PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Balbus Michael (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Polichev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Michael comes to the cage accompanied by Lose Yourself. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Michael
vs
Polichev

178 cm
21
150 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

169 cm
22
150 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Granite chin

Spartan Nutrition
Sun-Tzu

KAISER
Victory Fight Wear

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Balbus Michael!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ivan Polichev!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Alyssa Summers and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Polichev checks the leg kick.
Polichev has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Michael feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Polichev's calf.
Michael uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Polichev.
Polichev pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Michael slips under a jab.
An inside leg kick from Michael misses.
Polichev wants to slow Michael down by chopping away at his legs.
Michael wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Michael throws a leg kick which misses Polichev's front leg but catches the back leg as Polichev tries to avoid it.
Polichev tries a low kick but Michael avoids it.
Polichev blocks a leg kick.
Polichev looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Polichev on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Polichev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Michael manages to avoid it.
Michael swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Michael checks a leg kick.
Polichev lands a nice looking kick to the body. Michael takes a step back to recover.
Polichev looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Polichev paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michael wants to clinch.
Michael pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Polichev on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Michael. Michael obviously looking to wear him down.
Michael fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Polichev is looking to slow Michael down with leg kicks.
Michael with a nice cross.
Michael lands a nice leg kick that just misses Polichev's sensitive parts.
A left lands for Michael.
Polichev scores with a jab.
Michael throws a quick inside leg kick.
Michael moves out of range of the leg kick from Polichev.
Polichev throws a half hearted mid kick.
Polichev throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Michael checks a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Polichev fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Michael checks it well.
Polichev goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Michael throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Michael moves out of range of the body kick from Polichev.
Michael fires out a quick counter leg kick but Polichev just manages to avoid it.

Michael moves into the clinch.
Polichev is trying to force a seperation but Michael has the dominant position.

Polichev pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Polichev throws a nice inside leg kick.

Michael clinches up against the cage.
Michael lands a good knee to the midsection. Polichev won't want to take too many of those.
Polichev takes a knee to the side of the body.
Michael throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Polichev blocks it with crossed arms.
Polichev lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Polichev's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Michael tries a knee to the head but Polichev blocks it.
Michael throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Polichev blocks it with crossed arms.
Michael tries to land knees in the clinch but Polichev avoids the damage to the body.
Michael tries a knee to the head but Polichev blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Michael misses with a punch on the inside.
Polichev doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Polichev wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Michael with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Polichev tries a body shot but Michael blocks it.
A nice right hand lands inside from Polichev.
Polichev is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Polichev avoiding damage as Michael throws knees to the body.
Polichev tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Michael misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Polichev.
Polichev is trying to push Michael away but Michael has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Michael tries to land knees in the clinch but Polichev avoids the damage to the body.

Polichev manages to break the clinch.
Polichev throws a nice outside leg kick.
Polichev will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A slow jab from Polichev misses its intended target.
Michael seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Michael keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Michael uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Polichev.
Michael is looking to clinch but Polichev is avoiding it.
Michael tries to clinch up but Polichev circles away and keeps his distance.
Polichev tries to land a front kick but Michael steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Michael throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Michael throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Polichev.
Polichev shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Polichev fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Michael checks it well.
Michael seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Michael tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A little jabbing left from Polichev on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Michael gets a clinch.
Michael tries to land knees in the clinch but Polichev avoids the damage to the body.
Polichev blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Polichev managing to block the knees to the body from Michael.
Michael with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Polichev on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Michael tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Polichev avoids it.
Polichev managing to block the knees to the body from Michael.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Balbus Michael will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Michael is looking to clinch but Polichev is avoiding it.
Polichev with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Michael 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.
Michael throws a head kick but Polichev moves out of range.
Michael tries to clinch but Polichev is having none of it.
Polichev now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Michael wants to clinch.
Michael checks a leg kick.
Michael tries to counter by clinching up but Polichev breaks away and moves out of range.
Nice body kick there by Polichev.
Polichev throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Michael scores with a jab to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Polichev goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Michael wants to land a leg kick but Polichev is out of range.
Michael dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Polichev thows a left - swing and a miss!
Michael lunges at Polichev with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Polichev's hand.
Michael looks for the body kick but Polichev saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Polichev connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Michael's hands.
Michael takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Michael is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Polichev throws a right and a left that both miss.
Michael explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Michael is looking to clinch.
Polichev looks to score with a jab to the body but Michael is just out of range.
Ivan Polichev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Michael throws a front kick aimed at Polichev's knee but Polichev avoids it well.
Polichev scores with a jab to the body.
Michael ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Polichev moves away.
Good work by Polichev as he checks the leg kick.
Michael dips to his left and cracks Polichev with an uppercut!
Michael throws a head kick that misses.
Polichev keeps Michael at a distance using the push kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Polichev.
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!
Michael is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Michael misses with a low kick as Polichev jumps back.
Polichev scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Polichev wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Michael walks into a jab.
Michael tries to clinch but Polichev moves out of range.
Michael checks a leg kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Michael, as that shot connected.
Polichev misses with a two punch combination.
Polichev throws out a leg kick but Michael moves out of range and Polichev only half commits.
Polichev walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Michael checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Michael throws a low kick but it's checked well by Polichev.
Michael slips under a jab.
Polichev avoids the head kick by Michael.
A looping hook to the body misses from Polichev. Michael does a little dance to reset his feet.
Michael fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Polichev throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Michael stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Nice defenses there by Michael.
Michael tries to counter by clinching up but Polichev breaks away and moves out of range.
Polichev tried to score with a low kick but Michael checks it.
Polichev fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Michael checks it well.
Michael looks to score with a jab to the body but Polichev is just out of range.
Polichev only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Polichev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Michael moves away.
Both fighters circling a little - Michael finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Michael lands a front kick.
Ivan Polichev seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Polichev takes a jab right on the kisser.
Polichev throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Michael misses the jab.
Michael tries a low kick but Polichev avoids it.
Polichev throws a body kick that misses.
Michael is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Polichev.
Polichev lands with a straight right. Michael didn't see that one coming.
Michael tries to close the distance and clinch up but Polichev swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Michael checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

Michael closes the distance and clinches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Michael obliges.
Polichev tries to break free but Michael pushes him back against the cage.
Polichev wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Michael tries to land knees in the clinch but Polichev avoids the damage to the body.

Polichev breaks the clinch.
Michael throws a sloppy head kick and Polichev moves out of range easily.
Polichev punishes Michael's body with a nice straight punch.
Michael lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Michael rushes Polichev and presses him up against the cage.
Michael lands a knee to the head.
Michael looking to stall.
Knees in the clinch landing for Michael.

Polichev breaks from the clinch.
Polichev avoids the head kick by Michael.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ivan Polichev will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Michael scores with the left hand. Polichev knows he should have avoided that one.
Polichev looks to land a body kick but Michael moved away.
Polichev gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Michael counters with a nice body kick.
Polichev moves into range and connects with a jab.
Polichev is looking to chop away at Michael's legs.

Michael gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Michael missing with knees to the body.
Polichev is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Michael is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Polichev is defending well for now.
Michael connects with a nasty looking knee right to Polichev's face.
Polichev blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Michael with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Michael crunches a lovely knee into Polichev's ribcage.
Polichev struggles to land a body shot inside as Michael controls his hands.
Polichev scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Polichev has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Michael tries a knee to the head but Polichev blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Michael throws a knee to the head but misses.
Polichev on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Michael.
Michael tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Polichev tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Polichev breaks from the clinch.
Michael ducks under a wild hook from Polichev.
Polichev throws a solid leg kick but Michael takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Polichev.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Michael misses with a knee to the head.
Michael with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Polichev's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Polichev misses with a hook.

Michael rushes Polichev and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Polichev on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Polichev goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Polichev blocks an uppercut.
Polichev is looking to control Michael's arms but Michael gets an underhook and turns him. Now Polichev has his back to the cage.
Michael tries a knee to the head but Polichev blocks it.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Michael with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Michael with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Polichev managing to block the knees to the body from Michael.
Polichev is trying to break free.
Polichev misses with a body punch.

Polichev manages to break the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Michael looks to land a left hand but Polichev moved out of range nicely.
Polichev throws a nice inside leg kick.
Michael checks a leg kick.
Michael drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Polichev looks for the body kick but Michael saw that one coming.
Michael tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Polichev manages to circle out of the way.
Polichev will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Michael tries to clinch but Polichev moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Polichev moves away from the strike by Michael.
Michael doesn't manage to clinch there - Polichev circles away.
Polichev swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice defenses there by Michael.
Michael throws a leg kick that is checked
and Polichev counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Michael avoids a kick to the body.
Polichev scores with a three punch combo!
Polichev tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Polichev throws a looping overhand right but Michael ducks down to avoid it.
Michael catches Polichev with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Michael tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Polichev listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
A looping hook to the body misses from Polichev. Michael does a little dance to reset his feet.
Michael is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Polichev.
Michael lands a nice shot that snaps Polichev's head back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Michael wants to land a leg kick but Polichev is out of range.
Michael moves out of range of the leg kick from Polichev.
Polichev throws a half hearted mid kick.
Michael throws a looping overhand right but Polichev ducks down to avoid it.
Michael moves away from the strike by Polichev.
Polichev fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Michael looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Nice jab there from Polichev.
An inside leg kick lands from Polichev.
Michael darts in trying to clinch
and Polichev counters with a nice kick to the body.
Michael will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Polichev fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Michael avoids a kick to the body.
As Polichev tries to get set, Michael tries to push him back and clinch up but Polichev manages to avoid the attempt.
Michael cracks the inside of Polichev's front leg.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ivan Polichev.
I think Polichev 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 28:29
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Polichev!