PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rick Showtime (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fabian Kabakov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Showtime's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Old Toms Hut. Fabian Kabakov will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Showtime
vs
Kabakov

170 cm
31
185 lbs
9 - 21 - 0

213 cm
26
197 lbs
3 - 5 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 21 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rick Showtime!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Fabian Kabakov!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Aleksandr Martynov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kabakov throws a low kick but it's checked well by Showtime.
Kabakov looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Kabakov turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Showtime misses with a two punch combination.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Kabakov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kabakov. Showtime does a little dance to reset his feet.
A good leg kick by Kabakov.
Kabakov is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Kabakov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Showtime's sensitive parts.

Showtime closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Kabakov's guard.
Kabakov looking to control.
Kabakov bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Showtime's guard.
Kabakov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kabakov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Showtime pulls Kabakov in to control the position.
Showtime utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kabakov throws a big elbow that misses.
Kabakov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Showtime might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Showtime keeping full guard, as Kabakov tries to pass.
Kabakov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Showtime wants to stand up but Kabakov is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kabakov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Showtime works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kabakov throwing strikes from guard but Showtime blocks nicely.
Showtime is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Showtime wants to get back to his feet but Kabakov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Kabakov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Kabakov thows a leg kick but Showtime checks it
and Showtime connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Showtime tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kabakov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Showtime somewhat.
Kabakov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kabakov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Showtime looking to score a takedown here. Kabakov is defending well but Showtime drives through and ends up in Kabakov's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Showtime postures up.
Showtime slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Kabakov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kabakov seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Kabakov is trying to keep Showtime in close.
Kabakov looking for a sweep. Not yet Kabakov, not yet.
Showtime controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Showtime won't allow Kabakov to sweep him here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Fabian Kabakov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Showtime instigates a clinch.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Showtime tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Showtime holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Kabakov lands an uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Showtime blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kabakov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Showtime has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kabakov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Showtime wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kabakov has him pressed against the cage.
Showtime on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kabakov tries to land a knee to the head but Showtime blocks with his arms.
Kabakov missing with knees to the body.
Showtime tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rick Showtime. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Showtime manages to break the clinch.
Showtime throws a nice looking combination but Kabakov bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kabakov is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Kabakov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Showtime sets himself, and Kabakov steps forward looking for the clinch! Showtime avoids it this time.
Showtime ducks under a wild hook from Kabakov.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kabakov. Showtime does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kabakov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kabakov blocks a head kick by Showtime.
Kabakov stuffs the takedown attempt from Showtime. Showtime gets slowly back to his feet.
Showtime displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kabakov throws out the jab.
Showtime keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kabakov throws a leg kick which misses Showtime's front leg but catches the back leg as Showtime tries to avoid it.
Kabakov misses the shot to the body.
Showtime looks for a takedown but Kabakov sprawls well.
Kabakov bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Kabakov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A looping hook to the body misses from Kabakov. Showtime does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fabian Kabakov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Showtime lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kabakov circles away quickly and effectively.
Showtime cracks Kabakov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Showtime looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A punch combination from Kabakov misses.
Kabakov misses with a looping right.
Showtime throwing a counter right hand but Kabakov manages to avoid it.
We've been told by Showtime's head coaches at Russian Fighting Community Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kabakov.
Kabakov looks winded!
Showtime scores with a shot to the body.

Showtime looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Kabakov being controlled here, momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fabian Kabakov dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Showtime shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kabakov but Kabakov pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Fabian Kabakov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Showtime looks to land a combination but Kabakov avoids it well.
Showtime rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kabakov moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Showtime checks a leg kick.
Kabakov moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Showtime misses with a head kick.
Kabakov misses with a looping right.
Showtime throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Kabakov has managed to clinch.
Kabakov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Showtime is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kabakov is defending well for now.
Showtime has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Showtime lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kabakov or not.
Kabakov has Showtime pressed against the cage, preventing Showtime from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kabakov throws an elbow but misses.
Kabakov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Showtime drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kabakov lands with a short shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Showtime cracks Kabakov with a nice body shot.
Kabakov with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kabakov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Showtime is defending well for now.
Kabakov is leaning against Showtime and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Showtime changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kabakov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rick Showtime. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Showtime with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kabakov.

Kabakov gets a clinch.
Kabakov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kabakov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kabakov tries a knee to the head but Showtime blocks it.
Kabakov misses with a body punch.

Showtime manages to break the clinch.
Showtime misses with a jab, cross combination.
Showtime tries for a takedown but Kabakov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Showtime throws a right and a left that Kabakov avoids nicely.

Showtime closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Showtime.
Kabakov tries to throw a body punch but Showtime avoids it by throwing Kabakov back against the cage.
Fabian Kabakov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A short right from Kabakov on the inside.
Kabakov misses with a knee strike.
Showtime wants to stall.
Kabakov goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kabakov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Showtime stalling in the clinch.
Kabakov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Showtime misses with a punch to the body.
Kabakov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Showtime has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kabakov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Showtime is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kabakov to keep the fight standing.
Kabakov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kabakov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Showtime avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Showtime takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kabakov tries a body shot but Showtime blocks it.
Kabakov misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kabakov.

Showtime has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Kabakov uses from the top position.
Kabakov throws a big right hand that misses.
Showtime trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Showtime working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kabakov.
Kabakov throws a strike but Showtime rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Kabakov is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Showtime won't allow Kabakov to sweep him here.
Kabakov pulls Showtime in to control the position.

Showtime gets to his feet - Kabakov follows without any prompting.
Showtime misses with a few strikes there.
A left lands for Showtime.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Showtime swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Showtime swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A punch combination from Showtime misses.
A bone on bone clash there as Kabakov blocks the leg kick.
Kabakov misses with a body shot.
Showtime fails with the takedown.
Kabakov lands a two punch combo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kabakov looks to throw a body kick

and Showtime counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Kabakov unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Kabakov connects with a nasty looking knee right to Showtime's face.
Showtime blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Showtime tries for a takedown but Kabakov manages to get underhooks.
Kabakov tries to work over Showtime's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Showtime avoiding damage as Kabakov throws knees to the body.
Kabakov lands a shoulder strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fabian Kabakov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Kabakov moves in looking to clinch but Showtime pushes him off.
Kabakov delivers a nice body kick.

Showtime has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kabakov keeps control of Showtime as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Still in the clinch, Kabakov scores with a nice short uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Showtime as the two fighters clinch.

Showtime breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kabakov throws a chopping leg kick but Showtime manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kabakov will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kabakov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kabakov on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Showtime lands a two punch combo.

Kabakov is rocked!

Showtime closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Kabakov is still in real trouble! Can Showtime finish him?
This has been an exciting period of action!

Kabakov actively working from the bottom here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Showtime thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Rick Showtime overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Showtime trying to control the pace.
Kabakov seems to have recovered his senses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kabakov wants to control but Showtime is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kabakov is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kabakov tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Showtime has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Showtime controlling the position easily from mount.
Kabakov is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
Showtime controlling from the full mount.
Kabakov really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

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.
Showtime controlling the position easily from mount.
Kabakov is looking to get to half guard.
Kabakov tries to lock up and control but Showtime gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Kabakov really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Showtime controlling from the full mount.
Showtime trying to control but Kabakov is having none of it.
Kabakov tries to hold on but Showtime postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kabakov is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Showtime thowing shots but they're missing.
Showtime tries to control but Kabakov wriggling away.
Kabakov is desperately trying to improve his position but Showtime has a good base and remains in mount.
Showtime throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Kabakov takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Kabakov is in all sorts of trouble here.
Showtime controlling the pace for now.
Kabakov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kabakov wants to control but Showtime is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Showtime prevents Kabakov from getting the reversal.
Rick Showtime has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kabakov bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Showtime closes the distance and clinches up with Kabakov, looking for a takedown. Showtime pushes Kabakov against the cage but Kabakov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Showtime works over Kabakov's head and body with a nice combination.
Kabakov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Showtime looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kabakov is fending him off so far but Showtime persists. Nope, Kabakov circles away and we're back to standing.
Kabakov slaps away a takedown attempt from Showtime, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rick Showtime. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kabakov throws a head kick that half lands.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Showtime changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kabakov tries to avoid it but Showtime manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kabakov to the ground. Kabakov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kabakov looks to score with a jab to the body but Showtime is just out of range.
Kabakov swinging wildly here.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Rick Showtime.
I think Kabakov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fabian Kabakov!