PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Fabian Kabakov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gerald Hendo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Fabian Kabakov has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Kabakov
vs
Hendo

213 cm
27
196 lbs
4 - 5 - 1

188 cm
21
187 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 4 - 5 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Fabian Kabakov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Gerald Hendo!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kabakov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kabakov wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Hendo closes the distance looking to clinch
and Kabakov counters with a left to the body.
Hendo tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kabakov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kabakov lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Kabakov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hendo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kabakov.
Kabakov scores with a jab to the body.
Kabakov throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Kabakov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kabakov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Kabakov thumps Hendo with a low kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hendo avoids the head kick by Kabakov.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Hendo moves into the clinch successfully.
Kabakov misses with a knee strike.
Kabakov unloads a knee to the mid-section.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hendo jumps guard but Kabakov stands there with Hendo around his waist. Hendo gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kabakov misses with a body punch.
Hendo fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Fabian Kabakov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gerald Hendo.
Kabakov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kabakov with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Kabakov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kabakov goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Kabakov scoring well with a low kick there.
Hendo throws a head kick but Kabakov moves out of range.
Kabakov throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Kabakov scores with a head kick. Hendo tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Kabakov feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Hendo's calf.
Kabakov blocks a head kick by Hendo.

Hendo gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kabakov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kabakov using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Hendo looks winded!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kabakov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kabakov landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Kabakov misses with a punch to the body.
Kabakov can't find room to land a body shot as Hendo controls the action.
Kabakov tries to land knees in the clinch but Hendo avoids the damage to the body.

Hendo breaks from the clinch.
Hendo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kabakov swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Hendo moves into the clinch successfully.
Kabakov prevents a takedown attempt there.

Kabakov manages to break the clinch.
Kabakov throws a head kick that Hendo semi-blocks.
Kabakov scores with a hook.
Hendo closes the distance but Kabakov moves to the side
and Kabakov counters with a series of strikes. Hendo will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kabakov lands with a kick to the temple. Hendo shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Kabakov misses with a body kick.
Kabakov misses with a series of wild punches.
Hendo is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Kabakov has closed the distance and engaged Hendo in a clinch.
Hendo wants a takedown.
Hendo tries to pull guard but Kabakov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Kabakov really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Hendo takes a shot to the head.
Kabakov connects with a knee to the head.
Kabakov lands with a left to the head.

Kabakov pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kabakov misses with a combination

and Hendo counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hendo.

Kabakov pushes Hendo off and gets back to his feet.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hendo walks into a stiff left hand from Kabakov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kabakov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kabakov throws a sloppy head kick and Hendo moves out of range easily.
Kabakov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Hendo in his tracks.
Kabakov changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Hendo moves out of range of the body kick from Kabakov.
Kabakov throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Kabakov tries a head kick but it misses.
Some wild striking there from Hendo.
Hendo swinging wildly here.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kabakov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kabakov tries to close the distance and clinch but Hendo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kabakov slaps away a takedown attempt from Hendo, before circling back to the center of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fabian Kabakov dominated that round.
That's time! Kabakov's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kabakov jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Hendo moves out of range of the body kick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Kabakov.
Nice takedown defense from Kabakov. No joy for Hendo on that attempt.
Kabakov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hendo can do to turn this around?
A slapping leg kick lands for Kabakov.
Kabakov swings for the body but Hendo moves out of range.
Hendo tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Hendo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kabakov is looking to counter the offense by Hendo and move into the clinch.
Hendo throws a series of punches but Kabakov avoids them all with ease.
Hendo throws a front kick aimed at Kabakov's knee but Kabakov avoids it well.
Kabakov lands with a kick to the ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hendo tries to keep at a distance but Kabakov has taken the fight into the clinch.
Hendo has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Kabakov.
Hendo takes an elbow to the forehead.
Kabakov misses with a punch to the body.
Kabakov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kabakov using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Hendo is breathing heavily.
Kabakov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hendo's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Kabakov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kabakov swats away the attempt to clinch by Hendo.
Kabakov half committed to a counter leg kick.
Kabakov throws a quick inside leg kick.
Hendo misses with a takedown attempt - Kabakov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kabakov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hendo with the counter takedown but Kabakov avoids it easily.

Hendo has managed to clinch.
Kabakov misses with a knee strike.
Our sources have told us that Kabakov has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Kabakov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hendo blocks it with crossed arms.
Kabakov struggles to land a body shot inside as Hendo controls his hands.
Kabakov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hendo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kabakov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hendo is defending well for now.
Hendo prevents a body shot from Kabakov.
A short right from Kabakov.
Hendo jumps guard but Kabakov turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Fabian Kabakov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gerald Hendo.
Kabakov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hendo avoids it.

Hendo gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Kabakov wants to stand back up but Hendo manages to pass into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kabakov is trying to improve his position.
Kabakov is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Hendo asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Hendo decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hendo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kabakov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hendo manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kabakov throws a head kick that misses.

Hendo clinches up against the cage.
Kabakov lands a good knee to the midsection. Hendo won't want to take too many of those.

Hendo breaks the clinch.
That kick from Kabakov tenderised Hendo's leg. Hendo is trying to keep his angry face on.
Sloppy strikes from Hendo. Those never looked like landing.
Kabakov is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Kabakov lands with a slapping head kick.
Fabian Kabakov is winning the standup battle so far.

Kabakov gets caught napping as Hendo dives in and scores a takedown. Kabakov manages to retain guard.
Kabakov keeping moving, preventing Hendo from controlling successfully.

Kabakov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hendo doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hendo manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kabakov will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hendo preventing the sweep.
Gerald Hendo has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hendo controlling from the top position.
Hendo is working Kabakov over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Kabakov has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Hendo has passed into side control.
Kabakov is trying to improve his position.
The referee asks Hendo politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Hendo prefers to stall for the moment though.
Kabakov tries to buck Hendo off but Hendo is having none of it.

Hendo decides to stand up, so the ref orders Kabakov to his feet.
Hendo doesn't manage to clinch there - Kabakov circles away.
Hendo tries to bum rush Kabakov with a series of wild strikes but Kabakov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fabian Kabakov dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Hendo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
No luck for Hendo with that takedown attempt.
Kabakov lands the left hand.
Hendo avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Hendo shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hendo takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kabakov fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hendo manages to avoid it.
Kabakov is looking to clinch but Hendo is avoiding it.
Hendo tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Hendo shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Kabakov's guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Kabakov manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hendo on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hendo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kabakov tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kabakov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kabakov lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hendo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hendo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Hendo tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kabakov smiles and moves away.
Fabian Kabakov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gerald Hendo.
Kabakov tries a head kick but it misses.
Kabakov is looking to wear down Hendo with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Hendo dives in for a single leg takedown but Kabakov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Kabakov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Fabian Kabakov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kabakov stuns Hendo with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Kabakov tries to clinch but Hendo is having none of it.
Hendo's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kabakov scores with a jab to the body.
Hendo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kabakov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hendo tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Hendo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kabakov is fending him off so far but Hendo persists. Nope, Kabakov circles away and we're back to standing.
Hendo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kabakov pinned against the cage. Kabakov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hendo steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Kabakov. That one must have hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hendo on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Kabakov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Hendo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hendo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kabakov keeps the fight on the outside.
Hendo misses with the combination.
Kabakov scores with a body shot.
Hendo drops his hands momentarily and Kabakov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Hendo fails to land with a series of punches.

Kabakov closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hendo can't get the takedown.
Hendo is trying to pull guard but Kabakov has him pressed against the cage.

Kabakov breaks the clinch.
Kabakov misses with a double jab.
Kabakov is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Kabakov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hendo manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hendo steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Kabakov. That one must have hurt.
Kabakov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Kabakov looks for the body kick but Hendo saw that one coming.
Hendo tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Kabakov throws a head kick that misses.
Hendo blocks a head kick by Kabakov.
Kabakov cracks a nice hook into Hendo's ribs.
Hendo walks into a jab.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hendo avoiding damage as Kabakov throws knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kabakov tries a body shot but Hendo blocks it.
Kabakov missing with knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Kabakov fails to land.
Kabakov unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hendo lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Hendo has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Kabakov regains guard immediately.

Kabakov has an active guard here but Hendo has managed to pass into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hendo controlling the action here.

Kabakov actively working from the bottom here.
Gerald Hendo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kabakov wants to get back to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fabian Kabakov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kabakov, 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27

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