PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Stephen Campbell (ranked 410 p4p, 54 weight class) and Alexander Usikov (ranked 506 p4p, 67 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Campbell
vs
Usikov

183 cm
35
197 lbs
23 - 8 - 3

175 cm
35
195 lbs
15 - 11 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class 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 23 - 8 - 3, fighting out of Las Vegas, Stephen Campbell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 11 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alexander Usikov!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Alec Ball and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Campbell moves out of range of the body kick from Usikov.
Campbell misses with a wild combination.
Usikov is looking to score with low kicks.
Usikov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Campbell throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Campbell looks to throw a body kick
and Usikov counters with a low kick, right behind Campbell 's knee.
Campbell walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Campbell connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Usikov scores with a sloppy right hand. Campbell should have avoided that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Campbell throws a leg kick that is checked
and Usikov counters with a thumping low kick.
Usikov keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Stephen Campbell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Campbell throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Usikov takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Campbell misses with an uppercut. Usikov saw that one coming.
Campbell goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Usikov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Campbell throws a hook but Usikov blocks it.
Usikov avoids the body shot from Campbell.
A nice combination there by Usikov.
Campbell throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Usikov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A little jabbing left from Usikov on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Usikov slips under a jab.
Campbell fails with the takedown
and Usikov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A big right from Campbell misses.
A nice inside leg kick there by Usikov. That's going to slow Campbell down.
A swing and a miss from Usikov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Campbell takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Usikov takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Campbell lands with an overhand left.
Campbell jabs at Usikov's body.
Usikov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Campbell.
Usikov wants to counter the offense by Campbell and move into the clinch position.
Usikov fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Usikov throws a jab when Campbell was well out of range.
Usikov's coach down at St Petersburg MMA Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Usikov's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Campbell.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stephen Campbell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Campbell takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Nice uppercut there from Campbell.
Usikov misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Usikov as he connects with a hook.
Usikov lands an overhand right.
Campbell throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Campbell takes a swing at Usikov's ribcage but misses.
It seemed like Usikov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Usikov leaves Campbell with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Usikov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Campbell lands with an uppercut that bounces Usikov off the cage and back into range.
Campbell throws a poor cross that misses
and Usikov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Usikov is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Campbell had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Usikov jabs at Campbell's body.
Usikov misses with a head kick.
Campbell misses with a hook to the body
and Usikov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Usikov slips under a jab from Campbell.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Campbell shoots in and drives through. Usikov sprawls well.
Usikov blocks the body kick.
Campbell blocks a jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Usikov goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Usikov lands a head shot.
Campbell misses with a lunging right hand
and Usikov counters with a good low kick that Campbell was not able to check.
Usikov pivots, looking for a leg kick but Campbell is out of range and Usikov settles back down.
Campbell appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
A head kick by Campbell misses
and Usikov finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Usikov slips a straight right by Campbell.
Usikov keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Usikov scores with a jab.
Campbell thuds a left hand into Usikov's body.
Campbell swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Usikov looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Usikov dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Usikov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Usikov stuns Campbell with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Usikov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Campbell.
Campbell misses with a wild combination.
Usikov blocks a leg kick.
Campbell fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Usikov throws a nice inside leg kick.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Campbell might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Usikov lands with a nice body punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Campbell jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Campbell throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Campbell throws out a loose jab but Usikov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Usikov let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Usikov slaps away a takedown attempt from Campbell, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Usikov throws a lazy right hand but Campbell sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A cross from Usikov lands.
Campbell avoids the body shot from Usikov.
Alexander Usikov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Usikov stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Campbell paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Usikov scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Usikov blocks a jab.
Usikov swings for the body but Campbell moves out of range.
Campbell fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Usikov manages to avoid it.
A telegraphed right hand from Usikov misses the target.
Usikov throws a series of punches but Campbell moves out of range.

Campbell throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Usikov was covering up waiting for the punch and Campbell finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Usikov is wriggling around but Campbell manages to pass to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Usikov is not content to let Campbell control the position.
Usikov is looking to control Campbell's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Usikov avoid being mounted?
Usikov looks like he's trying to stand up.
Usikov wants to control but Campbell is keeping busy.
We've been hearing that Campbell has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Campbell sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Usikov defending well though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Usikov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Campbell.
Usikov is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Campbell scores with a couple of nice shots.
Campbell is controlling the pace.
Campbell looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Usikov wants to get back to his feet.
Campbell working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Campbell 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.
Campbell prevents Usikov from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Usikov is still trying to improve position.
Campbell missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ground and pound from Campbell.
Campbell looks to land a strike but Usikov avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Campbell not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Usikov is trying to keep Campbell in close.
Campbell scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Usikov keeping moving, preventing Campbell from controlling successfully.
Campbell postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Stephen Campbell will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Nice shot lands for Campbell.
Campbell lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Usikov leaves Campbell with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Campbell takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Campbell thows a leg kick but Usikov checks it
and Usikov counters with a nice body kick.
Campbell gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Usikov cracks Campbell with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Campbell swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Campbell misses with a left hand
and Usikov counters with a nice uppercut.
Campbell blocks a leg kick.
An attempted straight right counter from Campbell misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Usikov moves out of range as Campbell strikes.
Usikov misses with a two punch combination.
Campbell's jab looks to have found its range, popping Usikov under the eye.
Usikov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Usikov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Campbell throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Campbell ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Usikov moves away.
Usikov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Campbell sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Campbell appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Campbell connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Campbell misses with a looping right.
Usikov ducks under a wild hook from Campbell.
Campbell scores with a jab to the head.
Alexander Usikov seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Campbell throws a leg kick but Usikov moved away.
Campbell sets himself, and Usikov steps forward looking for the clinch! Campbell avoids it this time.
Campbell bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Usikov swinging wildly here.
A little feinted left hand from Campbell on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Campbell tried to score with a low kick but Usikov checks it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Campbell doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Campbell takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Usikov misses with an uppercut. Campbell saw that one coming.
Campbell ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Usikov moves away.
Usikov swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Usikov takes one to the side of the head.
Campbell looks to score with a jab to the body but Usikov is just out of range.
Campbell connects with the punch.
Campbell tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Campbell misses the target.
Usikov looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Campbell throws a half hearted mid kick.
Campbell fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Usikov manages to avoid it.
Usikov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Campbell looks for the body kick but Usikov saw that one coming.
Usikov misses with a hook.
Usikov throws a right hand that Campbell ducks under and follows up with a left that Campbell also avoids with ease.
Usikov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Campbell.
A head kick misses from Usikov.
Usikov avoids the body shot from Campbell.
Campbell pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Usikov throws out a counter right but Campbell avoids it with no problem.
Usikov walks into a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Campbell thuds his right hand into Usikov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Campbell is trying hard to land a takedown here. Usikov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stephen Campbell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Campbell doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Usikov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A cross from Usikov lands.
Usikov tries to clinch but Campbell moves out of range.
Campbell was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Campbell looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Campbell fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Usikov has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
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 misses with a left hand
and Campbell counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Campbell chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Usikov can pounce on him.
Campbell is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Usikov misses with a looping left.
Usikov moves out of range as Campbell throws a body kick.
Campbell shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Usikov defends it nicely.

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 Stephen Campbell.
I think Campbell 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 29:29
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Stephen Campbell!
After the fight, Stephen Campbell was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.