PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Miro Bang (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Oleksandr Usyk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bang
vs
Usyk

200 cm
27
214 lbs
10 - 9 - 0

190 cm
28
250 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250

Russian Bears Nutrition
Phantom Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Miro Bang!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Oleksandr Usyk!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Ben Zyskovitsi and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Usyk.
Nice shot lands for Usyk.

Usyk moves into range and clinches up with Bang.
Bang is working for takedown but Usyk is calmly controlling the position for now.
With the fighters up against the cage, Bang throws an elbow but misses.

Usyk is fighting off a takedown attempt but Bang is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Usyk to the mat. Usyk regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

Usyk has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Bang has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Usyk misses with a shot to the kidneys.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Usyk stops a takedown attempt from Bang.
Usyk throws an elbow that misses.

Usyk pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bang looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Oleksandr Usyk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Bang rushes Usyk and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Usyk.

It looks like Miro Bang has been cut.
Bang can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Miro Bang. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Usyk is pressed up against the cage. Bang has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Usyk down to the mat. Usyk avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Usyk gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Bang has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Usyk uses from the top position.
Usyk has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Bang is proving hard to escape from.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Usyk sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Bang has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Usyk can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Bang looking for a guillotine here but Usyk defends easily.

Usyk decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Usyk moves into range and clinches up with Bang.
Bang is working for takedown but Usyk is calmly controlling the position for now.

Bang has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Usyk clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Bang has his opponent's back but Usyk is looking to stand. He manages to get to his feet and shakes off Bang.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bang shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Usyk is trying to defend but Bang finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
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!

Bang looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Usyk wants to get back to his feet.
Usyk blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bang.

Bang is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Usyk sees it coming and defends easily.

Bang wants to work for an arm triangle but Usyk is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bang is trying to work for a kimura but Usyk is defending well.
Bang thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Usyk is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Usyk on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Bang stops Usyk from getting back to his feet.
Usyk blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bang.
Usyk taking some punishment here, with Bang in his half guard.

Bang is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Usyk defends it well.
Bang is pressing down on Usyk's thigh, looking to free his foot. Usyk is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bang wants to work for an arm triangle but Usyk is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Usyk moves into full guard.
Bang pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Usyk is keeping the position for now.
Usyk utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bang with a flurry of punches that miss.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Usyk wants to stand and escape but Bang is having none of it.
Bang wants to pass the guard but Usyk is keeping the position.
Bang is working hard here to advance position.
Bang throws a big elbow that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Oleksandr Usyk will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Miro Bang's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Usyk clinches.
A right handed body shot lands from Usyk.
Usyk lands a hook that snaps the head of Bang backwards.
Bang avoids a wild elbow strike from Usyk.
Usyk doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Usyk lands a nice elbow.
Bang takes an elbow to the temple.
Bang has Usyk pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Usyk manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Usyk creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Bang's defenses.
Bang using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Usyk has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Oleksandr Usyk seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Bang can't get the takedown.

Bang gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Bang drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Usyk dives on top into guard.

Usyk trying to stand up but can't free himself from Bang's guard.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

Bang is looking for a triangle but Usyk pushes his legs off easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Usyk has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Bang is proving hard to escape from.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Usyk gets to his feet - Bang follows without any prompting.
Usyk has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Usyk throws an overhand right that lands on Bang's shoulder, as Bang tries to avoid the shot.
Usyk scores with a hook to the body. Bang takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A jab from Usyk misses.
Bang with a poor takedown
and Usyk scores with a counter punch that sends Bang to the canvas! Usyk smells blood - he's punishing Bang with more strikes and the ref has stopped it! Bang has no idea where he is - he's tackled the ref... oh dear, poor guy, the crowd is in hysterics!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:29 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Oleksandr Usyk!