and then cracks McBones's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow McBones down.
McBones tries a head kick but it misses.
Antonov blocks a head kick by McBones.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Antonov throws a nice inside leg kick.
McBones's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Antonov connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! McBones scrambles back to his feet.
McBones walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
McBones has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Antonov moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
McBones misses with a leg kick.
McBones misses with a hook.
Ruslan Antonov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McBones takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Antonov with a nice cross.
Antonov thuds his right hand into McBones's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Antonov throws a series of punches but McBones moves out of range.
Antonov connects with a nice looking jab.
McBones needs to keep his hands up - Antonov had a free shot at his head there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Antonov throws a nice inside leg kick.
McBones lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Antonov backs up against the cage.
Antonov lands with a nice body punch.
Nice shot by Antonov.
McBones bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Antonov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Antonov.
Antonov lands with a nice body punch.
A jab from McBones misses.
Antonov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Antonov cracks a nice hook into McBones's ribs.
Jab by Antonov.
Antonov swings for the body but McBones moves out of range.
McBones swings for the body but Antonov moves out of range.
McBones dodges the punch combination from Antonov.
A head kick misses from McBones.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McBones misses with the body kick
and Antonov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A slapping body kick lands there for Antonov.
Antonov with a jab.
Antonov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ruslan Antonov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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.

Antonov pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces McBones back to the cage. Antonov follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Antonov scores with a hook.
A jab from Antonov finds it's way through McBones's defenses.
McBones throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Antonov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on McBones. That did some damage!
Antonov catches McBones with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Antonov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
McBones slips a jab and a cross from Antonov.
McBones is looking to wear down Antonov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
McBones works Antonov's body with a nice hook.
Antonov throws the left hand but McBones avoids the punch easily.
McBones throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Antonov throws a hook but McBones blocks it.
McBones pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McBones chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Antonov can pounce on him.
Antonov scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Antonov lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Antonov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
McBones throws a one two combo.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McBones takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
McBones throws a sloppy head kick and Antonov moves out of range easily.
McBones takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Antonov scores with a nice strike.
Antonov lands with a hook. McBones tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
McBones looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Antonov checks a leg kick.
Antonov with a nice cross.
McBones ducks right into an uppercut from Antonov.
Antonov throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck McBones on the side of the head.
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!
Antonov lands with a straight right. McBones didn't see that one coming.
McBones just misses with a punch to the body.
Antonov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
McBones takes one on the button.
McBones takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McBones throws a sloppy head kick
and Antonov counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Antonov lands a jab to the nose.
Antonov fakes the leg kick and cracks McBones in the body.
Antonov avoids the head kick by McBones.
Antonov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt McBones.
McBones pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Antonov throws a body shot but no joy.
Antonov scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Antonov, as that shot connected.
Antonov lands the left hand.
A head kick from Antonov lands but McBones takes it in his stride.
A chopping leg kick lands by Antonov.
Nice uppercut lands for Antonov. That snapped McBones's head back.
McBones swinging wildly here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Antonov misses with a head kick.
Antonov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but McBones circles away quickly and effectively.
Antonov scores with a jab. McBones acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A solid leg kick lands there for Antonov.
Antonov lands a straight punch to the body, keeping McBones at a distance.
Antonov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Donk. McBones catches Antonov right on the button with a cross.
McBones misses with a few strikes there.
McBones is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Antonov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
McBones throws a right and a left that Antonov avoids nicely.
McBones takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Antonov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Antonov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Antonov scores with a jab to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Antonov lands a glancing blow to the side of McBones's head.
Antonov scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Antonov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Antonov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McBones was well out of range. Poor timing from Antonov.
McBones throws a big counter combination but Antonov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Antonov throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Antonov goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
McBones misses with a low kick.
Antonov misses with a wild body shot.
Antonov misses with an uppercut. McBones saw that one coming.
McBones avoids the body shot from Antonov.
Antonov tests McBones's chin there with a solid looking shot.
McBones takes a shot right to the bread basket.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Antonov thows a leg kick but McBones checks it
and McBones counters with a stiff right hand.
McBones lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Skinny McBones has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ruslan Antonov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The fighters circle momentarily. Antonov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Antonov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ruslan Antonov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Antonov 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Darius Henderson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ruslan Antonov!
During a confident post fight interview, Ruslan Antonov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.