PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Maxim Menshikov (ranked 1996 p4p, 188 weight class) and Ultime Fauchelevent (ranked 4117 p4p, 347 weight class). Fauchelevent is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Rue des Cascades. Ultime Fauchelevent is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Menshikov
vs
Fauchelevent

189 cm
23
275 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

188 cm
24
280 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Maxim Menshikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ultime Fauchelevent!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Sergei Dronov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Menshikov lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

It looks like Ultime Fauchelevent has been cut.

Fauchelevent fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Menshikov to the ground. Fauchelevent is now in Menshikov's guard.
Menshikov wants to stand and escape but Fauchelevent is having none of it.
Fauchelevent being controlled here momentarily.
Menshikov keeping full guard, as Fauchelevent tries to pass.
Fauchelevent controls from within his opponent's guard.
Fauchelevent postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Menshikov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Menshikov looking for a sweep. Not yet Menshikov, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fauchelevent trying to control the position from guard on top but Menshikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fauchelevent scoring with punches to the head and body.
Fauchelevent showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Menshikov is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Fauchelevent wants to control from the top but Menshikov keeps moving.
Fauchelevent content to stall in guard here.
Menshikov is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Fauchelevent trying to control but Menshikov is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Menshikov punishes Fauchelevent's body with a nice straight punch.
Sloppy strikes from Menshikov. Those never looked like landing.
Fauchelevent drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Menshikov defends it well.
Fauchelevent gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Menshikov.
Menshikov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Fauchelevent doesn't seem bothered though.
Menshikov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Fauchelevent shoots for a takedown but Menshikov saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Fauchelevent wants to clinch up but Menshikov keeps it at a distance.
Fauchelevent tries to move into range but Menshikov moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Fauchelevent goes for a double leg but Menshikov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Menshikov continues to drive forward.
Menshikov jabs at Fauchelevent's body.
Fauchelevent tries to close the distance and clinch up but Menshikov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Fauchelevent looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menshikov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Menshikov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Fauchelevent sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Fauchelevent tries to counter by closing the distance.
Menshikov misses with an uppercut. Fauchelevent saw that one coming.
Fauchelevent drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Menshikov defends it well.
Menshikov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fauchelevent moves away.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Fauchelevent on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Menshikov tests Fauchelevent's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Maxim Menshikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Menshikov lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Fauchelevent is rocked!
Today's fight clock is brought to you by... OOOH that's a huge shot by Menshikov! Fauchelevent is in big trouble here - the ref steps in to save him and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Maxim Menshikov!
Our winner, Maxim Menshikov, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.