PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Evgeni Lomachenko (ranked 1047 p4p, 132 weight class) and Tony Hibbert (ranked 411 p4p, 50 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Lomachenko
vs
Hibbert

168 cm
30
152 lbs
14 - 13 - 0

172 cm
23
160 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

THE END 32

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 13 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Evgeni Lomachenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tony Hibbert!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lomachenko misses with a takedown attempt - Hibbert sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Hibbert swinging wildly here.
Hibbert misses with a body shot.
Lomachenko feinted with a counter takedown.
Hibbert looks to score with a jab to the body but Lomachenko is just out of range.
Lomachenko takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Lomachenko displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hibbert throws out the jab.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Hibbert has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Hibbert moves away from the strike by Lomachenko.
Hibbert throws a sloppy head kick and Lomachenko moves out of range easily.
Hibbert throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Lomachenko keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Lomachenko has been working on his boxing with his coaches at 3Band MMA ($700/week) in the buildup to the fight.
Lomachenko lands with a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hibbert throws a quick inside leg kick.
Hibbert loads up on a big right hand but Lomachenko slips the punch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hibbert. Lomachenko does a little dance to reset his feet.

Lomachenko drives through with a takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hibbert is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Lomachenko throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lomachenko is looking to work some ground and pound but Hibbert has wrist control.
Hibbert is pulling down on Lomachenko's head. It's preventing any offense from Lomachenko, at least for the moment.
Lomachenko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hibbert trying to control the position here.
Lomachenko distracts Hibbert with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Lomachenko throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hibbert works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hibbert has Lomachenko pulled in close to control his posture.
Lomachenko cracks Hibbert with a solid left hand.
Hibbert is pulling down on Lomachenko's head. It's preventing any offense from Lomachenko, at least for the moment.

Hibbert working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lomachenko doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lomachenko manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hibbert controls Lomachenko momentarily but Lomachenko frees himself.
Hibbert is adopting a defensive guard.
Lomachenko works over Hibbert with some ground and pound from guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lomachenko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Lomachenko throwing strikes from guard but Hibbert blocks nicely.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Lomachenko throws a big elbow that misses.
Lomachenko throwing strikes but missing.
Hibbert utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hibbert seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Lomachenko is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Hibbert managing to control the position.
Lomachenko scoring with some ground and pound.
Hibbert is adopting a defensive guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Lomachenko tries to free his leg and advance position but Hibbert is retaining full guard.
Hibbert looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Hibbert wants to get back to his feet but Lomachenko is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Lomachenko working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hibbert is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Lomachenko throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hibbert trying to control the position here.
Lomachenko slips nicely into half guard, despite the strikes coming from Hibbert.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hibbert wants to control but Lomachenko is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evgeni Lomachenko dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Lomachenko tests Hibbert's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hibbert will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Lomachenko closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Hibbert to the mat! Hibbert manages to get full guard.
Lomachenko is fighting to break Hibbert's control of his arms but Hibbert is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Hibbert has momentary wrist control but Lomachenko slips an elbow through the middle.

Hibbert has his foot on Lomachenko's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lomachenko works his way back into a safe position though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lomachenko scoring with punches to the head and body.
Hibbert wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Lomachenko is now in half guard.
Lomachenko tries to pass the half guard into mount. Hibbert knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Hibbert taking some punishment here, with Lomachenko in his half guard.
Evgeni Lomachenko overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hibbert on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Lomachenko landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Hibbert keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Lomachenko is looking to advance position but Hibbert won't allow it.
Lomachenko working Hibbert over with strikes.
Hibbert on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Hibbert keeps control of the position for the meantime.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Lomachenko lands a nice short elbow.
Hibbert on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Lomachenko lands with a punch from half guard.
Lomachenko not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lomachenko throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hibbert blocking the ground and pound attempt from Lomachenko.
Hibbert has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Lomachenko is working away from the top position though.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Hibbert is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Lomachenko's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Lomachenko's back!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hibbert punches the canvas rather than the man.

Lomachenko preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Hibbert.
Hibbert doesn't have the hooks in and Lomachenko manages to turn into his guard.
Lomachenko connects with a couple of short punches.
Lomachenko scoring with some ground and pound.
Hibbert not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Lomachenko keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Hibbert's head.
Lomachenko working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hibbert is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Lomachenko with a flurry of punches that miss.
Lomachenko postures up and lands a big shot to Hibbert's brow.
Lomachenko keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Hibbert's head.
Hibbert wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Lomachenko scoring with punches to the head and body.
Lomachenko stands and throws Hibbert's legs to the side, diving into side control.
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That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hibbert wants to control but Lomachenko postures up.
Lomachenko working the head and body with strikes.
Lomachenko is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hibbert can do to turn this around?
Lomachenko cracks Hibbert with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Hibbert can't do much from the bottom here.
Lomachenko lands a nice forearm strike.
Hibbert is trying to control Lomachenko's posture but Lomachenko avoids it.

Lomachenko working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Hibbert defending against the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Evgeni Lomachenko dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Hibbert misses with a wild body shot.
Lomachenko slips under a jab from Hibbert.
Lomachenko feinted with a counter takedown.
Hibbert throws an overhand right that lands on Lomachenko's shoulder, as Lomachenko tries to avoid the shot.
Hibbert walks into a straight right hand from Lomachenko.
Lomachenko throws a hook but Hibbert blocks it.

Lomachenko gets the takedown into side control.

Hibbert throws Lomachenko to one side and escapes!
Tony Hibbert seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lomachenko misses with an uppercut.
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!
Lomachenko throws a lazy right hand but Hibbert sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Lomachenko fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Lomachenko shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hibbert as he avoids it easily.
Lomachenko takes one to the side of the head.
Lomachenko slips a jab from Hibbert.
Lomachenko shoots and misses

and Hibbert holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Evgeni Lomachenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hibbert creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hibbert scores with a shoulder strike.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hibbert is working Lomachenko over against the cage.
Hibbert lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Lomachenko tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hibbert's elbow.
Hibbert blocking some punches.
A right hook to the body lands for Hibbert.
Hibbert gets through Lomachenko's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Hibbert gets through Lomachenko's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Lomachenko tries a body shot but Hibbert blocks it.
Lomachenko tries to pull guard but Hibbert won't allow it.
Lomachenko jumps guard but Hibbert stands there with Lomachenko around his waist. Lomachenko gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Lomachenko tries to score a body lock takedown but Hibbert shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A bit of stalling here from Hibbert.
Hibbert prevents Lomachenko from breaking the clinch.
Lomachenko lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hibbert lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Hibbert scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hibbert prevents the takedown attempt.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hibbert.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hibbert has Lomachenko pushed against the cage.
Hibbert blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Lomachenko is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Hibbert gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Lomachenko tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hibbert lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
A right hand to the body from Hibbert.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hibbert lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Nice body punch from Hibbert - that landed with a thud.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hibbert.
Lomachenko misses with a punch to the body.
Hibbert lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hibbert.
Lomachenko misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lomachenko can't get the takedown.
Hibbert lands a body punch in the clinch.
Lomachenko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hibbert gets through Lomachenko's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Lomachenko is trying to pull guard but Hibbert has him pressed against the cage.
Lomachenko is trying to drag Hibbert to the mat but Hibbert just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
A short right from Hibbert on the inside.
Hibbert gets through Lomachenko's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Hibbert.
Hibbert scores with a shoulder strike.
Lomachenko has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hibbert avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hibbert scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hibbert lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Lomachenko escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lomachenko looks to land a left hand but Hibbert moved out of range nicely.
A telegraphed right hand from Hibbert misses the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hibbert scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Lomachenko manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Hibbert on his heels. He'll look to pass Hibbert's guard now, I'm sure.

Hibbert pushes Lomachenko off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Tony Hibbert is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hibbert feints a jab promting Lomachenko to slip. Hibbert then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Lomachenko slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Lomachenko misses with a wild body shot.
Lomachenko misses with a straight right.
Hibbert swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Lomachenko lands with a hook. Hibbert tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Hibbert cracks Lomachenko with an open hand slap.
Lomachenko misses with a takedown
and Hibbert counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Lomachenko shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hibbert dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Lomachenko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hibbert.
Tony Hibbert has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lomachenko showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hibbert.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tony Hibbert comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Lomachenko has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Evgeni Lomachenko!