PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Arnost Paskalev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Odell Paquette (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Paskalev might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to The Crazy Nastyass Honey Badger. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Paskalev
vs
Paquette

173 cm
25
153 lbs
17 - 8 - 0

177 cm
25
151 lbs
9 - 4 - 1

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition

Sun-Tzu
GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Arnost Paskalev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 1, fighting out of New York, Odell Paquette!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Sosuke Kotani and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paskalev on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Paskalev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Paquette as he avoids it easily.
Paskalev with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Paquette moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Paskalev connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Paskalev tries to score a power double leg takedown but Paquette sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Paskalev somewhat.
Paquette avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Paquette misses the jab.
Paskalev dodges the punch combination from Paquette.
Paskalev tries to counter with a takedown but Paquette is quick to defend against it.
Paskalev lands with a thumping leg kick.
Paskalev takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Paskalev ducks under a wild hook from Paquette.

Paskalev looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Paquette!
We've been hearing that Paskalev has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Paskalev is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Paquette will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paskalev advances to full mount.
Paskalev lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Paskalev pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Paskalev controlling his opponent.
Paquette wants to hold on but Paskalev pushes him away.
Paskalev looking to finish Paquette with some ground and pound. This is bad for Paquette!
Paskalev punching from mount but Paquette doing a good job of avoiding damage.
The referee warns Paquette that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Paskalev lands with some strikes.
Paquette really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Paquette tries to hold on but Paskalev postures up.
Paquette is working to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paquette is squirming around, avoiding Paskalev's attempts to control the action.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Paquette is looking to improve his position but Paskalev isn't that keen on the idea.
Paquette wants to hold on but Paskalev pushes him away.
Paskalev landing punches.
Paskalev lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Paquette hang on?
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Paskalev takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Paquette is desperately trying to improve his position but Paskalev has a good base and remains in mount.
Paskalev connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Paquette is in all sorts of trouble here.

Paskalev looking for a guillotine from mount but Paquette is having none of it.
Paskalev trying to control but Paquette is having none of it.
Paquette taking shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paquette is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Paquette is squirming around, avoiding Paskalev's attempts to control the action.
Paskalev lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Paquette tries to reverse the position but Paskalev maintains control.
Paskalev raining down hammerfists from mount.
Paquette is working to get back to half guard.
Paquette wants to hold on but Paskalev pushes him away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Paskalev looking to control but Paquette is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Paquette tries to hold on but Paskalev pushes him away.
Paquette in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Paskalev landing strikes from the mount and Paquette is in trouble!
Paquette is looking to get to half guard.
Paskalev with a couple of short strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paskalev pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Paskalev is landing with some decent strikes but Paquette is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Paskalev landing strikes from the mount and Paquette is in trouble!
Paquette tries to hold on but Paskalev pushes him away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Paskalev trying to control but Paquette is having none of it.
Paskalev lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Paquette tries to lock up and control but Paskalev gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Paquette is trying to stand up.
Paquette controls the position.
Paskalev is landing with some decent strikes but Paquette is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Paquette is looking to get to half guard.
Paskalev lands a big shot there that rocks Paquette but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arnost Paskalev dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A combination from Paquette does no damage.
Paskalev drops down looking for a counter takedown but Paquette sprawls and moves away.
Paskalev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Paquette.
Paquette throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Paskalev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Paquette can do to turn this around?
Paquette looks to land a combination but Paskalev avoids it well.
Paskalev drops down looking for a counter takedown but Paquette sprawls and moves away.
Odell Paquette seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Paskalev throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Paskalev avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Odell Paquette seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Paquette uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Paquette on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Paskalev. Paskalev obviously looking to wear him down.
Paskalev avoids a punch combination nicely.
Paquette throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Paskalev.
Odell Paquette is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paquette bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
An inside leg kick lands from Paskalev.
Paquette ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Paskalev moves away.
Paquette 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.
Paquette throws an overhand right that lands on Paskalev's shoulder, as Paskalev tries to avoid the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paskalev takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Paquette throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Paskalev.
Paquette throws an overhand right that lands on Paskalev's shoulder, as Paskalev tries to avoid the shot.
Paquette fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Paskalev is looking to score with low kicks.
Paquette is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Paskalev with a body shot.
Paskalev throws a leg kick but Paquette checks it.
Paskalev throws a low kick, looking for Paquette's leg but Paquette calmly moves out of range.
Paskalev defending well as Paquette loads up on a big left hand.
Paquette throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Paskalev.
Paskalev half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Paquette stuffs the takedown.
Paskalev attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Paquette rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Paskalev moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Paskalev fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A leg kick checked by Paquette.
Paquette throws a jab but it's blocked by Paskalev.
Odell Paquette is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paquette checks a leg kick nicely.
Paquette takes a swing at Paskalev's ribcage but misses.

Paskalev fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Paquette sprawls well initially but Paskalev persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Paskalev wants to take a breather but Paquette is having none of it.
Paquette wants to get back to full guard.
Paskalev takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Paskalev wants to pass to mount but Paquette is defending the position.
Paquette wants to control but Paskalev is keeping busy.
Paquette blocking the ground and pound attempt from Paskalev.

Paskalev is working for a submission of some sort.
Paskalev is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Paskalev prevents Paquette from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paquette is not content to let Paskalev control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Paskalev is looking to score with low kicks.
Paquette pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Good work by Paquette as he checks the leg kick.
Paskalev moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Paquette checks the leg kick.
Paskalev cracks the inside of Paquette's front leg.
Paquette misses with a left hand

and Paskalev counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Paskalev has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Paquette seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Paskalev postures up.
Paquette keeping moving, preventing Paskalev from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paquette looking to hit a scissor sweep but Paskalev is one step ahead there.
Paskalev trying to control but Paquette is working from the bottom.
Paquette looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Paquette working a defensive guard but Paskalev passes into half guard.
Paquette is in trouble now - Paskalev has advanced to mount!
Paquette is wriggling around trying to escape.
The referee warns Paquette that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Paskalev lands a big shot there that rocks Paquette but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Paskalev can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Paquette is looking to escape.

Paskalev is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Paquette to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Paquette shrugs it off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Arnost Paskalev will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Paquette misses with a left hand

and Paskalev counters with a nice double leg into side control. Paquette won't be happy with that.
Paquette is looking for a sweep.
Paquette prevents Paskalev from moving into mount.
Paskalev is looking to take a break and control but Paquette is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Paskalev taking a breather here.
Paquette wants to control but Paskalev postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paquette is trying to improve his position.
Paskalev advances to mount.
Paskalev avoids the attempt from Paquette to control.
Paquette tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paskalev lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Paquette is trying desperately to improve position.
Paskalev landing punches.
Paquette wants to control but Paskalev is having none of it.
Paquette can't escape the position.
Paquette is in a horrible position here. Paskalev smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Paskalev lands a big elbow.
Paskalev looking to control but Paquette is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Paquette is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Paskalev wants to control the pace but Paquette is squirming around nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paquette tries to lock up and control but Paskalev gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Paskalev working the ground and pound effectively.
Paskalev with the ground and pound from mount.
Paskalev scoring with strikes but Paquette is staying in there.
Paquette is bucking up trying to escape but Paskalev cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

Paskalev with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Paquette is squirming around, avoiding Paskalev's attempts to control the action.
Paquette wants to hold on but Paskalev pushes him away.
Paskalev working Paquette over with strikes here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Paskalev is landing with some decent strikes but Paquette is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Paquette tries to hold on but Paskalev postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paskalev wants to control the pace but Paquette is squirming around nicely.
Paskalev scoring with strikes but Paquette is staying in there.
Paquette tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Paskalev trying to control but Paquette is having none of it.
Paskalev connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Paskalev putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Paskalev trying to control but Paquette is having none of it.
Paskalev looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Paskalev lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Paquette tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Paskalev landing strikes, looking to finish!
Paskalev prevents Paquette from getting the reversal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paskalev with the ground and pound from mount.
Paquette is looking to improve his position but Paskalev isn't that keen on the idea.

Paskalev with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Paskalev controlling from the full mount.
Arnost Paskalev overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Paskalev landing shots from mount.
Paquette is desperately trying to improve his position but Paskalev has a good base and remains in mount.
Paquette taking shots to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Paskalev working Paquette over with strikes here.
Paquette is squirming around, avoiding Paskalev's attempts to control the action.
Paquette in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Odell Paquette has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Paquette reaches up and holds on to Paskalev to control the position.
Paskalev is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Paquette can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arnost Paskalev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Paskalev, 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:26
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:26
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:28

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