PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Maxim Menshikov (ranked 611 p4p, 84 weight class) and Vladimir Impaler (ranked 403 p4p, 59 weight class). Maxim Menshikov has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Menshikov
vs
Impaler

189 cm
26
275 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

215 cm
26
285 lbs
19 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Sin City Allstars

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 9 - 4 - 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 19 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Vladimir Impaler!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Phil Schofield and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Impaler misses with an uppercut. Menshikov saw that one coming.
An attempted straight right counter from Menshikov misses the target.
Menshikov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Menshikov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Impaler was well out of range. Poor timing from Menshikov.
Impaler misses with a right hand
and Menshikov connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Menshikov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Impaler.
Impaler throws out a counter right but Menshikov avoids it with no problem.
Menshikov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Menshikov throws a looping overhand right but Impaler ducks down to avoid it.
Menshikov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Donk. Menshikov catches Impaler right on the button with a cross.
Menshikov tries to clinch there but Impaler circles away.
It seemed like Impaler was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Menshikov has managed to clinch.
Impaler blocks an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Menshikov fails to land.
Impaler scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menshikov taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
I was talking to Menshikov's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.

Impaler breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Menshikov tries to clinch up.
Impaler throws out a counter right but Menshikov avoids it with no problem.
Menshikov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
It seemed like Impaler was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Menshikov tries to clinch up but Impaler circles away and keeps his distance.
A little jabbing left from Impaler on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Menshikov misses with a jab to the body
and Impaler counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Maxim Menshikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Impaler slips under a jab from Menshikov.
Nice jab there from Menshikov.
Impaler misses with a straight right.
Menshikov misses with a body shot
enabling Impaler to counter with a crisp jab.
Menshikov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Impaler cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Menshikov throws a right hand that misses
and Menshikov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Menshikov just misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Menshikov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Impaler stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Impaler uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Menshikov.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Menshikov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Impaler, pushing him back against the cage.
Impaler swings wildly with an uppercut but Menshikov uses good head movement to avoid it.

Impaler breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Menshikov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
It seemed like Impaler was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Menshikov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Impaler misses with a wild body shot.
Menshikov showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Impaler.
Menshikov is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Impaler throws an overhand right that lands on Menshikov's shoulder, as Menshikov tries to avoid the shot.
Menshikov throws a right hand that misses
and Menshikov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Impaler needs to keep his hands up - Menshikov had a free shot at his head there.
Menshikov misses with a shot to the body
and Impaler counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Menshikov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Impaler.
Menshikov throws a predictable looking body shot
and Impaler counters with a straight right hand.
Impaler takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Impaler throws an off balance right hand

and Menshikov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Menshikov.
Menshikov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Impaler blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Menshikov.
Menshikov misses with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Menshikov doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Impaler breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Menshikov throws a jab but it's blocked by Impaler.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Menshikov misses with an uppercut
and Impaler counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Menshikov cracks Impaler with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Impaler misses with a wild body shot.

Menshikov drives through and clinches with Impaler against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Impaler.
Menshikov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Menshikov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Impaler's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Menshikov's corner calls for a 1-2. Menshikov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Impaler scores with a one two! Menshikov had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Maxim Menshikov will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Menshikov tries to clinch up.
Menshikov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
The fighters circling - Menshikov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Impaler let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Nice defenses there by Impaler.
A little jabbing left from Impaler on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Menshikov throws out a loose jab but Impaler uses good head movement to avoid it.
Impaler looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Menshikov lands an overhand right.
Menshikov throws a predictable looking body shot
and Impaler counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Impaler looks to land a right hand but Menshikov moved out of range.
Menshikov looks to score with a jab to the body but Impaler is just out of range.
Impaler looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Menshikov misses with a hook. Impaler ducked under it nicely.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Impaler! But no joy.
Impaler swings for the body but Menshikov moves out of range.
Menshikov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Impaler throws a body shot but no joy.
Menshikov moves in looking to clinch but Impaler pushes him off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menshikov throws a looping overhand right but Impaler ducks down to avoid it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Impaler! But no joy.
Impaler lands a nice shot that snaps Menshikov's head back.
Menshikov misses with a hook
and Impaler counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Menshikov tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Impaler counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Menshikov misses with a wild body shot.
Menshikov throws a hook but Impaler blocks it.
Menshikov throws a body shot but no joy.
Menshikov moves out of range of the strikes.
Vladimir Impaler seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Impaler looks to throw the jab but Menshikov is out of range.
Impaler looks to score with a jab to the body but Menshikov is just out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Impaler jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Menshikov looks to land a combination but Impaler avoids it well.

Menshikov moves into range and clinches up with Impaler.
Menshikov is trying to maintain a safe position but Impaler gets an underhook and turns Menshikov into the cage.
Menshikov misses with a punch to the body.
Impaler blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Impaler blocking some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Menshikov.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Menshikov throws a head punch that misses.

Menshikov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Impaler misses with an uppercut.
A big right from Impaler misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menshikov throws a nice looking combination but Impaler bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Menshikov misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Impaler cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Menshikov moves in looking to clinch but Impaler pushes him off.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Impaler! But no joy.
Impaler might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Nice uppercut lands for Impaler. That snapped Menshikov's head back.
The crowd cheers as Impaler lands an impressive looking overhand right. Menshikov doesn't seem phased though.
Impaler misses with an uppercut. Menshikov saw that one coming.
Menshikov lands a nice shot to the body.
Menshikov misses with a lunging right hand
and Impaler counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Menshikov thinking.
Menshikov misses with a body shot.
Impaler looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Menshikov is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Menshikov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Impaler lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Impaler misses with a looping right.
Impaler is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Menshikov doesn't manage to clinch there - Impaler circles away.
Impaler avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Impaler misses with a straight left.
Impaler uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Menshikov.
Impaler ducks under a wild hook from Menshikov.
Menshikov loads up on a big right hand but Impaler slips the punch.
Impaler fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Menshikov manages to avoid it.
Menshikov throws a hook to the side of Impaler's head but Impaler sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Impaler is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Menshikov.
Impaler throws the left hand but Menshikov avoids the punch easily.
Impaler walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Impaler looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Vladimir Impaler will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Menshikov just misses with a punch to the body.
Menshikov closes the distance looking to clinch
and Impaler connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A looping hook to the body misses from Impaler. Menshikov does a little dance to reset his feet.

Menshikov rushes Impaler and presses him up against the cage.
Menshikov swings wildly with an uppercut but Impaler uses good head movement to avoid it.
Impaler blocks an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Menshikov looking to slow down the pace here.
Menshikov lands a left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menshikov scores with a shot to the side of Impaler's head.
Menshikov misses with a punch to the body.
Menshikov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Menshikov pushes Impaler back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Menshikov throws a punch but it's blocked by Impaler.
Impaler lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Maxim Menshikov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A short body shot lands from Menshikov as the two fighters clinch.
Menshikov tries a body shot but Impaler blocks it.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Menshikov.
Menshikov swings wildly with an uppercut but Impaler uses good head movement to avoid it.
Menshikov swings wildly with an uppercut but Impaler uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Impaler.
Impaler blocks a body shot from Menshikov.
Menshikov swings wildly with an uppercut but Impaler uses good head movement to avoid it.
Menshikov has a couple of punches blocked by Impaler.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Impaler gets through Menshikov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Menshikov misses with a punch on the inside.
Menshikov misses with a punch on the inside.

Impaler breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Impaler throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Menshikov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Impaler.
Menshikov wants to clinch up but Impaler keeps it at a distance.
Impaler looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Menshikov throws a lazy uppercut
and Impaler counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Menshikov tries to grapple but his opponent circles
enabling Impaler to counter with a crisp jab.
Menshikov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Impaler manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Menshikov misses with a jab to the body
and Impaler counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A looping hook to the body misses from Impaler. Menshikov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Menshikov misses with a wild body shot.
Menshikov looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Impaler steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Menshikov.
Impaler doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Menshikov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Impaler.
Menshikov lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

Menshikov has taken the fight to the clinch.
Impaler lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Menshikov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Menshikov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Menshikov lands a shoulder strike.
Menshikov stalling in the clinch.
Menshikov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Impaler blocks a body shot from Menshikov.

Impaler breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Impaler misses with an uppercut. Menshikov saw that one coming.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maxim Menshikov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Menshikov 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:28
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maxim Menshikov!
An out of breath Maxim Menshikov thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.