PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Maxim Menshikov (ranked 5090 p4p, 473 weight class) and Doug MacArther (ranked 22346 p4p, 666 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Menshikov
vs
MacArther

189 cm
22
275 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

215 cm
23
270 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Maxim Menshikov!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Doug MacArther!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
MacArther swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've been told by Menshikov's head coaches at St Petersburg MMA Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
MacArther uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Menshikov.
Menshikov throws a combination that misses
and MacArther counters with an outside leg kick.
Menshikov throws a shot from downtown. MacArther moves away and avoids it.
Menshikov lands a right hook to the body.
Menshikov throws a body shot but no joy.
Menshikov looks to score with a jab to the body but MacArther is just out of range.
MacArther takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Menshikov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract MacArther.
Menshikov throws a hook but MacArther avoids it easily.
Menshikov misses the shot to the body.
MacArther swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
MacArther tries to score with a low kick but Menshikov moves his leg out of the way.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Menshikov takes a swing at MacArther's ribcage but misses.
MacArther cracks a nice hook into Menshikov's ribs.
Maxim Menshikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
MacArther misses with a body shot.
Menshikov throws a jab when MacArther was well out of range.
Menshikov throws a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

MacArther closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
MacArther blocks a body shot from Menshikov.
MacArther lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Menshikov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
MacArther gets through Menshikov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
MacArther tries a body shot but Menshikov blocks it.

MacArther ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. MacArther no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Menshikov is fighting to break MacArther's control of his arms but MacArther is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

MacArther pushes Menshikov off and gets back to his feet.
A solid leg kick lands there for MacArther.
Menshikov throws a shot from downtown. MacArther moves away and avoids it.
Menshikov connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Menshikov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and MacArther cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Donk. MacArther catches Menshikov right on the button with a cross.
MacArther swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Menshikov checks a leg kick nicely.
Menshikov avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
MacArther moves out of range of the strikes.
Menshikov is really struggling to find his range with his punches. MacArther's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Menshikov throws a looping overhand right but MacArther ducks down to avoid it.
MacArther keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Menshikov throws a body punch but MacArther moves out of range.
Menshikov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Menshikov throws a big shot that misses.
MacArther getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
MacArther throws a leg kick that is checked
and Menshikov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
MacArther slips under a jab.
Nice uppercut lands for MacArther. That snapped Menshikov's head back.
MacArther drops his hands momentarily and Menshikov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menshikov takes a swing at MacArther's ribcage but misses.
MacArther throws a sloppy head kick and Menshikov moves out of range easily.
A big left from MacArther misses.
MacArther takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
MacArther paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Menshikov walks into a left hand.
MacArther pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Good exchange - Menshikov coming out on top.
Menshikov misses with the combination.
MacArther tries to counter by closing the distance.
Menshikov misses with a jab, cross combination.
A swing and a miss from Menshikov.
A punch lands to the side of Menshikov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Menshikov swings widly with a right hand
and MacArther counters with a slapping leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
MacArther ducks under a wild hook from Menshikov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MacArther throws a leg kick but Menshikov sees it coming and moves out of range.
MacArther throws a leg kick which misses Menshikov's front leg but catches the back leg as Menshikov tries to avoid it.
MacArther has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
MacArther closes the distance and clinches up with Menshikov, looking for a takedown. MacArther pushes Menshikov against the cage but Menshikov circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
MacArther is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Menshikov swings for the body but MacArther moves out of range.
MacArther is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Menshikov blocks a low kick nicely.
Menshikov throws out a loose jab but MacArther uses good head movement to avoid it.
Menshikov misses with an uppercut
and MacArther connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
MacArther slips a jab and a cross from Menshikov.
MacArther defending well as Menshikov loads up on a big left hand.
MacArther is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Menshikov had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
MacArther misses with a low kick.
MacArther gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Menshikov.
Menshikov takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Menshikov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from MacArther.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Menshikov looks to land a combination. MacArther sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

It looks like Doug MacArther has been cut.
Menshikov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but MacArther moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
MacArther thinks about the counter body kick.
MacArther misses the shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Doug MacArther will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Doug MacArther's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Menshikov throws a hook to the side of MacArther's head but MacArther sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

MacArther has Menshikov up against the cage in a clinch.

Menshikov breaks the clinch.
MacArther tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Menshikov was well out of range. Poor timing from MacArther.
MacArther staying out of range there.
MacArther just misses with a punch to the body.
Menshikov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from MacArther.
A telegraphed right hand from Menshikov misses the target.
MacArther uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Menshikov.
Menshikov staying out of range there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Menshikov throws a body shot but no joy.
Menshikov misses with a body shot
letting MacArther counter with a right hand.
MacArther motions for Menshikov to come forward. MacArther throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A lazy left from Menshikov finds it's target.

MacArther has Menshikov up against the cage in a clinch.
A right hand to the body from MacArther.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short right from MacArther.
Menshikov tries to work over MacArther's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Menshikov.
Menshikov lands an uppercut.
Menshikov lands with a short head shot on the inside.
MacArther scores with a nice hook to the head.
Menshikov has had enough of the clinch but MacArther keeps him there for the moment.
MacArther swings away with an uppercut that misses.
MacArther scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Menshikov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
An inside leg kick from MacArther misses.
MacArther pulls out of a head kick attempt.
MacArther is trying hard to land a takedown here. Menshikov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
MacArther misses with a body punch
letting Menshikov counter with a right hand.

MacArther is rocked!
OH! MacArther has been rocked by a huge right hand and is in deep trouble! Menshikov smells blood and charges in for the finish! Menshikov unloads a vicious overhand right and connects to the jaw of MacArther sending him face first to the canvas! Unbelievable!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Maxim Menshikov!
Maxim Menshikov is the new heavyweight champion!
After winning the bout, Maxim Menshikov thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.