PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bosco Iwoba (ranked 1367 p4p, 176 weight class) and Alexander Pichushkin (ranked 794 p4p, 107 weight class). Iwoba's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Hercules*. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Iwoba
vs
Pichushkin

187 cm
29
186 lbs
17 - 7 - 0

185 cm
27
195 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

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 17 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bosco Iwoba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alexander Pichushkin!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pichushkin lands a lovely overhand right.
Iwoba showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Pichushkin.
Iwoba was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Iwoba lunges at Pichushkin with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Pichushkin's hand.
Iwoba doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Iwoba looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Pichushkin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Pichushkin looks to land a right hand but Iwoba moved out of range.
Pichushkin cracks the inside of Iwoba's front leg.
Pichushkin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Iwoba.
Pichushkin takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Pichushkin 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.
Iwoba throws a head kick but Pichushkin moves out of range.
Pichushkin unleashes a big counter combination but Iwoba bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Iwoba lands a head shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pichushkin with a jab.
Iwoba darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Iwoba scores with a kick to the midsection.
Iwoba throws a leg kick that misses.
Iwoba ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Pichushkin misses with a hook.
Pichushkin 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.
Pichushkin stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Pichushkin takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Iwoba dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Pichushkin thuds a left hand into Iwoba's body.
Iwoba slips a straight right by Pichushkin.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Pichushkin throws a nice outside leg kick.
Pichushkin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Iwoba moves away.
Pichushkin throws a jab when Iwoba was well out of range.
Pichushkin misses with a body shot.
Iwoba uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Pichushkin.

Iwoba moves into range and clinches up with Pichushkin.
Iwoba fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Iwoba swings wildly with an uppercut but Pichushkin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Iwoba tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A short right from Pichushkin.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pichushkin misses with a punch on the inside.
Iwoba lands with a light punch inside.
Pichushkin has a couple of punches blocked by Iwoba.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Iwoba softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Pichushkin fails to land.
Pichushkin blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Iwoba lands a right hand.
Iwoba misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short left from Iwoba.
Nice body punch from Iwoba - that landed with a thud.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Pichushkin.
Iwoba goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Iwoba makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Iwoba stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Pichushkin misses with the head strike.
A head punch on the inside from Iwoba fails to land.
Iwoba can't find room to land a body shot as Pichushkin controls the action.

Iwoba breaks the clinch.
Pichushkin throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Alexander Pichushkin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Pichushkin 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 Iwoba has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Iwoba and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Iwoba blocks a jab.
Iwoba rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Pichushkin counters with a nice body shot.
Iwoba uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Pichushkin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Iwoba pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Sloppy strikes from Pichushkin. Those never looked like landing.
Iwoba stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
The crowd cheers as Pichushkin lands an impressive looking overhand right. Iwoba doesn't seem phased though.
Pichushkin misses with an uppercut.
Pichushkin on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Pichushkin takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Iwoba changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Iwoba thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Pichushkin if he has to take too many more of those.
Iwoba lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Iwoba tries to clinch up but Pichushkin circles away and keeps his distance.
Iwoba scores with a sloppy right hand. Pichushkin should have avoided that one.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Iwoba throws a poor cross that misses
and Pichushkin counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A telegraphed right hand from Pichushkin misses the target.
Iwoba slips a jab from Pichushkin.
A low kick from Pichushkin misses
and Iwoba counters with a nice low kick that buckles Pichushkin's knee momentarily.
Pichushkin lands with an uppercut that bounces Iwoba off the cage and back into range.
Iwoba displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Pichushkin throws out the jab.
Pichushkin tries a low kick but Iwoba avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Iwoba swings for the body but Pichushkin moves out of range.
Pichushkin appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Pichushkin blocks a head kick by Iwoba.
Pichushkin misses with a hook. Iwoba ducked under it nicely.
A leg kick checked by Pichushkin.
Iwoba throws a low kick, looking for Pichushkin's leg but Pichushkin calmly moves out of range.
Iwoba displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Pichushkin throws out the jab.
Iwoba pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Iwoba tries to land a front kick but Pichushkin steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
It seemed like Pichushkin was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Pichushkin is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Iwoba ducks under a wild hook from Pichushkin.
Iwoba scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Pichushkin connects with a jab.
Pichushkin steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Iwoba. That one must have hurt.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Iwoba tries for a takedown but Pichushkin sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Iwoba slips under a jab.
Iwoba avoids a punch combination nicely.
Iwoba fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Pichushkin on the side of the head.
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 Bosco Iwoba will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Pichushkin is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Iwoba.
Iwoba buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Iwoba digs a good body shot into Pichushkin's ribs.
A slow jab from Iwoba misses its intended target.
Pichushkin misses with a body shot.
Pichushkin catches Iwoba with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Pichushkin scores with a leg kick.
Iwoba loads up on a big right hand but Pichushkin slips the punch.
It seemed like Pichushkin was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Pichushkin stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Iwoba.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Iwoba.
Pichushkin needs to keep his hands up - Iwoba had a free shot at his head there.
Iwoba slips under a jab from Pichushkin.
A chopping leg kick lands by Iwoba.
Iwoba throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Pichushkin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A swing and a miss from Pichushkin.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pichushkin takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A big right from Iwoba misses.
Pichushkin swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Iwoba blocks a jab.
Iwoba thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Pichushkin if he has to take too many more of those.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Iwoba.
Iwoba lands a really nice looking cross but Pichushkin seems unphased.
Nice jab there from Iwoba.
Pichushkin fails to land with a series of punches.

Iwoba changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Pichushkin looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Iwoba works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Iwoba landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Pichushkin is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Iwoba lands a few punches from side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pichushkin is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Iwoba off and has taken his back!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Iwoba tries to break free.
Iwoba tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pichushkin tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Iwoba tries to reverse the position but Pichushkin maintains control.

Pichushkin moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Iwoba has worked his arm free - good work by Iwoba!
Iwoba has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Iwoba manages to work his way to half guard, despite Pichushkin's best efforts.
Iwoba is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Pichushkin wants to pass the guard but Iwoba is defending well.
Iwoba tries to roll over but Pichushkin keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pichushkin moves into full mount! Iwoba won't be happy about that!
Iwoba is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Iwoba is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.

Pichushkin is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Iwoba is surviving well by controlling Pichushkin's body position as best he can.

Pichushkin moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Iwoba has worked his arm free - good work by Iwoba!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Iwoba regains half guard.
Iwoba is looking to improve his position.

Pichushkin is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Iwoba gets back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pichushkin wants to pass the guard but Iwoba is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bosco Iwoba dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Iwoba misses the shot to the body.
Iwoba misses with a body kick.
Pichushkin lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Iwoba lands a leg kick that knocks Pichushkin off balance momentarily.
A nice leg kick lands there from Iwoba.
Pichushkin looks to throw the jab but Iwoba is out of range.
Pichushkin's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Pichushkin throws out a loose jab but Iwoba uses good head movement to avoid it.
Pichushkin fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Pichushkin moves out of range of the strikes.
Pichushkin has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Iwoba.
Pichushkin lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Pichushkin throws a sloppy body shot
and Iwoba makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
A shot to the body from Iwoba misses
and Pichushkin counters with a stiff right hand.
Iwoba bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pichushkin throws a right and a left that both miss.
Pichushkin throws an overhand right that lands on Iwoba's shoulder, as Iwoba tries to avoid the shot.
Pichushkin misses with a body shot
and Iwoba counters with a nice leg kick.
Iwoba scoring well with a low kick there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Iwoba scores with a hook.
Iwoba catches Pichushkin with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab by Pichushkin.
A slow jab from Pichushkin misses its intended target.
Iwoba throws a front kick aimed at Pichushkin's knee but Pichushkin avoids it well.
Pichushkin displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Pichushkin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Iwoba slips under a jab.
Iwoba tries to counter with a takedown but Pichushkin is quick to defend against it.
Iwoba throws a half hearted mid kick.
Iwoba cracks Pichushkin with a good jab.
Pichushkin misses with a wild combination.
Iwoba throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Pichushkin swinging wildly here.
Iwoba throws a nice outside leg kick.
Pichushkin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Iwoba avoids the body shot from Pichushkin.
Alexander Pichushkin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Iwoba avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pichushkin misses with a hook. Iwoba ducked under it nicely.
Pichushkin throws a hook but Iwoba blocks it.
Iwoba fires out a quick counter leg kick but Pichushkin just manages to avoid it.
Pichushkin throws a series of punches but Iwoba moves out of range.
Iwoba thuds his right hand into Pichushkin's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Iwoba scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Iwoba takes a swing at Pichushkin's ribcage but misses.
Pichushkin misses with a looping left.
Iwoba moves into range and connects with a jab.
Pichushkin closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Pichushkin missing with a left hand there. Iwoba was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Pichushkin takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Pichushkin moves out of range of the strikes.
Iwoba looks for the body kick but Pichushkin saw that one coming.
It seemed like Pichushkin was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Iwoba checks a leg kick.
Iwoba thumps Pichushkin with a low kick.
Pichushkin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Pichushkin throws a looping overhand right but Iwoba ducks down to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pichushkin throws the left hand but Iwoba avoids the punch easily.
Iwoba throws a quick counter kick to the body but Pichushkin avoids it.
Iwoba throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Pichushkin throws a shot to the body.
Pichushkin thows a left - swing and a miss!
Iwoba quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Pichushkin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Iwoba slips under a jab from Pichushkin.
Iwoba throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A solid leg kick lands there for Iwoba.
Pichushkin takes one to the side of the head.
Iwoba throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Iwoba loads up on a big right hand but Pichushkin slips the punch.
Pichushkin takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Pichushkin displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Iwoba throws out the jab.
Pichushkin walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Iwoba takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
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!
A combination from Iwoba does no damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Iwoba on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Iwoba walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
The fighters circle momentarily. Iwoba darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Iwoba throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Pichushkin counter with a right hand.
Iwoba darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Pichushkin looks to land a left hand but Iwoba moved out of range nicely.
Pichushkin lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Iwoba circles away quickly and effectively.
Some wild striking there from Pichushkin.
Pichushkin takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Pichushkin misses the jab.
Iwoba lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Iwoba scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Pichushkin doesn't seem bothered though.
Pichushkin throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Iwoba counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice strikes from Iwoba there.
Pichushkin tries to get to full guard but Iwoba has control of the leg.
Iwoba looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Pichushkin with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

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 Bosco Iwoba.
Well Iwoba 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bosco Iwoba!
A relieved looking Bosco Iwoba thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.