PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Strategos Themistokles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Artem Irhin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Artem Irhin will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Themistokles
vs
Irhin

187 cm
24
218 lbs
9 - 0 - 0

180 cm
26
200 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction
Museum of Monsters & Madmen

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Strategos Themistokles!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Artem Irhin!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Alec Ball and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Irhin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Irhin fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Themistokles seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Irhin lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Irhin scores with a nice right hand.
Themistokles darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Themistokles throws a low kick, looking for Irhin's leg but Irhin calmly moves out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Themistokles.
Themistokles avoids the body shot from Irhin.

Irhin gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Themistokles blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Irhin using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Themistokles has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Irhin.
Themistokles lands a right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Irhin looking to throw knees to the head but Themistokles is blocking nicely.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Themistokles.
Themistokles tries a body shot but Irhin blocks it.
Irhin throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Themistokles blocks it with crossed arms.
Irhin utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Irhin misses with a knee strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Irhin blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Themistokles misses with a short punch on the inside.
Irhin stalls.
Themistokles lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Themistokles misses with the head strike.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Themistokles as Irhin tries to tie him up.
Irhin taking a breather.
Irhin blocks an uppercut.
Irhin pushes Themistokles back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Irhin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Irhin scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Themistokles throws a sloppy head kick and Irhin moves out of range easily.
Themistokles circles away from the clinch attempt.
Some bone on bone action there as Themistokles checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Irhin, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Irhin checks a low kick from Themistokles.
Artem Irhin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Irhin is looking to clinch.
Irhin jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Irhin scores with a nice right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Irhin closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Themistokles staying out of range there.
A big right from Themistokles misses.

Irhin rushes Themistokles and presses him up against the cage.
Irhin's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Irhin prevents a body shot from Themistokles.
Themistokles misses with some punches.
Irhin lands a nice uppercut.
Themistokles misses with a body punch.
Irhin throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Themistokles blocks it with crossed arms.
Irhin is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Irhin lands a right hand that snaps the head of Themistokles backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Irhin lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Irhin landing knees to the head.
Themistokles misses with a body punch.
Themistokles tries to throw a body punch but Irhin avoids it by throwing Themistokles back against the cage.
Irhin is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Irhin blocks a body shot from Themistokles.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Irhin breaks the clinch.

Irhin closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Irhin manages to break the clinch.
Themistokles throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Irhin throws out a loose jab but Themistokles uses good head movement to avoid it.
Irhin misses with an uppercut.
Themistokles is looking to counter punch.
Irhin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Irhin is looking to chop away at Themistokles's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Irhin clobbers Themistokles with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Irhin takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Irhin takes one on the button.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Themistokles throws a jab when Irhin was well out of range.
Irhin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Themistokles was well out of range. Poor timing from Irhin.
Irhin scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Themistokles throws a hook but Irhin avoids it easily.
Irhin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Themistokles moves away.
Themistokles is looking for a counter combo.
Themistokles does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Irhin looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Irhin tries to clinch but Themistokles moves out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Themistokles misses the target.
Irhin slips under a jab from Themistokles.
Themistokles avoids a punch combination nicely.
Irhin darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Themistokles fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Irhin checks it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artem Irhin dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A big left from Themistokles misses.
Irhin takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Irhin tries to close the distance and clinch up but Themistokles swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Irhin rushes Themistokles and presses him up against the cage.
Irhin misses with a knee to the head.
A body shot lands from Themistokles.
Themistokles on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Irhin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Irhin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Irhin thumps Themistokles with a low kick.
Irhin has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
A slow jab from Irhin misses its intended target.
Themistokles loads up on a big right hand but Irhin slips the punch.
Irhin smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Themistokles throws a chopping leg kick but Irhin manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Themistokles thuds a left hand into Irhin's body.
Irhin fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Themistokles has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Irhin thuds his right hand into Themistokles's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Themistokles.
Irhin scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Themistokles.
Irhin misses with a wild body shot.
Irhin's jab looks to have found its range, popping Themistokles under the eye.
Irhin misses with a kick to the body
enabling Themistokles to counter with a crisp jab.
Themistokles needs to keep his hands up - Irhin had a free shot at his head there.
Irhin throws out a loose jab but Themistokles uses good head movement to avoid it.
Irhin lands a right hook to the body.
Irhin looks to score with a jab to the body but Themistokles is just out of range.
Irhin uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Themistokles has time to react.
Irhin fails in his attempt to clinch.
Themistokles appears to be looking for a big counter.
Themistokles pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Irhin uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Themistokles has time to react.
Themistokles misses with a straight right.
Artem Irhin seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Irhin tries a low kick but Themistokles avoids it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Irhin misses with a low kick.
Themistokles throws a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Irhin feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Themistokles's calf.
Themistokles throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Themistokles throws a shot from downtown. Irhin moves away and avoids it.
Irhin connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Themistokles thows a left - swing and a miss!
Irhin 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.
Irhin misses with a double jab.
Irhin just misses with a punch to the body.
Irhin with a hook.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Themistokles lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Irhin has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Irhin and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Irhin connects with a right hand. Themistokles shakes it off.
Irhin lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Themistokles circles away quickly and effectively.
Themistokles swats away the attempt to clinch by Irhin.

Irhin clinches up with Themistokles and pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Irhin's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Themistokles tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Irhin's elbow.
Themistokles on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Irhin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Themistokles.
Themistokles misses with a body punch.
Themistokles fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Themistokles misses with a hook from the clinch.
Themistokles misses with a punch to the body.
Themistokles missing with knees to the body.
Themistokles tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Irhin putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Themistokles in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Irhin takes a shot to the head.
Irhin misses with a punch to the body.
Themistokles can't find room to land a body shot as Irhin controls the action.
Themistokles misses with some punches.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Themistokles misses.
Irhin throws a lazy right hand but Themistokles sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Irhin is looking to clinch but Themistokles is avoiding it.
Irhin feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Themistokles's calf.
Themistokles misses with a jab, cross combination.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Themistokles lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Irhin throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Themistokles on the side of the head.
Themistokles takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Themistokles quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
That kick from Irhin tenderised Themistokles's leg. Themistokles is trying to keep his angry face on.
Irhin cracks Themistokles with a right hand to the side of the head.
Irhin drops his hands momentarily and Themistokles takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Themistokles is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A telegraphed right hand from Themistokles misses the target.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Irhin lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
A big right from Irhin misses.
Irhin scores with a jab to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artem Irhin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Themistokles throws a chopping leg kick but Irhin manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Nice shot lands for Themistokles.
Irhin is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Irhin is looking to clinch but Themistokles is avoiding it.
Irhin tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Themistokles paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Themistokles. Irhin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Themistokles looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Irhin bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Themistokles's head.
Themistokles throws a big shot that misses.
Irhin tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Themistokles paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Irhin is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice defenses there by Themistokles.
Themistokles was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Themistokles throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Themistokles throws a leg kick that misses.
Irhin lands a head kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Irhin throws a nice looking combination but Themistokles bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Irhin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Irhin feints a counter leg kick.
Themistokles throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Themistokles with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A slapping leg kick lands for Themistokles.
Irhin connects with a nice looking jab.
Irhin is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Themistokles.
Themistokles defending well as Irhin loads up on a big left hand.
Irhin takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Irhin misses with a leg kick.
Themistokles throws a chopping leg kick but Irhin manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Irhin slips a straight right by Themistokles.
Irhin is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Themistokles.

Irhin closes the distance and clinches.
Themistokles misses with a short punch on the inside.
Irhin blocks an uppercut.
Strategos Themistokles has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Themistokles misses with a punch to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Irhin blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Themistokles struggles to land a body shot inside as Irhin controls his hands.
Still in the clinch, Irhin scores with a nice short uppercut.
Irhin blocks a body shot from Themistokles.

Irhin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Themistokles ducks under a wild hook from Irhin.
Themistokles misses with an attempted mid kick.
Irhin throws a body punch but Themistokles moves out of range.
Irhin throws a leg kick but Themistokles sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Themistokles misses with a hook to the body
and Irhin counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Irhin throws an overhand right that lands on Themistokles's shoulder, as Themistokles tries to avoid the shot.
Jab from Irhin.
Irhin throws a head kick that misses
and Themistokles counters with a stiff right hand.
Themistokles moves out of range as Irhin strikes.
Themistokles throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Themistokles. That snapped Irhin's head back.
Irhin scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Irhin is looking to clinch.
Themistokles scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Irhin rushes Themistokles and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A short left from Themistokles.
Irhin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Themistokles.
Irhin with a knee to the head.
Irhin throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Themistokles blocks it with crossed arms.
The referee is keeping an eye on Irhin - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Irhin pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Themistokles scores with an uppercut up the middle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Themistokles tries a body shot but Irhin blocks it.
Themistokles throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Irhin blocks it with crossed arms.
Irhin tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Artem Irhin is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Themistokles throws a punch but it's blocked by Irhin.
Themistokles stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Irhin's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A short right hand to the side of the head by Themistokles.
Good body shot from Themistokles.
Irhin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Themistokles misses with some punches.
Irhin missing with knees to the body.
Themistokles blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Themistokles swings wildly with an uppercut but Irhin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Themistokles doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Irhin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Irhin cracks Themistokles with an open hand slap.
Themistokles throws a body shot but no joy.
Jab from Irhin.
Irhin tries to clinch up but Themistokles circles away and keeps his distance.

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 Strategos Themistokles.
Well Irhin 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Artem Irhin!
A very excited looking Artem Irhin rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.