PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ilya Bryzgalov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brandon Hale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Hale's choice of entrance music: Dead Sara - Weatherman. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Brandon Hale was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Bryzgalov
vs
Hale

178 cm
28
173 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

174 cm
36
177 lbs
37 - 18 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Aspire Clothing
Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ilya Bryzgalov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 37 - 18 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Brandon Hale!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Paul Tew and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hale blocks a jab.
Bryzgalov scoring well with a low kick there.
Nice body punch from Bryzgalov.
Bryzgalov throws a chopping leg kick but Hale manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Hale looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A cross from Hale lands.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Bryzgalov.
Bryzgalov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Hale looks to throw the jab but Bryzgalov is out of range.
Hale misses with a straight left.
Bryzgalov throws a shot to the body.
Bryzgalov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hale was well out of range. Poor timing from Bryzgalov.
Hale takes one on the button.
An inside leg kick lands from Bryzgalov.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bryzgalov is looking to chop away at Hale's legs.
Bryzgalov is looking to score with low kicks.
It seemed like Hale was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hale is looking to chop away at Bryzgalov's legs.
Bryzgalov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Bryzgalov definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Bryzgalov throws a chopping leg kick but Hale manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Bryzgalov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hale.
Ilya Bryzgalov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hale feints and then cracks Bryzgalov's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Bryzgalov down.
A bone on bone clash there as Hale blocks the leg kick.
A slow jab from Bryzgalov misses its intended target.
And Hale tries to counter it with a takedown but Bryzgalov pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Bryzgalov lands a nice hook to Hale's body. Hale takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Bryzgalov ducks under a wild hook from Hale.
Hale lands with a thumping leg kick.
Hale slips a straight right by Bryzgalov.
A low kick from Bryzgalov is predictable there
and Hale counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hale connects with a leg kick. Bryzgalov looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Bryzgalov fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hale.
Bryzgalov misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hale bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Bryzgalov's head backwards.
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!
The fighters circle momentarily. Bryzgalov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Bryzgalov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bryzgalov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hale.
Bryzgalov swings widly with a right hand

and Hale counters with a crisp one two that drops Bryzgalov! Hale thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Bryzgalov to his feet! Bryzgalov is in big trouble!
Hale takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Bryzgalov lands a nice shot that snaps Hale's head back.
Bryzgalov throws a body kick that misses.
Bryzgalov jabs Hale right on the nose. Hale blinks but takes it well.
Hale has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Bryzgalov needs to keep his hands up - Hale had a free shot at his head there.

Hale tries to keep at a distance but Bryzgalov has taken the fight into the clinch.

Hale pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hale misses with a looping right.
Hale avoids the body shot from Bryzgalov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bryzgalov. Hale does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hale walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Bryzgalov finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
And Hale tries to counter it with a takedown but Bryzgalov pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Bryzgalov fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Hale checks it well.
Hale takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A cross from Bryzgalov lands.
An inside leg kick lands from Bryzgalov.
Hale keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hale takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Bryzgalov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Hale takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hale scores with a sloppy right hand. Bryzgalov should have avoided that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bryzgalov lands a leg kick that knocks Hale off balance momentarily.
Hale slips under a jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bryzgalov takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Hale stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Bryzgalov.
Bryzgalov throws a lazy right hand but Hale sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A little jabbing left from Hale on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Bryzgalov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hale doesn't seem bothered though.

Bryzgalov clinches up against the cage.
Hale fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hale is trying to force a seperation but Bryzgalov has the dominant position.
Bryzgalov avoiding damage.
Bryzgalov lands a hook that snaps the head of Hale backwards.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hale misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bryzgalov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hale lands a shoulder strike.
Hale tries to break free but Bryzgalov pushes him back against the cage.
Hale can't find room to land a body shot as Bryzgalov controls the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ilya Bryzgalov dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A telegraphed right hand from Hale misses the target.
Hale keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Bryzgalov lands a jab.
Bryzgalov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Hale.
Ilya Bryzgalov is winning the standup battle so far.
Bryzgalov throws a leg kick but Hale checks it.
Bryzgalov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hale throws out the jab.
Bryzgalov blocks a head kick by Hale.
Hale's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Hale avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Bryzgalov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bryzgalov moves in looking to clinch but Hale pushes him off.
Hale staying out of range there.
Hale lands a leg kick that knocks Bryzgalov off balance momentarily.
Bryzgalov tries a low kick but Hale avoids it.
Hale throws a head kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bryzgalov misses the shot to the body.
Hale misses the shot to the body.
An attempted straight right counter from Bryzgalov misses the target.
Bryzgalov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hale follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Bryzgalov scores with a nice head shot.
Bryzgalov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Hale throws out a counter right but Bryzgalov avoids it with no problem.
Bryzgalov looks to throw the jab but Hale is out of range.
Bryzgalov scores with a jab.
Bryzgalov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Bryzgalov with a jab.
Hale walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Hale misses with a looping left.
Bryzgalov throws a big counter combination but Hale scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Bryzgalov takes a swing at Hale's ribcage but misses.
Hale appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Hale paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Hale takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bryzgalov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A telegraphed right hand from Hale misses the target.
Bryzgalov misses with a low kick.
And Hale tries to counter it with a takedown but Bryzgalov pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Bryzgalov moves out of range as Hale strikes.
A bone on bone clash there as Hale blocks the leg kick.
Bryzgalov misses with a hook
and Hale counters with a nice body shot.
Bryzgalov looks to score with a jab to the body but Hale is just out of range.
It seemed like Hale was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Bryzgalov thumps Hale with a low kick.
Hale just misses with a punch to the body.
Bryzgalov connects with a body shot.
Bryzgalov swings away with a body shot that misses
letting Hale counter with a right hand.
No joy there for Bryzgalov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bryzgalov avoids a kick to the body.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Bryzgalov 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 Hale has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Hale and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick from Bryzgalov misses.
Hale with the counter takedown but Bryzgalov avoids it easily.
Hale moves out of range as Bryzgalov throws a body kick.
A little jabbing left from Hale on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A chopping leg kick lands by Bryzgalov.
Bryzgalov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hale can do to turn this around?
Hale gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A nice inside leg kick there by Bryzgalov. That's going to slow Hale down.
Bryzgalov tries a low kick but Hale avoids it.
Hale throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bryzgalov appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Bryzgalov jabs Hale right on the nose. Hale blinks but takes it well.
Hale misses with a low kick.
Bryzgalov moves into range and connects with a jab.
Hale shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Bryzgalov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hale sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hale is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Hale with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bryzgalov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Bryzgalov looks to throw the jab but Hale is out of range.
Hale swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Bryzgalov takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bryzgalov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hale.
Bryzgalov lands a lovely overhand right.
Bryzgalov throws a looping overhand right but Hale ducks down to avoid it.
Bryzgalov scores with a leg kick.
Hale is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bryzgalov.
Bryzgalov misses with a body shot
letting Hale counter with a right hand.
Bryzgalov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hale misses with a hook. Bryzgalov ducked under it nicely.
Bryzgalov takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Bryzgalov misses the shot to the body.

Bryzgalov drives through and clinches with Hale against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ilya Bryzgalov dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Hale throws a leg kick but Bryzgalov checks it.
Bryzgalov looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Bryzgalov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Bryzgalov throws a nice inside leg kick.
Bryzgalov slips a straight right by Hale.
Hale looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Bryzgalov thinks about countering with a body kick.
Hale throws out a loose jab but Bryzgalov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bryzgalov misses with a body shot.
Hale keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bryzgalov.
Bryzgalov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Hale to score with a decent uppercut.
Bryzgalov scores with a nice head shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A punch lands to the side of Hale 's head but he takes it in his stride.
A nice leg kick lands there from Bryzgalov.
Bryzgalov throws out a powerful jab.
Hale keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bryzgalov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Hale keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Hale ducks under a wild hook from Bryzgalov.
Bryzgalov misses with a wild body shot.
Hale keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bryzgalov misses with a hook to the body
and Hale counters with a low kick, right behind Bryzgalov 's knee.
Hale misses with the combination.
Hale checks a low kick from Bryzgalov.
Hale feints a counter leg kick.
Bryzgalov blocks a leg kick.
Bryzgalov throws a body punch but Hale moves out of range.
Bryzgalov lands a nice shot that snaps Hale's head back.
Bryzgalov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hale.
Bryzgalov connects with a jab.
Ilya Bryzgalov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hale has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hale takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Hale throws a body shot but no joy.
Bryzgalov throws a lazy uppercut
and Hale counters with a stiff right hand.
Bryzgalov cracks Hale with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hale swings widly with a right hand
and Bryzgalov counters with a nice body shot.
A slapping leg kick lands for Bryzgalov.
Hale scores with a sloppy right hand. Bryzgalov should have avoided that one.
Bryzgalov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
An inside leg kick from Bryzgalov misses.
Good leg kick by Bryzgalov there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Bryzgalov throws the left hand but Hale avoids the punch easily.
Bryzgalov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hale.
Hale jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bryzgalov throws a quick inside leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Bryzgalov misses the target.
Brandon Hale has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bryzgalov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hale's sensitive parts.
Bryzgalov misses with a low kick.
A little jabbing left from Hale on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Jab from Bryzgalov.
Bryzgalov 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.
Bryzgalov checks the leg kick.
Good exchange - Bryzgalov coming out on top.
Bryzgalov fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Hale has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Bryzgalov lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hale's sensitive parts.
Bryzgalov cracks Hale with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Hale misses with a kick to the body
and Bryzgalov counters with a low kick, right behind Hale 's knee.
Bryzgalov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Bryzgalov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bryzgalov gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Good work by Bryzgalov as he checks the leg kick.
Hale swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bryzgalov lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Bryzgalov lands with a kick to the ribs.
A chopping leg kick lands by Bryzgalov.
Hale gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Bryzgalov throws a hook but Hale blocks it.
It seemed like Hale was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Hale connects with a good right hand that stumbles Bryzgalov. Bryzgalov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Bryzgalov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Bryzgalov throws a jab but it's blocked by Hale.
Hale only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Bryzgalov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Hale pulls out of a head kick attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ilya Bryzgalov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Bryzgalov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ilya Bryzgalov!
After winning the bout, Ilya Bryzgalov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.