PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Usikov (ranked 1433 p4p, 178 weight class) and Danny Tucker (ranked 1365 p4p, 175 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Usikov
vs
Tucker

175 cm
32
195 lbs
10 - 8 - 0

185 cm
27
190 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Usikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Danny Tucker!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Yves DeLean and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Usikov thuds his shin into the meat of Tucker's side.
Tucker takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Usikov misses the shot to the body.
Tucker only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Usikov dodges the punch combination from Tucker.
Tucker moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Usikov, as that shot connected.
Jab, jab by Tucker - just one landing.
Tucker scores with a three punch combo!

It looks like Alexander Usikov has been cut.
Usikov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Usikov ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tucker moves away.
Tucker just misses with a punch to the body.
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!

Tucker lands a left and a right that send Usikov crashing to the mat, dazed. Tucker thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!
An inside leg kick lands from Tucker.
Tucker displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Usikov throws out the jab.
A punch combination from Tucker misses.
Tucker moves out of range of the body kick from Usikov.
Usikov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tucker throws a body punch but Usikov moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tucker walks into a straight right hand from Usikov.
Tucker fails to land with a series of punches.
Usikov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Usikov is looking to chop away at Tucker's legs.
A cross from Tucker lands.
Tucker misses with a low kick.
Usikov scores with a jab.

Tucker forces Usikov back against the cage and clinches.
Tucker throws a punch but it's blocked by Usikov.
Tucker misses with a punch on the inside.
Usikov with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Tucker struggles to land a body shot inside as Usikov controls his hands.
Tucker managing to block the knees to the body from Usikov.
Tucker scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Usikov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tucker blocks it with crossed arms.
Tucker gets through Usikov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Usikov working aggressively here.
Usikov stalling the fight.
Usikov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Tucker looks winded!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Usikov lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Danny Tucker has been cut.
Usikov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tucker has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Usikov prevents Tucker from breaking the clinch.
Usikov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tucker is defending well for now.
Usikov utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Tucker being controlled against the cage.
Usikov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Usikov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Tucker misses with a punch on the inside.
Tucker misses with a hook from the clinch.
Tucker makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Tucker fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tucker lands a body punch.
Tucker working hard to break the clinch.
I was talking to Usikov's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Tucker lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Tucker misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tucker breaks from the clinch.
A slapping leg kick lands for Usikov.
Tucker waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Usikov.
Tucker wants to land a leg kick but Usikov is out of range.
Usikov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Alexander Usikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tucker throws an off balance right hand
enabling Usikov to counter with a crisp jab.
Usikov throws a combination that misses
and Tucker counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Usikov throws a shot from downtown. Tucker moves away and avoids it.
A shot to the liver by Usikov. Beautiful body shot.
That kick from Usikov tenderised Tucker's leg. Tucker is trying to keep his angry face on.
Usikov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Tucker.
Usikov throws a head kick but Tucker moves out of range.
Usikov tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Tucker throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Usikov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tucker thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nice shot by Tucker.
Usikov scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Tucker is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Usikov.
Usikov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Usikov connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Tucker throws a hook to the side of Usikov's head but Usikov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tucker pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Usikov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Tucker.
Usikov scoring well with a low kick there.
Tucker swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Usikov jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Usikov slips a jab from Tucker.
As Tucker backs away, Usikov returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Tucker is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Tucker lands a jab to the head.
Tucker cracks a nice hook into Usikov's ribs.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tucker loads up on a big right hand but Usikov slips the punch.
Left hook, right uppercut from Usikov.
Usikov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tucker.
Usikov lands a leg kick that knocks Tucker off balance momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Danny Tucker will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Usikov finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Usikov tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A swing and a miss from Tucker.
An attempted straight right counter from Usikov misses the target.
Usikov fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Usikov lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Usikov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tucker throws an overhand right that lands on Usikov's shoulder, as Usikov tries to avoid the shot.
Tucker fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Usikov is out of range.
A decent looking cross lands there for Usikov.
Tucker misses with a low kick.
Usikov misses with a wild body shot.
Usikov throws a head kick but Tucker moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tucker tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Usikov was well out of range. Poor timing from Tucker.
A shot to the liver by Tucker. Beautiful body shot.
Usikov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Tucker has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Usikov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tucker dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Tucker moves out of range of the strikes.
Usikov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Tucker.
Tucker pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Usikov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A good leg kick by Tucker.
Tucker throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Usikov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tucker scores with a leg kick.
Usikov cracks a nice hook into Tucker's ribs.
Tucker lands with a nice body punch.
Tucker throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Usikov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Usikov misses with a few strikes there.
Tucker lands with an uppercut that bounces Usikov off the cage and back into range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Usikov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A big right from Usikov misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tucker.
Usikov throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Usikov lands with a shot to the body.
Usikov misses with a double jab.
Usikov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Tucker.
Usikov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tucker misses with a double jab.
A jab from Usikov misses.
Tucker throws a hook to the side of Usikov's head but Usikov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Usikov cracks Tucker with an open hand slap.
Usikov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tucker.
Tucker throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Usikov's corner calls for a 1-2. Usikov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Tucker swinging wildly here.
Usikov throwing a counter right hand but Tucker manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Usikov blocks a jab.

Tucker gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Usikov tries a knee to the head but Tucker blocks it.
Usikov blocks an uppercut.
Usikov is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Tucker is breathing heavily.
Tucker has a couple of punches blocked by Usikov.
Usikov with a knee to the head.
Usikov using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Tucker has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Tucker fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tucker tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Usikov with a knee to the head.
Tucker lands a left hand.
Usikov blocking some punches.
Tucker managing to block the knees to the body from Usikov.

Tucker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Usikov lands a head shot.
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!
Usikov needs to keep his hands up - Tucker had a free shot at his head there.
Usikov misses with a hook. Tucker ducked under it nicely.
Usikov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Usikov is looking to slow Tucker down with leg kicks.
Tucker fails to land with a series of punches.
Usikov misses with a straight left.
Tucker doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Usikov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Usikov throws a hook but Tucker blocks it.
Tucker on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Usikov throws an overhand right that lands on Tucker's shoulder, as Tucker tries to avoid the shot.
Tucker uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Usikov.
Usikov lands a lovely overhand right.
Usikov is looking to clinch.
Usikov misses with an uppercut.
Usikov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Tucker stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Usikov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Usikov pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Usikov dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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 get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Usikov scoring well with a low kick there.
A big left from Tucker misses.
Alexander Usikov is winning the standup battle so far.
Tucker walks into a stiff left hand from Usikov.
Tucker lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Usikov circles away quickly and effectively.
Usikov jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Usikov connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Usikov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Usikov dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Tucker. That did some damage!
The fighters circle momentarily. Usikov darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Usikov cracks Tucker with a right hand to the side of the head.
Tucker throws the kick towards the body but Usikov avoids it.
Tucker jabs Usikov right on the nose. Usikov blinks but takes it well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A punch combination from Usikov misses.
Tucker throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Usikov throws out a powerful jab.
Usikov lands with a straight right. Tucker didn't see that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tucker tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Usikov is able to avoid easily.
Tucker's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Tucker takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Crunch! Usikov slams his shin into Tucker's torso.
Usikov lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Usikov clinches.
Usikov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Tucker misses with the head strike.
Usikov misses with a knee strike.
Usikov landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Tucker takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Usikov connects with a knee to the head.
Stalling in the clinch from Usikov.
A head punch on the inside from Tucker fails to land.

Tucker breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Usikov throws a jab but it's blocked by Tucker.
Usikov avoids a punch combination nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tucker has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Usikov.
Tucker has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tucker misses with a two punch combination.
Usikov cracks Tucker with a good jab.
Tucker moves forwards but Usikov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Tucker throws a series of punches but Usikov avoids them all with ease.
Usikov thumps Tucker with a low kick.
Tucker moves forwards but Usikov connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Tucker throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Usikov lands the left hand.
A chopping leg kick lands by Tucker.
Usikov throws a lazy right hand but Tucker sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A head kick misses from Usikov.
Usikov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Usikov lets loose with a powerful body kick. Tucker will feel that in the morning.
A nice combination there by Usikov.
Usikov scores with a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tucker thows a left - swing and a miss!
Tucker showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Usikov.
Tucker throws a right hand that Usikov ducks under and follows up with a left that Usikov also avoids with ease.
Usikov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Usikov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Usikov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tucker.
Usikov with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Usikov slips under a jab from Tucker.
Usikov misses with a kick to the body.
Tucker swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Tucker fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Usikov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Tucker.
The fighters circling - Tucker throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Usikov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tucker was well out of range. Poor timing from Usikov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Usikov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tucker takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Tucker scores with a nice strike.
A chopping leg kick lands by Usikov.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tucker dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Usikov connects with a solid leg kick.
Tucker just misses with a punch to the body.

Usikov tries to keep at a distance but Tucker has taken the fight into the clinch.
Usikov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tucker avoids it.

Tucker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tucker throws a wild body kick that Usikov sees coming a mile off.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jab by Tucker.
Usikov takes one on the button.
Usikov connects with an inside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Usikov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Usikov 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Peck scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Usikov!
A less than humble Alexander Usikov misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.